Zimbabwe’s NMBZ just crossed the border, scooped a Zambian microfinance player, and made it clear that regional expansion is not theoretical anymore.
What just happened
NMBZ Holdings Limited wrapped up a majority buy-in of Pulse Financial Services Limited.
The Zambian business trades as Entrepreneurs Financial Centre Zambia.
This is a straight-up ownership move, not a loose partnership.
Why it could actually happen
Regulators in Zambia signed off first.
Approval came from the Bank of Zambia and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
Once those boxes were ticked, the deal closed.
How the companies are framing it
EFC Zambia says these lines up cleanly with NMBZ’s regional growth play.
Financial inclusion across Southern...
That cheap decoder hustle just got loud warnings, and regulators are basically saying enjoy it while you can.
What set this off
Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is fed up with illegal TV services popping up everywhere.
The agency is openly threatening legal action, not gentle reminders.
The tone is very much last warning energy.
Devices in the crosshairs
Names being flagged include OVHD, StarSat, DigiSat, Mediastar, and Senator.
These boxes are being sold and used outside the law.
If it looks like a shortcut to premium channels, it probably is.
Who dropped the warning
Matthias Chakanyuka signed off on the statement dated January 22, 2026.
He described the situation as an ongoing and blatant breach of broadcasting rules.
The...
Red shirts took over East London as Julius Malema flew in for court, turning a legal headache into a street-level show of force.
What people saw first
East London CBD filled up fast with EFF supporters dressed head to toe in red.
Singing, marching, flags waving, the whole city center felt occupied.
The timing matched Malema boarding a flight to Buffalo City.
Why were the streets packed
Julius Malema is due back in court.
Supporters framed the moment as defending the leader, defending everyone.
Currie Street became the main artery for the march.
Airport and court energy
Another group camped outside East London Airport waiting for Malema’s arrival.
The destination is the East London Magistrates’ Court.
Pre-sentencing proceedings are...
A Zulu king, Zimbabwean chiefs, and a hard talk on culture, borders, and calm landed in one charged gathering with zero appetite for chaos.
Why this moment hit different
Culture and migration collided in public, and nobody pretended it was simple.
Cross-border identity came up bluntly, not as a footnote.
The message leaned toward dialogue over drama.
Who said the quiet part out loud
Misuzulu kaZwelithini reminded everyone that Zulu identity does not stop at borders.
He openly acknowledged Zulus living in Zimbabwe.
That admission reframed the whole conversation.
Zimbabwean voices in the room
Zimbabwean traditional leaders were formally invited into the Zulu kingdom discussions.
Thulane Jubane spoke for Zimbabweans living in South...
Police just torched mountains of seized drugs, sending a blunt message that busted stash is not circling back to the streets.
What just got destroyed
Massive hauls of illegal stuff were wiped out after court cases wrapped up.
The cleanup followed arrests, convictions, and sentencing, not random raids.
The Zimbabwe government gave the green light, and the police executed.
The actual numbers are wild
Crystal meth (mutoriro) totaling 292,894kg went up in smoke.
Dagga weighing 171,024kg was destroyed.
Cough syrups hit 128,662 litres, with extra loads of illicit booze and meds added in.
Other items dumped
Illicit beverages measured at 15 litres were eliminated.
Skin-lightening creams weighed in at 77kg.
Zimbo Vodka totaled 100 litres...
Zimbabwe is done flirting with currency chaos and is slow-walking a one-currency future, betting stability beats speed every single time.
What the central bank is pushing
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is doubling down on a single-currency goal for domestic transactions.
The message is clear: this is staged, deliberate, and absolutely not a flip-the-switch moment.
The 2025 results are being used as proof that this path is not reckless.
Who delivered the message
Innocent Matshe spoke in Harare on behalf of John Mushayavanhu.
The remarks landed at the State of the Economy and 2026 Economic Outlook breakfast meeting.
The event was organized by Africa Economic Development Strategies, working with Business Times.
Why a local currency is...
Madagascar told SADC the paperwork roadmap to democracy is coming by February, after last year’s power drama forced a regional reset.
Why SADC is watching closely
Madagascar hit political turbulence late last year, and the military-backed handover rattled nerves.
The country stepped away from the SADC chair to focus inward.
Rebuilding trust and institutions became the priority.
Who met and where
The Southern African Development Community sent its top official to Antananarivo.
Elias Magosi sat down with Michael Randrianirina.
The talks were framed as steady engagement, not crisis control.
The promise on the table
Randrianirina said Sadc will get the requested report by the end of February 2026.
That package covers the transition...
Border officials just sat down, tightened the playbook, and made it clear that kids slipping through Beitbridge is not getting waved off anymore.
Why did this meeting even happened
Pressure has been rising at Beitbridge, especially around holiday spikes.
Child smuggling cases pushed both governments to stop pretending this is rare.
Enforcement has already been cranked up, and this was the coordination piece.
Who showed up and where
The SA Border Management Authority and the Department of Social Development met at the Zimbabwean Embassy.
The session played out as a formal meet-and-greet, but the topics were heavy.
Border control and social protection were both on the table.
The core problem being tackled
Unaccompanied minors...
Ninety million dollars later, Kwekwe is done talking potential and is visibly turning cash into concrete, clinics, and future power plans.
Why is this turning heads
Kwekwe City Council just clocked over US$90 million in fresh investment across three years.
The money trail runs from 2022 through 2025 and covers way more than one flashy project.
Urban renewal is not theoretical anymore; it is showing up block by block.
Who dropped the numbers
Lucia Mkandla laid out the figures.
She framed the investments as proof that the city is pulling weight nationally.
The timeline lines up neatly with the Vision 2030 push.
Where the money went
Funding landed across industry, commerce, social amenities, and property development.
One standout is...
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