Malawian travellers receive basic assistance at the MSF-supported Nyamapanda reception centre. More than 80,000 Malawians travelling home from South Africa have passed through a temporary reception centre at Nyamapanda, where they receive shelter, water, sanitation services and basic healthcare. The facility, established by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), is supporting migrants using the north-eastern Zimbabwe border crossing as they make their way towards Malawi. Nyamapanda is an important transit point linking Zimbabwe with Mozambique and serving travellers heading to Malawi. MSF extended its response to the area after initially providing assistance at the Beitbridge Reception Centre in southern Zimbabwe. The organisation said changing migration routes prompted the expansion of its operations to Nyamapanda, where many travellers arrive after spending several days on the road. MSF Emergency Coordinator Herbert Mutubuki said many people reaching the centre were physically exhausted and emotionally distressed after difficult journeys. “Many of the people arriving at Nyamapanda are exhausted and under a lot of stress after a long and difficult journey, and some are dealing with emotional trauma,” he said. “Just as importantly, a hot meal, water and a safe place to rest help ensure that people are treated with dignity.” The centre is particularly important for travellers who reach the border after operating hours. Mutubuki said reaching a border post did not necessarily mean that travellers had reached their final destination, with some facing the prospect of spending the night in unfamiliar surroundings without adequate access to food, water or shelter. “Reaching the border does not necessarily mean reaching their destination,” he said. “For people who may already have spent days travelling, this can create additional challenges, including finding somewhere safe to sleep, accessing water, sanitation and food.” MSF has constructed toilets and washing facilities at the centre, restored water connections and renovated clinic infrastructure. The organisation is also providing basic healthcare, including treatment for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as skin conditions. Mutubuki said providing care at the border was important because some travellers move through several countries and could otherwise struggle to maintain treatment for existing medical conditions. The response also relies on health promoters who engage communities before other services are introduced. Azalet Dube, an MSF health promoter working with migrants affected by violence in Johannesburg, said establishing trust was essential. “As the HP team, we are the front runners and the face of our interventions,” she said. “Once the community accepts us, the rest of the team follows,” Dube said her approach had also been shaped by her experience during the COVID-19 response. She recalled an incident involving displaced people sheltering in an open area in Johannesburg, where a mother was struggling to calm her two-month-old baby. “The woman was overwhelmed and in tears. The baby was cold and hungry,” she said. “We all left what we were doing to focus on the baby. Seeing everyone step up to support her moved me.” Since July, Dube's team has reached more than 4,000 migrants in South Africa's Gauteng province through health education and direct support. MSF teams have also provided assistance in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, as well as in border communities including Musina and Beitbridge. The Nyamapanda intervention highlights the humanitarian challenges that can continue even after migrants reach an international border, particularly for people who have already spent days travelling and still have hundreds of kilometres to go. For the Malawians passing through the centre, access to basic shelter, clean water, sanitation and healthcare provides a temporary point of safety on the journey home. Nyamapanda reception centre

By Dr Jera (MD) Disclaimer: Readers are strongly advised to consult a qualified and registered healthcare professional for any health concerns before making changes to their diet, lifestyle, or treatment. Breast cancer can be frightening, particularly when medical terms such as DCIS and IDC appear on a report for the first time. Understanding what those terms mean can help patients ask better questions and make informed decisions with their healthcare teams. PART 1: DCIS — Cancer Cells Still in Place Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells found within the lining of the breast ducts. The cells have not broken through the duct wall into surrounding breast tissue. DCIS is therefore described as non-invasive breast cancer or Stage 0, although some medical authorities also describe it as a precancerous condition because some cases can progress to invasive cancer. Importantly, doctors cannot currently predict with certainty which cases of DCIS will become invasive. DCIS usually causes no symptoms and is often detected through mammography, particularly as tiny calcium deposits known as calcifications. More than 90% of DCIS cases are diagnosed by mammography alone in some screening populations. It can sometimes be associated with a breast lump or nipple discharge, but many women will not feel anything unusual. How is DCIS treated? Treatment depends on factors such as the extent and grade of the DCIS, whether it is present in one or multiple areas, and the individual's circumstances. Treatment may include: Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) to remove the abnormal area. Radiotherapy, which may be recommended after breast-conserving surgery. Mastectomy, particularly when the affected area is extensive or involves multiple areas of the breast. Hormone therapy, which may be considered when the DCIS is hormone-receptor positive. The appropriate combination is determined by the treating team. The prognosis for DCIS is generally excellent. The National Cancer Institute reports that more than 98% of people diagnosed with DCIS are alive five years after diagnosis. However, a survival statistic is not a guarantee for an individual patient. PART 2: IDC — When Cancer Becomes Invasive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of invasive breast cancer. It begins in a milk duct but breaks through the duct wall and grows into the surrounding breast tissue. Once breast cancer becomes invasive, cancer cells can potentially enter lymphatic or blood vessels and spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. That is why identifying breast cancer before it becomes invasive can be important. But breast cancer is not one disease with one outcome. The prognosis and treatment of invasive breast cancer depend on several factors, including the tumour's size and grade, lymph-node involvement, whether it has spread elsewhere, and biomarkers such as hormone-receptor and HER2 status. PART 3: How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed? There is no single test that diagnoses every breast abnormality. Doctors may use a combination of clinical assessment, imaging and tissue sampling depending on what they find. This approach is sometimes described as the Triple Test: 1. Clinical assessment A trained healthcare professional examines the breast and surrounding areas, looking for a lump or other changes. 