By Mpundu Valerie My mom always says I was born twice. The first time from her womb, the second time from her tears. She was 17. Form 3. Head girl material. The only child her parents were well pleased with until she got pregnant. She had sowed and tried to reap in someone's field, unbeknownst to her, someone was already tending the same field. The field had a name. Thabo. When she told him, he just said, "I'm married. You should have known better." Just like that, the father became a ghost story. Grandma and Grandpa couldn't bear the shame. Their little angel had become devilish overnight. They chased her away from the house that had milk and honey, and she ended up staying at a church, sleeping on a bench, raising her own school fees with a belly. She told me she used to toil day and night, selling tomatoes at the market, washing people's clothes, while her own parents were eating chicken just 3 streets away. She often felt like giving up. Sometimes she sat by the river and just stared at the water. Then I came. I didn't cry when I was born. I shined. Pale white. Rough, coarse hair. No melanin. Albino. When my grandparents heard, their anger escalated. To them, the gods had punished her. Proof that she had stolen another woman's husband. A tomfoolery mistake made as a child, now written on a baby's skin for the whole village to see. The real suffering started after that. She suffered and endured stares, gazes, names, and threats. They called me "sope", "ghost", "money". She was told I was intended for rituals. That my bones could make someone rich. She had to guard me jealously. She couldn't even leave me sleeping alone because of the myths surrounding my condition. The troubles she went through, she has only told me half. The rest remains buried, suppressed within the deepest cores of her heart. Then lady luck smiled on her. A woman from the church, Mrs. Moyo, took us in. Paid her fees. Helped her finish school. My mom passed. Got a job as a teacher. Slowly, slowly, she built. But she didn't know she was building a king. Fast forward to today. That child they said was a curse? That child they said was meant for rituals? He now makes sure the woman who guarded him jealously eats, breathes, and lives in luxury. My mom no longer toils day and night. Her hands that used to wash other people's clothes now get manicures every Friday. The girl who was chased away from a house with milk and honey now has her own house with milk, honey, and a double-door fridge she doesn't know how to fully stock. Here's the plot twist no one saw coming? Grandma and Grandpa now live with us. Yes. The same Grandma and Grandpa who chased her away for bringing shame. The same ones who said their little angel had become devilish. They now live in the very luxury they said would never come from this child. Grandma now sits on a couch she didn't buy, watching a TV she didn't pay for, telling visitors, "My grandson is albino, but he shines like gold." Grandpa, who once said "we want nothing to do with her," now wants everything to do with us. He asks for seconds at lunch in a house built by the pale white baby with rough, coarse hair he once called a punishment from the gods. We live like that. All of us under one roof. Shame brought us full circle. The house that chased us now lives inside the house we built. Thabo, who was married? He now sends Facebook requests. We leave him on seen. She sowed in the wrong field, yes. But she reaped me, and I made sure her reaping was worth every stare, every threat, every tear she ever shed, so much that even those who chased her now eat from it. They called me "white gold" for rituals. Joke's on them I really did become white gold. For her. For us. A mother’s journey through rejection and triumph

By Mpundu Valerie DISCLAIMER: No lightening creams were harmed or endorsed in writing this story. We have nothing against skin-lightening creams or those who use them. Everyone is free to make their own choices. This story is shared for cancer-awareness purposes. In our family group, we have a celebrity. A legend. A woman who was on top of her game once. My Aunty Thandie was not just a "CSW", she was THE "CSW", the one they sent to train the other girls. She knew how to swim with the sharks and came back leading the pack. While others were still learning how to charge, she was already charging consultation fees. In her time, as they say now, she was "hotter dan water inna tea kettle" - top of the charts, undisputed champion. My mom loves talking about her in the family group. Whenever she speaks of her beloved sister, her face lights up half adoration, half "this girl was too good at being bad." Aunty Thandie was light-skinned and the deputy parent to my mom who was the complete opposite. Aunty Thandie was married to a white man. Probably the life she had always dreamt of. The perfect retirement package after a very successful career. If you were to put my mom and Aunty side by side back then, you'd swear they were never sisters. My mom was and still is dark as night, while Aunty had peeled off a whole layer trying to lighten herself. My mom types openly in the group that her older sister