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

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare A commuter omnibus travelling from Harare's central business district towards Warren Park D reportedly caught fire near Bishop Gaul Avenue in Belvedere on Monday evening, with no fatalities reported. ZBC News reported the incident on Tuesday morning and published a photograph showing a commuter omnibus engulfed in flames. However, the report has raised questions because it came hours after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had dismissed reports of a similar kombi fire in the same general area. In a statement issued on Monday night, police said reports circulating on social media about a commuter omnibus catching fire while travelling to Warren Park were false. The ZRP specifically said no road traffic accident had occurred along Samora Machel Avenue near the Bishop Gaul Avenue traffic lights. “Reference is made to the false information circulating on social media platforms regarding an alleged road traffic accident involving a combi which reportedly caught fire while on its way to Warren Park,” the police said. The force added: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reports that no road traffic accident occurred along Samora Machel Avenue near Bishop Gaul Avenue traffic lights.” Police urged members of the public not to circulate information that had not been verified. “The public is encouraged to rely on official ZRP communication for accurate and verified information,” the statement said. The apparent discrepancy centres on whether the incident reported by ZBC News is the same event that police were responding to. The police statement refers specifically to an alleged road traffic accident involving a kombi on Samora Machel Avenue near the Bishop Gaul Avenue traffic lights, while the ZBC report describes a commuter omnibus fire after Bishop Gaul Avenue in Belvedere. It is therefore not yet clear whether the two reports concern the same vehicle and incident, or whether they refer to separate events. The distinction is important because the ZRP statement does not necessarily address every possible vehicle fire in the wider area. It specifically denied that a road traffic accident involving a kombi had occurred at the location described in the statement. ZBC News, meanwhile, reported that the vehicle caught fire while travelling from Harare CBD to Warren Park D and that there were no fatalities. Southerton Business Times could not independently establish from the information available whether the vehicle featured in the ZBC report was the same kombi referred to in the police statement. The incident highlights the difficulties created when information about emergencies circulates on social media before authorities have established the facts. For commuters and members of the public, conflicting reports can create unnecessary alarm, particularly when they concern road accidents, fires or possible loss of life. Further clarification from either the police or ZBC News would help establish whether the two reports relate to the same incident. Until then, motorists and commuters are advised to rely on verified information from authorities and established news organisations when assessing reports of emergencies. Southerton Business Times will update this story if further verified information becomes available. kombi fire Harare

Mpundu Valerie Disclaimer: This is a true story from a carer. Names and identifying details have been withheld to respect the privacy and dignity of the patient and her family. This is personal experience and not medical advice People think a carer looks after the patient. I learnt that sometimes the family needs your shoulder more than the patient does. I learnt this looking after a 73-year-old lady dying of pancreatic cancer, a lady who loved me so much her own family felt threatened by our bond. The most common symptom is jaundice. She was literally yellow throughout her body. She could no longer be mobile and spent her last month in bed. Eating was also a problem. She could only consume a tablespoon of oats porridge for breakfast, for lunch, just two teaspoons of jelly were enough and for dinner, maybe half of a soft-boiled egg. Due to the cancer, she could not consume more than that. She persisted in using the commode for relieving herself, but it was no longer possible. She faced the risk of falling down due to lack of energy in the body, but eventually the cancer progressed, and we were now using diapers. The first two weeks she was so verbal, but the final two weeks were so crucial. The lady was now non-verbal and so unresponsive. The only thing she could ingest was water. My colleague and I had to push for water till her final day. What I experienced as a carer, I had to balance looking after the patient and the family members. The family needed all the help they could through comfort. Mostly, when a family member has a chronic disease like cancer, the family could need more of the shoulder of the carer than the patient. Fortunately, it was a family of believers, so I, being a believer as well, made the burden lighter. I bonded with the patient and the family as well. We made sure she was happy, immaculate, and comfortable till her last day. She was in pain. She restricted herself from going outside because she was yellow throughout, in her eyes and every part of her body. She refused to take walks, worried about what her neighbours would say about her. In those final days, she would lose consciousness and regain it twice or thrice a day for about a week. People ask me if the blackouts didn't scare me. I was never scared. I knew she was going, so I was patient and happy to be by her side, giving her all the assistance she needed. Nobody has to die alone. I was never scared, not one bit. I just waited for her to come back if she was, life would go on. Finally, she got to rest, and she died on my watch. I had to shroud her, and the people from the mortuary had to pick her body up. As a carer, I noticed the family might need more of your support as a carer than the patient. We mourned with the family. They appreciated me and my colleague. We cleaned the place up, did all the laundry, and said our goodbyes. What I learnt about pancreatic cancer: 1. The patient isolates him or herself because of their appearance. 2. The patient has difficulties eating - their tummy feels full or bloated even when they have not consumed anything. 3. The whole body turns yellow. 4. They might become easily offended due to their circumstances, so one has to be very patient and understand them, because they will know what they are going through. 5. They lose their strength. 6. The patient's bowel movements are affected as well. 7. They might experience losing consciousness, the heart stopping, and then the body reboots itself, and they come back several times before they finally rest. So this was my experience. Nobody looked after me as a carer. I had to be the pillar of strength for both the patient and the family. One thing I want to emphasise is: Caring is a calling. If one is not called, the job can never be manageable. We continue to hope that one day there is a cure for this chronic disease. If you have a story to share kindly reach us on 0774778179 pancreatic cancer caregiving

