Cabanga Magazine

In these times of challenging economic conditions, businesses are being forced to find alternative means of communicating with stakeholders, especially customers. On the other hand, the subjects of Internet and websites are no longer painful ones as they were a few years ago. The distance between the consumer and the company is now being made shorter through websites, as more businesses in Zimbabwe are launching their businesses, products, and services on the “.CO.ZW” cyber landscape. Reaching customers, knowing their concerns over products or services provided, and ensuring return business is are the core concerns of any company, and all Business Communication is channeled into various media in order to achieve this. Without struggling for recognition or dominance, the Internet has become the fastest growing and most effective delivery channel for all Business Communication in the World, and Zimbabwe has not been an exception. Marketing, Product Delivery, and Public Relations are the ...

After publishing the book in August 2006, I have closely looked at the progress of the book, to see if it is a success in itself. To date, through the book, I have trained more than ten companies and individuals, ranging from Internet Cafes, Internet Service Providers, Web Developers, Students, Marketers, Churches, Pastors, and Entrepreneurs, who have bought a copy of the eBook. The book has sold approximately 25 copies, of which a Website, Training, and Web Consultancy have been born out of "each" Copy. I am currently working as a Consultant with Innov8 - The Motivation Company, where amongst other goals, one of them is to assist the company add on to the ".CO.ZW" sphere, two more websites and blogs, in the ".COM" sphere. Innov8 will be launching www.innov8motivation.com and www.innov8bookshop.com, in October 2007, which are transaction enabled, giving people the ability to buy books and pay for workshop online, using the eTranzact platform. One of the ot...

THE Interception of Communications Act, signed into law by President Robert Mugabe last week, is unconstitutional and can be successfully challenged in the courts, legal experts said yesterday. The government will find it difficult to adequately monitor communications, particularly e-mails and other internet communications, they said. The law authorises the government to set up an interception centre to eavesdrop on telephone conversations, open mail, and intercept e-mails and faxes. But legal experts told The Standard yesterday the law was an unwarranted infringement on people's rights. David Coltart, secretary for legal affairs in the pro-Senate faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said the law was unconstitutional and will have serious repercussions on people's rights and freedom of expression. "There is no independent review of any interception of a person's communication," said Coltart. "It (the law) is an unjustifiable invasion of a pers...

Zimbabwean Internet service providers (ISPs) are struggling to install costly equipment to monitor the flow of information in the southern African country, according to online activist Web site Kubatana. President Robert Mugabe formally signed the Interception of Communications Act earlier this month. It enables the government to intercept phone calls, e-mails and faxes with the intention of protecting national security. The law stipulates ISPs are under mandatory obligation to pay for and install the monitoring equipment. “The law now stipulates that licensed Internet access providers and their ISPs must install the lawful interception equipment at their own cost,” says Shadreck Nkala, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Internet Service Provider Association (ZISPA). The Act further states an ISP that fails to provide assistance in terms of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. Nkala says there is a need for di...

“Thou shalt name this week ‘Gain’”, the Merchant spoke out across the room, as his investor walked in. “Why, if I may ask?” responded the farmer, walking towards the merchant, with a bag of gold in his hands. “For thus shall you be, get, and give.” “Speak on”, exclaimed the excited farmer as he sat to hear the merchant’s report about his investments. The merchant pulled out a scroll from his desk and begun to narrate his dealings with the farmer’s gold over the past week, how they grew, and gave a insight of the coming week, as it was the week of celebrations in the city, where bringing more business to the farmer and other investors with the merchant. “You are gain, because your investment speaks continuously as it instructs, communes, and co-operates with goods and services to which it multiplies. Your voice is heard and that which has been touched takes heed of the instruction. Growth begins, even from small dealings, and resulting in multitudes of trade. You speak through your gol...