had her fair share of fun before she finally settled for Craig, the white guy who would buy her more skin-lightening creams. Lifetime supply. The ultimate pension fund. At some point, our top performer came to the family group seeking help because her wound wouldn't heal. "They said they can't stitch it," she said, showing her shin. A small sore that had decided to become a permanent resident. My mom replied: "It's that mercury you apply. Do you even read what's in those creams?" That exchange went on for as long as I can remember, then fell into that silence that meant they were now on a private call having a deep conversation. The wound became persistent. She abandoned her usual creams for a jar of Vaseline. It was then I realized she was as dark as night. The dermatologist took one look, took a biopsy, and said the word no one expected in a skin-lightening story. Skin cancer. Caused by years of bleaching creams. The satire was too much. The woman who invested her whole fortune to erase her blackness was almost killed by the eraser. "Light & Lovely" had become "Burn & Biopsy." But we thank God we caught it early. Stage 1. Cut it out, clean margins, no chemo. She survived. She made a vow that day that still stands in our family group: she never wants to see anything that says "lightening" on her skin again. Last week Craig asked her to buy her creams from town. She typed: "Craig darling, if you want a light-skinned wife, go marry a light bulb. I am staying pitch black." These days we don't call her Aunty Thandie anymore. We call her The Dark Knight. Not because she flies around at night saving people, but because she finally stopped trying to erase the night from her own skin. On her dressing table, where there used to be 12 shades of Fair & White, there is now only one jar of Vaseline Blue Seal, plus a small scar on her leg she calls her receipt. Her story is a reminder to ask questions, understand what we put on our bodies, and seek professional advice when something does not seem right. As the theme says, every story is unique. And sometimes, the most powerful transformation is not becoming lighter. It is learning to live comfortably in your own skin. Have a personal journey you would like to share? Contact us on +263 774 778 179. Skin cancer awareness story

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Gweru A 38-year-old Gweru woman who scalded a one-year-old child with hot oil and burnt her back with a log in an alleged revenge attack against the child’s mother has been sentenced to 315 hours of community service. Netsai Chitambira, of 1728 Jairos Jiri, Riverside, was sentenced by Gweru magistrate Deon Chiroyi on Tuesday after being convicted of unlawfully causing harm to the minor. The court heard that Chitambira attacked the child on two separate occasions in May 2026, following a dispute with the child’s mother, who lives in the same neighbourhood. On May 2, at around 4 pm, Chitambira was cooking outside her house while the child and other children played near the fireplace. The court heard that Chitambira threw hot oil on the one-year-old, scalding the child’s leg. Two days later, she allegedly used a log to burn the child’s back. The child’s mother later noticed the injuries and reported the matter to the police. A medical report was subsequently compiled. Chitambira was ordered to perform 315 hours of community service at the Gweru Military Museum. Christine Chidembo prosecuted the case. Gweru woman sentenced for burning toddler

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Uncertainty surrounding the purported recall of Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart and four Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators has deepened after a faction led by self-styled party secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu denied initiating the move. In a statement issued on Friday, Tshabangu’s faction distanced itself from the reported recalls, denying that it had written to Parliament and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to notify them of the alleged developments. Those reportedly targeted are Coltart, Senator Ivumile Kucaca Phulu, Bulawayo Central legislator Surrender Kepoikilu, Mbizo MP Carban Madzivanyika and Epworth North MP Togarepi Zivai Mhetu. The faction’s denial has raised questions about the origin of the purported recall notices and the identity of those responsible for issuing them. CCC interim spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo also dismissed the reported recalls, saying they had no factual, political or legal basis and did not represent the party’s position. The competing statements have left the status of the alleged recalls unclear, with neither the reported notices nor their origins established in the information available. The developments come amid continuing divisions within the CCC, where rival claims of authority have previously complicated questions surrounding party representation and the status of elected officials. However, the latest statements have not resolved who initiated the purported move or whether the relevant authorities received formal recall notices. David Coltart purported recall

