Upgrade for power stations

THE Zimbabwe Power Company says it has completed conducting a feasibility study on the three small thermal power stations it intends to repower.
Repowering entails replacing the old boiler technology with newer technologies that increase the amount of power generated.

ZPC contracted Indian firm Wapcos to conduct feasibility studies on the Harare, Munyati and Bulawayo thermal power stations.

The project, requiring US$300 million, will add approximately 300MW to the national grid and will be completed in two years.
“Wapcos of India have since completed feasibility studies on the three power stations and ZPC is faced with a task to raise US$300 million to fund this project,” ZPC said in statement.

“We have put Bulawayo power station in the pipeline for funding by the Indian government and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development have supported the initiative. We will be going to tender very soon for an engineering procurement and construction contractor who will be able to provide funding for Harare Power Station,” it said. —  New Ziana.
Bulawayo power station would be repowered to 90 MW, Munyati to 100 MW and Harare power station to 120 MW.

Zimbabwe is presently facing acute electricity shortages with power utility Zesa Holdings generating about 1 200 MW against demand of over 2 000 MW, with the shortfall imported from neighboring countries.

To remedy the situation various projects are being undertaken to improve power supply including expansion of Hwange and Kariba South power plants as well as construction of the Batoka Gorge hydro plant.- New Ziana - the story reported by heraldonline 25 march

New coal mining firm conducts impact study

HeraldOnline today reported that -New coal miner China-Africa Sunlight Energy said last week it will complete conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment by mid-year and mining will start soon after.
Based in the Gwayi area of Matabeleland North province, China-Africa Sunlight Energy is a joint venture between Old Stone Investments, a consortium of Zimbabwean

Businessmen, and Shandong Taishan Sunlight, a Chinese conglomerate, and focuses on coal mining, methane coal bed gas extraction and thermal power generation.
China-Africa Sunlight Energy deputy general manager Mr Charles Mugari said the company was keen to adhere to all laws that regulate business activities in the country.

“We have since engaged a consultant to carry out the EIA and by April 20 the findings will be sent to the Environmental Management Agency for consideration,” he said.
“By June this year the whole process will be concluded. We have been able to fulfil what EMA requires during exploration so we will do the same this time again.”
Mr Mugari said the company would not carry out any mining until it got an EIA certificate from EMA. He said after the EIA for coal mining, the company would carry out another one for power generation.

Stakeholders to be consulted during the EIA include the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Gwayi Intensive Conservation Authority, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, the Forestry Commission and the local leadership and communities.

China-Africa Sunlight Energy plans to invest US$2,1 billion in the projects in the next four years, creating 4 500 jobs and transforming Gwayi into a town. The company is targeting to produce three million tonnes of thermal coal, one million tonnes of washed coal and
500 000 metric tonnes of cocking coal per year. On power generation, the joint venture is expected to connect 400MW onto the national grid by 2015. — New Ziana.

Asian countries which include China, India and Iran have invested billions of dollars in agriculture, mining, construction and energy in Zimbabwe since the Government adopted the Look East policy more than a decade ago. — New Ziana.

Revival of industry

Employment problems continue to strike Zimbabweans. Companies continue to retrench workers, the industry is really flooding; what is the problem? Is this crisis beyond solution or really there is no problem beyond solution? I pray you choose the later. The Zimbabwean citizens have since been given the notion that the country is in this economic situation because of sanctions. How far true is that? What about corruption, poor governance and poor management strategies  among other factors?  However, will the country continue in this state, of turmoil, as long as sanctions exist? Or rather with or without sanctions things will change? Certainly, time will tell, as of now the answers I don’t have. 

Vice President, Joyce Mjuru, push for release of funds for the revival of industry as this will help in employment creation. VP, reported in Byo24 said the local manufacturing industry was hit hard by sanctions induced economic challenges and time is now ripe for the ministry of finance to come up with more initiatives that will aid in the recapitalization of local industry.

“Government should put in place concrete measures to ensure that our local industry is given funds for recapitalization,” Vice President, told Byo24.

Minenhle DhLomo - understanding the media industry

 

Minenhle DhLomo, a former official at the District Administrators office in Nkayi, Matebeleland North, is penetrating media world across SADC region. She has begun to take the first steps toward her dream of becoming not only the publisher of a top selling continental newspaper, but also a media mogul. Currently, she is the chief executive officer and co-publisher of Sann21.com, an online website and Agency – Southern African News Network 21. Dhlomo reckons that female Zimbabwean politicians are still disadvantaged, female journalists fewer than males but female publishers? Almost totally unheard of! Minenhle seeks to change that, she has had a feel of what it feels like to work in an environment that lacks gender balance.

Dhlomo was last week reported on Bulawayo24 saying, “I realized the need to change the society in a way that would see women rising to the top instetad of remaining downtrodden and treated like doormats by male chauvinists.” She added that the media is one of the most powerful tool that men use to get to the top  or to promote those they want to see up there. For that reason, she had to choose the same channel to flight for women’s rights. While most women’s publications have been confined to music, fashion and lifestyle, she decided to enter into politics, business and human rights.

