By Everisto Zhuwao

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Mashonaland West Province has purchased a new percussion set and two bugle trumpets to establish its own musical department. The acquisition aims to end the province’s long-term reliance on hiring outside musical groups for official events.

Commissioner Luke Zondai Makuvire, the officer commanding the province, handed over the new equipment at Chinhoyi Remand Prison on Wednesday. He stated that the arrival of these instruments marks the official start of a programme to build a fully functional provincial band.

“I am directing the band leadership to intensify talent identification and training,” Commissioner Makuvire said. He further urged the band members to work hard to reach the high standards required for national duties.

The province has previously struggled to host official functions without a dedicated military wing. The band in charge, Principal Correctional Officer Cynthia Bangure, explained that they often had to hire groups like the Crocodile Band to perform during events such as Prison Days.

“We aim to be fully operational for all official functions by January 2027,” PCO Bangure said. She noted that while the military wing is still growing, the provincial dance band is already equipped and available for hire by the public to generate income.

The band offers competitive booking rates to help fund provincial operations. PCO Bangure added that ZPCS officers who wish to hire the band for private events receive a 50 per cent discount.

This investment is part of the ZPCS Turnaround Strategy launched on May 15, 2023. This plan encourages the service to run business units, such as catering and construction, alongside its traditional correctional duties. These initiatives help the province remain productive while providing essential services to the community.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conveyed his deepest condolences following the death of Senator Chief Mapungwana, with Government describing the late traditional leader as a towering custodian of culture, unity and rural development.

The President’s message was delivered on Wednesday by Daniel Garwe during the burial ceremony held in Chief Mapungwana’s area in Chipinge, where hundreds of mourners gathered to bid farewell to one of Manicaland’s most respected chiefs.

Garwe said the nation had lost a distinguished leader whose influence stretched beyond Zimbabwe’s borders into neighbouring Mozambique.

“It is with a deep sense of shock and sorrow that I stand before you today, on behalf of His Excellency the President, to mourn the departure from amongst us of the custodian of our culture and heritage,” said Garwe.

The solemn ceremony drew senior Government officials and traditional leaders, including Deputy Minister Albert Mavunga, National Council of Chiefs President Chief Mtshane Khumalo, and Senate Deputy President Mike Nyambuya.

Born on 27 October 1966, Chief Mapungwana was installed as substantive chief on 8 October 2007 and served his people for 18 years. Before ascending to the throne, he worked as a teacher for five years before joining the private security sector.

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Garwe said the late chief’s reign was defined by loyalty to his people and commitment to national progress.

Since his appointment, Chief Mapungwana served in the Manicaland Provincial Chiefs’ Assembly, the National Council of Chiefs and the Senate of Zimbabwe. From 2023 until his death, he chaired the Manicaland Provincial Chiefs’ Assembly.

“The late Chief understood development through supporting Government programmes. He was a father figure to the Mapungwana community who facilitated strong linkages between his people and Government,” Garwe said.

He added that the chief remained active in national affairs until his final days, having attended the 2026 Independence Celebrations in Maphisa.

Government reiterated its commitment to honouring traditional leaders for their role in preserving heritage, promoting unity and driving grassroots development.

Chief Mapungwana is survived by two wives, five children and four grandchildren.

Zimbabwe will launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grand Challenge within the next month as part of a new national strategy aimed at driving innovation, building local capacity, and positioning the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera  announced on Tuesday during the Post-Cabinet Briefing in Harare.

She said the initiative is expected to open opportunities for startups and innovators to develop solutions aligned with national priorities and economic needs.

“This first initiative will allow various startups to come in with applications and developments around the AI strategy,” Mavetera said.

The programme comes as countries around the world ramp up investment in AI to accelerate economic growth, improve efficiency, and modernise public services, with Zimbabwe seeking to harness its own talent for inclusive development.

“Our AI strategy is premised on six pillars,” Mavetera said.

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One of the key pillars focuses on strengthening AI infrastructure, including expanding computing capacity and improving access to critical technologies such as graphics processing units (GPUs), which are essential for developing advanced AI systems.

“We need to advance our digital infrastructure, work on our GPU capacity, and also improve access to our computing facilities,” she said.

Another pillar centres on skills development, with the government building on existing programmes designed to equip citizens with digital and AI-related competencies. Authorities say these initiatives will help unlock local talent and ensure broad participation in the digital economy.

“We have a number of programmes, including the 1.5 million programme and the Digital Ambassadors Programme, to make sure that we train our citizens in AI skills,” Mavetera said.

The strategy also prioritises AI collaboration and diplomacy, with Zimbabwe seeking to partner with countries that have made significant advances in the field in order to accelerate knowledge transfer and capacity building.

“That pillar is going to strengthen our capacity as a country by fostering collaborations and working together with other countries that have already made significant progress in AI development,” she said.

Mavetera said the government aims to develop ethical and locally relevant AI systems that reflect Zimbabwe’s values and socio-economic context while remaining globally competitive.

“We need to learn from AI-first countries and come up with our own ethical guidance to make sure that the AI we develop is locally made and reflects our own characteristics,” she said.

Governance is another cornerstone of the strategy, aimed at ensuring Zimbabwe transitions from being primarily a consumer of AI technologies to becoming a producer and innovator in the sector.

“This is going to ensure that we are not only consumers but also producers of AI,” Mavetera said.

The AI Grand Challenge is expected to complement these pillars by providing a platform for practical innovation, helping to translate policy into tangible outcomes while fostering inclusive growth and strengthening Zimbabwe’s position in the evolving global AI landscape.