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Zanu-PF’s inaugural President’s Ball has raised more than US$9 million, exceeding its US$6 million target as the ruling party mobilises funds for its forthcoming national conference in Chinhoyi. The fundraising dinner featured an auction of personal academic and professional memorabilia belonging to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, including records from his 1975 graduation class at the University of Zambia (UNZA), his dissertation, graduation certificate and a framed photograph commemorating his admission to the Bar in 1976. The amount raised exceeds the original target by more than US$3 million, providing a significant fundraising boost ahead of the party’s national gathering scheduled for October 12 to 17. The event brought together party leaders and invited guests as Zanu-PF sought financial support for preparations for the conference. The auction of Mnangagwa’s academic and professional records formed part of the evening’s fundraising activities, with the items reflecting milestones in the President’s education and legal career. The President’s Ball marks a fundraising initiative aimed at supporting the logistical and organisational requirements of the party’s forthcoming conference. The gathering is scheduled to take place in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province, from October 12 to 17. Zanu-PF President’s Ball raises US$9 million

HARARE – In a market often characterized by uncertainty and delayed infrastructure, a new development is offering a tangible solution to Zimbabwe’s housing and investment needs. Delight Land Developer Pvt Ltd has officially opened the gates to Doornfontein, a sprawling 64.4861-hectare agro-residential and mixed-use estate located just 21 kilometers from the Harare CBD along the Bulawayo Road. With a competitive entry price of US$6 per square meter for one-hectare plots, the project is positioning itself as a bridge between rural productivity and urban convenience. Location and Accessibility: The "Pamamonya" Turnoff Contrary to the initial perception that the site might be remote, the developers confirm that the estate is highly accessible. "We have done the roads," says Simbarashe Musademba, Marketing Manager. "It is actually 21 km from Harare along Bulawayo Road, just before Family 24. There is a turnoff called Pamamonya, near Prevail Group. The site office and the main entrance into the project are located directly behind the Prevail Group premises." This proximity to the Harare-Bulawayo Highway, combined with links to Lilfordia Road, places Doornfontein within a 31-kilometer radius of Norton, making it a prime candidate for commuters and commercial logistics alike. A Vision of Self-Sufficiency The Doornfontein project is not merely selling vacant land; it is selling a "visible future." The development profile outlines a carefully curated master plan that includes: Agro-Residential Plots: Spacious one-hectare stands designed for low-density living, allowing residents to build homes, maintain orchards, and engage in small-scale agriculture. Institutional Zones: The plan allocates a 2-hectare site for a Medical School and a 0.76-hectare site for an Infant School, alongside a dedicated 0.20-hectare creche. Commercial & Community Hubs: Four commercial stands and three shop sites are planned to create a "Village Centre," anchored by two church sites and a 1.34-hectare recreational park. The Investment Case: Title Deeds and Urgency For investors, the most critical factor is security of tenure. Simbarashe Musademba confirms that the process is structured for long-term security. "We are offering a sale agreement first while the subdivision is finalised," he explains. "This is a transparent process that leads to the issuance of Title Deeds." The demand for this vision is evident. While the project is still in its early phases of infrastructure rollout, market confidence is high. "Three quarters of the plots are already sold," Musademba reveals. Utilities: The ZESA Partnership Addressing the critical question of electrification, the developers have moved beyond promises. "We have partnered with another company (for ZESA)," says Musademba. "They have already brought poles to the site. However, the actual grafting (connection) has not yet started." This pragmatic approach, acknowledging that while poles are in the ground, the final hookup is pending, aligns with the project's core message of "Verification." The developers encourage buyers to verify ownership and planning status through independent conveyancers, emphasizing that the renders are artist impressions of a plan, not a guarantee of instant infrastructure. The Team Behind the Land The project is being driven by a leadership team with a focus on lasting communities: Tendai Mukono – Technical Director Simbarashe Musademba – Marketing Manager The Bottom Line As Harare continues to expand outward, developments like Doornfontein offer a compelling alternative to the congested urban core. At $6/sqm, with a plan for schools, clinics, and commercial centers, the project is pitching a lifestyle of space and self-sufficiency. For those who "see the future," the message is clear: the land is real, the plan is defined, and the opportunity is closing fast. For more information or to schedule a site visit: Contact: Delight Land Developer Pvt Ltd Offices: 202-203, Electra House, 49 Samora Machel Avenue, Harare Call/App: +263 717 515 513 / 077 168 3670 Location: Behind Prevail Group, Pamamonya Turnoff, Bulawayo Road. Doornfontein plots for sale

