Latest news with #Bulawayo
News24
3 days ago
- Business
- News24
Zim's farmers push on as land grab compensation flounders
For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. In a field of paprika plants in the heart of Zimbabwe, fourth-generation farmer Daniel Burger and relative newcomer Miriam Mupambawashe discuss the quality of the crop. Burger, 36, and Mupambawashe, 59, are neighbours and partners in efforts to revive the country's once-flourishing agriculture sector cut down by a ruinous land reform drive in the 2000s. The reform distributed land from the white minority, which still owned most of the best farmland 20 years after independence in 1980, to the black majority. Around 4,000 white-owned farms were confiscated, some with deadly violence. Mupambawashe was among thousands who received land. Though she initially knew little about farming, her small subsistence plot now thrives. Other farms failed or were abandoned, with some new tenants unschooled in agriculture and others -- including politicians who were handed land -- uninterested. There were food shortages and Zimbabwe soon required international aid. "There was a bit of a tough period through the 2000s and, unfortunately, I think it sort of refuelled racial tensions to an extent," Burger told AFP. "But being so passionate about farming was the motivator for me to move forward," he said. Good faith Mupambawashe moved to the area from the southern city of Bulawayo, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) away. "When we first came here in 2001, it was a forest and there was nothing built," she said. "Some of the white farmers were angry but we managed to talk to each other in good faith and move forward." "They never let us down and said, 'You grabbed the farm, let's see if you can do it'. But instead they brought their own tractors and equipment to come and help, which we felt was a nice gesture." It was hard in the beginning, especially after irrigation equipment was stolen, and the early failures were "embarrassing", Mupambawashe said. But today her plot does so well that she only needs to buy in sugar and cooking oil. Burger leases land from her and lends tractors and expertise. His family's land was among the few hundreds that were not seized in the 2000s. Nonetheless, "For a long time we became wound up in compensation," said Burger, vice-president of the Commercial Farmers Union of Zimbabwe (CFU) that represents mostly white farmers. "But it wasn't our purpose. Our purpose was driving agriculture and current agricultural affairs forward," he said. Compensation frustration This year, some farm owners whose land was confiscated received the first compensation payments after decades of waiting. The process has been complex and divisive. The government committed to compensation as part of an effort to settle arrears and reform the economy in order to be able to regain access to international credit lines cut two decades ago. It announced in 2020 the creation of a fund that would pay out US$3.5 billion for infrastructure on farms but not the land, which it says was taken by force by colonial settlers. Unable to raise cash, the government in 2023 changed the offer to one percent in cash and the remainder in US dollar denominated treasury bonds. In April, the first payments were made to 378 of 780 farmers approved for this scheme. Deon Theron, who represents the Compensation Steering Committee group of former white farmers, says the introduction of the bonds has annulled the original deal and negotiations need to start over. The bonds are "unsecured" and there is "limited recourse in the event of non-performance by government," he told AFP. "The general feeling amongst the farmers is firstly frustration that after 20-odd years we still have not received anything," Theron said. But the Property and Farm Compensation Association said its members would take what is on offer. The bonds are under international guarantee, said leader Harry Orphanides, adding that "digging in" and seeking more from the government would be futile. Tenure Mupambawashe and Burger are encouraged by another major government announcement -- the granting of land ownership rights to beneficiaries of the 2000s land reform. The tenure announced late last year replaces 99-year leases and means the new owners can deal with the property as they wish, including putting it up for sale. "It makes us feel settled," Mupambawashe said. "No one could come and tell us to move off the land or take it away from us." "It is just going to catapult us forward as a nation and an economy," Burger said. "We used to be the breadbasket of Africa and we lost it somewhat. But I just look at where we are now."