Lack of imagination has caused the loss, failure, and following of many businesses, communities, nations, and even individuals. Imagination is the beginning of all profit, as there can never be profit without the translation of thought, stemming from imagination. It is the process in which the mind and the heart are in unison, creating a desired haven for the person in question. Imagination is the source of all revolutionary change in the world, as innovators created and implemented there thoughts. Imagination is the first, if not only, place, that you are crowned king without having royal blood or fighting for. Your imagination is your Kingdom. The Zulu Kingdom was forged in the mind of a thirteen year old boy, a bustard, and reject called Chaka Zulu. The Kingdom of Israel was conceived through the imagination of a shepherd called David, yet still stands in the hearts of more than two billion people on earth. The journey to greatness begins with imagination. As you begin to imagine, y...

Wealth comes, and never goes, for wealth is more than just the riches brought by opportunity and the wind. Wealth is the time you put into work and business as you strive to multiply relationships and gold. You create new relationship as your gold labours for you, seizing the opportunities that are brought by the wind, and as you heed the voice of the Opportunist. Your gold accumulates over time, causing increase to your possessions, creating even more relationships in the form of laborers, stewards, enterprises, and friends. It is true, “money answers all things”. This happens as your wealth begins to solve problems around you – in your house, in your city, within your boundaries. Your gold extends your boundaries, as you stretch and move to the right and to the left. In each direction, your wealth speaks resolution of ancient or recent problems that have been a menace to the people thereof. “The rich man’s wealth is his city”, for it keeps him secure and is a foundation for the nat...

A man with a kingdom has power. A man with a kingdom has glory. All men desire power and glory. The kingdom of man is about power and gory manifest through riches and possessions. The wealth of a kingdom is the usage and continual multiplication of a man’s riches and possessions. The wealth of a man is his kingdom. The riches of a man are the tools to build that kingdom. Therefore, if you are to build anything, then build a kingdom. Building a kingdom begins with the desire to be great and having a domain – place of glory, and power. The desire to dominate is in every man. The power to dominate is, however, only in those that complete the construction of their kingdoms. The construction of your kingdom begins with the choice you make each day about the usage of your earnings. There are those that consume their earnings, and yet a few that make their earnings work for them, not matter how little they may be. Your kingdom will grow as you continuously and faithfully invest your money in ...

Dream today, see it happen tomorrow. To every man is appointed a portion of the day to lay and give way to an uncontrollable series of events, packaged in what has been termed by the Maker, and adopted by all, called DREAMING. Dreaming is that series of events where one becomes what his subconscious mind had been recording each minute of the day. Dreaming is also that moment when an individual envisions himself having attained certain things or position in his life. When he has reached a haven, where he comfortably dwells in that moment, gazing a satisfying environment, one filled with gladness and peace. This dreaming, none can steal from the mind of man. Dreaming is what everyone can do. There are those who have invested their time to dream of things and places that have never been heard of before, “what eye has not seen, nor what ear has heard, even what the heart of man has never conceived”. Having done so, they work at their dreams, converting them into a reality. These dreams ha...

A Kingdom that can never be moved can be likened unto a mountain overseeing a lake. The rains, snow, and turmoil, can pound it time and again, yet it remains standing strong. It is a place that can never be shaken. A place; establish and rooted within the foundations of the deep. The foundations of such a Kingdom were engrafted in the core of the earth, making it a sure residence above the earth. The earth has shaped many landscapes and moved mountains from place to place. The earth has formed seas, rivers, and lakes, even springs. The earth, with the assistance of the sun and moon, has created deserts, forests, jungles, and snow. Winds rage to and fro on the earth, bringing change as they work hand in hand to shape the future. The earth is ever changing. Yet there is a place that endures all. There is a place that cannot be removed, even by the harshest of weather. Winds can blow, seas can rage, and the earth can shake, yet there is a place that can never be removed. This place is w...