2. Imaging Imaging may include ultrasound, mammography or, in selected circumstances, MRI. The choice depends on factors including the patient's age, symptoms, clinical findings and individual risk. Mammography can detect some breast cancers before they produce symptoms and remains the standard screening test for most women for whom routine mammographic screening is recommended. A woman who has a breast symptom is not necessarily undergoing “screening”. She may instead require diagnostic imaging to investigate the specific abnormality. 3. Biopsy If imaging or examination identifies a suspicious abnormality, a biopsy may be needed. A biopsy allows a pathologist to examine cells or tissue under a microscope. Different biopsy methods include: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA): A thin needle is used to remove fluid or cells. It can be useful in selected situations, including some cystic breast abnormalities. Core-needle biopsy: A larger needle removes small cylinders of tissue for examination. It is commonly used to diagnose suspicious solid breast abnormalities and can be performed with imaging guidance. Excisional biopsy: Surgery is used to remove an entire lump or abnormal area. It may be considered when a needle biopsy cannot establish the diagnosis or when there are other clinical reasons for surgical removal. A biopsy is the only definitive way to confirm breast cancer. Imaging alone cannot establish the diagnosis. DCIS Is Not the Same as IDC Think of the breast duct as a boundary. With DCIS, abnormal cells remain inside that boundary. With IDC, the cells have broken through it and entered surrounding breast tissue. But the important message is not to live in fear of either term. The important message is to seek medical assessment when a breast change is persistent or concerning and to follow recommended screening appropriate to your age and risk. A lump does not automatically mean cancer, and breast cancer does not always produce a lump. Mammography can detect some cancers before they become noticeable through symptoms. Screening Is About Information, Not Fear Breast cancer screening is intended to find cancer in people who do not yet have symptoms. When breast cancer is found at an earlier stage, it may be easier to treat, and screening has been shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer. In Zimbabwe, breast cancer remains a major health concern. GLOBOCAN 2022 recorded 1,807 new breast cancer cases among women in Zimbabwe, making it the country's second most frequently diagnosed cancer among women after cervical cancer. So do not ignore a persistent breast change. Do not assume that the absence of pain means everything is fine. And do not assume that every breast lump is cancer. Ask questions. Get assessed. Follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Screening is not fear. It is information, and information gives you choices. breast cancer explained

Mpundu Valerie Disclaimer: This is a personal testimony shared for awareness purposes. Readers are strongly advised to consult a qualified and registered healthcare professional for any health concerns. This article contains discussion of grief and loss. If you are struggling, please seek counselling and support. It all boils down like it was yesterday. My wife succumbed to injuries sustained from a head-on collision and left me with our only child, Raphaella. She was only 2 when her mother died. I was broken, shattered, and bruised. I didn’t want to move on. I wanted to waste my life on alcohol and drugs. I was driving myself to the edge and was on the verge of losing it all. It wasn’t until my mother sat me down and told me I was all my child had and that I had to put my ducks in a row. Her words pierced right through me. I remembered the lengths and depths she went through to fend for me and realised I had to put my house in order. At age 4, I took my child back. I gave her the best education money could buy. She never lacked. I made sure to cover everything for her, even the most difficult times for her as a girl. My money never felt wasted because Raphaella was an academic giant. She slayed every academic script and was always in character. Years went by. Life was kind to us. We never lacked. I made sure she was provided for. One day, while on a business trip, I got a call and immediately had to rush home. She had been complaining of severe headaches. In those 6 weeks of her pain, she was hopeful and always grateful. She was much stronger than me. The 6 weeks spent in hospital were the worst of my life. My little angel was trying to be strong for me. She was discharged and we returned home. Life returned to normalcy. We carried on with our lives, and 4 months later, I was called back home again. They said she was feeling pain all over her body. She was screaming. She was taken in for observation, and the doctor wasn’t candid enough with me. He just said, “Your child is sick, and we need to keep her here for observation. We have asked the nurses to prepare her. You will see her shortly.” It was while I was in the corridors that I realised the ward they had put my child in. I knew it was cancer. At that moment I just stared the nurse in the eye and asked, “How bad is it?” She refused to say anything. I had to put up a front. “What did they say this time? You know I can’t wait to sit for my finals. I really want to slay this Ordinary Level and prove I am beyond ordinary. Wait and see,” she said, giving a faint smile before retiring. I stayed by her bedside and held her hand, pondering what life would be. Hadn’t life treated me unkindly so far? Why would it be taking away my reason for living? With every day in hospital, she might have understood her circumstances and would always ask me when I would remarry. She wanted siblings and every other thing a child would want. Hers wasn’t wishful thinking. She had hopes and big dreams. She wanted to lead and make the world a better place. Before she died, in her last few days, she openly told me about her condition. “We know I won’t make it through to the exam room. Leukemia has taken me down. I am glad I got to spend all my life with you, Dad. Maybe I can finally meet Mom.” I wasn’t strong enough for those words. My angel was in pain, and despite loving her so much, I prayed for her death more than her survival. Not because she was meant to die, but I couldn’t bear to watch her in such pain. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, the factory inside our bones that makes blood. The marrow makes too many abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells crowd out healthy red cells that carry oxygen, healthy white cells that fight infection, and platelets that stop bleeding. That is why a child with leukemia may have persistent severe headaches, bone pains, fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, bleeding, and pain all over the body. It is diagnosed through blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, and treatment is led by specialists. Early presentation to a clinic saves time and lives. The day she took her last breath, I felt a huge part of me violently snatched. I had held on to a life she had already given up on. It’s been two years since she left, but the memories are still held captive in my heart and thoughts. The Part We Don’t Talk About: Grief Needs Counseling. I thought I was strong. I thought time would heal. But grief does not heal on its own. I carried guilt, anger, and questions that almost broke me twice first when I lost my wife, then when I lost Raphaella. What saved me was counseling. Sitting down with someone who did not judge me, who let me cry, who taught me that it is normal to mourn and that it is okay to not be okay. If you have lost someone, if you are watching a loved one go through cancer, please do not suffer alone. Talk to someone. Go for counseling. Join a support group. Speak to your pastor, your elders, your clinic. For parents: take your child’s persistent pain seriously. A Full Blood Count, an early referral, and early counseling for the family can make the journey less lonely. Raphaella wanted to lead. She wanted to make the world a better place. She did not get the chance to sit for the examinations she dreamed about. But even in death, my daughter continues to teach me something. Love remains. Grief remains. But healing sometimes needs help. And asking for that help is not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, depression, or overwhelming thoughts, please reach out: Talk to your nearest clinic, or call a trusted counselor. If you want to share your journey, reach out at 263774778179 childhood leukemia awareness

By Southerton Business Times Reporter Eswatini has denied allegations that it is secretly releasing migrants deported from the United States and allowing them to cross illegally into South Africa through informal border points. The allegations emerged after Phone Chomsavanh, a Laotian national deported from the US to Eswatini in 2025, was released from detention and travelled through Johannesburg on his way to Laos. Chomsavanh was released from the Matsapha Correctional Complex on Sunday, October 4, after spending more than 14 months in detention, according to his US-based lawyer, Tin Thanh Nguyen. The Associated Press also confirmed his release. He was among five immigrants transferred from the United States to Eswatini in July 2025 under the Trump administration's third-country deportation programme. Nguyen said Chomsavanh had been convicted of offences in the United States but had completed his sentence before being deported. The lawyer said his client was informed only shortly before the military cargo plane landed in Eswatini that the southern African kingdom was his destination. “He had already served his time. Instead they put him on a plane without telling him where it was headed and left him in a prison in a country he had never heard of,” Nguyen said, according to the Associated Press. Chomsavanh was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his parents fled Laos and later moved to the United States with his family when he was seven. His release triggered reports alleging that Eswatini was quietly releasing US deportees at night and allowing them to enter South Africa through unofficial crossing points. However, the Eswatini government has rejected the allegation. Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said three third-country nationals had voluntarily left Eswatini in recent weeks after requesting to return to their countries of origin or travel elsewhere for resettlement. The three were identified as nationals of Yemen, Belize and Laos. According to the government, the Lao national was Chomsavanh, who left Eswatini on October 4. South African authorities have also pushed back against the claim. South Africa's Border Management Authority said its land ports with Eswatini are secured and that access-control measures are in place at designated entry and exit points. The country's Department of International Relations and Cooperation has also distanced itself from the allegations. South Africa had previously expressed concern about the US-Eswatini deportation arrangement, particularly because of the proximity of the two countries and the criminal histories of some of those transferred. In August 2025, Pretoria said it had raised the matter with Eswatini and noted that the countries of origin of some deportees might not accept them. Eswatini began accepting third-country deportees from the United States in July 2025. Amnesty International reported in July 2026 that at least 30 people had been transferred to the kingdom under the arrangement, including the original five and subsequent groups. The arrangement has attracted criticism from human-rights organisations over transparency, detention and the legal status of people sent to a country with which they have no previous connection. The Eswatini government has previously said the deportees are not prisoners and can move around the country under supervision. Three of them were also seen attending the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance ceremony. The latest developments therefore confirm that some US deportees have left Eswatini, but there is no independent confirmation that they were secretly released into South Africa through informal border crossings. Chomsavanh's journey through Johannesburg, meanwhile, has placed renewed attention on the still-secretive arrangements governing the movement and eventual resettlement of people deported by the United States to third countries. Eswatini US deportees Eswatini has denied secretly releasing US deportees into South Africa after Lao national Phone Chomsavanh left detention and travelled through Johannesburg. URL slug:eswatini-us-deportees-south-africa-phone-chomsavanh Excerpt:Eswatini has rejected allegations that US deportees are being secretly released into South Africa, following the release of Laotian national Phone Chomsavanh. Image ALT text:Phone Chomsavanh and Eswatini US deportees controversy Suggested caption:Phone Chomsavanh spent more than 14 months in detention in Eswatini after being deported from the United States. Tags:Eswatini, Phone Chomsavanh, United States, Donald Trump, deportation, South Africa, immigration, third-country deportations, Southern Africa