By: Daniel Tarisayi (Licensed Psychologist) Conflict is a normal part of life. Whether at home, work, church, or in the community, people will sometimes disagree because they have different opinions, needs, expectations, or goals. However, conflict itself is not the problem. The real challenge lies in how people respond to conflict and manage their emotions. Research and everyday experience show that broken relationships, violence, and resentment often result not from conflict itself, but from poor anger management and unhealthy ways of dealing with disagreements. Anger is a natural human emotion. Like love, it is one of the strongest emotions people experience. When managed well, anger can alert us to problems that need attention. When unmanaged, it can damage relationships, health, and decision-making. The Bible offers valuable wisdom on handling anger. James 1:19-20 encourages believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Understanding Conflict and Anger Conflict can be described as a disagreement that arises because people have different needs, expectations, values, goals, or perceptions. Anger, on the other hand, is a strong emotional reaction that may arise from frustration, hurt, threats, injustice, or disappointment. Many people view conflict negatively, but conflict is not always harmful. Healthy conflict can lead to better communication, deeper understanding, and stronger relationships. Problems arise when people allow emotions to take control and respond aggressively rather than constructively. (to be continued..) conflict resolution and anger management

By Naturopathic Doctor P. Nduva Disclaimer: Readers are strongly advised to consult a qualified and registered healthcare professional about any health concerns before making changes to their diet, lifestyle or treatment. Lifestyle changes can reduce certain cancer risks but cannot guarantee that breast cancer will be prevented. Breast cancer does not have a single cause. Some risk factors, including age, family history and inherited genetic changes, cannot be changed. However, research shows that certain lifestyle choices may help lower the risk of developing breast cancer. Prevention should therefore not be understood as a guarantee, but as an opportunity to improve overall health and reduce avoidable risk. Worry, Depression & Stress There is an intimate relationship between the mind and the body. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. Therefore, there is a need to ensure the mind is kept free from chronic worry, depression, and stress. Negative emotions and chronic stress can weaken the immune system, including reducing white blood cell activity, which is a major defense against disease. Researchers at the Rochester Medical Center in New York have found that people who struggle to deal with severe emotional conflicts, who have uncontrolled anxiety, who have experienced traumatic losses, or who have strong feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and hopelessness, may have a harder time resisting disease. It may not be that negative attitudes cause cancer directly, but they can reduce a person's resilience in fighting it. Maintain a strong sense of purpose and create resilience and positive energy in your mind. Deep Breathing and Exercise Cancer is less prevalent in physically active people, so regular exercise is important. - Do deep breathing exercises daily and take regular walks outdoors. Aim for 20 slow, deep breaths, holding for a few seconds and exhaling fully. This, combined with outdoor walking, helps improve lung function and general well-being. - Get adequate fresh air and sunlight. If possible, sleep in a well-ventilated room that receives sunlight during the day. Sunlight and ventilation help reduce dampness and improve hygiene in the home. Diet & Nutrition Researchers estimate that a significant percentage of cancers are linked to dietary factors. - Chew your food thoroughly. Proper chewing aids digestion and helps you feel satisfied with less food. - Avoid processed meats such as luncheon meat, hot dogs, smoked or cured meats. Also limit excessive consumption of high-fat dairy products. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen on October 26, 2015. The International Journal of Cancer pooled data from multiple studies and found that women with high processed meat consumption had a 9% higher relative risk of breast cancer, particularly among postmenopausal women. Fats & Rancid Oils - Keep weight down. Obesity is a well-established risk factor linked to breast cancer. Accumulated fatty tissue affects female hormones. The more fatty tissue present, the more estrogen is produced, which can stimulate cell division in the breast and reproductive system. - A high-fat diet is associated with an increased occurrence of breast cancer compared to a low-fat diet. - Avoid repeatedly heating fats to very high temperatures, as this can produce harmful compounds. Limit fried foods. Instead, add measured amounts of healthy oil to food after cooking. Options include cold-pressed flaxseed oil, sunflower oil or pumpkin seed oil, used in moderation. Protein Our actual daily protein requirement is around 20-30 grams for many adults, but many people consume far more than needed due to the increase in fast food outlets. - Well-chewed roundnuts (Bambara nuts), almonds, sesame, and dehulled sunflower seeds are good plant-based protein sources. - Brewer's yeast can also be a supplementary source. Focus on proteins from seeds and nuts as part of a balanced diet. "Prevention is cheaper than a cure. You cannot control everything that happens around you, but you can control what you eat, what you think, and how you breathe. Clean your mind, clean your plate, and let your body do the healing." breast cancer prevention