Lo, there is a day beyond tomorrow that the eye envisions. Beyond tomorrow is a time of prosperity, a time of peace, a tranquil time, filled with goodness, and much gain. Yesterday will surely pass away, just as today will fade. Beyond tomorrow is a place where everyone desires to see. It is a place whose destination mankind finds hope in. it is a place that man labours tirelessly to arrive, moving through harsh times, turbulence, discomfort, lack, and unrest, just to see what is beyond tomorrow. It is a place where hope finds a meaning. Man goes through the day, week, month and year as though bound by hope of seeing what is beyond tomorrow. Nothing can replace that hope of seeing beyond tomorrow. It is man’s destined residence. Man is bound by destiny. Man’s destiny is beyond tomorrow. Beyond tomorrow reside all things envisioned in man’s perception, hope unfeigned; a place like no other. Beyond tomorrow, the eye has not seen. Beyond tomorrow, the ear has not heard. Beyond tomorrow, t...

Written by David A. Wise, 306 Pages Reviewed by Oscar Manduku, for Innov8 Bookshop, Zimbabwe The Google Story starts with extremely bold financial results, for a small start up. Founded in 1998, Google.com became the world's fastest growing Corporation to ever grace the earth, even before going public in August 2004. This book is not about Technology or America, but about how innovation, locked up in every individual, can be turned into a Money Machine within the shortest time frame, without changing one's personality. It is a book about how focus, vision, determination, and endurance can change the way people conduct business the world over. Google was not started by the US Government as we “Techies” thought. It was started by two humble students, who chose to take on the world, by creating what everyone needs information access for all. The money behind the business is not as important as the vision behind the founders, who consider themselves to be in the infant stage of th...

Featured Companies Zimbabwean News Websites, Newspapers, and Media Zimbabwe Internet during ZANU and Mugabe If you search on Google.com using the words “Mugabe” or “Robert Mugabe” or “ZANU”, you will get not less than 2,500,000 web pages as results. There is a lot said about these three phrases by .CO.ZW, .CO.ZA and .COM websites, as the nation goes through transformation into an economic powerhouse. Day after day, emails, web links, pictures, slideshows, jokes, forums, chats, instant messages, electronic magazines, Newsletters, Newspaper Articles, photos, graphics, and other files are moved from on email box to another, from one continent to another, and from one website to another. Stories are created, cartoons are drawn and posted. Some true, some fabricated. There is a hive of “all” opinions on the subject matter. Zimbabwe Urikuendepi: Where are you going? Without being political, my focus would be on the motives, the business, and the going concern of the News, Debates, Books, Pub...

The Internet is only one of many platforms on which an enterprise can publicise itself. At present Websites are competing for advertising attention with Print and Television advertising content. Let us seek answers for the following questions: How much advertising material are web consumers exposed to? This helps an enterprise formulate effective marketing strategies, which involve their website. DSTV, ZTV, Billboards, Clothing Publications (Labels), Movies, Food Courts, Specific Magazines, Newspapers, just to name a few. Do webverts ™ (Website Adverts) work? It is not a matter of just advertising, but an effectiveness measurement has to be put into place. Relevance, convenience, quantity, structure, of adverts should be considered. What is so different about Webvertising ™? Marketing gurus classify Advertising methods according to emotions nowadays – Fear and Love being the two extremes. We see this on Television and in Print media. Marketers often make consumers feel as though left o...

Zimbabwe does not have sufficient numbers of the following facilities, capable of securing consumer confidence: Online Transaction Processing Systems. By this I refer to a simple software application that allows web consumers to purchase goods or services over the Internet, without the use of bank notes. These are more transaction oriented than credit rating oriented. I know of one such innovation, through the Zimbabwe Association of Inventors. One of our members developed an electronic wallet, which is currently going under scrutiny with our Reserve Bank. This product is not a duplication of western technology, but a literal new innovation. When it passes the test, it will transform eCommerce in Zimbabwe. Online Credit Rating. We are one of the few Literate countries which have not been affected or bulldozed by Visa or Master Card, in our credit rating systems. I believe that this is a good thing because it enables the birthing of our own credit rating processing Systems. The good new...

