Our continent is on the rise and it is Africa’s young leaders that will take us into the future.

To this end, the Mail & Guardian is sponsoring two dynamic young African leaders for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to attend the One Young World Summit 2013, taking place in Johannesburg this year.

The M&G is a South African-based news publication that prides itself on being Africa’s best read.

The M&G, as part of our commitment to developing young leaders on the continent, will fully sponsor two delegate places to this year’s summit. In addition, we will cover the travel cost for each delegate from his or her home cities to Johannesburg, if necessary.

We’re on the hunt for very special candidates to attend this leadership and development conference. One Young World generally looks for candidates with proven leadership ability, and a passion for volunteering and a concern for global issues. We want to sponsor two candidates who display that, and more.

As a news publication dedicated to online innovation, we want to sponsor two candidates doing interesting things in the digital and tech space.

The Mail & Guardian Online was the first internet-based news publication in Africa, and has repeatedly received awards for its digital innovation. We want to sponsor someone who shares this DNA with us.

Perhaps you have been involved in a project that uses digital tools to improve agriculture, social development or media freedom. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it.

Do you have what it takes? Check out the criteria for our candidates, then fill in the form below and you could be part of this amazing conference, and experience being mentored by world leaders.

Candidate criteria includes the following
-One Young World delegates are 18-30 years old at the time of the summit
-Demonstrate leadership potential and skills (many have already had an impact in their home countries on a range of issues)
-Teamwork
-Concern about global issues
-Ability to generate and articulate impactful ideas
-A commitment to volunteering or other extracurricular activity (evidence required)

In addition, the M&G requires the following for our two candidates
-Involved in some sort of leadership or community project involving digital tools and/or tech innovation
-Display an innovative approach to solving some of the problems facing the continent
-Candidates must be nationals of, and residing, in any African country

Apply for this opportunity

Group facilitator: International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI)
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Summary
IBTCI is currently seeking a Zimbabwean national, Group Facilitator, for an Evaluation of USAID/Zimbabwe’s Agriculture Portfolio. The evaluation period of performance is about 10 weeks including about 5-6 weeks of fieldwork. This performance evaluation is a portfolio evaluation that will enable USAID/Zimbabwe Economic Growth Office to evaluate whether the portfolio design was appropriate and whether projects have and are achieving the desired results. It will also help inform the remaining implementation of on-going projects and future project design for follow-on activities.

Qualifications
-A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in marketing or communications
-At least five years’ experience in consumer market research or related fields
-At least two years’ experience in facilitating focus groups, conducting interviews, etc
-Individuals should be highly skilled in interviewing subjects from a lower socio economic background and drawing out information
-Knowledge of the social and cultural factors in agricultural development projects
-Prior experience on USAID activities or evaluations preferred
-Fluency in English and Shona and/or Ndebele required.

To apply
Please send an updated CV to: recruiting [at] ibtci [dot] com with the subject line “Zimbabwe Group Facilitator”.

No phone calls please. Only final candidates will be contacted.
IBTCI is an equal opportunity employer.

Agronomist: Local CBO based in Bulawayo
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Designation: Agronomist
Area of operation: Bulawayo (Ward 1 to 29)
Position Code: zphca2-13

Job Summary
To undertake specific skilled support to work as an Agronomist for a nutritional organic garden for children with disabilities in Bulawayo.

Responsibilities
-To specialize in research and breeding of different horticultural products
-Find out the best methods of planting, cultivating, spraying and harvesting
-To have knowledge of producing, shipping and preservation of vegetables or ornamental plants
-To conduct workshops, trainings and prepare articles on best farming practices
-To provide professional advice on the selection, ordering, planting, and maintenance of horticultural products
-To plan and design horticultural beds
-To maintain nurseries and keep records on the operations
-To train and supervise subordinates in greenhouse operations
-To teach proper methods and techniques of planting horticultural products
-To prepare orders for various types of plants
-Train ground personnel in the techniques of pruning, cabling and bracing of trees and shrubs
-Assists in the preparation of maintenance programs for the control of plant diseases and insects
-Prepares organic manure programs for various types of plants
-Performs related duties as required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience
-A diploma or Degree in Agriculture
-3 years working related experience
-Clean class 4 drivers license
-Legally responsible and accountable
-Able to work with minimum supervision
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills

To apply
Interested and qualified persons can send their Curriculum Vitae Applications Letters quoting the position code on the subject to email applications to: zphcabulawayo [at] gmail [dot] com and address it to the Branch Coordinator.

Kindly note that only short listed candidates will be responded to.

Personal Assistant to the Dean of the Cathedral
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Location: Harare

Purpose
To provide an efficient and responsive administrative, organizational, and logistical service to the Dean, helping him to manage and prioritize his time.