Disclaimer: This is a true personal testimony shared for awareness. For any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional Mpundu valerie My uncle John never believed in modern medicine. Having grown up with a father who was a herbalist, he thought he had it all figured out. Never in his life had he set foot in a hospital. According to sources close to him, he was born at home and never had his records taken at the hospital. Any form of sickness, he claimed he could cure. Well, that was just flu and headaches. He was well known in the village as a healer. Uncle John was the kind who would laugh and scorn the man in white. He believed they were wasting their time and, in the end, they would all come back to consult him. He believed he had unmatched healing power. Inasmuch as he was crude in his own understanding of modern medicine, he never deprived us of an education. It was in school when I started questioning his practice but couldn't confront him. I was an orphan and feared he would chase me away. A slight sickness, Uncle John would douse you with herbs. You would think he was trying to make spice out of you. One day he was in a very happy mood. I seized the opportunity. "Uncle, we lost a teacher to cancer at school." He beat the cancer thought outta me. He laughed so hard he had to use a concoction to ease the pain his ribs had suffered. "That is a myth, nothing like that exists," he burst out. It was at that moment I knew we were never to discuss that again, or I would be left homeless. He took me to his consultation room, which had charts of all ailments. He asked me to look carefully and read thoroughly. "When you find cancer in there, let me know. I will come and open up for you," he said as he locked me in and walked off. It was around 19:00 when my aunt came and unlocked the door. She barely said a word except, "Never bring that up again." Then one day, our self-proclaimed healer had a small blister on his right leg. He scratched it, and it started developing into a sore that seemed to increase in size each day. He kept to himself and accused innocent witches, thinking they didn't want him to farm as he always outdid everyone. What my uncle had was Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM) - a rare and aggressive skin cancer that grows on the soles, palms and under nails. It is the most common melanoma in dark-skinned people. We all thought it was a blood blister. It started as a small, dark spot on the sole of his right foot. Then it began to enlarge its territory viciously. The borders became irregular and notched, not round like a normal blister. The colour was variegated patches of dark brown mixed with jet black. It grew beyond 6mm, to almost 12mm across, flat but with some raised areas. It would not heal. It itched, then burned, then bled when he scratched it. In medical terms, it had all the ABCDE warning signs - Asymmetric shape, irregular Border, uneven Colour, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving every week. But to us in the village and to my uncle, who called cancer a myth, it was just a stubborn sore bewitched by jealous neighbours. I remember aunty getting a lecture of a lifetime after she suggested he visit a hospital. That day, all her belongings were thrown out. That evening we witnessed how ignorance can destroy. If I were her, I would have left to never return. She had to crawl from the gate, begging and shouting my uncle's mutupo, singing him clan praises with a plate of food in her hands. She rolled on the ground, making a mockery of herself. If this was marriage, I didn't want it!! One day my aunt asked me to accompany her to the field. Our route was diverted we were at the hospital. I was made to stay in the other room. My aunty must have promised the doctor an arm and a leg. The amount of medicine she came out clutching was enough to open her own pharmacy. She dug the lot in a shallow pit just by the sugarcane plant. She would finely crush it into powder and mix it with his food. Too little, too late. She tried her best, but Uncle John succumbed to his ignorance, adamancy, and ego. If he had listened to the voice of reason, he could have been saved. For any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional at your nearest hospital. If you have a story to share, kindly reach out at 263774778179 cancer awareness Zimbabwe

