Western men’s sperm count has proven to be the most recent casualty of modern life and all its associated vices and stresses.

Recent research revealed this decrease is not just a slight dip, but a plunge of more than 50 percent in levels — and no sign of it stopping.

A low sperm count is — according to World Health Organisation guidelines — anything under 15 million per millilitre, and the medical and reproductive implications are far-reaching and potentially very serious. “Low sperm count is the main factor for infertility in up to half of the couples facing fertility issues ,” Newlife IVF Clinic clinical embryologist Chrysa Karakosta tells MirrorOnline.

“And in some instances [it] might be related with increased risk of genetic abnormalities to the offspring.”

What’s causing decreasing sperm counts.

Scientists have suggested the amount of chemicals used in everyday products, industry and farming may be behind the crisis.

Chrysa adds that some more quotidian lifestyle choices may also be playing a part.

She explains, “Modern lifestyle which is associated with unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, smoking and increases alcohol intake represent some of the key factors affecting negatively the sperm.”

To counteract the sperm count slump Chrysa adds, “A healthy lifestyle and eating are essential parameters towards improving the sperm.”

Because, as Chrysa points out, a low sperm count need not be terminal and advises taking the following five steps.

Specifically, “Foods that contain Antioxidants and can help boost male fertility. Some are: Tomatoes are a good source of the antioxidant lycopene that improves motility of the sperm.

“Blueberries, are a good source of antioxidants and are also anti-inflammatory. Pomegranates have a high antioxidant content and improve blood circulation. — AFP

Zodwa Wabantu

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
SOUTH African socialite Zodwa Wabantu is expected in Bulawayo this afternoon and there is euphoria in the city as people are looking forward to dancing the night away with her at Club Connect.

Some, however, are in the dark as to what Zodwa’s claim to fame is as well as what she will be doing in Bulawayo as some have been made to confuse her for a stripper after being informed that she moves around without underwear because of her once-off Durban July outfit. That however, is untrue as she is an entertainer who enjoys dancing, often covering her private parts when doing so.

Zodwa Wabantu’s story is an interesting one as she is a person who rose to fame because of one dance routine — the Vosho which she does well and an appearance at the Durban July where she turned heads after rocking up clad in a revealing outfit – pantyless. As a result, she is now a most sought after entertainer.

Her mission in Bulawayo is simple — she is coming to party and has, according to her hosts — Club Connect, paid $2, 500 for a VVIP booth where she wants to have a good time.

Reports from South Africa suggest that Zodwa Wabantu’s presence is just an added sauce or seasoning to the already delicious meal of partying to the break of dawn.

According to South African media, Bulawayo party loving people must brace for a good night out because Zodwa really knows how to turn heads on dance floors. When the perfect song plays, she hits the dance floor and people watch in admiration, as she displays her best moves.

She has been dubbed the new “it” socialite, who has to be on the guest list of every social event.

This description gives revellers in Bulawayo a glimpse of what to expect tonight when they see Zodwa Wabantu partying.

But Zodwa hits the dance floor only when it suits her, so it is up to the local DJs, TBass, Crazy Black and Kead Wikead to play tunes – preferably Afrotainment tracks – that will keep her on her feet all night long. This will give those who want to ogle at her watching in awe at those thunder thighs in action.

Since Zodwa is not here for a show as she made it clear she was coming to Bulawayo to have a feel of the city’s nightlife, people will have to keep their eyes glued to her $2 500 VIP booth or the dancefloor if she decides to go there.

Then there’s Trino Bambina, Zimbabwe’s version of Zodwa Wabantu, who has also booked a VIP booth next to Zodwa’s. Just like Zodwa, she has been enjoying the limelight with many endorsements coming her way.

Revellers can expect the two to face off on the dance floor.

Below are eight facts about Zodwa Wabantu compiled by All4Women.com

1.    She’s a dancer. Dancing is Zodwa Wabantu’s claim to fame and her craft has seen her become one of the most popular and renowned dancers in the country.