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Masvingo Masvingo residents are spending hours in queues for window panes and roofing materials after a devastating hailstorm damaged thousands of homes across the city. More than 13,500 households have been affected by the storm, according to officials, with broken windows and damaged or destroyed roofs leaving families scrambling to secure materials before more rain hits. The storm struck on Monday evening, October 5, with strong winds and hailstones damaging homes, schools, businesses, vehicles and public infrastructure. In some suburbs, residents were left with rainwater-soaked furniture, clothing and bedding after roofs were blown off and windows shattered. The scale of the damage has triggered a sudden demand for glass, roofing sheets and other building materials, overwhelming local suppliers. Long queues have been reported at outlets including WEB Glass and hardware stores, with some residents moving between shops in search of supplies. Matilda Chikava of Hillside said she joined the queue at WEB Glass at about 11 am on Tuesday and was still waiting at 5 pm. “We have finally been told to come back and collect the window panes tomorrow. We will sleep in the open again tonight because our window panes were broken and roofing sheets blown away,” she said. “My property is soaked in water. We went to other hardware shops, but we could not get anything because they were already sold out.” Another resident, Raviro Mutazu, said her roof and windows were damaged in the storm. “We have been in queues since morning, and it is now 3.30 pm. We are not sure whether we will all be assisted. We have been moving from one hardware shop to another, and all of them have long queues,” she said. The pressure on suppliers has been particularly acute because thousands of households are attempting repairs at the same time. WEB Glass director Webster Chiseya said the surge in demand had caught the business off guard. “Business is brisk after this hailstorm. Sadly, we are making money out of a human tragedy. Since morning, clients have been waiting for their orders while they are being prepared,” he said. The shortage comes as authorities begin a wider emergency response. Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe said the storm caused extensive damage to homes, private property and critical infrastructure, with several families left exposed to the elements. The city has opened Mucheke Hall and Rujeko Hall to provide temporary accommodation for affected families and safe storage for household belongings. The government has also begun mobilising building materials, food and medicines for affected communities. Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said assistance was being mobilised as damage assessments continued. The hailstorm has also affected schools and tertiary institutions. Great Zimbabwe University reported damage to facilities, while its graduation arrangements were disrupted by the storm. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since authorised a State of Disaster for affected areas, with Government appealing to the private sector and other partners to assist with the relief effort. For residents whose homes remain exposed, however, the immediate challenge is more basic: finding enough glass, roofing sheets and other materials to make their houses safe before the next downpour. Masvingo hailstorm

Varsity Heights in Chinhoyi will accommodate ZANU PF conference delegates during the October semester break. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Chinhoyi Hundreds of Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) students living at Varsity Heights have been ordered to vacate their accommodation to make way for delegates attending the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference. Varsity Heights, an off-campus student residence commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in October 2024, is owned by First Mutual Wealth Property Fund and managed by Rehoboth Realtors. According to a notice issued by the property manager, students must leave the complex by October 12, with the facility expected to accommodate conference delegates during the university’s scheduled semester break. “Please be advised that CUT has scheduled a semester break from 8 to 19 October 2026. During this period the facility will be used to accommodate the upcoming ZANU PF conference,” the notice says. “As part of preparations, all students will be required to vacate the facility by 12 October 2026.” The notice states that the property will remain occupied until October 18. Students have also been instructed to leave their rooms clean and remove all personal belongings before departing. Those unable to transport their luggage home will reportedly be provided with temporary secure storage at the complex, although details of the arrangement are yet to be announced. The directive has generated concern among some students, particularly those who live far from Chinhoyi and say travelling home for a short period could impose additional transport and accommodation costs. Some students are also questioning the basis for relocating them from their regular accommodation to accommodate delegates attending a political party conference. For students who cannot afford to travel home, the directive could mean having to find alternative accommodation in Chinhoyi until the conference-related occupation ends. The accommodation arrangement comes as Chinhoyi prepares to host the ruling ZANU PF's annual conference, bringing delegates from across Zimbabwe to the city. The conference is expected to draw significant numbers of party officials and delegates, increasing demand for accommodation and other services in the city. However, the Varsity Heights arrangement has raised questions about how the temporary use of student accommodation was reached and whether affected students will receive any assistance with alternative accommodation or travel costs. Neither First Mutual Wealth Property Fund nor Rehoboth Realtors had, at the time of publication, publicly explained the terms under which the student residence would be used for the conference or whether students would receive compensation for the disruption. CUT was also not quoted in the notice explaining the arrangement. The students are expected to return after the conference-related occupation, with the university's semester break running until October 19. For affected students, however, the immediate issue is where they will stay between vacating Varsity Heights and returning to their accommodation. The development has placed student accommodation, institutional arrangements and the hosting of a major political gathering at the centre of a growing discussion in Chinhoyi. CUT students Varsity Heights

