THE government this week launched the Brand Zimbabwe campaign, designed to enhance the country’s domestic and international appeal to investors and tourists.

To plug rent-seeking behaviour, the government has withheld payments for a third of the providers accused of overcharging.

The global lender said Zimbabwe’s aggregate food inflation stood at 321% during the period, a notable leap ahead of second placed Lebanon, whose rate was estimated at 208%.

It is a phenomenon being experienced across the Southern African region.

FINANCE and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube last week presented a national budget, which many say is anti-poor.

In Africa, 70% of women are excluded financially. The continent has a US$42 billion financing gap between men and women.

Retails shops were full with all assortments of merchandise — they did not have to travel long trips to South Africa for shopping.

There were many of them, but the last 12 months were also characterised with accomplishments.

Political leaders need to refrain from violence and hate messages.

Both Mozambique and Madagascar put in place preparatory measures before the cyclone hit. In Madagascar, more than 7 000 people were moved to shelters and schools were closed.

The penalties have also led to the loss of correspondent banking relationships with over 80 foreign banks.

Attention was also paid on the online harassment that many women face.

Decades of political polarisation in Zimbabwe have become a cancer that is fast tearing apart rural and urban communities.