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Coca-Cola and City of Harare illuminate Christmas Spirit with Festive Lights

In a heartwarming ceremony marking the onset of the festive season, the Coca-Cola Company, in collaboration with the City of Harare, officially lit the Christmas lights at Africa Unity Square on Monday.

 

This event not only signifies the beginning of Christmas celebrations in Zimbabwe but also embodies the spirit of kindness and community engagement that the holiday season represents.

Patricia Murambinda, Coca-Cola Public Affairs Communications Sustainability Zimbabwe Representative and General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Delta Corporation Limited, emphasized the significance of the season, stating, “Christmas is about being kind to one another, it is about sharing. Let’s spread the kindness. Let’s share the Christmas Spirit.”

Her words resonated deeply with attendees, reminding everyone that the essence of Christmas transcends mere festivities.

The tradition of lighting Christmas lights has deep cultural and historical roots, originating from ancient customs that celebrated light during the darkest days of winter.

In many cultures, these lights symbolise hope, joy, and the warmth of community. Globally, Christmas lights have become synonymous with the holiday, transforming homes and public spaces into vibrant displays of colour and light, fostering a sense of togetherness and celebration.

Coca-Cola has taken a proactive approach to engage the community through its Christmas activations at Africa Unity Square.

Murambinda further noted, “This is a fulfilment of our burning desire as a caring brand to the community of Zimbabwe.”

The Coca-Cola Christmas caravan will travel to various cities, including Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, and Mutare, spreading the Christmas spirit and kindness through direct engagement with local residents.

As part of this initiative, the caravan plans to visit eight children’s homes across the country, aiming to share joy and kindness with those who need it most.

“Switch on the kindness this season, light people’s hearts to spread the Christmas Spirit. Everyone can be a Santa,” Murambinda encouraged, highlighting that the true spirit of Christmas lies in generosity and compassion.

In addition to the festive celebrations, Coca-Cola has partnered with the City of Harare on sustainability programs, including clean-up campaigns around the Central Business District.

This commitment reflects the company’s dedication not only to spreading joy during the holiday season but also to fostering a healthier environment for communities.

DJ Lag & Moonchild Sanelly Bring The Heat this Summer with Upcoming “Gwara Gwara” Remix

The King of Gqom DJ Lag and the genre-bending Queen of Gqom Moonchild Sanelly are set to ignite the South African summer with a high-energy remix of Moonchild’s hit single “Gwara Gwara.”

 

Originally featured on the EA Sports FC25 Soundtrack, the remix will officially drop on 17th December, promising to keep dance floors alive across the country.

DJ Lag, a trailblazer in the Gqom scene, has built a reputation for taking local sounds to international stages. His fresh spin on Moonchild Sanelly’s “Gwara Gwara” captures the essence of the South African dance movement while pushing sonic boundaries.

Fans can expect nothing short of magic when the remix drops.

Presave Gwara Gwara (DJ Lag Remix ) here.

Future Leaders Urged to Strengthen Governance and Support SMEs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of Zimbabwe’s economy but lack of access to finance, weak governance structures and operational inefficiencies hinder their full potential according to Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe president Judith Buzuzi.

 

Speaking at a CGAIZ graduation in Harare today (Friday) she said this was where the expertise of those graduating was indispensable.

Twenty-nine Diploma in Forensic Accounting students and 63 Master of Commerce in Professional Accounting and Corporate Governance/Graduate Chartered Governance (MCom/Grad CG) students graduated at the ceremony.

The MCom/Grad CG qualification is the result of a collaborative agreement between the CGAIZ and the Great Zimbabwe University. Most of the Diploma in Forensic Accounting students are members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Ms Buzuzi said the strong foundation in governance and accountancy of the MCom/Grad CG graduates would allow them to design systems that promote efficiency, resilience and ethical leadership in both the private and public sector.

“Our nation faces complex challenges but with challenges come opportunities to innovate and lead. In today’s world professionals must remain ahead of contemporary trends,” she said.

She urged the graduates to embrace technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bring efficiency and foresight to governance and accountancy.