2.    She’s well-known in celebrity circles. Zodwa works and dances for numerous celebrities, although her closest ties are with Durbanite DJ Tira.

3.    She’s never shy about going nude. It’s clear that Sis-Zodwa is not shy about her body. Perhaps she will give Skolopad a run for her money?

4.    She’s a proud twerker. With moves like these, she could definitely take on some of the biggest twerkers in the country.

5.    She has international connections. Zodwa recently captured herself at the BBC Radio 1 xtra offices but she wouldn’t say who she was accompanying.

One thing is certain, she has an extremely strong network.

6.    She’s a Manchester United fan. While she was in the UK, she paid a visit to the city of Manchester where she captured a picture of herself outside Old Trafford.

7.    She doesn’t quite get along with Khanyi Mbau. Zodwa may have many celebrity friends, but one of them is not Khanyi Mbau. This comes after it was revealed that Zodwa had a thing with Khanyi’s ex-boyfriend.

8.    She’s a staunch feminist. While everyone was calling her dress “sleazy” or slamming her for showing too much skin, Zodwa Wabantu dedicated her controversial outfit to women everywhere.

Amanda Chikari, Midlands Reporter
A FORM FOUR pupil at Loreto High School in Silobela, described as one of the school’s best netball players, collapsed and died after colliding with an opponent during a netball training session at the school.

The pupil, who died on Wednesday, has been identified as Faith Siziba.

Acting Provincial Medical Director for Midlands province Dr Fabian Mashingaidze confirmed the incident.

“A young girl collapsed and died while playing netball. That’s all the information I have at the moment,” he said.

Silobela MP, Cde Mthokozisi Manoki, said he had also been informed about the girl’s death at the school.

“Yes, I was told that a young girl lost her life while playing netball at Loreto High School. The information I have is that the girl collided with an opponent and she collapsed. They ferried her to Loreto District Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. It is a very sad development for the school and the sporting fraternity at large. We mourn with the family and her school mates,” he said.

A reliable source at the school said the netball players were preparing for a tournament when tragedy struck.

“She was in the team preparing for a schools’ tournament and was one of the best players we had. Tragedy struck when she jumped into the air going for a ball before she bumped her head against another player. She collapsed and they tried to render first aid before she was ferried to Loreto District Hospital,” said the source.

“Siziba was ferried to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on admission. The other girl she collided heads with is in a good condition besides being shaken by the untimely death of her teammate. We are still in shock.” — @amanda49

Miss Thembelani Tshuma shows where she was injured during the assault

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
THREE masked, gun-wielding robbers raided a suspected usiphatheleni as she arrived at her home in Bulawayo on Thursday night, seizing $7 800 and R2 000 after firing two shots into the air.

The trio pounced as an unsuspecting maid, Miss Thembelani Tshuma (34) was closing the gate after Ms Ashly Mashungu (39) of Cowdray Park suburb, had just driven into her yard.

The armed robbers, who were all wearing black masks and black clothes sprayed the maid with an unknown substance which made her dizzy.

One of the raiders started assaulting Miss Tshuma, while the other one confronted Ms Mashungu, said to be an illegal foreign currency dealer.  She had locked her vehicle’s doors as the third assailant stood guard.

When The Chronicle arrived at Ms Mashungu’s home yesterday morning, she had just left with detectives investigating the matter.

A visibly shaken shaken Miss Tshuma narrated their ordeal.

“I heard a gunshot and as I tried to quickly close the gate, a man dressed in dark clothes jumped into the yard, attacking me at once. He punched and kicked me to the ground while another one headed straight to Ms Ashly’s car.

“When Ms Ashly saw what was happening, she quickly locked herself inside her car. The third robber stood outside the gate,” she said.

Miss Tshuma said the one of the gunmen kept assaulting her, and was pressing her neck to the ground using his foot.

