Emirates to fly Harare route in 2012

A statement released on Wednesday by Emirates Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said starting 1st February the airline will operate five weekly flights from Dubai to Harare.

‘Emirates has long understood the enormous potential of Africa, which today is one of the fastest-expanding economic regions of the world, benefitting from a combined market of over one billion people, rising consumer demand and an abundance of natural resources,’ the sheikh said.

The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service will be operated by an A330-200 aircraft offering First, Business and Economy seating. David Chawota, Chief Executive Officer for the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe said the route will provide a welcome boost for leisure and business in Zimbabwe, from a number of markets in the Middle East.

A number of leading businessmen in Dubai have in the past years invested heavily in Zimbabwe, despite the country’s ongoing political uncertainty. Most have invested in the mining and tourism industry. There is also a lot of freight that has found its way to Zimbabwe from Dubai, including military hardware.

State-owned company Dubai World also plans to invest in a wildlife game reserve in Zimbabwe as part of plans to boost its investments in Africa. SW Radio Africa

Harare Soccer Fever: Man U vs Chelsea

                                     
Highlights of the 2 teams last match.

Harare is divided today along the lines of soccer. You have to be on one of these sides tonight. Its Chelsea vs Man U. UK and Zim relations are still very bad, but that doesn't stop the legion of fans from follow these 2 British clubs

Zim vs Pakistan - T20 Series

Sep 18 - Sun	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 2nd T20I	12:00	17:30	14:00	Harare Sports Club	Harare

Stunner - Godo

In the streets - Harare

Alliance Française de Harare marks 60th anniversary

By Entertainment Writer Sunday, 11 September 2011 13:07 AddThis Social Bookmark Button HARARE - Three hundred of Harare’s most influential figures will attend celebrations to mark Alliance Française de Harare’s 60th anniversary on September 15. The cultural centre has organised a garden party featuring ambassadors, dignitaries, corporate executives and cultural figures. David Coltart, Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, will be one of the guests at the celebrations that will focus on the cultural relationship between France and Zimbabwe after 60 years of collaboration. After being served with champagne, wine and various kinds of tasty dishes provided by Alliance’s sponsors Spar and Spar Braeside Tops, attendees will be treated to a musical performance by renowned Kenyan group Gargar. This all-female music group, revelation of the programme Spotlight & Kenyan music, will offer, thanks to the support of African Synergy, their first international concert on the day. On September 16, Alliance Française de Harare will celebrate with all its members, students, partners, friends and anyone who wishes to enjoy the return of Funkalicious! All the usual ingredients — a fantastic international guest DJ, a great live act and a wicked local DJ — will be combined to offer a terrific night of exclusive and first quality music that will keep audiences on the floor until the sunrise. The international guest DJ will be Kid Fonque (SoulCandi Records, Jo’burg) who is back for his second Funkalicious show after an unforgettable gig in 2010. Fonque’s taste and selection is eclectic and includes electro, dubstep, hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass and much more. The live act will be Gargar, a quartet from Garissa, North Eastern Kenya, made up of women of Somali origin. The group made their journey to stardom thanks to Spotlight on Kenyan Music a cultural programme initiated by Alliance Francaise de Nairobi. They released their debut album Garissa Express in 2010 to critical acclaim. Garissa Express features songs that are uniquely traditional and in keeping with Somali language and sounds, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation to keep it relevant to the present day. Charles Houdart, the director of Alliance Française de Harare said celebrating their 60th anniversary was an opportunity to acknowledge the time and efforts that each and every director, worker, student, partner and volunteer has contributed to the success of the institute. “It is also the occasion to define new orientations that will guide our future projects. Change and continuity are the two words that define our policy for the next decades. “Continuity since our future actions will be driven on the basis of the same values we share with all members of our network, among them respect for cultural diversity, non-political or non-religious commitments, passion for exchanges and solidarity and values of the not-for-profit sector. “Continuity because our three essential tasks will remain the same : offering French classes for all, spreading awareness of French and Francophone culture according to our belief that oversee change since we have to implement continually innovative teaching methods to enable each student to master the French language as quickly as possible and to regularly adapt our offer of French classes to the needs of our local audience,” said Charles Houdart. And Alliance Française de Harare has a history. On April 19, 1951, 200 people were attending the formation meeting of the Cercle de l’Alliance Française de Salisbury, in the Salisbury Polytechnic. As the Consul for France, the Comte de Warren, said to The Rhodesia Herald at that time, the purposes and aims of this new organisation were to further French culture and language in Salisbury and to organise both cultural and social activities. He added that this new club will be concerned with the exchange of cultures —bringing French highlights to Zimbabwe and vice versa. That was 60 years ago. In those years, many things have changed; Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Salisbury was renamed Harare and this young French club grew up and took the name of Alliance Française de Harare. In 60 years, this local organisation became an institution, member of a network of more than 1 000 committees operating in more than 135 countries. But in 60 years, the ambition of what is called now the Alliance Française de Harare has not changed; its main missions remain the teaching of French language and the promotion of French speaking. During the years, passionate devotees and volunteers have worked to establish a dynamic institution that has come to symbolise the strength of the friendship between France and Zimbabwe. Today, thanks to their efforts, the Alliance Française de Harare should not be ashamed of proclaiming itself the reference to learn French language and one of the most important cultural centres in town. “It is now time to celebrate together these 60 years of efforts, friendship and fun. It will be an opportunity to thank all the devotees and volunteers who worked hard to establish the Alliance Française de Harare as it is today and all our students, members, partners and friends who came to our French classes and events and helped us to establish rich and successful cultural exchanges,” said Hourdat. Alliance Française is currently offering intensive classes (3 weeks session with four classes a week), twice a week programme (2 months session with 2 classes a week), weekend classes (on Saturday), conversational classes, private tuition, French classes for children on Saturday morning (from 5 years old), Corporate classes and more.