Sanelisiwe Magagula, 32, will be buried at her rural home in Lupane on Monday. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Bulawayo The late Sanelisiwe Magagula, an aide to businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s wife, Lucy Muteke, will be buried at her rural home in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province, on Monday following her death in last week’s helicopter crash. Magagula, 32, was among six people killed when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the Marondera area on Wednesday. Family spokesperson Lamlani Ncube confirmed that Magagula’s body is expected to arrive in Bulawayo on Sunday before a church service of remembrance is held at the family home in Entumbane. The body will subsequently be transported to Lupane, where burial is scheduled for Monday. Magagula was travelling with Chivayo, Muteke and the two pilots, Captain Calvin Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa, when the helicopter crashed. The accident claimed the lives of all six people on board. The crash has triggered an outpouring of grief across Zimbabwe, with attention focused on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Chivayo and Muteke, who were prominent figures in the country's business and social circles. Pilots Buried The funerals of the two pilots were also scheduled for Sunday. Captain Soda was buried in Marondera on Sunday afternoon, while Captain Mutavirwa was due to be buried in Chiredzi later the same day. The separate burials follow the recovery and identification of the remains of those who died in the crash. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, while authorities are expected to establish what caused the helicopter to crash. Chivayo, Muteke Funeral Arrangements Meanwhile, Chivayo and Muteke are scheduled to be buried at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare on Thursday. Their deaths have attracted widespread attention in Zimbabwe and beyond, with tributes coming from political, business, religious and social circles. Chivayo was a prominent businessman who was frequently associated with major infrastructure and energy projects and maintained a high-profile presence on social media. Muteke, his wife, was also known publicly through the couple’s business and social activities. Magagula, however, was remembered by her family and those close to the couple as an aide who worked with Muteke. Her burial in Lupane will give relatives and members of the community an opportunity to pay their final respects before the family lays her to rest at her rural home. The deaths of Magagula, Chivayo, Muteke, Soda and Mutavirwa, together with the sixth person who was on board, have left several families mourning as investigations into the fatal helicopter crash continue. Sanelisiwe Magagula burial

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Masvingo A senior Zanu PF youth official in Masvingo has claimed that the party has names of suspected drug dealers operating in the city, as well as Government officials allegedly receiving bribes to protect them. Masvingo provincial youth secretary for security Tafara Zhou made the allegations during a joint provincial council meeting attended by senior Government and party officials. The meeting was chaired by Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Rabson Mavhenyengwa and attended by Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamu and Provincial Secretary Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa. Zhou said the youth wing was prepared to assist authorities in tackling drug and substance abuse but expressed concern over where suspected dealers could safely be reported. “As youth we know and have the names of drug peddlers in the city. We also have names of senior Government officers who are paid fees to protect these peddlers,” Zhou said. “We are ready to assist in the fight against drugs but our dilemma is that the offices where we need to report the criminals are the same offices manned by people receiving drug money.” The allegations have not been independently verified, and Zhou did not publicly identify the officials or alleged drug dealers during the meeting. Government Promises Action Zhou's claims came after Dr Pazvakavambwa raised concern over the growing problem of drug and substance abuse in Masvingo. When contacted about the alleged list, Pazvakavambwa said the matter would be taken up by the province's Joint Operations Command (JOC). “We alerted all security departments, and the matter will be addressed in our next JOC meeting. We are not taking this lightly because this can derail our efforts in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” Pazvakavambwa said. The JOC brings together security agencies and other relevant Government departments to coordinate operations. Zimbabwe Republic Police records indicate that the police participate in Joint Operations Command meetings as part of broader security coordination. Masvingo Drug Crackdown The allegations come as authorities continue efforts to combat drug and substance abuse in Masvingo and across Zimbabwe. Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira said in May that 162 people had been arrested and drugs worth more than US$7 million recovered in the province since January 2026. Authorities have also stepped up enforcement against illicit medicines in Masvingo. In September, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Criminal Investigations Department, reported more than 10 arrests during an operation targeting illegal pharmaceutical sales in the city's central business district. Nationally, the Government has reported thousands of arrests in its ongoing anti-drug campaign. Official figures presented to Cabinet showed that 3,192 people were arrested between December 9, 2025 and March 15, 2026, with 2,113 taken to court and 493 convicted. The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge corridor has also been identified as a major route used by drug traffickers, with police reporting several arrests and seizures along the highway. Police Urge Public to Report Drugs Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa urged members of the public with information about drug trafficking and related criminal activity to report it to the police. He provided the following contacts for tip-offs: 0775 996 945 or 039 226 6778. Zhou's allegations now place renewed attention on whether suspected drug dealers are being adequately investigated and whether any public officials are facilitating the illegal trade. However, no Government official has been publicly named or charged in connection with the allegations made at the meeting. The province's JOC is expected to consider the matter, according to Pazvakavambwa. Masvingo drug dealers