Forensic accountants, she said, were guardians of transparency, integrity and accountability in financial practices.

“You have the skills to detect and prevent fraud, safeguarding the assets and reputations of the organisations you serve,” she said.

She told the graduates that they were uniquely positioned to help organisations integrate sustainability into their core strategies, ensuring they operate in ways that protect the planet and support future generations.

“Your leadership in this area can drive Zimbabwe towards a mores sustainable and equitable economic future,” she said.

Their skills were needed in public sector governance more than ever, as governance was the backbone of effective service delivery, social justice and economic stability.

“By advocating for transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making, you can contribute to restoring public trust and enhancing the efficiency of public institutions.

“Today I challenge you to use your expertise to provide tangible solutions to society’s pressing problems. Whether its ensuring financial integrity, fostering sustainable practices or driving innovation, the knowledge and skills you possess are powerful tools for change.

“Be proactive in addressing the issues faced by businesses, communities and institutions. As professionals, you have the unique ability to turn challenges into opportunities, obstacles into stepping stones,” she said.

In a speech read on his behalf, CGAIZ chief executive Lovemore Gomera said the 21st century demanded more than knowledge. It required adaptability, foresight and innovation.

“Artificial intelligence is one such trend that is reshaping the very fabric of governance and accountancy. As graduates, you must embrace AI as an enabler rather than a disruptor. Leverage it to enhance decision-making, automate mundane tasks and uncover insights that drive impactful governance,” he said.

Challenges in public sector governance, financial mismanagement and operational inefficiencies required bold, informed leadership, he said.

“As you go forth, let your impact speak volumes. Do not merely occupy positions, transform them. Be the strategic minds who challenge the status quo, the ethical leaders who uphold integrity and the innovative thinkers who turn challenges into opportunities,” he said.

He said the Institute prided itself on being a movement committed to transforming governance practices and driving national development.

Afghanistan Levels T20I Series with a 50-Run Win Over Zimbabwe

Afghanistan levelled the T20I series to 1-1 with an impressive 50-run victory over Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.

 

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on another hot day with temperatures ranging between 32-33 degrees Celsius. Their innings got off to a rocky start, losing their first three wickets in the powerplay for just 33 runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli reconstructed the innings with an impressive 53-run partnership.

However, Omarzai perished for just 28 runs off the bowling of Ryan Burl.

Darwish continued to play superbly, top-scoring with 58 runs off 42 balls, including his first T20 half-century. Afghanistan set a decent target of 153/6 in their 20 overs.

For Zimbabwe, only Trevor Gwandu and Ryan Burl were in decent form, picking up two wickets each.

Zimbabwe’s chase never really got going, with only two batsmen contributing meaningful scores. Skipper Sikandar Raza scored 35 runs, and Brian Bennett scored 29.

Wednesday’s hero, Tashinga Musekiwa, had a positive start, playing some beautiful strokes, including a maximum and a boundary, before falling cheaply for just 13 runs.

In the post-match interview, Raza mentioned, “Once again, our batting was our Achilles’ heel, and we gave away a lot of cheap wickets. Hopefully, we will rectify it tomorrow in the series decider.”

Afghanistan’s bowling unit worked well, with Rashid Khan picking up three wickets for 20 runs, and Naveen-ul-Haq Murid also taking three wickets in today’s match.

With everything to play for on Saturday at Harare Sports Club, the series decider promises to be a thrilling encounter.

25 Finalists Set for Showdown in the Carling Black Label DJ Clash

The second edition of the Carling Black Label DJ Clash gears up to showcase the incredible talent of Zimbabwe’s DJ scene.

 

This year, 25 finalists have been selected after an extensive search that spanned eight regions and reviewed over 350 mixed tapes, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of DJing as a thriving profession within the entertainment industry.

Set to take place on December 20, 2024, at the Hippodrome in Braeside, Harare, the national finals promise to be an electrifying event.

Reigning champion DJ Irvene X will defend his title against this year’s finalists, all vying for the esteemed title of National Carling Black Label Champion DJ along with a prize pool exceeding USD 15,000.