“The other one continued to fight Ms Ashly, threatening to shoot if she did not open her car door.  He kept demanding money, shouting ‘sinike imali lapha wena mama, abantwana bethu balambile lapha wena uyambuluza’ (Give us money, our children are hungry and you are being arrogant),” she said.

The armed robber finally smashed the car window using the butt of his gun and fearing for her life, Ms Mashungu surrendered her handbag with her money.

“Left with no choice she handed over her handbag which contained $7 800 and R2 000 and her particulars. The robber handed over the handbag to his accomplice at the gate and returned to Ms Ashly to demand more money.

“She told them that it was all she had. When they persisted, threatening to shoot her, she told them more money was in town with someone. Thank God they didn’t insist and dashed out of the gate and fled into the darkness.”

A neighbour, Mr Themba Ndlovu said his son was threatened by one of the robbers.

“We heard the gunshots but unfortunately the noise from generators used by residents in the area confused us. We weren’t so sure if we were hearing screams because our neighbours’ generators made noise.

“When my son tried to check what was happening outside, a man with a gun told him to return indoors. By the time we went outside to see, the one outside Ms Mashungu’s gate signalled to his team and they fled. Our efforts to chase after them were vain as they disappeared into the darkness,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu blamed the increased criminal activities in the area on lack of electricity in their neighbourhood.

Bulawayo metropolitan province police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango could not be reached for comment.

The latest incident follows another armed robbery that occurred on Tuesday night at Engen Service Station in Bulawayo’s Tshabalala suburb.

The three armed robbers got away with $219 after seriously injuring a security guard who had attempted to disarm one of them.

In January, gunmen struck at an usiphatheleni’s house in Emganwini suburb getting away with R15 000, while in February four men robbed another money changer of R8 000 and $750 after assaulting him and firing a shot into the air in Beitbridge.

In April a two robbers allegedly raided an usiphatheleni at a house in Bulawayo’s Nketa 7 suburb.

They blindfolded a domestic worker and tied her up before getting away with $4 000. — @winnie_masara.

A Gang of men who perpetrated several armed robberies targeting mines and companies have just got what they deserved, a staggering 744 years in jail.

Twelve armed robbers, six of them from Bulawayo were linked to a 14-member gang whose reign of terror came to a welcome end two years ago.  An arsenal of weapons — including an AK-47 assault rifle, pistol, and other crude arms such as axes, iron bars and spikes — was recovered from them.

The court sent them away for 62 years each, as we report on our front page today.

Tinashe Chikara (49), Charles Nyandoro (53), Simbarashe Tavengwa (37), Khumbulani Ncube (35), Mgcini Ramachela (33) and Takafa Vumbunu (33) were from Bulawayo.

The others are Ngonidzashe Mutiba (36), Titus Chatukuta (35), Ray Shangari (35), Tinashe Matinyenya (28), Wilson Kaneta (33) and Rodwell Mutunya (34).

They were convicted of eight counts of armed robbery and contravening the Firearms and Explosives Act by Harare regional magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya.

Two of the suspects, Doubty Mharadze (39) and Happymore Muchenje (23) — accused of setting up some of their victims for the terror gang — were acquitted after the State failed to prove a prima facie case against them.

Mr Mujaya suspended 10 years for Mutiba, Chatukuta, Shangari, Kaneta, Ramachela, Ncube and Vumbunu, who were considered first offenders.

Tavengwa, who had two previous convictions, had his four-year previous suspended jail term brought into effect and will now serve 66 years, while Chikara, a former senior police officer, had eight years suspended from his sentence.

In one of their crimes, prosecutor Mr Michael Reza said the men raided Ayrshire Mine in Banket on August 4, 2015, and waylaid two security vehicles transporting about 6,5kg of gold from the mine to Fidelity Printers in Harare.

The gang proceeded to the mine in four different cars without registration plates.