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Zimbabwe's farmers push on as land grab compensation flounders
Burger, 36, and Mupambawashe, 59, are neighbours and partners in efforts to revive the country's once-flourishing agriculture sector cut down by a ruinous land reform drive in the 2000s. The reform distributed land from the white minority, which still owned most of the best farmland 20 years after independence in 1980, to the black majority. Around 4,000 white-owned farms were confiscated, some with deadly violence. Mupambawashe was among thousands who received land. Though she initially knew little about farming, her small subsistence plot now thrives. Other farms failed or were abandoned, with some new tenants unschooled in agriculture and others — including politicians who were handed land — uninterested. There were food shortages and Zimbabwe soon required international aid. 'There was a bit of a tough period through the 2000s and, unfortunately, I think it sort of refuelled racial tensions to an extent,' Burger told AFP. 'But being so passionate about farming was the motivator for me to move forward,' he said. Good faith Mupambawashe moved to the area from the southern city of Bulawayo, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) away. 'When we first came here in 2001, it was a forest and there was nothing built,' she said. 'Some of the white farmers were angry but we managed to talk to each other in good faith and move forward.' 'They never let us down and said, 'You grabbed the farm, let's see if you can do it'. But instead they brought their own tractors and equipment to come and help, which we felt was a nice gesture.' It was hard in the beginning, especially after irrigation equipment was stolen, and the early failures were 'embarrassing', Mupambawashe said. But today her plot does so well that she only needs to buy in sugar and cooking oil. Burger leases land from her and lends tractors and expertise. His family's land was among the few hundreds that were not seized in the 2000s. Nonetheless, 'For a long time we became wound up in compensation,' said Burger, vice-president of the Commercial Farmers Union of Zimbabwe (CFU) that represents mostly white farmers. 'But it wasn't our purpose. Our purpose was driving agriculture and current agricultural affairs forward,' he said. Compensation frustration This year, some farm owners whose land was confiscated received the first compensation payments after decades of waiting. The process has been complex and divisive. The government committed to compensation as part of an effort to settle arrears and reform the economy in order to be able to regain access to international credit lines cut two decades ago. It announced in 2020 the creation of a fund that would pay out US$3.5 billion for infrastructure on farms but not the land, which it says was taken by force by colonial settlers. Unable to raise cash, the government in 2023 changed the offer to one percent in cash and the remainder in US dollar denominated treasury bonds. In April, the first payments were made to 378 of 780 farmers approved for this scheme. Deon Theron, who represents the Compensation Steering Committee group of former white farmers, says the introduction of the bonds has annulled the original deal and negotiations need to start over. The bonds are 'unsecured' and there is 'limited recourse in the event of non-performance by government,' he told AFP. 'The general feeling amongst the farmers is firstly frustration that after 20-odd years we still have not received anything,' Theron said. But the Property and Farm Compensation Association said its members would take what is on offer. The bonds are under international guarantee, said leader Harry Orphanides, adding that 'digging in' and seeking more from the government would be futile. Tenure Mupambawashe and Burger are encouraged by another major government announcement — the granting of land ownership rights to beneficiaries of the 2000s land reform. The tenure announced late last year replaces 99-year leases and means the new owners can deal with the property as they wish, including putting it up for sale. 'It makes us feel settled,' Mupambawashe said. 'No one could come and tell us to move off the land or take it away from us.' 'It is just going to catapult us forward as a nation and an economy,' Burger said. 'We used to be the breadbasket of Africa and we lost it somewhat. But I just look at where we are now.' © Copyright The Zimbabwean. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Kane Williamson unlikely for Black Caps' Zimbabwe tour
Kane Williamson is in England for a northern summer stint with Middlesex. File photo Photo: PHOTOSPORT Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is unlikely to tour Zimbabwe for a two-test series starting in July, after opting out of a central contract for a second year running. However, he says he will continue to be available for the national team without being obliged to play, adding that he is still passionate about playing for his country. Williamson has arrived in London for a stint with Middlesex in the County Championship and the T20 Blast, and with London Spirit in The Hundred. He will be play in at least 10 T20 matches and five County Championship matches, through to September. Black Caps coach Gary Stead has indicated he doesn't expect Williamson to be available for the Zimbabwe tests - which will be held in Bulawayo, starting on 30 July and 7 August, following seven T20 matches in Harare. In interviews on his arrival at Middlesex, Williamson has indicated that spending time his family with will be his priority outside of his cricket commitments. His wife Sarah, who is English, and their three children are with him in England. "It worked well last year, and obviously I'm in close conversations with New Zealand cricket, and the relationship is strong, but the landscape's changing really fast." he told The Guardian . The situation of not being on a central contract was still evolving for both parties, he said. "Yeah, we're still learning how to do it," he says. "The landscape keeps changing with the different challenges that we're presented with as cricketers. It's a work in progress. But New Zealand Cricket have been great to work with on it, I've been fortunate with that." Williamson opted out of some Black Caps series in the past year, including the tours of Bangladesh and India. The 34-year-old said he had done reflective thinking following the retirement from test cricket of India star Virat Kohli . The pair, Joe Root and Steve Smith were once dubbed the "Fab Four'' by the late Martin Crowe in an ESPN Cricinfo article. "My first thought was 'oh gosh, there's an end point'," Williamson says. "Because before that, you're on the journey, there's a pursuit there. And it's not connected to those other three, but we've all been playing at the same time, and we've all competed against each other for a long time and we all know each other pretty well. So then you do start to reflect a little bit. "I know Virat pretty well, we've chatted a lot over the years, but you do realise that we're not just cricketers as well, we're human beings and your life situation changes." - RNZ Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Zimbabwe's farmers push on as land grab compensation flounders