Featured Companies FoodWorld, OK, DST, eTranzact, PayPal and CABS Online Zimbabwe eCommerce in 2007 This year has brought in some improvement on the .CO.ZW cyberspace, as a few companies are now offering Online Transactions from their websites. Food World and OK, the chain supermarkets, both have online shopping facilities. eTranzact, PayPal, and CABS Online are strong on the Backbone of Zimbabwean Online Transaction Processing Systems. Despite being over politicized, eCommerce has taken off on a good note this year, because the most popular banks now have eBanking facilities, and the Zimbabwean Consumer now has external funds stored in banks outside our borders. Food to the Zimbabwean eWorld – www.foodworldzim.com Food World Chain Supermarkets has two mirrored websites that it uses for eCommerce purposes. They have a local .CO.ZW website and the above .COM website. The .COM website is the one that is connected to PayPal.com, one of the leading Online Payment Systems in the World, whic...

The following are some of the many marketing misconceptions that I would like to address in this book: Websites are Marketing Expenses. This is false, because a website is an investment. We live in the days of the Google Economy, where you even earn US$ for just reserving a portion of your website for Google AdSense, and in the days of Advertising Synergies. Not many people use the Internet. This is false, because Zimbabwean urban consumers are very technology oriented. There are more literate consumers in urban centers now, who have equal access to Internet – through Internet Cafes. The Computer Population is Zimbabwe is growing, especially the Laptops, whose owners want Internet access as soon as they buy them. Websites are for Internet presence only, because we cannot implement eCommerce in Zimbabwe. This is false, because websites are for consumers not your company, hence can be used for more than just your business card. eCommerce in Zimbabwe is transforming, with a few hiccups th...

INTRODUCTION Since the commercial inception of many Information and Communication Technologies and various business methods in Zimbabwe, consumers have been hoping for an ever increasing Quality of Service (QoS) in Information Services. This has not been the case; due to a contribution of various factors influencing the direction of growth of this industry. There are basically seven types of Information Service Points, which this paper seeks to address the audience, to shed light upon the dealings thereof. These are Websites, Directories, CDROMs, Periodics, Mobile Phones, Kiosks, and Cafes. Closely examining these will help define this industry, and point out a way forward – that’s the aim of this paper. DEFINITION Information Services can be defined as any repetitive business concept of publishing data, in any relevant format, to inform an audience, whilst achieving profitability. Please realize that in the 21st century, there are many industries which are springing up because of the ...

Database Driven Most of them are database driven, making it difficult for each entry to be found by search engines like google.com. Most use Cold Fusion, a technology not easily accessible by Google scripts. Google uses Perl. The difference is that Perl dumps information on every query (Client Driven), yet Cold Fusion keeps everything on the server on which the query is being requested (Server Driven). What has influence these web publications • Mindsets o People only read from newspaper classifieds only. o Who would want to invest in a vibrant website? o It’s Zimbabwe anywhere! • Lack of understanding of marketing in cyberspace. • More of a presence issue, for corporate image issue. The Technologies Used Most of the websites were developed by WebDev and Design@7. WedDev is strong on Wed Development (the Database side), hence their sites have that orientation. Design@7 is strong with Graphics, hence their sites have that orientation. Some other sites were developed by small companies, ...

Technology-wise, the world has moved into the Internet Era – birthed in 1995. This has seen the birth of Electronic Commerce (eCommerce). In short Internet means ‘network of networks’, in terms of Information and Communication Technologies. eCommerce, through the Internet and other related technologies, is the bringing of Investors, Employees, Management, Consumers, Customers, Suppliers, Competitors, and Government Departments together in a virtual business environment. 1.1 Globally The Internet is now the widely viewed as the fastest growing communications phenomenon of all time. The comparative chart below places into context the dramatic pace of growth of the World Wide Web (www), a central feature of the Internet for most users. ITU, January 1999 At present the Internet user rate is at an estimate of 300 million, and is expected to reach 500 million in 2005. Revenues are currently estimated at US$1.3 trillion, which are expected to rise to about US$3 trillion by 2005. 1.2 Africa We...