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare A convicted armed robber who escaped from Mutimurefu Prison in July has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for escaping from lawful custody and committing a series of robberies in Masvingo. James Masunda, 34, was convicted on four counts by Masvingo provincial magistrate Christopher Maturure on 6 October 2026. Prosecutor Liberty Hove told the court that Masunda escaped from Mutimurefu Farm Prison at around midnight on 8 July, together with Tafadzwa Janyure, who remains at large. The court heard that the two inmates used an unknown object to break the burglar bars of their cell before scaling the prison perimeter fence. Hours after escaping, the pair allegedly targeted a tuck shop in Takaendesa Village, under Chief Chikwanda. They reportedly posed as customers before forcing their way into the shop and threatening the 18-year-old owner, Progress Munamati. The robbers stole groceries, including biscuits, soft drinks, tinned fish and packets of Zap Nax, as well as US$25 in cash. Toyota Vitz Stolen During Village Robbery On 8 August, Masunda and Janyure allegedly raided the homestead of Jacob Moyo in Gonhavi Village, under Chief Chikwanda. According to the State, the pair forced open a bedroom door and demanded money while armed. When Moyo told them he had no cash, they allegedly took his white Toyota Vitz, valued at US$3,500, and drove away. Neighbours pursued the suspects, forcing Masunda to abandon the vehicle in the bush. The car was later recovered. The pair allegedly struck again on 8 September at the homestead of 40-year-old Medeline Mudzingwa in Mudare Village, also under Chief Chikwanda. The court heard that they forced open the kitchen door while Mudzingwa was having dinner with her family. Masunda allegedly threatened her with a machete and demanded money. Mudzingwa handed over US$178, while clothing and a satchel valued at US$188 were also stolen. Some of the clothing was subsequently recovered. Police Track Down Masunda Police later tracked Masunda to a hideout in Mhatsa Village, under Chief Nyajena, where he was arrested. His alleged accomplice, Janyure, remains at large. Masunda’s 27-year prison sentence follows the escape and the series of robberies reported in the months that followed. The case also leaves an outstanding question for law enforcement, as police continue to look for Janyure. James Masunda 27-year prison sentence

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare From military service to the corridors of government, the legal profession and corporate boardrooms, Dr Precious Sibiya has built a career defined by versatility, leadership and a commitment to public service. An award-winning business mentor, retired Army Captain, legal practitioner and author, Sibiya represents a generation of Zimbabwean women whose professional journeys cut across sectors traditionally dominated by men. Her story is one of multiple identities: the military officer who understood discipline and command, the lawyer who navigated legislation and public administration, the corporate leader entrusted with governance responsibilities, and the woman who has chosen to share her personal struggles through the written word. For Southerton Business Times’ Woman of the Week series, Sibiya’s journey offers a look at a professional whose experience spans security, labour and employment law, social welfare, tourism, hospitality, human rights, humanitarian law and intellectual property. From the military to public service Sibiya’s professional journey includes service in the Zimbabwe National Army, where she held responsibilities that combined military discipline with legal and administrative expertise. Her military career included service as a platoon commander, work in internal auditing and a later appointment as Principal Legal Officer in the Army’s Directorate of Legal Services. In the legal services role, she was involved in court-martial prosecutions, military law education, constitutional law and the law of armed conflict. Her responsibilities also included providing legal advice to the defence forces and working on matters involving human rights and humanitarian law. These experiences provided a foundation for her subsequent work in government, where legal interpretation, policy development and institutional accountability became central to her responsibilities. Between 2007 and 2018, Sibiya served as Director of Legal Services in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. Her duties included advising the ministry on legislation, supporting policy formulation, negotiating contracts and liaising with the Attorney-General’s Office on proposed laws and other legal