The court heard that at the time, the gang was armed with six pistols, an AK-47 assault rifle, axes, iron bars and two sets of spikes as they prepared to attack the Safeguard Security company cash-in-transit vehicles. There was a serious exchange of gunfire between the criminals and the guards but happily, the latter forced the former to retreat.

The cases involving the 12 highlight a worrying trend that has seen many people getting more brazen in their criminal activities. They see no problem committing murder, maiming and so on as long as they grab what they want. As such the country has experienced a growing number of armed robberies in which high value property is lost, limbs broken and lives lost.

Also today, we carry a story on three masked people who raided a house in Cowdray Park in Bulawayo and went away with more than $7 000.

We are deeply saddened by these crimes, asking ourselves why this is so, at the same time fearful of the safety of the law abiding majority whose concern is only to work diligently for their families.

But when dangerous criminals such as the 12 are accounted for, we take some comfort. We applaud our law enforcement agents for working to be a step ahead of the gangsters. They don’t belong out here where the civilised live, but behind bars where they must be held for the rest of their lives.

Sixty two years for Chikara, for example, is a tough and long enough sentence that will keep him in jail until he is 111 years old, if he lives that long of course.  It is as good as life imprisonment which, to us, is a deserved punishment for a heinous criminal.

But there are a number of cases that remain unresolved in some parts of the country. We urge the police to intensify their investigations to catch the bandits so that they can appear in court and receive their punishment.

We acknowledge that many criminal syndicates have been busted through community participation when individuals with information tip police off.  In saying this we are challenging ordinary people who are not law enforcement agents to help the police in tracking down the dangerous criminals for law abiding citizens to live happily with a high level of security.

Bantu Rovers

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S the time to separate contenders from pretenders in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship race.

The turn of the half is an exciting one with teams at the top hoping to cling on to their positions while the bottom of the table sides are coming out to fight for their survival, making every Premiership encounter exciting.

Action starts today with second from the bottom Bantu Rovers playing host to FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium.

FC Platinum are second on the table with 32 points from 17 games and trail leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars who have played 18 matches by two points.

FC Platinum can be overnight leaders in the event that they collect maximum points against “a nothing to lose” Rovers who will likely give their all as they continue with their survival fight.

Rovers gave Chicken Inn a scare during the midweek, putting a gallant fight even though they lost 1-0, conceding late in the second half.

Even though they lie in the murky relegation waters, Rovers continue to display good football, a case of good handwriting but wrong answers and if they are to salvage a positive result today, they need to score. Rovers’ defence of Lindelani Vice Ncube, Dumisani Sibanda, Kudzaishe Dzingwe and Tapiwa Khumbuyani is expected to provide cover for either Nonjabulo Dube or Wellington Muuya who will guard their goal.

The defence will have to deal with the experienced FC Platinum attackers who include newly signed trio of Takesure Chinyama, Mkhokheli Dube and Ali Sadiki.

FC Platinum also have Charles Sibanda, Marshal Mudehwe and Gift Mbweti who are equally dangerous when venturing upfront.

The platinum miners should be wary of Rovers’ attackers Nyasha Garai, Lucky Ndlela, Brighton Ncube and left footed midfielder Marvin Sibanda.
In the reverse fixture FC Platinum beat Rovers 3-2.

Rovers skipper Ndlela said: “Every game is a challenge to us and an opportunity to show what we’ve got. We’ve just been unlucky in the past but the good thing is that everyone believes that the luck we need is nearer and we are optimistic of a positive result.”

At Beitbridge’s Dulivhadzimu, title dark horses How Mine take on log anchors Tsholotsho FC with defending champions Caps United away to Harare City while the ZPC Kariba-Yadah FC encounter completes Saturday’s games.

Tomorrow, leaders Ngezi Platinum welcome home Hwange at Baobab. The table toppers will be hoping to complete a double over the coalminers who they beat 3-0 at the Colliery Stadium in the first leg.

Coming from a 4-2 away win against Black Rhinos, Ngezi Platinum face a Hwange outfit that is also bubbling with confidence following their 4-0 midweek win over Tsholotsho FC.