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) came under discussion on National FM as Honourable Makahamadze urged Zimbabweans to view peace, productivity and personal responsibility as important foundations for national development. Speaking on the national broadcaster, Makahamadze said Zimbabwe's development ambitions depended on maintaining peace while encouraging citizens to translate national economic strategies into practical action. “We cannot talk about peace when there is war. We take peace for granted. May we always appreciate those who sacrificed their lives for us,” he said. Makahamadze also linked peace to economic activity, arguing that businesses, farmers and households need a stable environment in which to plan and invest. Turning to NDS2, he encouraged citizens to move beyond criticism and develop practical strategies within their own areas of responsibility. “NDS2 is not just a document. It's a strategy in your hands. No strategy, no harvest. Change has to start from within, and that strategy must start with YOU, in your field, in your shop, in your home,” he said. Listeners Respond The programme generated calls and messages from listeners across Zimbabwe, with some sharing personal experiences and seeking advice on how to translate the discussion into action. A farmer from Marondera said the programme had coincided with progress on a project proposal that had previously remained unresolved. “Thank you, Cde Makahamadze, they have responded positively to my proposal, and I can now farm. I had almost given up,” the listener said. Other listeners focused on personal financial planning. One asked for guidance on saving and building financial reserves after hearing the discussion. “Good day, Cde. I was tuned in. I would like your advice on how best I can save and build my reserves. How do I go about it?” the listener asked. Some messages focused on the presentation itself, with listeners praising the interaction and practical nature of the discussion. “I had to listen to the whole programme. Well presented, bro,” one listener said. Another described the programme as “a powerful presentation”, while another listener said the discussion was relatable because of the way everyday issues were addressed. One listener also noted that the volume of questions meant not all could be addressed during the programme. Peace and Economic Activity Peace remained a recurring theme during the discussion, with Makahamadze urging Zimbabweans not to take a stable environment for granted. The discussion also touched on the Government's “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” message, with citizens encouraged to consider how they could contribute to economic activity through farming, business and household-level financial planning. The NDS2 discussion comes as Zimbabwe continues to implement its second National Development Strategy, which provides the Government's medium-term development framework. For listeners, the programme provided an opportunity to connect the national development agenda with everyday economic concerns, including farming, saving and business planning. Makahamadze said the responsibility for turning national strategies into tangible results could not rest with Government alone. His message was that NDS2 should be viewed not simply as a policy document, but as a framework that citizens could apply within their own circumstances. Reflecting on the response to the programme, Makahamadze attributed the discussion's impact to his faith rather than personal ability. “Whatever I said in there wasn't me. It was the work of God, I am just but a vessel,” he said. The programme highlighted the continuing challenge of translating national development policies into practical outcomes for citizens, particularly those seeking opportunities in agriculture, business and household economic planning. NDS2 Zimbabwe

Mpundu Valerie DISCLAIMER: This story is shared for cancer awareness purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns U-AUNTY Hle wore very heavy jewellery and you would swear lightning would strike her, she was a good point of contact. Her hands and feet were decorated with lots of silver. Some she hid in her dustcoat while others she made visible. She loved showing off more flesh and replacing it with heavy leg bangles. Outspoken and unafraid, she was a gynaecologist and always had her own way of making her presence felt. I was always that one favourite nephew, Moses, whom she loved and often joked that I should marry so she could hand over all her jewellery to my wife. Suddenly she started removing her most prized possessions and giving them away, jokingly telling me that if I were a girl she would have left it all for me. From the lot she removed, I noticed a purplish patch on her leg. Because she was light-skinned, I assumed it had developed from wearing the bangles and that it would eventually fade away. Taking you back a bit, U-Aunty Hle had assumed responsibility when my mother reportedly died of HIV/AIDS, so I had stayed with her all my life. When her boyfriend broke up with her, she stopped taking her meds and just decided to give up on life. She was never negative about being positive. She openly talked about her status and from that I learnt a lot. The moment she stopped her meds the patch started to develop an even darker colour. I asked her to seek medical advice but she refused. She said it was a reaction from the bangles. She would not heal. She knew what she had but did not want help. She abandoned her heels for flat pairs. All this while, she kept soldiering on. "Nxa ndifa ubani ozakuncedisa mntanami? (If I die, who will take care of you, my child?) Let me do it for my own sister. I won't rest," she would always say. I became accustomed to her words such that I was so deaf and blind to reason. This is something she had often said to me all my life, and I had anticipated a life without her. In all she did, U-Aunty Hle was trying to convince me by convincing herself. Yet she was an old pot boiling to crack. I had come of age but convincing her was difficult. U-Aunty Hle was pure gangster and took no defeat. But this man had wounded her. It was then I realised even the strongest have their weaknesses. Umlenze wakhe wakhula ngobukhulu (her leg grew in size). I tried so hard to convince her but she had an image to portray. "Angiguli!" she would always say in that gangster voice you could see she was trying to put up a show. She stopped meeting people, started acting weird, living each day like it was her last. Because she didn't want people around, I had to start working from home as I was the only one she trusted. She was in pain and would struggle to walk. She needed aid walking. U-Aunty Hle ubethanda ukuphikisana (she loved to argue). We could never reach a compromise on this. She knew the extent of what she carried and didn't need anybody telling her. One day she sat me down and told me she had stopped taking her ARVs and that had caused the swift reaction to the