matters. She later served as Director of Legal Services in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, a position that brought together her legal expertise and growing involvement in tourism-sector administration. Her work included advising ministry departments, supporting legislative development and helping address the sector’s legal and regulatory obligations. A career built on knowledge and governance Sibiya’s academic qualifications reflect her wide-ranging professional interests. She holds a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property from Africa University. Her additional training includes leadership and business studies, international travel and tourism law, labour standards, dispute resolution and refugee law. She also holds an honorary doctorate in law, according to her supplied professional profile. Her professional development has extended beyond formal qualifications into research, training and international engagement. She has presented papers on intellectual property, sustainable tourism, workplace wellbeing and labour relations, among other subjects. Her published work includes research on the role of research and development in industry and commerce, as well as a joint publication examining green marketing. Her contributions to public policy have also included work on international conventions relating to disability rights and the protection of internally displaced persons. Such responsibilities place legal expertise within a wider framework of social development, inclusion and institutional reform. Sibiya’s experience has also extended into corporate governance, including leadership roles within the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the National Building Society. She currently serves as vice-chairperson of the Air Zimbabwe board and chairperson of the Mutare Polytechnic Advisory Council, according to the profile supplied to SBT. She is also listed as a legal consultant to the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe and an Intellectual Property Rights Officer in the Research and Innovation Division at Midlands State University. Her profile further identifies her as an award-winning business mentor, having received the Outstanding Business Mentor of the Year award in 2023 under the Blackbelt Awards of Mastery. The recognition reflects another dimension of her professional identity: supporting others to develop their skills, navigate challenges and pursue their ambitions. The woman behind the professional titles Yet Sibiya’s story extends beyond appointments, qualifications and boardroom responsibilities. Her recently published memoir, The Silent Battlefield: Faith, Abuse, Loss and the Journey Back to Myself, offers readers a more intimate account of the experiences behind the professional achievements. The book explores her journey through an abusive marriage, personal loss, motherhood, and a life-changing stroke at the age of 35. It also examines the expectations placed on women to remain strong, sometimes at the expense of their own wellbeing. Rather than presenting resilience as an ability to endure suffering indefinitely, the memoir considers the difficult process of recognising pain, reclaiming dignity and beginning again. “For a long time, I understood strength as the ability to endure. I kept going, even when I was hurting. But I came to understand that survival is not the same as living,” Sibiya says in the book’s accompanying statement. The memoir opens a different window into a woman whose public responsibilities have required professional composure and leadership, while acknowledging that personal challenges can exist alongside outward success. Its themes include domestic abuse, grief, faith, emotional wellbeing, and the possibility of rebuilding one’s life after devastating experiences. For readers who have faced similar circumstances, the book seeks to encourage conversations that are often avoided or endured in silence. Redefining strength Sibiya’s professional life and personal testimony intersect around questions of responsibility, perseverance and the meaning of leadership. In public institutions, leadership is often measured through decisions, governance structures and organisational performance. In personal life, it may involve confronting painful realities, seeking support and finding the courage to move forward. Her journey brings these different dimensions into focus without suggesting that achievement eliminates hardship. Through her work in law, public administration and corporate governance, she has contributed to institutions operating across several sectors. Through mentorship, she has engaged with the development of others. Through her memoir, she is inviting readers into conversations about experiences that professional titles rarely reveal. For Sibiya, sharing her story is also an opportunity to reach people who may feel isolated by their circumstances. “I am sharing my story because there are people who are fighting battles that the world cannot see,” she says. That message gives The Silent Battlefield a purpose beyond autobiography: to remind readers that difficult experiences do not have to define the remainder of their lives. As the Southerton Business Times recognises Dr Precious Sibiya as its Woman of the Week, her story offers a reminder that women’s achievements cannot always be captured by a list of positions held or qualifications earned. Sometimes, the fuller measure of a life lies in the combination of what a woman has contributed publicly, what she has endured privately, and what she chooses to do with those experiences. For Sibiya, that next chapter includes continuing her professional work while using her voice to encourage others to confront their struggles and believe that beginning again is possible. Dr Precious Sibiya