One of the challenges being faced by the local Information Technology Industry is the increasing migration of specialists; leaving for other countries which offer better remuneration and advanced Infrastructures. The following are some of the recreation by players and educationists: a) The Computer Society of Zimbabwe introduced the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), which has taken the market by storm. This course makes it easier for anyone to find an Information Technology related job. b) The Harare Polytechnic (rep of HEXCO) Computer Studies Department has embarked on a campaign to introduce degrees in the next few years to come. The major assistance is from Asian educational and industrial players. c) Occupational training facilities have increased in the past decade. These have majored in products from world leading vendors like Microsoft, Sun, Cisco, CompTIA, Compaq, Caldera and Dell. d) Institutes like SIRDC and AVU (African Virtual University) have introduced cours...

There are five major aspects affecting consumers, which contribute to the success of eCommerce in Zimbabwe – namely Disposable Income, Literacy, Migration, Economic Instability and Technological Changes. 6.1 Disposable Income Most people spend their disposable income on commodities than unique experiences. Others have their disposable income locked up in liability promoting expenditures. This poses a challenge to eCommerce players to create more disposable income, and eventually employment, through their inventions. 6.2 Literacy The 35year and above age demographic group is the most Information and Communications Technologies illiterate; yet the bread winning group. This poses a huge challenge to eCommerce players in educating these income holders. There is however hope in the younger generation, as they are the most literate and also increasingly attaining employment. 6.3 Migration People are migrating to other nations with better living conditions. Our nation is losing an estimate of...

Websites are different, derived from their purpose. There are informative, Transactional, Referral, Behavioural, and Mixed. Informative Websites These are websites whose sole purpose is to provide information, whether commercial or academic. Websites that offer information for Commercial purposes usually sell their information. These websites require you to join a community, having paid a subscription. Most of these use the credit processing systems available, such as VISA and MasterCard. Websites that offer information for Academic use usually give out information for free. These include Public Databases, Archives, Community Institutions (e.g. Churches), and Government Departments, just to name a few. I came across an information website the other day, when I was looking for a template for a Shareholders Agreement. I visited the LawDepot.com website, which contains templates of legal documents. This website helps you build your desired Agreement. After filling in the template, the re...

In November 2004, many nations, through the Word Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), begun to work on the amendment of their broadcasting services in the form of a Broadcasting Treaty. This came about when nations realised that Radio-communication and Telecommunication was being intertwined in commerce because of the Internet. There is a clear distinction between Cable-casting (data transmission through wire/fibre), Broadcasting (data transmission through radio waves), and “now” Web-casting (data transmission through both, using the Internet). Zimbabwe followed through by amending the Broadcasting Act, to incorporate Webcasting per se, found in the Broadcasting Regulations. The amendments now include charges payable by Internet Service Providers and Content Providers, just to mention a few. Knowledge of this change gives you insight on the environment in which your website is being regulated. This may not be important; but as this saying goes, “Being for warned is being for arme...

In understanding what content is, entrepreneur ought to understand the difference between Web Designing, Development and Publishing respectively. This helps the enterprise know the role they play in regards to the website. Web Designing has to do with the Graphics, Art and Layout. This topic deals with the artistic creativity that is put into creating buttons, menus, pictures, animation, and page layouts. A Web Designer understands the beauty and image aspects of the Internet, which include Themes, Appearance, Colour, Placement/Position, and Navigation. Content to a Web Designer would refer to anything in relation to the aforementioned, focusing on what the web consumers will see, not necessarily what they will do – THE FACE. Web Development has to do with the creation of Software Applications and background instructions that are used in conjunction with the website. This includes Feedback Forms, Shopping Carts, Registers, and other content manipulation tools. Most of these application...

There are three standard stages websites go through when uploaded onto the Internet. These are Presence, Interaction, and Transaction. These are like a seasonal cycle a website goes through. Presence This is the stage at which a website is first introduced onto the Internet. At most, the idea is to make it known only. More effort is invested in retaining web consumers. The enterprise goes all the way to give freebies, infotainment and attractive webverts. Retention and Hit rate are very important at this stage. Many websites take up an informative behaviour, news being the most popular. It is not advisable to jump this stage, as this may cause premature growth, or future abortion. On the other hand, it is important to plan and have the second stage on standby. A good example of these scenarios is Amazon.com. When it was launched, Amazon.com could interact and transact and the same time. Their Retention and Hit rates were abnormally high that they had to shutdown for a while. Overwhelmi...

