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The Tobacco Auction Floors Reporter This year's tobacco marketing season is marked by notable stability and prosperity, creating a favorable climate for farmers as auction prices remain impressively high. The auction floors are alive with activity, featuring long lines of trucks loaded with tobacco. This influx of deliveries signifies that the season has reached its peak, with farmers taking full advantage of the positive market conditions. Farmers are visibly delighted, their smiles reflecting a sense of optimism that fills the auction environment.  According to the latest figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), farmers have sold an impressive 249 125 878 kg of tobacco this year, generating a total revenue of US $839 437 243. This represents a significant increase compared to last year, when 181 535 957 kg was sold for US $632 699 362 during the same timeframe. The remarkable 37percent increase in sales highlights the industry's favourable trajectory. Currently, the average auction price is US$3.39, while contract prices are slightly lower at US$3.36. This advantageous pricing has encouraged many farmers to sell their tobacco at auction instead of opting for contracts, with numerous farmers expressing satisfaction with the current market dynamics. Since the land reform program smallholder farmers have gained greater control over their agricultural futures, producing an impressive 85percent of total crop output. Notably, 60percent of these farmers are beneficiaries of the land reform initiative, underscoring its essential role in improving their livelihoods and fostering economic independence. The Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy further supports these efforts by equipping farmers with essential tools and knowledge to maximise their land’s potential. This combination of policy and support has empowered smallholder farmers, enabling them not only to cultivate their fields but also to thrive economically and socially. During a recent visit to the auction floors, the reporter spoke with several farmers, all of whom expressed their enthusiasm for the favorable prices this season, a stark contrast to previous years. Mr Gift Madzo, a farmer from Kazangarare, Karoi, expressed his appreciation, emphasizing the significance of the land reform. “Tobacco farming has dramatically changed my life over the past three years since I began cultivating this crop. Owning land and being able to produce tobacco has been life-altering for me. I’m thrilled with the prices at the auction. For the last three years, my tobacco has consistently fetched this price because I ensure I use enough fertilizers, which are crucial for leaf quality and size. I encourage my fellow farmers to continue with tobacco production, as it is truly the highest-paying crop in our region,” he remarked. Similarly, Mrs  Chemina Paul, a young mother from Mhangura, shared her excitement about this season. “This year stands out like no other. It’s evident that more people are heading to the auction floors. The prices are so appealing that many are opting out of contracts. I’m incredibly thankful for the current situation at the auction. Payments are made promptly, which is a significant improvement for us as farmers. This year, I’m focused on enhancing my property so I can fully furnish my lovely home,” she noted. Mr Robert Jakarasi, also from Karoi, pointed out how the attractive prices have drawn more farmers to the market. “The main factor that brings farmers to the market is the price,” he explained. “Everyone needs money, which is why you see such long lines of trucks here. Better prices attract more participants. I’ve sold 26 bales here, and they’ve all fetched US $4.99 each. I can’t express how much this has transformed my life; my previous struggles have vanished. Now, I’m focused on buying a nice car and ensuring my children can attend a better school,” he said. The strong performance at the auction floors this season reflects a positive trend for tobacco farmers and underscores the significant influence of the land reform programme.

Open Pit Lithium Mine In Zimbabwe Reporter Zimbabwe has announced a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing the value of its lithium resources. Starting January 2027, the export of lithium concentrate will be banned to promote local beneficiation. This strategy is designed to maximise the economic benefits from the country’s vast lithium deposits, which are essential for the growing renewable energy sector and electric vehicle production. This was revealed during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere. “Pertaining to the Lithium Sub-sector, Zimbabwe produces mainly spodumene ores, which are critical in the new energy drive. Zimbabwe’s lithium ore bodies are multi-element as they contain a number of minerals,” he said. Dr Muswere also noted that companies such as Bikita Minerals and Arcadia Lithium are already in the process of establishing lithium sulphate value addition facilities to beneficiate the ores produced locally. This policy aligns with the Government’s broader strategy to position Zimbabwe as a key player in the global lithium supply chain, moving beyond raw material exports. By restricting concentrate exports, the Government aims to attract investment in refining and battery manufacturing, which will create jobs and increase revenue from the mineral sector. With global lithium demand projected to surge in the coming decade, this policy shift could significantly strengthen Zimbabwe’s role in the global green energy revolution.

Flooded houses in the Eastern Cape The death toll from the devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has climbed to 78, with only 21 bodies identified so far, according to a senior government official. “I can confirm that the death toll from the floods has risen to 78, as more bodies continue to be recovered. This means we are facing a serious crisis,” said Velenkosini Hlabisa, South Africa’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, during an interview with SABC News on Thursday evening. The floods struck after severe weather battered multiple districts across the province on Monday, displacing hundreds of residents and severely damaging infrastructure. “As the water continues to subside, it’s likely that more bodies will be found. What is comforting is that we have sufficient personnel conducting search and rescue operations,” Hlabisa added. The Eastern Cape provincial government reported that rescue teams are actively searching affected areas for missing persons. The operations involve two helicopters, search and rescue vehicles, police dogs, and technical rescue teams deployed across flood-hit districts. Hlabisa also urged community members to support the efforts by reporting missing individuals. “We have made a clarion call to all district centers that, if someone you know has not been seen in the past two days, please report them as missing,” he said. Authorities have noted that the majority of the fatalities are believed to be residents living in flood-prone zones along riverbanks and flood plains, which were especially vulnerable to the heavy downpour. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit the affected regions on Friday, following growing casualties and the widespread destruction caused by the floods. In an official statement from the presidency, Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to bereaved families, affected communities, and the people of Eastern Cape at large.