cancer which had reached stage 3. She staunchly opposed being amputated and said she would rather go meet her family intact than with an organ missing. She had Kaposi sarcoma. Efforts were futile. She didn't want to be helped. Whatever she said had to go. She lived shortly after confessing to have stopped taking her meds and that she had KS. It was a double confession to learn she had stopped taking her meds and had accepted her "fate" to cancer. It broke her more to tell me than it broke me to hear it. I was shattered, bruised, and torn. Yet just like her, I had to gangster love at the news. Neither of us could come back from this one. We were neither here nor there, yet lived each day like it was all good yet the moment we turned our backs on each other, we would all grieve for the unknown and known. It was heavy, yet we both had to carry the burden. Her death stung and left me with unfathomable pain. To date, I still blame myself for her death. I could have acted differently had I known earlier. In righting my wrong, I now advocate for cancer awareness and have left my Filabusi memories dead and buried. Perhaps her story can encourage someone else to look at a changing patch, swelling, persistent pain or other unusual symptom and say: “I need to see a doctor.” U-Aunty Hle was a gangster. She was strong. She was stubborn. She was fiercely protective. She was my aunt. She was my mother in everything that mattered. And she was loved. In memory of U-Aunty Hle — nguMasibanda wami. If you have a story to share, kindly reach out on 263 774 778 178 Kaposi sarcoma awareness

Mpundu Valerie DISCLAIMER: This story is shared for cancer awareness purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns. We thought Takadini was our little celebrity. In every photo, his left eye shone white. Ma said, "vana vane nyenyedzi," a child with a star in his eye. We even posted it. He was 2 years old. He never complained. Only thing we noticed, his eyes would sometimes not look the same way like he had a slight squint. We thought it was cute. Gogo said don't take him to clinic, "chibhoyi" someone is jealous. We waited. As he was our first, we never argued with Gogo she knew way better. When he was 2 and a half, his eye started to be red always, like he had been crying. That's when my sister, who is a nurse, saw the photo and shouted. "That white reflection is not normal. That's leukocoria. Take him now!" We thought she was being fancy with words, as she had a tendency to always show off new vocabulary. At the Hospital, they said Retinoblastoma. Cancer of the retina. I asked why. The doctor said it's not because of anything we did it's a fault in a gene called RB1. In Taka, it was only one eye, a non-heritable type, the one that happens by chance. They said it was Group D, big, but still inside the eye. Because we came late, they could not save the eye, only his life. We had to choose eye or life. We chose life. They removed the eye. They called it enucleation. Doctors always had big terms to throw at us. We just nodded we had, had Taka after so many years of trying. He still was our gem. We would give anything for him to live to see the next day. Today Taka is 4, he has a prosthetic eye. He runs. He plays. He is alive because a white light in a photo told us. If we had known earlier, he could have kept both eyes with just laser and chemo. Parents, check your children's photos. If one eye glows white like a cat's eye in a flash, if the eyes cross, if the eye is always red. Go to the eye doctor. It affects all children black, white, boys, girls. It does not care. But it has a cure if you come early. If you have a story to share, kindly reach out at 263 774 778 179. In memory of all the little stars we caught too late retinoblastoma in children

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare A Zimbabwean and South African film production company is developing a six-part television drama about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s life, tracing his journey from childhood and the liberation struggle to his rise to the presidency. Titled Raising of a Giant, the planned series is being developed by Black Lips Film Production, led by Sibusisiwe “Busie” Mzinja, with sponsorship from Prevail International Group of Companies, founded by businessman Dr Paul Tungwarara. According to Mzinja, the six-part production will use a fictional character’s perspective to explore the President’s personal and political journey, while examining broader themes of national identity, leadership and Zimbabwe’s future. Speaking to Zimpapers, Mzinja said the story would be told through Jennifer Zimbabwe Parker, a Zimbabwean-American Harvard economics honours student who returns to Zimbabwe with her father while still grieving the loss of her Zimbabwean mother. Through conversations with Mnangagwa as she researches her academic thesis, Parker learns about his life and political career, including his role in Zimbabwe’s post-Robert Mugabe era. “We wanted to tell this story through the eyes of a young woman who belongs to Zimbabwe but sees it from the outside,” Mzinja said. She added that the character’s curiosity would allow audiences to engage with questions surrounding the country’s history and future. “This is not only about one man. It is about every citizen playing a part, because legacy is about shaping the future,” she said. Production to Span Several African Countries Mzinja said the series would explore Mnangagwa’s life from the period before his birth through his childhood, political development and eventual presidency. She said the production would also connect his story to the Government’s Vision 2030 development agenda. “We start before he was born because a leader is shaped by the history that came before him, and audiences will see how the boy became the President,” she said. The producer said the script had been written in 11 African languages, although details of the languages and the production schedule were not provided in the information released about the project. Filming is expected to take place in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique, with Mzinja indicating that the production intends to cover countries associated with the President’s life and political history. She said the project also presented an opportunity to promote Zimbabwe as a destination for international film productions. “As we tell his story, we are also marketing our beloved, peaceful Zimbabwe to the world as a film destination,” she said. The production is expected to feature actors and directors from South Africa and other countries. However, the announcement did not provide a confirmed cast list, filming dates, broadcast partner or release date. Tungwarara Named as Main Sponsor Mzinja expressed gratitude to Tungwarara, who is described as a Special Presidential Investment Adviser and the founder of Prevail International Group of