CHINESE TO RESTORE NRZ’S OPERATIONAL VIABILITY

A recent report from ZBC indicated that China is the largest buyer of tobacco. Also, Chinese engineers are said to be currently working flat out with their Zimbabwean counterparts on servicing one of Air Zimbabwe’s Airline. Notably, they also, become keen to partner with NRZ parastatal to restore its operational viability.
According to Bulawayo24 reports, Chinese partners are interested in investing in NRZ but no deal has been clinched as they are awaiting government guarantees. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s railway system in particular has been going around scouting for potential partners and has some Chinese partners who are still on the horizon.

NRZ is in dire need of recapitalization as most of its locomotives are now obsolete while the railway system is riddled by potholes. Reports from Bulawayo24 say NRZ parastatal needs about us$ 2 billion for its short, mid and long term recapitalization programme.Contrary to reports that were awash in the media about NRZ engaging a Japanese partner, the NRZ boss said the Japanese had only shown interest in resuscitating the north-south corridor and not Zimbabwe’s railway system in particular.

With all these plans at work, we hope NRZ will regain its glory irrespective of its previous setbacks.

AIR ZIMBABWE TO REGAIN ITS GLORY

Brazil's top planemakers Embarer

 

Struggling National Airline, AIR ZIMBABWE plans to acquire two new Embraer aircraft from the Brazilian company, to service its domestic and regional routes as it seeks to turn around its fortunes. Air Zimbabwe board chairman, quoted in Bulawayo24, last Tuesday said they are in the process of acquiring Embraer planes by the way of lease. He added that they are more fuel efficient and will enable them to fly more regional routes and we hope we will be able to do that in the shortest time possible.

Embraer is one of the world’s leading aircraft manufactures. The Brazilian company manufactures its ERJ range which has a seating capacity of between 37 and 50 and is meant for regional and domestic commercial airline operators. The two planes are meant to service regional routes, while plans to resume the Harare-London by July are underway.

Air Zimbabwe load factor had increased to an average of between six to 70% for the Harare-Johannesburg routes in the festive season last year. The company also plans to pursue a retrenchment exercise which could see more than half of its 900 plus employees being laid off.

RISE OF NATIONAL RAILWAYS OF ZIMBABWE(NRZ)

NRZ to put its house in order

NRZ's workers wives stage a demo

At last!, NRZ has since made efforts to try and put its house in order. After eight months of not receiving full payments, Chronicle has reported that NRZ's management has started paying its workers full salaries.This follows after the workers’ wives tried to stage a demonstration protesting the non-payment of full salaries to their husbands. According to Chronicle reporters, more than 60 women were blocked by riot police while staging a demonstration at the Bulawayo Railway Station, in protest over salaries owed to their husbands.
The workers are owed about $1,4 million in unpaid salaries and allowances. however, it has left many wondering if this money would be cleared as NRZ parastatal has been affected by under investment with much of its equipment and infrastructure almost obsolete.
Indeed half a loaf is better than nothing. Speaking in an interview, the NRZ public relations manager Mr Fanuel Masikati said the parastatal has paid the salaries for June last year and now wanted to move to July. he added that the unpaid salaries for July last year will be rolled out as the week progresses.  Will the situation change? supposedly when the business improves because currently reports have indicated that there was and there is still a poor business setback at NRZ. Inspite of the depressed macro-economic environment, the organisation has shown that it is making every effort necessary to address the challenges it is facing within its existing environment.

ECONET IS INCREDIBLE

Econet is a world – class operation

Econet is fast becoming one of the best companies in the global market. It has emerged as a credible company leaving many wondering what makes it different with other telecommunications like Telecel, Netone and so forth. The best of both worlds, having earned respect locally and internationally. the public, stakeholders customers and current participants of econet should keep supporting this telecom to realize the positive future it deserves.

The following was reported by Bulawayo@News in a bid to show that econet has achieved lasting success and this is how they described it a world-class operation .The new board chairman for Econet Wireless Zimbabwe James Myers, has described the company as a world-class operation that can stand toe to toe with operations from anywhere in the world. The Veteran American telecoms executive, who was once charged by the world’s largest telecoms operator AT&T to open up its market in Africa, was speaking after he chaired an EGM that unanimously approved a “10 for 1” share split.

Myers said that it was no longer true that the best companies came from industrialised nations.

Things seem to have changed even companies from the developing nations can change the global market positively.

The Beauty and Modeling Industry in Zimbabwe

 

Has Zimbabwe’s Modeling Industry become so crippled?

There has been a remarkable increase in beauty pageants in the country leaving many wondering whether it is assign of growth in the modeling industry or otherwise. Reports from Bulawayo24News has indicated that Miss Zimbabwe pageant is slowly going to the dogs, some models have decided to set their sights in other international pageants to showcase their talents.

The recent occasion, Bianca Edwards will be taking part in the Worlds biggest and glamorous beauty extravaganza, the Top Model Worldwide Show. Miss Zimbabwean pageant preliminary remain uncertain as there has been no sign on the provincial preparations yet. Miss Zimbabwe pageant use to be the country’s sole glorious pageant and was even beamed live on the then ZBC TV one. 

The event was very big, well organized and commanded a huge following across all sections of Zimbabwean society. However, things have changed. Meanwhile of concern is that, there are loopholes which have affected the modeling industry to grow into a professional Industry where models can get full time jobs and opportunities to excel like in the neighboring country South Africa.