The stakes are high, with the winner walking away with USD 3,000, a controller, an Apple MacBook, studio monitors, and a cordless microphone.

The runner-up will take home USD 2,000, a studio monitor and a cordless microphone.

DJing has transformed dramatically over the years, evolving from a niche hobby to a celebrated profession that plays a pivotal role in contemporary music and entertainment.

This competition highlights the creativity and skill of emerging DJs who are not just entertainers but also cultural influencers.

“Carling Black Label recognises and rewards the champion within everyone. Our campaign aims to uplift and showcase champion DJs nationwide who are leveraging their musical talent to build a brighter future,” said Irimayi Muzorewa DELTA CORPORATION Marketing Director

Adding to the excitement, the event will feature guest artists covering Zimdancehall and Hip-hop genres.

Notable performers include Saint Floew, Voltz JT, and Chill Spot represented by DJ Levels who will face off against Mushroom Media represented by DJ Tamuka.

These collaborations underscore the growing intersection of DJ culture with various music genres, showcasing the dynamic nature of the entertainment landscape.

Tickets to the DJ Clash are available for just USD5 through Click n Pay on www.clicknpay.africa or via USSD *788#, along with other registered outlets across the city.

 

Below are the 25 finalists

 Name Stage Name
Irvine MapongaDJ Irvine X
Lindsay ValimahomedDJ Lindsay
Joseph Ngonidzashe IsaacDJ Joe
Tinashe W J ChinakeDJ Chainz
Thando Vincent GotoraDJ ATL
Blessing SawadaDJ Sawada
Mathew MudendaDJ Mateu
Spencer ChirindaDJ Tino
Nkazimulo NcubeDJ Iyzee
Emmanuel NcubeDJ Emmza
Ephraim Nicky NcubeDJ KayB
Lyton DubeDJ Papito
Bothwell NyamayaroDJ MAFRESH
Raymond KoreKING URAAH THE DJ
Courage GumboDJ EXPLICIT
Nkosiyethu NcubeDJ 007
Andrew MachekaDJ Andreas
Spencer DaCostaDJ Spencer
Wayne ManyembaDJ Wanco
Elton KampilaDJ Elaboy
Lindokuhle M DubeDJ NDOZA
Stephen VemboDJ STAVOOH
Tinotenda MaposaDJ Bossa
Robert PachawoDJ Patch
Trust SiwelaDJ Redz
Moses NcataDJ Nash

Mai Dhuterere Appears in Court Over Fraud Allegations in Car Sale Scam

Prominent singer, Dorcas Vambe also known as Mai Dhuterere of Waterfalls, Harare appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on fraud charges.

 

Dorcas Vambe is also the wife of award-winning gospel artist Mambo Dhuterere.

Allegations are that Mai Dhuterere and her accomplice, her brother Kudakwashe Vambe who is still at large, misrepresented to the complainant that they had a Toyota Hilux GD6 on sale.

They further misrepresented that the complainant could get two vehicles on his budget of USD 16000.

They also misrepresented that the singer had a waiver “courtesy of the President of the republic of Zimbabwe for singing for the nation” and they could bring the vehicles to Zimbabwe duty-free.

The complainant handed over USD 16000 to the accused person which she receipted in form of an affidavit committing to deliver the vehicles in two weeks time.

The accused person failed to deliver the vehicles but gave the complainant a Ford Ranger registered in Botswana, promising to give him another car, a Mercedes Benz C200 later.

The complainant drove the Ford Ranger which was eventually impounded by the police for being used without a valid temporal permit.

The accused person was granted USD100 bail.

Sha Sha Drops Festive Amapiano Anthem ‘Eglasini’ Featuring Tyler ICU & More

Hot on the heels of her viral amapiano hit Ndawana, BET Award-winning artist Sha Sha returns with another banger to close out the year in style.

 

Her latest single, Eglasini, sees her teaming up with Tyler ICU, Scotts Maphuma, 2woshort, and Tyrone Dee for a high-energy track that’s already capturing the spirit of South Africa’s infamous Dezember season.