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare United Family International Church (UFIC) founder and leader Emmanuel Makandiwa has hit back at Jesus Revelation Ministries leader Talent Chiwenga following criticism over his failure to foresee the helicopter crash that killed businessman and socialite Wicknell Chivayo. Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and other occupants of the helicopter died when the aircraft crashed at a farm in Marondera on September 30. Chiwenga questioned why a genuine man of God had not predicted the tragedy and warned Chivayo against travelling, sparking public debate about the responsibilities and limitations of prophetic claims. The criticism drew particular attention to Makandiwa because of his close relationship with Chivayo, who had reportedly donated luxury vehicles to the preacher and his wife, contributed US$1 million towards UFIC’s church construction project and dined with Makandiwa five days before the fatal crash. Responding to questions about whether he had foreseen the accident, Makandiwa said he had never claimed to possess complete prophetic knowledge. “As for the question of whether I saw the accident prophetically before time or not, as some may wonder, that to me was rendered unimportant when I stated in time past my inability to see everything,” he said. “I reiterate that I have never seen everything, I don’t see everything, and I won’t see everything. Only God does.” Makandiwa questions Chiwenga’s criticism During a recent church service, Makandiwa revisited the controversy and challenged Chiwenga’s right to criticise other prophets, referring to a road accident Chiwenga survived in June 2019. Chiwenga was seriously injured in the accident near Masvingo, in which his wife and two other people travelling with him were killed. Drawing a comparison with that tragedy, Makandiwa said: “You had your husband in the car. It was you driving. Where was your God?” Makandiwa repeatedly referred to Chiwenga as a woman during his remarks and used language that appeared intended to ridicule him. He also made a personal allegation against Chiwenga without presenting evidence to substantiate it. The exchange has added to the public debate over prophetic authority, particularly whether religious leaders who claim spiritual insight should be expected to predict major tragedies involving people close to them. Makandiwa, however, maintained that being a prophet did not mean he could foresee every death or that his own family was protected from tragedy. “Some of us are smart enough to know that those issues should not be touched,” he said. “I can lose my family at any time. But no one is ever going to question me, ‘Why didn’t you see that?’ I’ve told you I don’t see everything.” His comments suggest that he rejects the expectation that a prophet must have foreknowledge of every tragedy, including accidents involving close associates. Remarks draw attention to prophet accountability Makandiwa concluded his response with remarks that appeared to signal a willingness to confront Chiwenga beyond the religious debate. “Some of us, we are not just prophets; we are men. We are men,” he said. The statement could be interpreted as confrontational, although the remarks quoted here do not establish whether he intended a specific physical threat. The dispute has placed the relationship between prophetic claims, public accountability and personal tragedy under renewed scrutiny. While Chiwenga’s criticism centres on why the crash was not foreseen, Makandiwa’s response is that he has never claimed to see everything. The exchange leaves a broader question for followers and observers of Zimbabwe’s religious landscape: what should congregants reasonably expect from spiritual leaders who are widely regarded as prophets? Makandiwa responds to Chiwenga

