Calling all young African leaders: Mail & Guardian Newspaper
Deadline: 30 June 2013

Our continent is on the rise and it is Africa’s young leaders that will take us into the future.

To this end, the Mail & Guardian is sponsoring two dynamic young African leaders for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to attend the One Young World Summit 2013, taking place in Johannesburg this year.

The M&G is a South African-based news publication that prides itself on being Africa’s best read.

The M&G, as part of our commitment to developing young leaders on the continent, will fully sponsor two delegate places to this year’s summit. In addition, we will cover the travel cost for each delegate from his or her home cities to Johannesburg, if necessary.

We’re on the hunt for very special candidates to attend this leadership and development conference. One Young World generally looks for candidates with proven leadership ability, and a passion for volunteering and a concern for global issues. We want to sponsor two candidates who display that, and more.

As a news publication dedicated to online innovation, we want to sponsor two candidates doing interesting things in the digital and tech space.

The Mail & Guardian Online was the first internet-based news publication in Africa, and has repeatedly received awards for its digital innovation. We want to sponsor someone who shares this DNA with us.

Perhaps you have been involved in a project that uses digital tools to improve agriculture, social development or media freedom. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it.

Do you have what it takes? Check out the criteria for our candidates, then fill in the form below and you could be part of this amazing conference, and experience being mentored by world leaders.

Candidate criteria includes the following
-One Young World delegates are 18-30 years old at the time of the summit
-Demonstrate leadership potential and skills (many have already had an impact in their home countries on a range of issues)
-Teamwork
-Concern about global issues
-Ability to generate and articulate impactful ideas
-A commitment to volunteering or other extracurricular activity (evidence required)

In addition, the M&G requires the following for our two candidates
-Involved in some sort of leadership or community project involving digital tools and/or tech innovation
-Display an innovative approach to solving some of the problems facing the continent
-Candidates must be nationals of, and residing, in any African country

Apply for this opportunity

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Agronomist: Local CBO based in Bulawayo
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Designation: Agronomist
Area of operation: Bulawayo (Ward 1 to 29)
Position Code: zphca2-13

Job Summary
To undertake specific skilled support to work as an Agronomist for a nutritional organic garden for children with disabilities in Bulawayo.

Responsibilities
-To specialize in research and breeding of different horticultural products
-Find out the best methods of planting, cultivating, spraying and harvesting
-To have knowledge of producing, shipping and preservation of vegetables or ornamental plants
-To conduct workshops, trainings and prepare articles on best farming practices
-To provide professional advice on the selection, ordering, planting, and maintenance of horticultural products
-To plan and design horticultural beds
-To maintain nurseries and keep records on the operations
-To train and supervise subordinates in greenhouse operations
-To teach proper methods and techniques of planting horticultural products
-To prepare orders for various types of plants
-Train ground personnel in the techniques of pruning, cabling and bracing of trees and shrubs
-Assists in the preparation of maintenance programs for the control of plant diseases and insects
-Prepares organic manure programs for various types of plants
-Performs related duties as required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience
-A diploma or Degree in Agriculture
-3 years working related experience
-Clean class 4 drivers license
-Legally responsible and accountable
-Able to work with minimum supervision
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills

To apply
Interested and qualified persons can send their Curriculum Vitae Applications Letters quoting the position code on the subject to email applications to: zphcabulawayo [at] gmail [dot] com and address it to the Branch Coordinator.

Kindly note that only short listed candidates will be responded to.

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Personal Assistant to the Dean of the Cathedral
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Location: Harare

Purpose
To provide an efficient and responsive administrative, organizational, and logistical service to the Dean, helping him to manage and prioritize his time.

Main Responsibilities/Key Duties
-Manage and maintain the Dean’s diary and email account
-Filter emails, highlight urgent correspondence and print attachments
-Ensure busy diary commitments, papers, and travel arrangements are managed effectively including producing a daily folder with diary, necessary papers, etc. and troubleshooting problems
-Conduct weekly diary meetings with the Dean to discuss upcoming engagements, invitations and other requests
-Schedule on behalf of the Dean meetings between him and clergy, churchwardens, council and staff
-Filter general information, queries, phone calls and invitations to the Dean
-Keep and maintain an accurate record of papers and electronic correspondence on behalf of the Dean
-Prepare correspondence on behalf of the Dean, including the drafting of general replies
-Minute general meetings as required by the Dean
-Ensure visitors meeting with the Dean are well taken care of

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills

Experience
-Demonstrable experience in an administration/executive assistant/PA role in a highly pressurised environment requiring tact, judgment and discretion in handling internal and external contacts (essential)
-Experience of diary management (essential)
-Experience of successfully working with senior management (essential)
-Public office experience, for example, in a church/parish office would be an advantage (desirable).

Knowledge
-Must be proficient with the keyboard and IT applications
-Expert level in the use of Outlook
-Intermediate level in the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Skills (all essential)
-Excellent organisational skills, ability to multi-task and organise others
-Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to professionally represent the Dean’s office
-Ability to work under pressure and be flexible as part of a small team
-Attention to detail and deadlines
-Ability to filter information and assess priorities
-Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships at all levels, including during difficult or challenging circumstances
-Ability to prioritise and manage own workload amid conflicting demands and busy work periods
-Ability to think ahead and anticipate needs before they arise
-Ability to exercise discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters
-Confident and able to work on own initiative and with limited supervision

Apply
Please send applications to: sjchibaya [at] gmail [dot] com and mutamiri68 [at] gmail [dot] com

We asked for your feedback on Mayor Masunda saying that the water crisis in Zimbabwe will be alleviated if residents coughed up their dollars on time and paid their bills.