Current Highlanders FC squad Football fans have generally welcomed the generous donation made by prominent businessman Wicknell Chivhayo to Highlanders Football Club (Bosso). The Bulawayo-based club, which is the oldest football team in Zimbabwe, is viewed by many in the Southern Region as a culturally significant institution, having nurtured numerous prominent footballers over the years. Chivhayo made headlines recently with a major donation of US$250,000 to the club. This contribution forms part of a broader US$1 million sponsorship package set to be rolled out over the next year. The funds aim to strengthen the club’s administrative and technical capabilities ahead of the 2025 Premier Soccer League season. Fans who took to social media to share their reactions praised the donation and emphasized that football should rise above political affiliations. Many noted that the ultimate beneficiaries are the players, their families, and the fans. Chivhayo—affectionately known as Sir Wicknell—announced the donation via social media, expressing deep admiration for Highlanders FC. He described the club as a "phenomenal cultural icon" and "a symbol of heritage, pride, and unity" for both Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole. Founded in 1926 by the grandsons of King Lobengula, Albert and Rhodes Khumalo, Bosso has long enjoyed passionate support from its local community and beyond. The initial US$250,000 donation will cover administrative costs, while future disbursements will support player recruitment, sign-on fees, and efforts to build a more competitive squad for the coming season. Football fans interviewed by Southerton Business Ties expressed cross-club support for the initiative. One fan from Mbare, a self-proclaimed Dynamos FC supporter, remarked: “I stay here in Mbare and obviously I am a Dembare fan. But in soccer, what’s good for one team is also good for other clubs. Football is the beautiful game and yes, we support each other though we are rivals on the football pitch.” Another fan emphasized the importance of player welfare and development: “Football players should be well paid. It’s good for their families. I also think Bosso should use this money to nurture more young people into the game. That’s how international football develops—they groom young talent while supporting the ones already playing.” Chivhayo also stressed the importance of private sector involvement in sports development, aligning the sponsorship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which advocates for public-private partnerships to uplift Zimbabwe’s socio-economic landscape.

3 Boeing 747 Dreamliners The fatal crash of a 787 Dreamliner that was being operated by Air India from Ahmedabad in northwestern India to London Gatwick Airport has once again fueled scrutiny of both Boeing and the airline, as the two companies have been trying to emerge from years of crises and poor reputations. The fatal crash raises new concerns for both firms as they try to revamp after years of problems that marred their reputations. The nearly 12-year-old Dreamliner crashed on a densely populated part of the city soon after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board on Thursday. The total death toll is expected to rise as the plane fell on a medical college hostel and rescue operations are still under way. The crash raises new concerns for Boeing, which continues to face mounting safety issues that have undermined public trust in its aircraft. These challenges come as the Seattle-based aerospace giant grapples with economic pressures from tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump, as well as increased regulatory attention that followed its recent safety issues. Boeing`s new CEO Kelly Ortberg had been set to head to the Paris Air Show, the industry's biggest event of the year, after several key accomplishments in recent weeks as he tries to rebuild public trust in Boeing following a series of safety and production crises. But his plan to attend the show next week with Boeing Commercial Airplanes head Stephanie Pope has been scrapped, Ortberg said, as the company focuses on the investigation into the first-ever crash of a 787 jet, its most advanced model. The reason behind the crash is not yet clear. But it is yet another fatal accident involving a Boeing aircraft, adding to a string of public relations crises that have made many travellers wary of flying on its planes. The company’s safety reputation began to unravel in October 2018 when a Lion Air flight operating a 737 MAX crashed due to a malfunction in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a programme designed to prevent stalls. That crash killed all 189 people on board. Just months later, in March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines flight using the same aircraft model crashed for the same reason, killing all 157 people aboard. Turmoil resurfaced in January 2024, when a door panel detached mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines route between Ontario, California, and Portland, Oregon. But until now, the 787 Dreamliner aircraft had maintained a relatively strong safety record. First launched in 2011, Boeing has sold more than 2,500 of the model globally. Air India bought 47 of them, and to date, Boeing has delivered 1,189 Dreamliners. The model has faced years of safety-related scrutiny. In 2024, John Barnett, a former Boeing quality manager, was found dead under suspicious circumstances after long voicing concerns about the 787. Barnett had alleged that Boeing cut corners to meet production deadlines, including installing inadequate parts. He also claimed that testing revealed a 25-percent failure rate in the aircraft’s emergency oxygen systems. In 2019, The New York Times published an expose that revealed Boeing had pressured workers not to report safety violations, citing internal emails, documents, and employee interviews. More recently, another whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, told lawmakers he was threatened for raising safety concerns about Boeing aircraft. However air safety experts have said that at this time there is no reason to think a malfunction was the cause of the crash. Meanwhile the Indian government is considering grounding Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet in response to the crash. The country’s Ministry of Civil Aviation is mulling grounding all Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners as a precautionary measure while a safety review takes place, sources told Indian broadcaster NDTV. Air India uses 787-8 for long-haul flights to the UK, North America and the Middle East, and the airline is expected to receive another one of the aircraft by the end of the year. Source: Al Jazeera, Reuters

