Rotaractor of the month........

Since the inception of this online newsletter the editorial team has been throwing ideas of featuring an article that zooms in at  club members lives in detail, as we cover the face beyond rotaract. In honour of International Women’s Day blah blah *that was months back, I was given the task to cover an in depth feature on the socialite/globe trotter/research fellow/Engineer our very own Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo affectionately known to me as Nomzet Q ,who judging from the numerous titles and conquests qualifies to join Forbes magazine's long list of Africa's most influential and successful women.

You see with Nomzet being an avid globe trotter it took me weeks to just set up an interview with her,  she being voted the Club's most travelled person and one of the busiest women I know, the task was not that easy. Thanks to internet we decided to set up an online meeting, via Skype ,so there I was in some lousy restaurant in Mutare on a laptop *not mine, one I had borrowed from a friend, one of those good second hand me down hp laptops* , anyway where was I, oh yes!, the restaurant in Mutare seeping black “rooibos” tea *my favourite by the way *.So there I was online, Miss Nomzet on the other end, at some fancy restaurant in Bulawayo feasting on a slice of a mouth watering much talked about “black forest” chit chatting to me and this is what she had to say....

Me: Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo (NQM)  hie

NQM: hie Xris....

I laugh she makes it a point when calling my name spelling the Chris with an "X" at the beginning.Wanting to save my hard earned airt time *by the way am using one of those juice up with airtime Econet modems* so i get straight to the point and start asking the questions I have prepared for this our brief interview.

Me: So tell us, who Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo is,and whilst you are at it,you might as well tell us what makes you tick........

she laughs obviousy not expecting this serious talk from someone like me, she pauses, takes a huge bite of the mouth watering cake, sips her cup of what looks like coffee and says with a smile.....

NQM:Am a 23 year old extrovert......*she giggles* you see Chris am a person driven by urge,it is the challenge at every corner that makes me tick....

I smile, obviously it is evident from the way she speaks and from the activities she has been involved in she is clearly someone that defies the odds, someone driven by urge, I mean HELLO, this lady has bunjie jumped at the Victoria falls,canoed the Zambezi, well she being a black person *of coz I don’t meant it in a Martin Luther whites treat black like equals racial kind of sense for god sake am black* and a woman for that matter I instantly find her intriguing.....

Me: Extrovert I see, so besides being passionate about doing the scary stuff what are you passionate about.....

NQM: The  prize has to go to  travel, I love to travel, and Iv been labelled the clubs ‘Globe Trotter’, even though am just starting. I love to see sights and to do crazy things. The craziest so far being the 72m leap of faith into the Zambezi Gorge, an hour before the rope broke…recently I touched a baboon, am pretty nervous around baboons. Am thinking of launching  a ‘keep our travel destinations clean’ campaign.

Me.; wow!!! Am speechless ......

 anyway I quickly change the topic, I mean being a male chauvinist ,listening to this woman rant and rave about her numerous conquests insults my masculinity and makes me  as a man feel like some sissy/woman *lol ,of coz I  don’t  mean any of  it *  we continue talking

  Me: so tell me in your own words what is true happiness?

NQM: True happiness is when you eat strawberry ice cream with black forest at any time of the day and not have anyone nag you about it…….(joking). *we both laugh,but her laughs are delayed coz of the network, I mean HELLO we are on skype and econet internet sucks at times* True happiness is when one reaches a point of self actualization, and they are just content about everything in them and around them.

By now am thinking Maslow hierarchy of needs blah blah blah, she takes me back to high school history class with this whole self actualization yada yada

Me: If you could go back in time what would you do differently or change in your life? 

NQM I would do everything more, I’d love more, care more and steal all of Isaac Newton’s notes and publish them as my own, then I’d give college students hell in the future and still be famous….

This girl is a super freak, I like that about her, eish! have mad love for people like her , anyway,

Me: if you hadn’t been born in this century, When and where would you like to have lived?

NQM : Zululand, definitely Zululand during the time of the Great King uTshaka. It would greatly reduce my fashion woes.