Main Responsibilities/Key Duties
-Manage and maintain the Dean’s diary and email account
-Filter emails, highlight urgent correspondence and print attachments
-Ensure busy diary commitments, papers, and travel arrangements are managed effectively including producing a daily folder with diary, necessary papers, etc. and troubleshooting problems
-Conduct weekly diary meetings with the Dean to discuss upcoming engagements, invitations and other requests
-Schedule on behalf of the Dean meetings between him and clergy, churchwardens, council and staff
-Filter general information, queries, phone calls and invitations to the Dean
-Keep and maintain an accurate record of papers and electronic correspondence on behalf of the Dean
-Prepare correspondence on behalf of the Dean, including the drafting of general replies
-Minute general meetings as required by the Dean
-Ensure visitors meeting with the Dean are well taken care of

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills

Experience
-Demonstrable experience in an administration/executive assistant/PA role in a highly pressurised environment requiring tact, judgment and discretion in handling internal and external contacts (essential)
-Experience of diary management (essential)
-Experience of successfully working with senior management (essential)
-Public office experience, for example, in a church/parish office would be an advantage (desirable).

Knowledge
-Must be proficient with the keyboard and IT applications
-Expert level in the use of Outlook
-Intermediate level in the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Skills (all essential)
-Excellent organisational skills, ability to multi-task and organise others
-Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to professionally represent the Dean’s office
-Ability to work under pressure and be flexible as part of a small team
-Attention to detail and deadlines
-Ability to filter information and assess priorities
-Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships at all levels, including during difficult or challenging circumstances
-Ability to prioritise and manage own workload amid conflicting demands and busy work periods
-Ability to think ahead and anticipate needs before they arise
-Ability to exercise discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters
-Confident and able to work on own initiative and with limited supervision

Apply
Please send applications to: sjchibaya [at] gmail [dot] com and mutamiri68 [at] gmail [dot] com

Here is what some of you think:

It’s true, I am already doing that, I make sure every month-end I pay my bills on time.

In my own view the principal running cities and towns should put our health first. What is the use of Government subsidies in our country? If people are not able to pay rates it means all is difficult for residents. Let municipality cut on the rates and put affordable rates, which people can afford, and government intervene through the use of subsidies, and utilizing taxes they are collecting from people. Many residents are suffering from stomach disease due to unclean and unsafe water they are drinking yet our own Mayor talks about water supply as a luxury or a want just like DSTV and cell phone airtime top-up. It is not every resident that subscribes to DSTV. It is his duty as a city Mayor to care for the health of the residents. We support our principals; all we want is them to create better living conditions for the residents and raise up the standard of living of society not for another time, but Now.

It is unfortunate that we may laugh at the Mayor but he is telling the truth. People pay for their cell phones because if you do not pay you cannot phone. If you do not subscribe to DSTV you cannot view any channels. If at all there was, or is a way of doing the same thing with water and other services offered by the City of Harare I do not think we wouldn’t have anyone failing to pay for services rendered. However, the next thing would be to find a way to stop pilferage of funds because with everyone paying it means thousands (if not millions) of dollars are up for grabs.

This is a lame excuse – at least they should demonstrate their commitment by cutting down on some of their expenditures. City council fathers are well known for giving themselves hefty salaries and allowances. We have been hearing that same story for many years. If they can account for all the payments being done this can make a difference.

The Mayor was simply being Dramatic in expressing a very important point that affects everyone and people should not read too much into it and get the sense that until they start getting their priorities right, clean and regular water supplies remain a pipe dream. Being dramatic is in fact a mark of good leadership. The Mayor comes across to me saying this is a problem, which affects the public and should therefore involve the public in its solution. Simple.  So the people’s Mayor is simply putting the public problem and its public solution in perspective. Thumbs up.

If that is the case we are guaranteed of never seeing an end to these water problems. Ratepayers do not pay because there is no service to pay for NOT because they do not want water. Right now there is no guarantee that water will flow in your tap if you settle your bills, so why bother?

I trawled the social media platforms to get a pulse of people’s reactions and Zimbabweans were simply bamboozled. It gets more fascinating noting that even legal opinion on this has been diametrical, raising questions about the interpretation of the law by these learned men and women.

But that’s not a question to ponder considering our very polarized and very poisoned post-2000 body politic where lawyers have been dragged into the hate politics that continue to characterise the country’s political landscape.

On Facebook for example, Baba Jukwa explained that the decision came outside the ambit of Zanu PF’s own politburo, that Communist Russia inspired anachronism, and which is not a surprise considering that Simon Khaya Moyo says his party is not ready for polls even after the “shock” announcement by his own boss.

And thus it is that Zanu PF officials have always been described in pejorative terms, and many believe the party has an unhealthy infestation of hawks.

To mind comes Patrick Chinamasa whom Baba Jukwa reports is the man – alongside Jealousy Mawarire – scripting Zimbabwe’s latest political drama, a man so bellicose in his demeanor many believe he would have been comfortable as Idi Amin’s right hand man.