Here is what some of you think:

It’s true, I am already doing that, I make sure every month-end I pay my bills on time.

In my own view the principal running cities and towns should put our health first. What is the use of Government subsidies in our country? If people are not able to pay rates it means all is difficult for residents. Let municipality cut on the rates and put affordable rates, which people can afford, and government intervene through the use of subsidies, and utilizing taxes they are collecting from people. Many residents are suffering from stomach disease due to unclean and unsafe water they are drinking yet our own Mayor talks about water supply as a luxury or a want just like DSTV and cell phone airtime top-up. It is not every resident that subscribes to DSTV. It is his duty as a city Mayor to care for the health of the residents. We support our principals; all we want is them to create better living conditions for the residents and raise up the standard of living of society not for another time, but Now.

It is unfortunate that we may laugh at the Mayor but he is telling the truth. People pay for their cell phones because if you do not pay you cannot phone. If you do not subscribe to DSTV you cannot view any channels. If at all there was, or is a way of doing the same thing with water and other services offered by the City of Harare I do not think we wouldn’t have anyone failing to pay for services rendered. However, the next thing would be to find a way to stop pilferage of funds because with everyone paying it means thousands (if not millions) of dollars are up for grabs.

This is a lame excuse – at least they should demonstrate their commitment by cutting down on some of their expenditures. City council fathers are well known for giving themselves hefty salaries and allowances. We have been hearing that same story for many years. If they can account for all the payments being done this can make a difference.

The Mayor was simply being Dramatic in expressing a very important point that affects everyone and people should not read too much into it and get the sense that until they start getting their priorities right, clean and regular water supplies remain a pipe dream. Being dramatic is in fact a mark of good leadership. The Mayor comes across to me saying this is a problem, which affects the public and should therefore involve the public in its solution. Simple.  So the people’s Mayor is simply putting the public problem and its public solution in perspective. Thumbs up.

If that is the case we are guaranteed of never seeing an end to these water problems. Ratepayers do not pay because there is no service to pay for NOT because they do not want water. Right now there is no guarantee that water will flow in your tap if you settle your bills, so why bother?

Above: On Ridgeway South as it crosses Enterprise Road alongside Nazareth House rows of trees have been cut down. The stumps (in this case ranging from ankle to knee height) and all the leafy off cuts have been left on site. In addition, in the last few days trees are being felled alongside Nazareth House on Enterprise Road.

One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.
- proverb

The Forest Act, Chap 19.05, Section 78, prohibits the damage or cutting of any tree in Zimbabwe without a permit from the Forestry Commission. Even in a ‘private forest’ (any private land). There are 120 forestry officers nationwide, and an application must be made to one of them two weeks in advance. The officer will inspect, and recommend removal or not. Including on private land.

The forestry officer may recommend the removal of stumps, and brush, but there is no legal obligation. That is to say, the law does not force any removal.

There are three particular and serious concerns that we as active and concerned citizens must consider:

1. Trees that are felled by the City of Harare or by the individual/company that requested the trees to be felled, must be replanted.

2. Why are areas that are being left hacked up by City of Harare tree fellers not being rehabilitated by the City, or by the individual/company that commissioned the destruction?

3. Why do we not see local environmental and residents associations advocating more vocally about stopping the systematic looting of trees in our cities and towns?

Like Ashton said in his article about litter, there are many ways in which a city is kept viable both as a tourist destination, as well as a place that offers beauty and good quality of life for its residents. Soon our city streets will be stump lined instead of tree lined – unless we all commit to seriously questioning the removal of any trees, as well as taking out stumps and replanting trees.

If you are worried about local tree felling, get involved!

1) The law is clear. No one may cut a tree down without Forestry Commission permission.
2) Talk to the Forestry Commission, get to know your neighbours, ask if they have a permit. There is a clear procedure to follow to get one. If they have not done this, it is illegal.
3) Any land within Harare City limits that is not private belongs to you and is managed for you by the City of Harare. They are cutting Your trees, and you have every right to know why. And by all means, challenge it. You and you community need that tree living more than some individual needs it dead.

Couldn’t agree more with Ashton Bumhira who sent us this story and photograph:

The problem of litter can be addressed through the provision of accessible bins to communities and education is an important tool in raising a sense of community ownership and responsibility. But people have to desist from vandalizing the infrastructure for litter management.

People who are aware of the dangers of litter often make more of an effort to always put their trash in the correct place. Every Zimbabwean has to spread the word to those they see littering, and teach them to dispose of garbage the right way. It is very important for the City authorities to quickly remove litter as this helps to keep it from growing into an unmanageable dump site.

It is a myth that litter control is not important. I strongly believe that litter control may not be the most dramatic, or exciting of the many problems that threaten the quality of our environment, but it is a problem which affects everyone in the community. Litter destroys the beauty of a community. People come from all over the world to see the beauty of our countryside, towns and cities. When litter mars their enjoyment, Zimbabwe loses valuable tourist dollars.

“Litterbugs” can be found among people of every age, sex, race and ethnic origin, at every level of society and in all geographic locations. The control and eradication of littering calls for the broader participation of people from diverse backgrounds – captains of industries, churches, schools and the community at large. Recently at the officially launch of the Bin It Zimbabwe Program Minister Nhema said that the problem of litter has led to the outbreak of various waste and water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. Litter is a breeding ground for fire and disease and it is a breeding ground for rats and disease-causing bacteria. Litter needs to be controlled, and it requires Your participation.

 

Photo by Ashton Bumhira