SADC Region The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has concluded its 57th Plenary Assembly in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe with the adoption of several key resolutions on artificial intelligence and its impact on the work of legislatures. The Assembly started on 2 June 2025, and was convened under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities.” On Tuesday, the Speaker of the National Assembly and leader of the South African delegation, Thoko Didiza, presented South Africa’s country report, highlighting the progress made in implementing resolutions adopted at the 56th Plenary Assembly, held in December 2024 in Zambia. In her presentation, Didiza outlined South Africa’s efforts to leverage technology and innovation in building a smart, inclusive and responsive Parliament. She further noted how Parliament mobilised, allocated and used resources to support public health, particularly regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) financing. Didiza also added that, the restoration of Parliament’s fire-damaged buildings strongly focuses on ICT modernisation, which includes improved broadcasting systems, hybrid meeting platforms and upgraded data networks. “A key priority is replacing the data centre, which was destroyed by water damage during the 2022 fire. These efforts aim to enhance members’ effectiveness and fulfil constitutional obligations, particularly Section 59, which mandates public access and participation in the legislative process. “The recent signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law, is a significant step toward achieving universal health coverage. It has a potential impact on access to and funding for sexual and reproductive health services and described the Act as a milestone in the journey toward comprehensive, quality healthcare for all,” she said. Meanwhile, during the session, South Africa presented three motions to the plenary. These included one by the Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Kenneth Mmoiemang. He presented a motion titled: “Strengthening cyber security in the SADC region by creating institutional capacity and viable legal frameworks to respond to the growing cyber security threats in the region.” This motion called for strengthened regional cyber security and urged national parliaments to align their legal frameworks with the Malabo Convention and SADC Model Laws and for Member States to establish and adequately resource cyber security institutions. “This includes investing in digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas, expanding education and training to build cyber security skills and promoting public-private partnerships and regional collaboration to share best practices and combat cyber threats,” said Mmoiemang. Another member of the delegation, Bonginkosi Madikizela, who is a Member of the National Assembly (NA), presented a motion on increasing efforts to prevent the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS in the SADC region. Madikizela said this motion called on member states to intensify efforts to prevent the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS. “We urge the expedited implementation of the SADC Declaration on Accelerating Action to End AIDS by 2030, also known as the Dar es Salaam Declaration, emphasising regional coordination and accountability,” he said. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP), Veronica Mente, presented a motion on the slow implementation of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage. Mente said this motion urged SADC member parliaments to take concrete action to combat child marriage by pressing their governments to adopt and implement the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage. “We call on governments to assign parliamentary committees to audit existing child protection and marriage laws, identify inconsistencies, and align them with the Model Law." “Increasing funding for programmes that prevent child marriage, support survivors, and promote access to education, healthcare, and awareness, amending relevant national laws to meet regional and international child protection standards and calling on key ministries to create coordinated, multi-sectoral implementation plans with clear timelines, measurable outcomes and accountability structures,” she said. Originally published in The Guardian newspaper

Microsoft Co-Founder and CEO Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth—expected to reach $200 billion by 2045—with most of it dedicated to improving health and education in Africa. Speaking in Addis Ababa at the African Union headquarters, Gates emphasized the transformative power of health and education, stating that these investments can help every African country move toward prosperity. Over the next 20 years, his foundation will wind down operations, focusing on three main goals: ending preventable maternal and child deaths, eradicating infectious diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty. Gates urged young African innovators to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance healthcare, just as mobile phones revolutionized banking. He pointed to Rwanda’s use of AI-powered ultrasounds to detect high-risk pregnancies as a model. Gates also stressed the importance of maternal health and early childhood nutrition, noting that the most impactful health outcomes begin before birth and during a child’s first four years. His philanthropic push comes as U.S. government aid to Africa has been cut under the “America First” policy, affecting critical health programs, including HIV/AIDS treatment. In this context, Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel praised Gates’ commitment, calling it timely amid global uncertainty. Gates Shifts Legacy from Tech Titan to Global Philanthropist Amid Scrutiny Gates has long distanced himself from Microsoft, stepping down as CEO in 2000 and as chairman in 2014. Inspired by fellow philanthropist Warren Buffett, Gates has increasingly focused on charitable efforts. Last month, he reiterated his intention to accelerate giving, writing that he doesn’t want to be remembered for dying rich. Despite his philanthropy, Gates and his foundation have faced criticism for allegedly using charitable status to avoid taxes and wielding outsized influence over global health policies. Nonetheless, his upcoming investments in Africa aim to spark sustainable growth by empowering communities through technology, healthcare, and education. Via online news sources.