Well I laugh, Nomzamo is one of those typically insane people  who when you talking to them  your mind will be constantly racing with questions like how on earth does Ingutsheni psychiatric hospital leave such people walking scot free whilst they continue to hold on to some patients that are far better than her, anyway just for the record she reminds me of me actually, well and some other club members (Thandi, Mpume, Hellen eish the list is long ,good Lord this interview isn’t about me or the other club members is it, it’s about Nomzamo, anyway I move on to the more serious stuff after a heavy bout of laughter,*uurrghmmm .....#clearing throat, by now the rest of the people in this restaurant, well oh by the way am in a restaurant,*oh yah i had mentioned that before* are mostly probably thinking who’s this geek that’s talking to and laughing at a computer screen, they must probably think am a freak or something, anyway who cares ,so where was I ,oh! yes the more serious stuff

Me: Women empowerment and empowering girls to take part in previously male dominated field is a hot topic.Well being a “woman///girl in the Engineering field what are your sentiments or views on this issue and how do u feel this can be applied to an ordinary African girl ?

NMQ: The minute people stop calling us ‘ordinary African women/girls’ and start calling us ‘people’ a lot would be achieved. The industry is still dominated by men only because most women are still mentally imprisoned. I also believe people shouldn’t wait for empowerment; people should also earn their power.

I think to myself there’s a woman who speaks so much sense, yes why wait for empowerment when in actual fact you can work hard to reach that same level that your male counterparts have reached, besides there are a lot of women in history that achieved a lot of things way before this empowerment thing had started, the likes of Madame Curie our own female comrades that fought to liberate this country, yes! there wasn’t women empowerment then but somehow they did it, it only takes individual drive.

So I continue to seep my rooibos tea while she munches her black forest, I continue with the interview

Me: Who are your heroes? and why?

NMQ: My big brother is my hero because he gives me money. My dad is my hero cause I think his wise, even though you’d never catch me telling him that. My mum is my hero because she fusses over me, and I secretly enjoy it. My little sister is my hero because she’s good at keeping me in check.

OOok I expected the sooooo last year cliché statement that every famous person says when asked on Oprah or radio “ My heroe is Nelson Mandela,Oprah Winfrey...” blah blah blah but this women suprises me by telling me her family members are her heroes, by now am chuffed ,anyway am running out of time and by now the airtime in my modem is running out, the waiters in this restaurant are obviously waiting for their tip, daah am black, African and Zimbo we sooO don’t tip waiters that happens in the movies, here we simply smile and assume a friendly mazvita henyu sista /ngyabonga my cee   is enough, I ask the final questions before rounding up the interview

Me: Nomzet

NMQ: yes Chris!

Me: Besides the whole bunch of five kids and stuck with a boring husband that you so don’t love,were do u see yourself in the next 10 years.

NMQ :  I’ll be 33….and my current business will have doubled. Maybe I’ll have furthered my career….. I’ll take each day as it comes.

Me: any last word for the reader

NMQ: Read James 4vs 2-3….

Because of lack of time, well lack of a bible actually *of coz i have a bible am just joking*,am still to look up James 4,well I will leave you the reader to look for the verse, should you find it please share below this post. I must say it was nice talking to this young Rotaractor that has achieved so much, our very own Michel Obama, in the next issue we zoom in on another Rotaractor’s life, AM OUT!

By Christopher Chakwana ( Chris Xris Chaks )

THE PINK MOVE......

Show you care....be aware

In the month of October and when you hear the word pink the first thing that pops into your head is…or should be…breast cancer!

Unfortunately, not everybody knows about it and those who do, like you tend to think it’s a disease of the developed world. Here’s a  reality check people: according to WHO Global Burden of Disease (2004) ‘a majority (69%) of all breast cancer deaths occurs in developing countries’. Right now breast cancer is at your door step and if you don’t take the time to know about it you could be the next person adding to the statistics.

Speaking of knowing about it, let’s look at some key things:

What is breast cancer?

It’s basically an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells in your breast tissue. The growth results in a lump in your breast which keeps increasing in size and if left unchecked some of the cells detach from the lump and spread to other parts of the body.

Who does it affect?

Mainly women

It’s the top cancer in women worldwide however there are some rare cases where men also get the disease.

On this note, let me shift to the guys for a bit…this also includes you…in terms of getting the disease as well as being affected if your girlfriend or wife has it. You need to encourage your woman to do regular breast self-examinations and go for screenings. It may shock you when I say that some women owe their lives to their men who discovered their breast lumps for them but it is true. Be part of her support system; show her you care and be aware!

What are some of the risk factors?

• Being female
• Having someone in your family who’s had the disease
• Risk increases with increase in age after 50 (unfortunately, more and more younger women are getting the disease)
• Increased exposure to hormones eg use of Oral Contraceptives

Why is there a high mortality rate?