Unlike traditional releases, Eglasini premiered exclusively on YouTube, using the platform to house this unreleased amapiano gem which has been trending on YouTube for music since its release and has garnered almost half a million views within 10 days of its release.

The decision to bypass streaming platforms was deliberate, ensuring the song maintains its raw, authentic street appeal. It’s a track made for the people, embodying the vibrant energy of the festive season.

Eglasini thrives on its organic creation. Speaking on the collaboration, Sha Sha shared:

“The song is a high-energy jam for the streets, and we wanted to capture that festive vibe South Africans know and love. Baby S.O.N, Scotts, and 2woshort came to the studio, and ‘Eglasini’ just happened—it was pure magic. If you’re looking for the vibes, uzowathola Eglasini.”

With Tyler ICU’s impeccable production, 2woshort and Tyrone Dee’s infectious bars, and Scotts Maphuma’s distinct vocal style, Eglasini is an explosive track that speaks to the joy and togetherness synonymous with South Africa’s December culture.

It’s a song that invites everyone to hit the dance floor and revel in the good times.

Sha Sha continues to ride the wave of her viral hit single Ndawana, which features amapiano pioneer Kelvin Momo and Sykes. With millions of streams globally and a dedicated TikTok challenge that captured audiences across borders, Sha Sha solidified her place as one of amapiano’s leading voices in 2024.

As fans enjoy Eglasini, Sha Sha remains laser-focused on her craft. With more collaborations, live performances, and a highly anticipated album on the horizon, the amapiano queen is gearing up to make 2025 even more spectacular.

Watch the “Eglasini” music video below

Musekiwa’s last-ball Heroics Secure Zimbabwe’s T20 Win Over Afghanistan

Zimbabwe began their T20 International series against Afghanistan with a dramatic 4-wicket victory at Harare Sports Club. A late cameo by Tashinga Musekiwa, who scored 19 runs, guided the hosts over the line off the final ball in a nerve-wracking finish while chasing 145 runs.

 

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first on a scorching afternoon in Harare, where temperatures reached around 31 degrees. Despite the heat, the crowd was treated to a thrilling encounter.

The Chevron bowling attack delivered a solid performance, with Richard Ngarava being the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs in his allotted 4 overs.

Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza, and Trevor Gwandu each took one wicket, restricting the visitors to a total of 144 runs.

Afghanistan showed some resilience in the middle of their innings, thanks to a solid 79-run partnership between Karim Janat and Mohammad Nabi. Janat top-scored with 54 runs off 49 balls, while Nabi contributed a quickfire 44 off 27 balls.

Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a shaky start, with Tadiwanashe Marumani departing for just 9 runs, leaving the hosts at 11/1 after 2 overs.

Top-order batsmen Dion Myers and Brian Burnett stabilised the innings with a crucial 75-run partnership, rotating the strike effectively.

Burnett was unfortunate to miss out on his fourth T20 International half-century, falling for 49 runs off 49 balls, while Myers contributed 32 off 29 balls.

However, Zimbabwe lost wickets in clusters, with Naveen-ul-Haq causing the most damage, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs.

In the end, Tashinga Musekiwa rose to the occasion, holding his nerve with some excellent stroke play and smart running between the wickets.

Assisted by Wellington Masakadza, Musekiwa ensured Zimbabwe crossed the line in a tense finish, securing a memorable victory.

Children Unite for CHIPAWO’s Grand Christmas Stage Show

Children from all over Harare and from Mazowe and Karoi are currently in camp preparing one of the biggest events in the CHIPAWO calendar, its Christmas Stage Show, which takes place at 6pm on Friday in Theatre in the Park.

 

This year’s show, which is open to the public, is called: ‘An African Christmas’. Its theme is ‘What We Want’.

CHIPAWO’s Christmas Stage Show is designed to provide an African/Zimbabwean Christmas experience for children.

For CHIPAWO  (Children’s Performing Arts Workshop) this is an important responsibility – ensuring that Zimbabwean children do not accustom themselves to looking up to foreign models and idioms but instead relate to international and national events such as Christmas in their own languages and in the context of their own lives.