Companies, for supporting the project. She said the sponsorship reflected an interest in supporting Zimbabwe’s creative sector and providing opportunities for local artists. The producer also referred to hospital renovation and agricultural initiatives associated with Tungwarara, describing them as part of efforts to support communities. The details, funding and implementation status of those initiatives were not independently established in the project announcement. A Political Story Told Through Drama The series is being presented as both a biographical drama and a story about Zimbabwe’s national journey. Its use of a fictional student researching the President offers a narrative framework through which historical events and political developments can be explored. However, as with other dramatisations of the lives of political leaders, the distinction between documented history, fictional dialogue and the production’s interpretation of events will be important for viewers. Further details about the series’ production timetable, distribution arrangements, cast and release plans are expected to clarify how the project will reach audiences in Zimbabwe and beyond. Mnangagwa TV drama

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month unfolds under the global theme “Every story is unique, every journey matters,” fertility preservation is offering Zimbabwean cancer patients another dimension of hope the possibility of protecting their future reproductive choices before treatment begins. For many women diagnosed with cancer, the immediate priority is survival. But some cancer treatments can affect fertility, making reproductive health an important consideration alongside diagnosis and treatment. The growing integration of oncology and reproductive medicine is therefore highlighting a broader question: how can cancer care save lives while also helping patients preserve the possibility of having children in the future? For some patients, fertility preservation can provide an opportunity to protect that possibility. Dr Tinovimba Mhlanga, a fertility specialist at IVF Zimbabwe, said a cancer diagnosis should not automatically mean giving up hopes of parenthood. “Cancer treatment is often urgent, but it should not erase the dreams of parenthood,” Dr Mhlanga said. “Fertility preservation allows us to tell women that their journey matters; that even in the face of illness, their future stories of motherhood remain possible.” Preserving eggs and embryos For women who may face cancer treatment that could affect fertility, egg freezing and embryo freezing are among the established fertility-preservation options. Egg freezing involves retrieving and freezing unfertilised eggs for possible use in the future. Embryo freezing involves fertilising retrieved eggs, usually through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), and freezing the resulting embryos for potential future use. Dr Mhlanga said both approaches could provide reproductive options for women and couples facing cancer treatment. “Egg freezing enables women to store unfertilised eggs before undergoing treatment,” he said. “Embryo freezing provides couples with multiple opportunities for pregnancy from a single IVF cycle.” However, fertility preservation is not suitable for everyone, and the most appropriate option depends on factors including the patient's age, type of cancer, treatment plan, available time before treatment and reproductive circumstances. Cancer patients considering preservation should therefore discuss the issue with their oncologist and a fertility specialist as early as possible. Men can also preserve fertility Fertility preservation is not limited to women. Cancer treatment can also affect male fertility, making sperm banking an important option for some men before treatment. Dr Mhlanga said sperm banking could help men preserve reproductive options before medical treatment or other circumstances that could affect fertility. “Sperm banking offers men the chance to secure reproductive options before medical interventions or extended travel,” he said. Assisted reproductive technologies can subsequently help some patients overcome fertility challenges. “IVF and ICSI combine science and compassion to ensure that families can be built despite medical obstacles,” Dr Mhlanga said. ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg and may be used in certain cases of male-factor infertility or when other fertility considerations make it appropriate. Cancer care beyond survival For cancer patients, conversations about fertility can be emotionally difficult. A diagnosis can bring fear about survival, treatment, finances, relationships and the future. For younger patients, the possibility of losing fertility can add another layer of anxiety. Dr Mhlanga said fertility preservation was therefore about more than technology. “Every patient who walks through our doors carries a unique story,” he said. “Science gives us the tools, but compassion gives us the purpose.” He said Breast Cancer Awareness Month provided an opportunity to recognise the individual experiences of women living with cancer. “On this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we celebrate every woman’s unique journey and affirm that her story and her dream of motherhood matters.” For Zimbabwean cancer patients, the message is increasingly becoming one of survival with quality of life and reproductive choices in mind. But experts stress that fertility preservation discussions should happen as early as possible. Not every cancer treatment affects fertility in the same way, and not every patient will be able to undergo preservation before treatment. Where medically appropriate, however, early counselling can allow patients to understand their options and make informed decisions before cancer treatment begins. For some survivors, that conversation can represent more than a medical procedure. It can mean keeping a door open to a future they feared cancer had closed. fertility preservation Zimbabwe