Tomorrow’s game will be the first away game for newly appointed Hwange gaffer Bigboy Mawiwi who took over from Nation Dube.

Mawiwi will hope that double scorer against Tsholotsho Justin Kaunda, Shepard Gadzikwa and Nathan Ziwini who were also on target for Hwange against the relegation favourites carry their scoring boots to Baobab.

Ngezi’s hopes will be pinned on defender Patson Jaure, utility players Liberty Chakoroma and Godknows Murwira, midfield duo of Walter Mukanga and Tichaona Mabvura as well as striker Terrence Dzukamanja.

In Bulawayo, Chicken Inn will be out for revenge and overturn the 2-1 first leg loss when the host Bulawayo City at Luveve Stadium.

Chicken Inn laboured to a 1-0 win over Rovers on Wednesday while City comfortably beat Highlanders 2-1 on Thursday.

City gaffer Mandla Mpofu has demanded total concentration from his charges.

“Every game at this point is a final to us and we have to fight hard. We are happy with the Highlanders win and now we should be at our best because Chicken Inn wouldn’t want to lose to us twice,” Mpofu said.

Highlanders will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways after a lifeless performance against City when they travel to Shabanie Mine while Dynamos return to their fortress Rufaro Stadium to face Triangle United.

Fixtures

Match Day 19

Today: Bantu Rovers v FC Platinum (Luveve), Tsholotsho FC v How Mine (Dulivhadzimu), ZPC Kariba v Yadah FC (Nyamhunga), Harare City v Caps United (Rufaro)

Tomorrow: Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas), Dynamos v Triangle United (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo City (Luveve), Chapungu v Black Rhinos (Ascot), Ngezi Platinum v Hwange (Baobab)

Donald Trump

Canberra — The US Pacific Fleet commander said yesterday he would launch a nuclear strike against China next week if President Donald Trump ordered it, and warned against the military ever shifting its allegiance from its commander in chief.

Adm Scott Swift was addressing an Australian National University security conference following a major joint US-Australian military exercise off the Australian coast. The drills were monitored by a Chinese intelligence-gathering ship off northeast Australia.

Asked by an academic in the audience whether he would make a nuclear attack on China next week if Trump ordered it, Swift replied: “The answer would be yes.”

Every member of the US military had sworn an oath to obey the president as the commander in chief, Swift said.

“This is core to the American democracy and any time you have a military that is moving away from a focus and an allegiance to civilian control, then we really have a significant problem,” Swift said.

The biennial Talisman Saber exercise involved 36 warships including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, 220 aircraft and 33 000 military personnel.

It was monitored by a Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy Type 815 Dongdiao-class auxiliary general intelligence vessel from within Australia’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Meanwhile, Russia has retaliated to tough new sanctions proposed by the US Senate, ordering Washington to reduce its diplomatic staff in Moscow.

In a statement yesterday, Russia’s foreign ministry said the United States must reduce its staff to 455 people by September 1. It added that it was seizing a compound and warehouse used by US diplomats.

“We propose to the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in the US embassy in Moscow and the consulates general … in exact accordance with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the US,” the statement said.

The sanctions, outlined in a new bill passed on Thursday, violated international law and demonstrated “extreme aggression of US in international affairs”, Russia said.

It also warned the US it would respond in kind if Washington decided to expel any Russian diplomats.

The sanctions against Moscow are punishment for its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military actions in Ukraine and Syria.

According to the bill, US President Donald Trump would be barred from easing the Russia sanctions without first getting permission from Congress, a demand that could imperil his bid for better relations with Moscow.

l Japan will impose additional sanctions on North Korea for its weapons programmes, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said yesterday, just hours after the US Senate also voted for new sanctions on the secretive state.

US media reported this week that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Pentagon spy  agency, had assessed that North Korea would be able to field a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic  missile (ICBM) by next year, earlier than previously thought.