2 words- Late diagnosis

Late diagnosis has been the main reason for a high mortality here in Kenya with an estimation that 80 to 90 per cent of breast cancer patients go for consultations when they are in stage 3 and stage 4 of the disease (final stages of the disease).

Now here is the crazy thing….if you did regular self breast examinations, you will definitely be able to detect the cancer in its earlier stages. Any abnormal change should make you go to the doctor as soon as possible; if it is cancer the fact that you caught it early gives you a better fighting chance against it.

Don’t believe me, then I’ll let WHO (World Health Organization) say it:

‘...Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and is increasing particularly in developing countries where the majority of cases are diagnosed in late stages...’

‘...EARLY DETECTION in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the CORNERSTONE of breast cancer control...’

(WHO Breast Cancer and Control)

The Pink Move aims to spread this message; hence imparting to women the knowledge and power to be more breast aware and therefore, seek early consultation and improve their health outcomes.

How are we doing this?

1. Training

Medical students, Rotary and Rotaract Club members will be taught about breast cancer, breast awareness, and how to share that information with other students as well as the general public.

2. Open meetings

These will be organised for university students and the general public at which the trained medical students, Rotarians and Rotaractors will share information on breast cancer and teach breast awareness skills.

3. Media

This includes radio, print and social media. Using what we can to get the information out there. In fact this newsletter your reading is part of the print media; if you don’t already know we have a Facebook page called The Pink Move and you can follow us on twitter @ThePinkMove for more information on breast cancer as well as what we’ve been up to.

This is what we as the Medical Students Association of Kenya (MSAKE) and the Rotaract Club of Nairobi North are doing…working together in a collaborative effort to empower women with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.

So, come support us and help save the people in your community.

By Olympia Tombe

Assistant Project Co-ordinator for The Pink Move,

Club Services Director (Rotaract Club of Nairobi North)

Matopos Trivia

Here are some random,interesting crazie facts about the club members found in the archives of the club's very own Guinness book of records.....Our tallest member is non other than the director with out portfolio Mpumelelo Siziba standing at a whopping 2.85m, his opposite i.e the shortest is our IPVP the amazing Pamela Ntombiyefundo Mukwenha who's roughly 1,50m.The lightest rotaractor in our club is the beautiful Thembilihle Moyo, she's so light you need sunglasses to look at her.The record for liking the most posts & comments on our f.b page goes to the wonderful Thembinkosi Mpofu who has 206 likes, twice the number of likes by all members put together,and the most talkative person ever is non other than our esteemed treasurer Steven Mutungwazi who speaks at a word rate of 3017 per minute.Our glamorous community service director takes the prize for the clubs globe trotter having traveled 16 destinations from the Vumba mountains in Manicaland to the Chirundu boader post right up to the dusty coal fields of Hwange she's ripping Zims map to shreds and putting Jackie Chan's "around the world in 80days" to shame. And the oldest and wisest of us all is her Highness the honorable President Thandi Banda.....This is just the tip of the iceberg there's more to come,watch out for the next issue coming soon....

international projects.....................

1. Go GReeN or GO Home!!!!

According to reports in The Zimbabwean of 24 March 2010, Zimbabwe is becoming more vulnerable to climatic changes, and local climatologists have predicted disastrous effects on the environment, agriculture and food security, health, water resources, economic activities, human migration and physical infrastructure.

Climate change is the alteration of the earth's climate caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. This eventually leads to global warming. According to climatologists, if recent trends continue or accelerate as per scientific prediction, the earth's temperature may rise by four to six degrees Celsius by 2100. Other causes of climate change are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation and modern farming methods.

Zimbabwe not spared

Zimbabwe has not been spared climatic changes; in fact, the current dry spells affecting the country have been attributed to climate change. Dr Priscah Mugabe, Deputy Director of the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Zimbabwe, has noted the effects of climate change reflected in rainfall patterns in Zimbabwe from 1901 to 2005. Mugabe said that there have been notable shifts in the onset of the rains, the increased frequency of heavy rainfall events, more tropical cyclones and increasingly intense mid-term dry spells.

She noted that there had been shifts in natural regions such as Chinhoyi, Chibero and their surroundings which were formerly in natural region 2 but have now been classified under natural region 3. The size of natural region 1 has been reduced, while natural region 2 has been pushed further east and natural region 3 has shifted slightly upwards. Kwekwe and surroundings now classified as natural region 4.