Websites are different, derived from their purpose. There are informative, Transactional, Referral, Behavioural, and Mixed. Informative Websites These are websites whose sole purpose is to provide information, whether commercial or academic. Websites that offer information for Commercial purposes usually sell their information. These websites require you to join a community, having paid a subscription. Most of these use the credit processing systems available, such as VISA and MasterCard. Websites that offer information for Academic use usually give out information for free. These include Public Databases, Archives, Community Institutions (e.g. Churches), and Government Departments, just to name a few. I came across an information website the other day, when I was looking for a template for a Shareholders Agreement. I visited the LawDepot.com website, which contains templates of legal documents. This website helps you build your desired Agreement. After filling in the template, the re...

If you have not watched this movie, the moral is that every Midfielder wished they could bend a football into the net or at the feet of a striker, like David Beckham. Question is, “Is this the only way to play winning football?” With this same thought, many Zimbabwean enterprises have adopted styles, structures, and content that they have not engineered, but copied. There is nothing wrong with copying, except when it limits an enterprise to unleash the greatness within them – thumbs up to Milton Kamwendo, on this subject. Beautiful Graphics Many websites in Zimbabwe are “very beautiful”, flamboyant, fully animated, and intriguingly spectacular. Are they successful? I know of a manufacturer whose website I have been trying to open for the past three years. No matter where I access the Internet, I have never seen their website. It has music in the background, and an opening count which reaches 100% but never opens. I tell you the truth, it is better to publish such a website as a .com ra...

Fellow Entrepreneurs, there is something unique about the Zimbabwean consumer, especially on the Internet. We are a nation that has been hit with various pressures – economic, social, spiritual and political. Each time I think about the hardships in our nation, I quickly remember those of USA in the late 1920s and early 30s – the Great Depression. When it ended, USA was never the same. They went into a boom, whose fruit is still being enjoyed to date. The 21st century USA could not have been, without the souls of the early 20th century, who helped transform the nation, by consuming the products and services. There is something about consumers in times of hardships, especially those that stand firm. I believe that knowing that special thing about Zimbabwe consumers will assist you in building a successful website. Literacy Have you ever wondered why it is so easy for Zimbabweans to adapt to new technologies? Notice how mobile phones, computers, satellite equipment, and DVD equipment, ha...

Because the Internet is not an academic priority in most Marketing Programmes in Zimbabwe, Web Marketing has been a nightmare for many marketers, seen by the inability to thrive online as they do offline. My first business mentor is one of Zimbabwe’s top Marketers, who took me up early 2003, when I quit my comfortable IT position at Zimpapers Natprint. I noticed that he was a student of online marketing ever since then, only to take up online business four years after, with a serious innovation, if I might add. I know another brilliant Marketer with more than ten world class food brands at her disposable, yet has only one website – a corporate website, that talks more about the company - Corporate Profile, than the products or its consumers. I will not mention bankers, clothing manufacturers, department stores, bookshops, car dealers, insurance institutes, asset managers, chemists, sports institutes, just to name a few. I love our marketers, but can not stand and watch them be overwhel...

Ko Zvaitasei? Is what my mother would shout out across the corridor, as Isabel, and I fought over one thing and the next. Her concern was harmony and happiness in the home. As my mother’s concern, Ko Zvaitasei, what has happened to Internet in Zimbabwe ? Internet has become a nightmare for the masses of Zimbabwe – Entrepreneurs, Consumers, Marketers, Government departments, and the IT Industry itself. The population of websites in Zimbabwe is less than mire 500, 000, making eCommerce a waste of effort. Those who look after websites, are not playing properly with those who make websites. Those who own websites are not satisfied with what they have. Those who consume website content are not interested with .CO.ZW sites as they are with .CO.ZA or .COMs. What has happened?