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Bulawayo Government has directed housing developers who fail to meet planning and environmental requirements to suspend operations until they comply with the law, amid a dispute over construction at Lot 17 of Lower Rangemore in Umguza, Bulawayo. The development has come under scrutiny after the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) confirmed that Sambabezi Contractors was ticketed for implementing a housing project without the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate. The dispute has also left residents questioning why they are being asked to contribute towards environmental assessment costs associated with the development. Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Musa Ncube said local authorities and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works could take enforcement measures against developers who fail to comply with planning requirements. “Generally, the developers are advised to suspend operations until all requirements are met,” Ncube said. Under Zimbabwe's Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, development generally requires the appropriate permit, while local planning authorities have powers to issue enforcement orders where development is being carried out in contravention of the law. Ncube said buyers should protect themselves by verifying the planning and ownership documents of residential developments before making payments. She advised prospective buyers to establish whether the land is registered with the Surveyor-General and covered by an approved general plan. They should also ask for the relevant subdivision permit, title survey diagram, development permit and compliance certificate. The compliance certificate is issued after the developer has met requirements relating to the approved layout and engineering designs, including infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads and electricity, she said. EMA confirms ticket EMA Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Amkela Sidange confirmed that the agency had issued a Level 11 ticket to Sambabezi Contractors over the Lot 17 development. “The Agency can confirm that it issued a Level 11 ticket to Sambabezi Contractors for implementing a listed project in the form of a housing development in Lot 17 of Lower Rangemore without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate from the Agency,” Sidange said in a written response dated October 1, 2026. EMA said the developer had been directed to apply for an EIA certificate before proceeding. The agency also urged prospective buyers to establish whether an EIA certificate exists for the specific subdivision or area before purchasing land. The requirement is significant because EMA lists housing developments among projects that require an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate before implementation. Section 97 of the Environmental Management Act also provides that listed projects must not be implemented without the required certificate. Residents question US$20 payments The dispute intensified after residents were asked to contribute towards a reported US$5,000 environmental-related bill. Minutes of a residents' committee meeting circulated in June show that the amount comprised US$1,000 reportedly allocated to EMA and US$4,000 for an environmental consultant. Residents were reportedly asked to contribute US$20 each. The minutes also recorded that residents had built structures before the subdivision permit was obtained, while a development permit was still awaited. About 90 households have reportedly contributed, bringing the amount collected to approximately US$1,800. One resident, who requested anonymity, said residents felt they were being made to bear a cost arising from the developer's failure to comply. “We are now forced to pay for the developer's incompetence, yet the ticket was issued to him directly,” the resident said. The resident also questioned what had happened to the money after some residents paid before the stated July 5 deadline. “Some of us met the deadline, but we have not seen any EMA inspections since,” the resident said. The resident added that some residents were now concerned about possible demolition of structures. Developer disputes interpretation However, the company's lawyer, Tshwene Sephuma of Dube, Mguni and Dube, disputed the suggestion that the money collected from residents was being paid to EMA as a fine. “The money collected by residents is not to pay EMA. It is to pay the consultant who is producing the EIA report,” Sephuma said. He acknowledged that the project was taking time to comply with regulatory requirements but said some delays were beyond the company's control. “Yes, I admit it is taking time, but that is outside our control,” he said, adding that the project was working “to ensure we comply with all the necessary laws and regulations.” Asked whether buyers could be required to meet EMA-related costs, Ncube said the answer depended on the agreement of sale. “If it states that the beneficiary contributes, that should be clear, but if it does not, then they cannot transfer the bill to the beneficiaries,” she said. Construction continues Despite the compliance dispute, construction was still taking place at Lot 17 when The Herald visited the area on September 29. Workers were seen laying foundations and constructing brick walls near completed houses. The development has also triggered a separate dispute involving Beacon of Life Institute, which says one of the stands belongs to the institution and that it has not agreed to surrender it. Beacon director Sabelo Mapasure said the organisation had not signed an amended agreement because of what he described as unfavourable terms, including a proposed 30 percent deduction from any refund. “If they do not allow us to build, how come the people they sold the stands to built within a short period?” Mapasure said. “And they are still building.” He said lawyers were negotiating a cancellation deed. The company's lawyer, however, said construction on the disputed stands had not been authorised. “As far as I know and have asked the residents at the Plot, there is no one who was authorised by Mr Maphosa to put up a structure,” Sephuma said. He maintained that selling stands was lawful once the subdivision permit existed, but that construction required the appropriate development approval. Survey approval remains an issue The dispute also involves the Surveyor-General's office. Professional Land Surveyor at the Department of the Surveyor-General in Bulawayo, Augusten Magaya, said approval of the general plan had been delayed by technical issues being addressed by the surveyor and his team. He said a subdivision permit had been issued by the Spatial Planning Department but that a development permit would be issued only after the survey was approved. A proposed layout plan seen by The Herald identifies one stand as a creche stand alongside a 60-metre buffer zone near an unnamed stream. Mapasure alleged that survey pegs marking the stand had been moved. “The pegs were there but changed,” he said. Sephuma disputed the significance of the markings, saying valid pegs could only be placed by the Surveyor-General and that the approved map was still awaited. Magaya said a general plan could not be approved until the survey matched the approved layout plan. For now, the Lot 17 dispute leaves residents caught between competing claims over responsibility, regulatory compliance and the costs associated with bringing the development into line with planning and environmental requirements. Government's position is that developers who are not compliant should suspend operations until the necessary requirements have been met. Lot 17 housing development