Dr Mugabe said that ecosystem changes were being dramatised by grasslands shifting to shrubby savannah and other biodiversity changes.

Agriculture and food security

On the agriculture and food security sector, crop yields in marginal zones have become more variable. Yields from rain-fed agriculture are expected to decline by up to 50 per cent by 2020. Mugabe said that climate change introduces greater variability in maize yields. "There is a strong likelihood that climate change will make natural region 4 a non-maize producing area," she says.

Reduced livestock production is anticipated as a result of a reduced forage base for cattle as well as the increase of pests and diseases like tsetse flies and ticks. "A shift to smaller browsing animals like goats is anticipated," Dr Mugabe said. A reduced productivity of crop-livestock systems of marginal rural areas is likely.

Health sector

On the health sector, an increase in malnutrition, with implications on child growth and development, has been anticipated. Also, it is likely that there will be an increase in the distribution of the malaria-bearing Anopheles gambiae mosquito has been. High elevation areas currently on the fringes of endemic malaria zones will be most susceptible to infestation.

Dr Mugabe said that the implication would be most notably felt in an increased burden on health care systems. On water resources, she said that the challenges of availability and accessibility were anticipated to particularly affect women. Reduced irrigation output would be exacerbated by other factors, for example deforestation and siltation. Changes in hydrology and run-off are very likely to occur.

Anticipated economic impacts include increased food prices, diversion of resources towards relief, loss of employment opportunities and compromised hydro-based industries. For example, at Lake Kariba from 1987 to 2005, the lake surface temperature rose by about 1 degree Celsius, significantly reducing kapenta fish yields.

On the Zambezi River, impacts have seen reduced flow affecting hydro-electricity generation, biodiversity, affected fish breeding conditions and tourism. Human migration is also being affected resulting in localized population concentrations posed by climate variability.

A new breed of refugees

Refugees are anticipated to migrate into new settlements seeking livelihoods and placing additional demands on infrastructure and ecosystem services. "A variety of migration patterns could thus emerge for example repetitive migrants and short term shock migrants with implications for ecosystems and land use alterations," said Dr Mugabe. She added that physical infrastructure could fall prone to damage and destruction due to extreme events such as floods.

Millennium Development Goals (MDC) attainment will also be affected. For example, the eradication of extreme poverty is unlikely due to reduced agricultural production. Also, attaining primary education will be impossible due to gender imbalances and drop outs. Reducing child mortality will be an uphill task due to increased diseases and combating major diseases like HIV and AIDS will be a major problem due to increased pressures and food insecurity.

Dr Mugabe also said that there was need for institutional support for research to understand local risks, sensitivities and adaptation options in response to climate change. She said research on indigenous knowledge with science, gender variability and appropriate adaptation systems was recommended. Innovative technologies like water harvesting, soil water conservation and grain post harvest technologies have to be introduced including sending appropriate messages on extension, infrastructural development and disaster management.

She added that climate change in Zimbabwe was certain, unreliable and unpredictable. Dr Basile Tambashe, Country Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Zimbabwe, said that climate change was not just about technology. "We have now reached a point where humanity is approaching the brink of disaster and Zimbabwe is beginning to feel the impact of climate change," says Tambashe.In light of all this the Rotaract Club of Matopos  has taken a step towards mitigating the effects of climatic change by embarking on a "Go green or go home" public awareness project.The project currently being run on twitter, seeks to educate the public on the effects of climatic change whilst providing green tips to live a green lifestyle.To join the cause  follow us on twitter @matoposrotaract

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2. Project inspire 5 minutes to change the world

This project was a joint initiative by UN Women Singapore and MasterCard which strived to tap from young man and women`s ideas in creating a better world of opportunities for women and girls in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.The project involved sending in a video pitch or document that highlighted the plight of disadvantaged women and provided solutions to these problems.The pitch had to be accessible, doable, measureable and sustainable.Our project inspire team comprised of Christopher Chakwana, Nyasha Muronzi and Tebogo H Ndlovu who pitched a project dubbed "MY LIFE AS AN INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE" which sought to empower disadvantaged women in rural Matebeleland. Unfortunately their pitch did not make it into the top 10 shortlisted finalists but then again we thank them for their effort and for putting the club on the map.............

The proffessional side.

