Gukurahundi victims are denied citizenship because they cannot provide death certificates of their relatives. Image by Amnesty International
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | MAY 22
In the middle of a voter registration blitz ahead of the 2023 national elections, victims of the Gukurahundi genocide are finding it hard to access national identity documents — and consequently might be left out of the imminent plebiscite.
Failure to access documents remains a challenge in Matabeleland. Graphic by The Citizen Bulletin
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 19, 2021
In Matabeleland, historical issues have always affected citizens’ ability to be documented, faced with COVID-19—the wound continues to fester.
 
In marginalised communities of Matabeleland, the effects of climate change are exposing women and girls to health risks during menstruation. Image by Unsplash
In marginalised communities of Matabeleland, the effects of climate change are exposing women and girls to health risks during menstruation.
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 9, 2023
Lack of access to family planning pills in Lupane can cause unwanted pregnancies.
BY LETHOKUHLE NKOMO | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 19, 2021
In the middle of a pandemic, Lupane has faced a crisis of limited health facilities. A significant challenge has arisen, access to women’s reproductive health services—a challenge that could have dire consequences.
Lupane carpenters bemoan the high cost of timber despite being custodians of the sacred forests. Image by The Citizen Bulletin
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 4, 2021
Rich forests in Lupane have not translated into better living standards for locals, and now they are demanding a change to that.
Lack of access to clinics and sexual health services results in dire consequences for women in Matabeleland. Image by Unsplash
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | MAY 6, 2022
Lack of access to clinics which support sexual health is a headache for women in Matabeleland North.
School in Binga...Most Mat North schools lack basic amenities. Image by Zenzele Ndebele
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 15, 2022
The effects of poor infrastructure in schools can also be seen in learners' dropout rates and poor-teacher retention rates.
Bubi-Lupane dam is now a death trap for fish poachers who use makeshift boats and mosquito nets. Image by Mongabay
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | MAR 18, 2022
In Matabeleland North’s Lupane and Bubi districts, the desire to earn a living through fish poaching outweighs risks of drowning and prosecution as many struggle to find legal means of survival.
18 years later, the Elitsheni government complex remains incomplete. Image by Zoom Bulawayo
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 15, 2022
Villagers have lost count of the deadlines for the completion of the Lupane government complex which would house government departments in Matabeleland North province. The project which politicians use as a campaign gimmick has stalled for several years and villagers feel that the governing party (Zanu PF) is giving them a wooden spoon.
Lack of basic infrastructure and conducive learning environment has continued to shatter children's dreams. Image by VicFalls Live
BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | APR 8, 2022
Education infrastructure is an important factor in determining the quality of learning and graduates being churned out, however, most schools in the district lack basic infrastructure and a conducive learning environment.