Kishida told reporters that given the increasing threat posed by North Korea’s missiles and the fact that no concrete proposals have been made to resolve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago by agents from the North, the steps had to be taken.

“Given that we can’t expect meaningful dialogue, pressure on them is essential,” he said.

Japan will be taking steps to freeze the assets of five groups, including two from China, as well as nine individuals, Kishida said but did not give further details.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the groups had “engaged in activities prohibited by a UN Security Council resolution.”

Kishida said Japan had been in contact with key allies such as the United States and South Korea, but gave no further details.

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to slap new sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, including seeking to punish foreign banks that do business with North Korea.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes and the Security Council has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and a series of missile launches.

The US is seeking further sanctions after North Korea tested a missile this month that was believed to be an ICBM. — AFP

Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka has been wanted since 2011 under a national warrant — Al Jazeera

The founder and leader of a Democratic Republic of Congo rebel group who is wanted for crimes against humanity has surrendered, the UN mission in Congo has said.

Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, the founder of Nduma Defence of Congo, has been wanted since 2011 on a national warrant for crimes against humanity, including for mass rapes. He surrendered to UN forces in the country’s North Kivu region on Wednesday. Sheka handed himself in “in full awareness of the fact that he is wanted by the government . . . to stand trial for alleged crimes”, the mission said.

It was not immediately clear why he had turned himself in, but his forces have been locked in a losing fight in recent years with a rival armed group, Reuters news agency said.

The UN mission said it would support Congo authorities in pursuing criminal prosecutions for human rights violations, and it has a standing agreement with the government to ensure that those handed over to national authorities are treated in accordance with all relevant human rights standards.

Eastern Congo has been plagued by myriad armed rebels since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Ida Sawyer, the Human Rights Watch’s Central Africa director, said Sheka’s surrender brings hope for justice and a reprieve from violence. “Thousands of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been affected by crimes committed by forces under Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka’s command, and many still fear the next attack,” she said.

He remained at large for over six years as his troops continued to commit horrific crimes, Sawyer said. — AFP

Modern Ngwenya

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS and Dynamos have encouraged their supporters to select the best 18 players that they believe will represent them well at an invitational tournament set for Francistown Sports Complex, Botswana next month.

Speaking on the sidelines of the second launch of the inaugural Supa Power Cup tournament in Bulawayo yesterday, Bosso and DeMbare officials were optimistic that the fans will choose deserving players.

Bosso and DeMbare were invited for the Supa Power Cup to be held on August 19 in Francistown and the tournament will feature former Botswana champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Tafic Sporting Club.

Teams and line-ups will be chosen by fans through a public voting system along the lines of the Carling Black Label Cup that features South African giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

The teams and line-ups for the Carling Black Label Cup are chosen by Carling Black Label customers, who submit an 11-digit code found on Carling Black Label products and have their vote registered. Customers also choose which substitutions to make in-game by voting via text message.

Dynamos and Highlanders were set to get a percentage of the money generated from the SMSes.

Modern Ngwenya, acting Highlanders chairman said: “This is a unique tournament because it’s not the coaches who select the players but the fans. It is my hope that the Highlanders fans will select youngsters that haven’t seen game time so that they (youngsters) show at the tournament what they are made of.

They can even use the tournament to launch their first team careers.”

Ngwenya added: “We respect all our opponents and we hope to meet Dynamos in the final because we’ve got a score to settle. Remember our match in Zimbabwe was settled in the board room so we want to go and play 90 minutes in Botswana and settle matters, show who the big and better team is outside the borders.”

Graham Mafoko, marketing and sponsorship executive in the Dynamos board said they appreciate the gesture extended by Joy Foundation to take part at this tournament.

“The format is fair and I think the club will generate some revenue through the sms system. We encourage our followers to vote in numbers and as many times as possible because part of the revenue from the smses will go to the club. The good thing is that selection is supporters driven and the supporters who’ve been following the team know the players that have been in terrific form.