With the assistance of pp Esats the club had a very informative and successful OETS. With trainers from the various ROTARY clubs.We were equipped with the necessary skills to became an effective TEAM the real "A TEAM" of Bulawayo. We got a chance to meet members of our sister club BELMONT. With the help of rotaractors and rotarians from Harare we had our very first basic PRLS

which we attended with ROTARACTORS from other clubs.. Now we are waiting for the second stage.... Like the saying goes "All work and no play makes Jack a...."so after the training there was a social filled with fun and it gave rotaractors from the different clubs(Matopos,Belmont and Harare Central) a chance to know each other on a more personal level

To say we had fun is an understatement it was just out of this world

Charity work

We are not just all fun and games we also mean serious business. We have engaged in various community projects. We visited St Francis home, and had a chance to mix and mingle with the kids. The sight was unbearable, we had some of our members shedding tears even the so called tough guys shed a tear or two. Later on,the children of King George VI were in great need of blankets and the club being passionate about helping kids came to the rescue and donated some blankets and the smiles on the kids faces was more than enough reward.. With out having superpowers like the X-Men we became heroes to those kids..

Induktion............

The event was filled with all the pomp and fun fare synonymous with the "Grammy Awards" but with a more professional touch. Everything about it,the clothes ,the food,the venue and the people screamed of "class,glitz and glamour".Our camera man *oops meant to say "camera person" because it was a lady* one Tendai Muronzi managed to convince some of our members to pose for the pics "Red carpet" style and also managed to capture some of "those" moments.take a look at some of this...............

Well i think these photos summarize the fun we had on our day.........

Reflektion

The very first meeting started with a group of young and enthusiastic young men and women who all met at the Bulawayo club driven by a passion to change the world Zimbabwe's very own "X MEN"// "PLANETEERS" Or should I say the "Fantastic 4

"(well that doesn't sound right because the club has over thirty members so the "A TEAM" will do just fine.Anyway during the past 6months of our existence we've had so much fun getting to know each other and helping each other to grow,I mean we are already a family.In celebrating 6months in existence lets go back memory lane and reflect on the fun times we have had in the past 6months.

the club...........

The Club was officially  launched on 25 June 2011 at the majestic Bulawayo Club  under the mentorship of Rotarian PP E. Easat working with a crop of young and passionate proffesionals from the city.Some of the very first members were drawn from various universities and colleges within Bulawayo and these included Thandi Banda ( Charter President),Hellen Masango (Charter Public Relations Officer), Tebogo Ndlovu, Thobeka Mkhwananzi, Moyo Lihle, Pamela Ntombiyemfundo Mukwenha ( Charter Vice President) , Cynthia Mathe, Nicola Sadiki, Bianca Chili,Joan T Mpofu,Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo (Charter Director of Community Services) ,Christopher Chakwana ( Charter Director of International Services ), Tendai Munyaradzi Nyasha, Dr Thabani Thatha, Nyasha Muronzi( Charter Secretary ), Mncedisi Mfanafuthi Nyathi, Dennis Makofi,Bhekimpilo Ndlovu,Prince T Chipato,Bothwell Pindiwe, Ntokozo Ndlovu, Dr Lionel Munemo,Tinashe Chinembiri, Mpumelelo Nhlane Siziba, Thamsanqa Moyo , Daniel Sithole , Steven Mutungwazi  (Charter Club Treasurer)just to mention a few. It was then chartered on the 27th of July 2012. Living by the spirit of the Rotary movement, the club has been actively involved in various community service projects and continues to reach out to communities so as to  alleviate human suffering . 



About every month or so, we try to fulfill the following areas with different events:

Community Service: local volunteering, donation drives, etc.
Professional Development: hosting speakers at meetings, etc.
Leadership Development: coordinating projects, faciliating events, etc.
Social Events: retreats, parties, etc.

ROTARACT INTERNATIONAL

Rotaract is one of the Rotary International programs that is designed for young adults ages 18 to 30 who want to make a difference in their local or global communities.  It is either based in the community or in a university and sponsored by a local Rotary club.

Rotaract clubs are nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonreligious, open to all cultures, and adhered to Rotary's motto - Service Above Self, and the Four-Way Test:
     Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Rotaractors are encouraged to grow personally and professionally, address community needs, and promote international understanding through friendship and service.  Each club usually holds bi-weekly meetings, which can feature speakers, discussions, and visits to/from other clubs. Rotaractors also get together for service projects, social activities, and leadership workshops.

Beyond the club level, Rotaractors can further participate in the annual district/international conferences, scholarship programs offered by the Rotary Foundation, and Group Study Exchange for working professionals. www.rotaract.org