A reader’s story | Cancer Awareness Disclaimer: This story was shared by one of our readers, anonymized and lightly edited for privacy and clarity. It discusses lung cancer, loss, and end-of-life pain and may be distressing. It is not medical advice. Medical information is for basic educational purposes only. Around 1988, my grandfather was being taken in and out of hospital, from one doctor to another. He had respiratory problems, but nobody seemed to know exactly what was wrong. In the 1980s, they treated him for tuberculosis, bronchitis, dust-related complications, and almost everything else they could think of except the disease that was slowly taking his life. He moved from one hospital to another without lasting improvement. Eventually, doctors discovered that he had advanced lung cancer, which they linked to his excessive smoking. By then it had spread all over his lungs. "Had it been diagnosed in time," the doctors kept saying. That phrase still rings in my ears. But how could it be diagnosed in time, in the 80's? They tried everything applicable. To no avail. My grandfather was dying slowly and painfully. He passed on while my grandma and I were holding him, assisting him to the restroom. That is where he took his last breath. In our arms. We buried him and thought that pain was over. The memories were something we never wanted to revisit.Not until... Decades later my father succumbed in 2023 to the same ailment. Same bloodline. Same cough. Same shadow. Only this time it was not the 80's. It felt like the cancer man had come to collect a debt owed for years on end. We had hospitals. We had Google. We had oxygen machines his sister bought one that kept him alive longer. We had chemo, we had Cocodamol and Diclofenac. More awareness was now being raised. It could be talked about openly and discussions were no longer as sacred as back then when I had my first encounter in 1988. But what we didn't have was early action. My father suffered in silence for a long time. Men do that. He hid his pain to protect us. With my father, it was a case of being misdiagnosed at first and given the wrong prescription until persistent coughing forced us to seek further help. They finally said lung cancer also smoking-related, almost Stage 4. We would hurry him to hospital, "vakutadza kufema" (failing to breathe). "Kuita mweya wekutsvaga" (gasping for every ounce of breath). For almost 5 years he lived with that great pain. He underwent chemotherapy, an account he was candid about. "Very painful therapy," he said. He died in 2023. Not in the 80s. In 2023, when we had the machines, the drugs, the information. But we still came late. Two men. One in the 80s, one in 2023. Father and son. Same lungs, same disease, same ending. Briefly, what is lung cancer? Lung cancer happens when abnormal cells in the lungs grow out of control. Smoking is the biggest risk factor, but it can also affect non-smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke. Early on, it may have no symptoms, or just a persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or weight loss. Because it is silent at first, many are diagnosed late. That is why screening matters. In parting, my father held my hand, breathing heavily. In his final days, my father held my hand, breathing heavily. He had endured so much. His body was tired, and his struggle to breathe had become a painful reminder of how much the disease had taken from him. Then he asked me to do something with his suffering. “My son, don’t let my pain be silent. Tell people.” Those words have stayed with me. Tell people not to wait until a cough becomes unbearable. Tell them not to dismiss persistent symptoms or assume that enduring pain is a sign of strength. Tell them to seek medical attention and keep asking questions when treatment does not seem to be helping. And tell them that cancer is not a conversation we should have only when awareness campaigns appear on our calendars. If one more person seeks medical attention because they read this story, then perhaps my grandfather’s suffering in the 1980s and my father’s suffering in 2023 will help another family act sooner. I am grateful for cancer-awareness programmes and the people who keep these conversations alive. But we cannot afford to talk about cancer for just one week a year. Cancer does not wait for awareness week. Let these echoes of pain become echoes of action. Have a cancer experience or awareness story to share? Reach out at +263 774 778 179. Lung cancer awareness in Zimbabwe

By Mpundu Valerie After a postponed birthday album launch that disappointed some fans, Tatuh Maluba finally delivered the celebration his supporters had been waiting for, turning Cresta Jameson into a showcase of music, memory, and resilience. For the past two years, it has been culture for the man to release an album on his birthday. This time, circumstances fought the RHINOS and the celebration had to be pushed back. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. On Friday evening at Cresta Jameson, the audience bowed down to a polished performance. The band came, saw and conquered. Chava Chimurenga warmed up the crowd, setting the perfect mood for the night. What followed was a trip down memory lane. Tatuh opened with "Hope Dzandarota Kunaka" off his debut album of the same name. Eloquent vocals, crystal sound, and backing vocalists who were on fire. Soon after, he played "Nyarara Chipembere," popularly known by fans as "Ktaura Havagone," before going religiously back to where it all began with his first-ever track, "Zororo." So nostalgic was "Zororo", Tatuh had to remove his signature hat. The song sank deep, evoking memories of toiling in vain when life is unkind. “Ndakadzidza hangu asi hupenyu hwakandipa musana...” he sang a soul-searching reflection on education, hustle, and painful