Idi Amin was a boxer you see and his bad temper is legendary.

Remember Chinamasa’s parliament punch-up with Bennet, or is it Bennet punching-up Chinamasa?

Or Chinamasa allegedly threatening to beat up a British politician?

Or Chinamasa going loco on BBC’s Hard Talk.

According to BJ who has become that fly-on-the-wall in Zanu PF’s innermost sanctum, there is already a grand plan to take over the levers of the state by the so-called securocrats after the elections which these military men are certain Mugabe will win.

But then that’s not breaking news.

Still, there obviously is no comfort in that, the question is: are Zimbabweans going to allow their vote to be raped by men who in a normal democracy would never win a legitimate election?

A gem that I came across from Baba Jukwa on Chinamasa having now become too powerful for his own good: “To those who have seen our news today (13 June) you should have noticed that the Minister of Justice can’t brief diplomats because he is not the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This was Chinamasa firefighting and take the fight himself because he did his things privately with the President.”

Baba Jukwa seems confident that Zimbabweans must restore their belief in the power of their vote, the question is: are his followers who avidly listen in on the reported disintegration of Zanu PF going to take his exhortations to the letter?

Cynics have already said if only the massive following could translate into actual voting not mere appetite for tabloid-like sleaze.

I feel the current exercise to register and inspect names is a project to hoodwink the outside. I also don’t trust ZEC and voters’ rolls that are run by Tobaiwa Mudede’s office becoz he is biased in favour of ZANU PF.

We shared this information with our subscribers, and asked them to share their opinions with us.

About two-thirds of respondents agreed with the Prime Minister, suggesting that the July 31 date was too sudden, and that it did not allow adequate time for the necessary reforms and legal process to be followed. Around a quarter said the President was right, and were eager for Zimbabwe to hold elections and move forward. And around a tenth of respondents were of mixed opinion, wanting to wait for SADC to step in and comment, or more concerned that elections simply be non-violent, free and fair, regardless of when they are held.

As a few examples, messages in support of Tsvangirai’s position included:

• How can he do dat alone .enough tyme is needed reform first
• They want 2 prolong their stay in power to loot more.NO TO 31/07/06 ELECTIONS whats the rush for
• Mugabe shouldn’t declare election date .Zimbabwe new constitution says election is set amoung the principals
• Hazviite Reforms first what’s the rush about?
• Thus grossly unfair to many zimbabwean given the scenario in media and electoral sides which need reforms, PM is right

Messages in favour of a 31 July election included:

• We are sick and tired we want election today
• Elections ar overdue, & we’re ready as voters. The economy is suffering. MT must accept the date & prepare.
• All we need are nuetral observers. Other issues wil b taken care of by whoever wins. The int’l community wil assist. We don’t want to be bogged down in the current situation any longer.
• Lets get over this thing called ‘election’ coz it has been dragged far 2 long! 31 July is indeed gud.
• The court has already made a ruling and the President is simply abiding.

Where possible, we mapped this opinion, colour coded by category (use this link to open the map full screen, then click on a point to view that point’s comment in a pop-up window):

View full screen

Read more comments on this election announcement by downloading the full list here.

President Mugabe justified this action by claiming deference to the Constitutional Court ruling last month that ordered that Zimbabwe’s elections be held on or before 31 July of this year.

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai immediately issued a statement rejecting Mugabe’s unilateral setting of the election date, calling it unconstitutional.

Indeed, according to Zimbabwe legislation distribution and analysis service Veritas, Mugabe’s actions are problematic (read illegal and invalid) for a number of reasons:

1)      According to section 31H of Zimbabwe’s old constitution which is still in force, the President was required to act in consultation with Cabinet in proclaiming election dates. Given that yesterday’s actions took everyone by surprise, he clearly didn’t do so.

2)      The Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act, states that regulations made under the act shall not cover things which the Constitution provides will be covered by an Act of Parliament – The new Constitution requires that the new provisions for the Electoral Law be passed by Parliament, and not made by regulation in terms of another Act (like the Presidential Powers Act).

3)      The Electoral Regulations and the election proclamation have now both been gazetted on 13 June. So both have the same publishing date, that is, they were published simultaneously according to how government dates Statutory Instrument (section 20 of the Interpretation Act). If they were published simultaneously, the regulations “cannot be said to have had effect before the election was called. Hence, under section 157(5) of the new constitution, they must be disregarded.”

So, it would appear that the 31 July election proclamation is both unconstitutional and illegal. The trouble, of course, is how to enforce the law in a country whose President so flagrantly disregards it. This just makes things doubly worrying, however. As Marko Phiri pointed out yesterday, “if Mugabe can unilaterally call for polls despite Tsvangirai’s own earlier declaration that he holds the keys to elections, what is to stop him (Mugabe) from declaring himself a winner in the elections, or as he did in 2008 refuse to accept defeat.”