Children from other schools and even other countries are welcome to participate along with disadvantaged children from towns and country areas throughout Zimbabwe. Performances can sometimes see more than 200 children on stage.

The Christmas Show is filmed and will be broadcast by ZTV on Christmas Day 2025 while last year’s show will be broadcast on Christmas Day this year.

CHIPAWO not only stands for Children’s Performing Arts Workshop but embraces the meaning of the Shona word chipawo ( ‘please give’ or ‘give also’).

It was founded 35 years ago in order for adult artists to share their knowledge and skills with the young generation. Its core activity is its Arts Education for Development and Employment programme.

Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old in 2000 with Diddy

Rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs have been accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl back in 2000.

 

The lawsuit, which was originally filed in October and re-filed Sunday in New York to add Jay-Z to the list of defendants, alleges that the victim, identified only as a woman now living in Alabama, was raped by both men at a Video Music Awards afterparty.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, referred to the allegations in a statement as a “blackmail attempt.” Combs’ attorney denied the allegations.

The lawsuit alleges the girl went to the VMAs in New York City without a ticket hoping to get inside, but was instead invited to an afterparty by a limo driver who claimed to work for Combs.

The limo driver allegedly drove her to the party, where she was told to sign something that she believes was a non-disclosure agreement, the lawsuit claims.

While inside, the lawsuit alleges, “after attempting to talk to numerous celebrities, Plaintiff accepted a drink from one of the waitresses circulating the crowd.”

The lawsuit claims she began to feel “woozy and lightheaded” after drinking “a portion of the drink” and went to find a place to lie down.

She went into a room that had a bed in it and, shortly after lying down, Combs, Carter and an unnamed woman celebrity whom the alleged victim recognized entered the room, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit then alleges that Carter held her down and raped her while Combs and the woman celebrity watched. After, Combs also raped her while Carter and the woman watched, the suit claims.

Combs then attempted to force the girl to perform oral sex on him, but she managed to punch him, grab her clothes, wrap them around her and run away, according to the lawsuit.

“Although there were other guests still at the party, no one appeared to take notice of Plaintiff’s distress or attempted to help her,” the lawsuit alleges.

According to the lawsuit, after leaving the house and putting her clothes back on, the girl managed to run back to a gas station she had seen on the way to the party, where a clerk “noticed her distress and allowed her to use the phone.” She then allegedly used the phone to call her father and have him pick her up.

The woman is seeking unspecified damages.

In response to the filing, Carter said in a statement, “My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee.

What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!”

“Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable,” the statement added.

In a letter sent Monday to the judge overseeing the case, an attorney for Carter wrote, “For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Carter is entirely innocent. This is a shakedown. He is not mentioned, referenced, or implicated in any way in the criminal investigation of Mr. Combs. He is neither a target nor a person of interest in that investigation.”

The letter was sent to request an expedited hearing on a petition to prevent the plaintiff in the case from remaining anonymous.

Teny Geragos, an attorney representing Combs, said in a statement, “This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are:  shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs.

As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process.  In court, the truth will prevail:  that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor.”

Buzbee was sued last month by an anonymous male celebrity, who alleges the lawyer tried to extort payments by threatening to file allegations of sexual assault, which the celebrity denies. Buzbee, in return, denies the extortion allegations.

Buzbee did not immediately respond to a CBS News request for comment. In a statement posted Sunday night on X, Buzbee alleged that Carter was behind the anonymous lawsuit against him.

“What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation,” Buzbee wrote.

“Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.”

Buzbee also wrote on Instagram that there has been a “coordinated and aggressive effort” against him that has included “filing frivolous cases against me and my law firm, defaming me with outrageous assertions to anyone who will listen, and having mysterious people follow me and my family.”

“People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients and the truth will be revealed. I also won’t allow anyone to scare my clients into silence,” Buzbee wrote.

Combs is currently in custody in New York as he awaits trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His attempts to secure bail have been denied several times.

Combs was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, with prosecutors accusing him of using his business empire to engage in repeated abuses over the years. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.