ends, but with a reminder that there is always hope. That eventually, there is rest when things fall into place. He then sampled "Hondo Haina Dura", a deep, haunting track on the ravages of war. No victor, only pain, loss, and scars. He closed the emotive set with "Ndiani Achanyara", a song of positivity. "Ramba uchirova, kunoedza chete". Never give up. Fodya yamasunga kunaka indeed. The wait made the launch sweeter, and the Rhinos proved why they are slowly but surely invading every space. What began as a postponed celebration became an evening of reflection and musical connection. Tatuh Maluba and the RHINOS demonstrated that beyond the anticipation surrounding an album launch, a lasting performance is built on musicianship, storytelling, and the ability to make an audience feel every word. For the fans who had waited, Friday night was finally their moment. Tatuh Maluba Cresta Jameson performance

The Tshabangu-led CCC faction says the purported recall letters do not represent its position. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare A faction of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by self-declared interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has rejected letters purporting to recall five public representatives, describing the correspondence as lacking factual, political and legal grounds. In a statement issued on Friday, October 9, the faction’s interim national spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, said the letters did not represent the party’s position and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to destabilise the opposition movement. The correspondence, dated October 7 and reportedly stamped as received on Friday, was addressed to National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda, Senate President Mabel Chinomona and Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe. The letters claim that five CCC representatives have ceased to be party members, potentially triggering the process for their removal from elected office. Those named are Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, who is also the councillor for Ward 4; Bulawayo Central legislator Surrender Kapoikilu; Mbizo MP Corban Madzivanyika; Epworth North MP Togarepi Zivai Mhetu; and Bulawayo Senator Kucaca Ivumile Phulu. Mlilo dismissed the purported recalls and assured the affected representatives that their positions remained secure, saying their tenure should continue until at least 2030. “The purported recalls have no factual, political, or legal basis. They do not represent the position of the Citizens Coalition for Change,” Mlilo said. He added that the faction’s current priorities were party reconstruction, institutional renewal and structural consolidation. According to Mlilo, recalls were not a preferred political tool for the leadership, which he said was committed to consensus-building, cohesion and stability. Legal action being considered The faction also alleged that certain individuals were behind the correspondence and claimed they intended to use recalls to pressure elected representatives into declaring allegiance. Mlilo said preliminary internal investigations had identified individuals allegedly connected to the letters, although the statement did not name them or provide evidence supporting the allegations. He further warned that the conduct could amount to contempt of court, adding that the party’s legal counsel had been briefed to advise on the appropriate response. “The conduct of these individuals may amount to contempt of Court,” he said, adding that legal advice would guide the party’s political and administrative measures. The allegations have not been independently established in the information provided, and the individuals implicated by the faction have not been identified in the statement. Recall dispute raises questions The dispute comes against the backdrop of prolonged divisions within the CCC over its leadership and the authority to make decisions on behalf of the party. The legal implications of the latest correspondence depend on matters including who issued the letters, whether the signatories have the requisite authority and whether the applicable constitutional and legal requirements for recalling elected representatives have been met. The rejection by Tshabangu’s faction does not, by itself, establish the legal status of the letters or determine the future of the affected representatives’ seats. Mlilo urged the named representatives to continue carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, insisting that the faction would not be diverted from its stated focus on governance and party rebuilding. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Senate President, Local Government Minister and the five named representatives were not quoted in the supplied statement. Their responses, together with confirmation of the letters’ authenticity and the relevant legal position, would help clarify the status of the purported recalls. For now, the faction maintains that the correspondence does not reflect its position and says it is considering its legal options. CCC faction rejects recall letters