In a field of paprika plants in the heart of Zimbabwe, fourth-generation farmer Daniel Burger and relative newcomer Miriam Mupambawashe discuss the quality of the crop. Burger, 36, and Mupambawashe, 59, are neighbours and partners in efforts to revive the country's once-flourishing agriculture sector cut down by a ruinous land reform drive in the 2000s. The reform distributed land from the white minority, which still owned most of the best farmland 20 years after independence in 1980, to the black majority. Around 4,000 white-owned farms were confiscated, some with deadly violence. Mupambawashe was among thousands who received land. Though she initially knew little about farming, her small subsistence plot now thrives. Other farms failed or were abandoned, with some new tenants unschooled in agriculture and others -- including politicians who were handed land -- uninterested. There were food shortages and Zimbabwe soon required international aid. "There was a bit of a tough period through the 2000s and, unfortunately, I think it sort of refuelled racial tensions to an extent," Burger told AFP. "But being so passionate about farming was the motivator for me to move forward," he said. - Good faith - Mupambawashe moved to the area from the southern city of Bulawayo, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) away. "When we first came here in 2001, it was a forest and there was nothing built," she said. "Some of the white farmers were angry but we managed to talk to each other in good faith and move forward." "They never let us down and said, 'You grabbed the farm, let's see if you can do it'. But instead they brought their own tractors and equipment to come and help, which we felt was a nice gesture." It was hard in the beginning, especially after irrigation equipment was stolen, and the early failures were "embarrassing", Mupambawashe said. But today her plot does so well that she only needs to buy in sugar and cooking oil. Burger leases land from her and lends tractors and expertise. His family's land was among the few hundreds that were not seized in the 2000s. Nonetheless, "For a long time we became wound up in compensation," said Burger, vice-president of the Commercial Farmers Union of Zimbabwe (CFU) that represents mostly white farmers. "But it wasn't our purpose. Our purpose was driving agriculture and current agricultural affairs forward," he said. - Compensation frustration - This year, some farm owners whose land was confiscated received the first compensation payments after decades of waiting. The process has been complex and divisive. The government committed to compensation as part of an effort to settle arrears and reform the economy in order to be able to regain access to international credit lines cut two decades ago. It announced in 2020 the creation of a fund that would pay out US$3.5 billion for infrastructure on farms but not the land, which it says was taken by force by colonial settlers. Unable to raise cash, the government in 2023 changed the offer to one percent in cash and the remainder in US dollar denominated treasury bonds. In April, the first payments were made to 378 of 780 farmers approved for this scheme. Deon Theron, who represents the Compensation Steering Committee group of former white farmers, says the introduction of the bonds has annulled the original deal and negotiations need to start over. The bonds are "unsecured" and there is "limited recourse in the event of non-performance by government," he told AFP. "The general feeling amongst the farmers is firstly frustration that after 20-odd years we still have not received anything," Theron said. But the Property and Farm Compensation Association said its members would take what is on offer. The bonds are under international guarantee, said leader Harry Orphanides, adding that "digging in" and seeking more from the government would be futile. - Tenure - Mupambawashe and Burger are encouraged by another major government announcement -- the granting of land ownership rights to beneficiaries of the 2000s land reform. The tenure announced late last year replaces 99-year leases and means the new owners can deal with the property as they wish, including putting it up for sale. "It makes us feel settled," Mupambawashe said. "No one could come and tell us to move off the land or take it away from us." "It is just going to catapult us forward as a nation and an economy," Burger said. "We used to be the breadbasket of Africa and we lost it somewhat. But I just look at where we are now." strs/br/ho/cw
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Citizens transform urban green space in Zimbabwe
With Africa's urban population expected to double by 2050, green city spaces will be vital. In Bulawayo, citizens have restored a neglected conservation area. The historic Hillside Dams Conservancy in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is battling the spread of lantana camara, an invasive plant species that threatens the native vegetation. Conservationist Bernadette Mupinda and her team, along with volunteers, regularly uproot these plants to protect the area's biodiversity. With over 100 indigenous plant species within the park as well as 200 bird species, their decline could harm this heritage site and its valuable ecosystem. For volunteer student Zothile Zulu, community involvement is key to the conservation effort — and she believes that tangible results encourage participation. The conservancy tracks plant populations using smartphone apps, and their work has led to a 70% reduction in invasive species. But Zimbabwe's urban green spaces also face broader threats, including deforestation and urban expansion. Each year, over 200,000 hectares (nearly 500,000 acres) of forest are cleared, often on wetlands, leading to water shortages and increased wildfire risks. The Hillside Dams Conservancy is also facing financial struggles. It's a popular spot with locals, but visitor fees cover only a portion of conservation costs, forcing the organization to seek external funding. Conservationists hope the area can serve as a model for other parks. With continued support, they aim to safeguard this landmark area and its biodiversity for the sake of future generations. © Copyright The Zimbabwean. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