“As Dynamos we take this tournament seriously and we give it the respect it deserves. We’re going to send all our registered players and we trust that the supporters will select the best players to compete in Botswana,” said Mafoko.

In the draw conducted last week at the Blue Jacket Plaza Parking Space in Francistown, Highlanders were drawn to face  Mochudi Centre Chiefs while their Harare rivals Dynamos will take on Tafic with the winners coming head to head in the final.

The 18 players selected per team will get an appearance fee of P5 000.

“We’re ready for the tournament and back home in Botswana the fans are really looking forward to the tournament. We’re waiting for the mobile network operator to give us a number that fans can use to vote here in Zimbabwe. Hopefully by end of the weekend the number will be out.

“About the prizes, there is no prize money for the participating teams with clubs set to get a share from the revenue generated from the sms platforms. The players will each get P5 000,” said Joy Setshedi, the founder of Joy Foundation Sports Development.

Meanwhile, Bushy Moswate, Tafic chairman promised to give Dynamos a good run for their money.

“Dynamos are a big team but we’re going to give them a good fight. The fact that we’ve just returned to the Premiership doesn’t mean we’re not organised. We will not let our supporters down and even though we face Dynamos as underdogs, that doesn’t mean we will be pushovers,” Moswate said.

Chris Molomo, Mochudi Centre Chiefs chairman said: “This is a great opportunity for all the four teams to know each other and create alliances that will improve the clubs. We promise Highlanders a good beating because we’re a strong team and even though we had difficulties last season, we’re still a strong side.”

Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo attended yesterday’s launch. — @ZililoR

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
MORE THAN 2 700 pupils, about 30 percent of those who sat for public examinations at Ordinary Level in Bulawayo last year did not pass any subject, a development which is giving education officials headaches.

The province was placed sixth and eighth in terms of performance at Ordinary Level and Advanced Level respectively out of the country’s 10 provinces.

Speaking at the Bulawayo Metropolitan Better Schools Awards yesterday, the acting provincial education director Mrs Olicah Kaira said the low O- Level pass rate remains a cause for concern.

“The low pass rate at O-Level remains a cause for concern because out of 9 194 candidates who sat for examinations last year, 2 774 did not pass any subject,” she said.

Mrs Kaira said the province recorded a 32,1 percent pass rate at O-Level, putting it at position six nationally.

Even though education officials were worried about the situation, the percentage was an improvement from 2015 when 29,01 pass rate was recorded.

She said Grade Seven results had remained stable beyond 70 percent with the number of candidates getting four units increasing yearly.

“Worth noting is the fact that Bulawayo Metropolitan has maintained its first position on national ranking in the Grade Seven results quantitatively. For 2016 the province recorded a 1,13 percent increase from 87,67 to 88,8 percent based on units at Grade Seven,” she said.

Mrs Kaira said Bulawayo’s Advanced Level performance was pleasing in almost all the high schools.

“A 2,8 percent increase in A-Level pass rate from 85, 58 percent in 2015 to 88,38 percent in 2016 based on subjects has been achieved. At this level we are ranked number eight in comparison with sister provinces,” she said.

Mrs Kaira said 39 A-Level candidates recorded 15 points and above while 95 did not register any score in 2016.

“The provincial enrolment has steadily increased by 3,76 percent from 173 912 in 2016 to 180 443 in June 2017. Primary learners are at 124 634, secondary learners 52 559 while special class learners are at 1 498,” said Mrs Kaira.

The guest of honour, Zimbabwe School of Mines chief executive officer, Mr Dzingai Tusai, bemoaned the low numbers of students from Bulawayo who enrol at science institutions.

“The Zimbabwe School of Mines is here with you, your institution which is the pride of Bulawayo. It is training people and has trained foreigners from as far as Uganda.

“I am so unhappy that the number of people coming in from around Bulawayo is very small. I once questioned Killarney residents why out of all the students only one was from there,” said Mr Tusai. — @thamamoe.