WikiLeaks fever grips Harare

The story exploded last week with many political and economic heavyweights were alleged to have leaked sensitive information to US Ambassador Charles Ray. The Zanu (PF) bigwigs quoted in official documents include Vice President Joice Mujuru, largely seen as the first in line when the incumbent President Robert Mugabe departs, Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Constantine Chiwenga, better known as "Zim 2", Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Gideon Gono, Mugabe's "personal banker", Grace Mugabe, his second wife, former Minister of Education and ZIDECO boss, Sikhanyiso Ndhlovu, Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Employment, Saviour Kasukuwere, Minister and businessman Sylvester Nguni, and non-constituency MP Jonathan Moyo. Also in hot soup are members of the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has already told Zimbabweans to "forget about WikiLeaks and worry about their future". Media baron Trevor Ncube is said to have misled the nation on his $4 million loan from the Americans. Ncube has, however, also quickly dismissed the WikiLeaks revelations saying his ownership of the Alpha Media Holdings Group is "above board". Last Sunday virtually all local newspapers lead with the scandal story. "What this has done is to tear apart Zanu (PF) and separate further its many camps," said a senior journalist. "Whether the allegations are true or not the party will have to rebuild its tattered image." Another said: "The US Ambassador is not telling lies. Don't you know that all US envoys are alleged to belong to the CIA and so there is nothing really shocking about a US Ambassador simply squealing about what top bigwigs are telling him here.” Others interviewed pointed out that Zimbabwean scribes had run out of "news" and were simply "regurgitating" what is in the leaked documents currently making their rounds worldwide. "WikiLeaks is about chefs and how they are using our money," said a street kid in an exclusive interview speaking in Shona when asked about what he thought about the scandal. "It is about how ministers lied to our great President, VaMugabe," said another. "I hope he takes them all to jail if they said that he is dying. How can you say such a thing - especially if you are his friend?” "I wonder how all those guys feel and how they behave in Cabinet meetings today knowing fully well that Mugabe no longer trusts them," said a top businessman. "It must be fireworks in Cabinet right now.”

Getting Around Harare

Harare is very spread out. The best option to get around is by car, which is easier now that dollarization has made fuel shortages a thing of the past. Fuel is freely available at most outlets for cash or through a coupon system. Most operators now import fuel by themselves and prices are independently set. Most service stations close at around p.m. although there are a number that offer 24-hour service. Taxis: in 4+1 style taxis, it is very common to fit as many as 8 people inside. Rides around town should cost about $5 for the entire cab at night, typically $2 or $3 during the day, unless you are going to the suburbs. Make sure you negotiate the price before you get inside the car Minibus taxis are readily available with frequent services between central and all suburbs. Ask around for the terminal for your destination. Typically the fare is about $1.

Harare Sports Club: Zimbabwe vs Pakistani

ZIM FILM: THE GENTLEMAN

Soweto String Quartet at Raintree Gardens, Harare, Zimbabwe

Remember Harare First Street Wire Man?

National Gallery facilitates children’s art camps

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare has been facilitating children's art camps for years with a vision to nurture talent from very tender age.

Acute viability challenges arose at the peak of the country's economic downturn, obliging the centre for contemporary art that seeks to develop the visual arts through nurturing talent and creativity, to shelve the children's art workshops. But with the application of breaks on the economy's downward trend the school pupils' holiday art lessons have resurfaced with a bang.

The commencement of the 2011 second term schools' holidays saw the art classes being run by professionals from August 15 to 19 with numerous students of race and creed in attendance.
The youthful exuberance when equipped with pencils and papers, paints and brushes, dyes, beads and fabrics, and the freedom to roam around an appropriate art space that allow work to be created not simply made was crystal clear. It is the foundation necessary for venturing into an artistic life journey for some.
A journey that assigns one to nurture the eye to appreciate the beauties of nature, and exert the brain to recall a cultural heritage, full fathoms five deep with spiritual associations, a cultural heritage with unwritten rules about family and marriage, and the harmonious and conciliatory operation of society.

Education officer of the National Gallery Enock Nyakudya, said the Glue and Chemical Company, popularly known as Pritt, was sponsoring the art camps that are conducted during the first and second terms of national schools' holidays.

The National Gallery informs Harare schools during the course the terms about the curricular of the art camps and the required US$25 fee for food and materials.

Participation certificates with logos of the sponsors and the National Gallery are issued on completion of the artistic experience.

The 2011 edition of second term schools' holiday art camp was instructed by professional fine art practitioners as well as instructors of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe Visual Art School who included Doris Kamupira, Netsai Mukomberanwa, Julius Mushambadope and professional outsiders Enock Kolimbo and Regis Chinomona.

The curricula on the table had still-life drawing/painting, painting, printmaking, beadwork
and batik. Parents and their young graduates were ecstatic during the momentous certificates and awards presentation ceremony, let alone the outdoor exhibition of some of the artworks created by the young masters.

It is those critical little things that we do for our children that spin their world, nourish their excitement and importantly lay foundation for their future. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is encouraging schools and parents to register with them for their various hands-on art workshops and have our art legacy firmly secure in the custodianship of our children.

l Stephen Garan'anga is an international fine art practitioner, independent art projects co-ordinator, chairperson of AfricanColours Artists, executive member Batapata International Artists' Workshop, critical visual arts writer amongst other things. garananga@gmail.com

Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust Supports Zimbabwe Fashion Week Fusion Programme

The Zimbabwe Fashion Week kicks of tomorrow with an opening cocktail at Joina City hosted by the French and German ambassadors to Zimbabwe. The Fashion week is in its second year running this year, with invaluable funding coming in from The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust and other funders in both the diplomatic and busines circles.