Update leads:
- Youths lobby government to prioritize the updating of mining laws.
- Easing of lockdown: Vending activities remain suspended in Gwanda…meanwhile Cross-border traders cry foul
- CYDT activities
Gold leakages: Time for the Government to act on its promises
To ensure the development of Matabeleland South and the improvement of young people’s lives, Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) continues to carry out projects that seek to encourage young people to speak out against mismanagement in the mining sector. As a result, young people are now lobbying the government to revisit its strategies and existing mining policies to deal with the various issues affecting the mining industry. In addition, young people have shared on recommendations that can be adopted to curb gold leakages that have slowed down the province`s infrastructural development despite it, being one of the country’s top provinces in gold production.
Informed youths have urged the government to update the Mines Minerals Act, Gold Trade Act and Precious Stones Act as they are outdated and creating grey areas for corruption to flourish in the mining sector. Recently, the government promised that it was finalizing the Mines and Minerals amendment Bill, as well the Gold Trade Act so as to mitigate gold leakages in the gold mining sector. The updating of all major mining policies and laws will provide needed security in the governance of minerals in the mining sector. This will also address the plight of young artisanal miners who have been rendered vulnerable to corrupt practices, due to lack of formalization caused by bottlenecks in acquiring of mining licenses and titles. It is in the interests of young artisanal miners that mining laws are updated to ensure their protection and recognition as artisanal and small-scale mining is the largest employer in Mat-South.
Easing of lockdown: Vending activities remain suspended in Gwanda… meanwhile Cross-border traders cry foul
Despite the government finally allowing the informal sector to resume operations, the Municipality of Gwanda is still not allowing any vending activities in the Central Business District (CBD). While the move could be caused by the desire of the local council to mitigate the spread of COVID 19, these actions are hard hitting the already suffering vendors who have been restricted from operating for some time now.
Vendors who spoke to CYDT appealed for better treatment from the council. They noted that they are conscious about the dangers posed by the pandemic and understand the need to observe all required COVID 19 protocols when conducting their operations.
Cross border traders on the other hand, bemoan the recent easing of lockdown measures which have not addressed the opening of borders, noting that the closure of borders continues to affect livelihoods. It is therefore imperative that the government considers the reopening of borders to address their plight. The traders are lobbying the government to reopen the borders with strict measures, to curb the spread of the virus, than their total closure.
CYDT Activities –The organisation this week conducted community, mobilization, advocacy and leadership trainings in Bulilima, Madabe and Gwanda Town. The trainings were held to capacitate both the youth and the community leaders on strategies to adopt in pushing for improved service delivery in their communities in a collaborative manner. The meeting gave the youth and the elders across project areas the platform to engage and work together in achieving community advocacy for development.
Remember to follow these tips proposed by the WHO to prevent getting infected with COVID-19;
- clean your hands more often using alcohol based hand rub or soap and water
- Maintain social distancing
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- Contact emergency COVID-19 numbers near you, if experiencing any symptoms related to the pandemic
TOGETHER WE CAN DEFEAT COVID 19
- Dial 2019 if suspecting any COVID-19 Symptoms!
STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!
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