Lazarus Sauti

Lazarus Sauti New technologies represent an opportunity for Zimbabwe. In the country, one child in two does not finish schooling due to different challenges. Accordingly, if the child cannot go to school, then the school must go to the child and this is possible thanks to new technologies, among other things. The arrival of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), albeit at a slower pace, is revolutionising the lives of many people across the country. Information technology (IT) expert, Frank Muzenda says the world has changed and school kids are embracing technology the same way as adults who have graduated from telephones and computers to cell-phones and i-pads, which makes it necessary to use e-learning solutions to enhance learning. Muzenda says: “Technology has taken over and it is a digital world. Children are no longer excited by just listening to the teachers.” Therefore, to effectively benefit from new technologies, the government should embrace ICTs ...

Lazarus Sauti World economies are increasingly based on knowledge and information. This means knowledge is now recognised as the driver of productivity and economic growth, leading to a new focus on the role of information, technology and learning in economic performance. This is why recently the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Dr Elham Ibrahim urges African countries to transit into knowledge based economies. Dr. Ibrahim believes that that the switch from agricultural based economies to knowledge based societies will allow African countries to reduce the current high poverty levels. “One of the targets of the African Union is for the continent to make the transition to a knowledge based society, so that all citizens have access to equal education and employment opportunities,” says Dr. Ibrahim.   “Broadband has the power to revolutionise education, no matter where the student is based,” she said, adding, “ICT has already enabled Africa t...

_______________ Pornography and its effects ___________________ Pornography Pornography is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual gratification. Pornography may use a variety of media - books , magazines , postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording , film , video, and video games .   Soft-core pornography Soft-core pornography is pornographic or erotic film or photograph that is less sexually explicit than hardcore pornography . Soft-core pornography is intended to arouse and typically contains nude and semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity. The visual representation of genitalia (full nudity) is common in printed media and increasingly so in film and television. Soft-core pornography also typically contains depictions of sexual activity, such as sexual intercourse or masturbation. The sexual activity is typically simulated. Soft-core pornography typically d...

Lazarus Sauti Manufacturing – the business of making goods in large quantities in a factory – is crucial for the industrialisation of any nation. African leaders must therefore collectively ensure the complete transformation of the manufacturing terrain in the great African continent from conventional to advanced methods. The book that sets out to unravel the contradictions of a country where a rich, diverse resource base co-exists with endemic poverty ‘Beyond the Enclave: Towards a Pro-Poor and Inclusive Development Strategy for Zimbabwe’ notes: “The success of the manufacturing sector is central to economic growth in a number of countries. “It has a key role in the growth process because of its ability to generate technical progress, which raises the overall productivity of the economy. “In addition, the manufacturing sector has strong linkages with the rest of the economy and has the potential for capital accumulation – the process of acquiring more assets that ca...

Lazarus Sauti Knowledge production is important because it drives development and open access to that knowledge accelerates the drive. There should be therefore an enormous enthusiasm for knowledge production in countries within the African continent. This means African countries should invest in mechanisms that boost local content creation so as to participate in the global knowledge community. Since Africa has aspirations to grow its share in global knowledge production, allowing open access to information and/or knowledge is an important step towards that objective. But before appreciating the significance of open access to information, it is critical to note that the African knowledge landscape presents a number of challenges. Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University said: “Since 1987, the continent has lost 11 percent of its share in world science, with sub-Saharan Africa’s share decreasing by 31 percent. While our continent i...

Lazarus Sauti Technological innovation - the development through which improved technologies are expanded and brought into extensive application - represents a way for countries in Africa to foster social and economic development. It helps reinforce, converge and integrate all three key pillars of sustainable development, and also supports and facilitates the attainment of its fundamental underlying principles of efficiency, effectiveness and equity. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo, underlines that technological innovation is crucial for economic development not only in third developing countries but in states around the world. “With a fast approaching MDG deadline and transition to a post-2015 development era, technological innovation is a very timely topic,” remarks Hongbo. Academic, published author, writer and broadcaster, Lee-Roy Chetty shares the same views and states that African nations can use technologic...

Lazarus Sauti Jerome Champagne wants to succeed Sepp Blatter and believes his tagline “Rebalance the Game in a Globalised 21 st Century” is going to push him to become Fifa president in 2015. In his campaign launch, the former senior Fifa executive cast doubt on whether he could win and admitted that he would struggle to win if the incumbent ran for a fifth term. Asked directly whether he could beat Blatter, the Frenchman said: “Do I think I can beat Mr Blatter? No, I do not think [so]. He is a person of relevance. But it is a very hypothetical question. A lot of things can happen.” He also frankly conceded that he may not even make the ballot paper if Blatter stands. These open admissions raised as many questions such as: Who is Jerome Champagne? Is he serious about his bid? Can we trust him? Is he not Sepp Blatter’s puppet? Champagne’s frank admissions also prompted questions about his motives but he was quick to say that he was not running at Blatter’s behest ...

Lazarus Sauti Natural disasters are increasing in number and frequency, and affect most countries in Africa. They severely impact on food and water security and had major human and economic costs in some countries within Africa. More so, disasters cause human suffering and deaths, as well as extensive damage to infrastructure and crops. A World Risk Report 2013 states, “Inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa are threatened by natural disasters and this has led to consequences like poverty and disease.” Sadly, countries within and across the African continent and their respective governments are failing to protect their residents from disasters. To lessen problems posed by disasters, African countries should invest in good drainage systems that could help with floods. True to the cliché that prevention is better than cure, with disasters prevention is cheaper that disaster relief. More so, to protect Africa and her citizenry from disasters, African governments sho...