Matapatira 🦅

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

I had one rule this week: no one plays on Home Court until some old friends and I get some shots up.

Who’s got next? 🏀

[Al Jazeera English @AJEnglish]

BREAKING: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to resign on Monday and outline a timetable for his departure, according to UK media reports.

🔴 More on https://t.co/OCIH7J4Zwl

[Matapatira 🦅 @MatapatiraB]

Obama | 🇺🇸

[Amunet @freakoutsideofx]

The Obama Presidential Center is a BEAUTIFUL place!❤️

[TheNewsHawks @NewsHawksLive]

Zimbabwean-born author Sukoluhle "Sue" Nyathi is living a dream after a South African super-novella, The Polygamist, produced by Gugu Zuma-Ncube
is dominating the screens locally and elsewhere.
The Polygamist is based on the explosive 2012 debut novel by Nyathi who studied finance and investment at National University of Science & Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city.
It was produced by Zuma-Ncube, a South African producer, actress and daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and his ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a retired long-serving minister.
Zuma-Ncube is daughter-in-law to Zimbabwean politician Welshman Ncube, a professor of law. She is married to Wesley Bongani Ncube.
The Polygamist was directed by prominent Nigerian-born South African actor and writer best known for his role as Khaya Motene in the SABC 1 soapie Generations.
Originally self-published in 2012 after being rejected by multiple publishers, the book became a massive cultural phenomenon following its June 2026 global adaptation into a 22-episode Netflix supernovela.
The explosive story explores the deep complexities, secrets, and emotional wreckage of undercover polygamy in modern society.
African societies have a long history of polygamy which still exists, although it is now mainly underground.
Polygamy, specifically polygyny, where one man has multiple wives, is practiced by roughly 2% of the global population.
It is highly localised, with the highest concentration occurring in the "polygamy belt" of West and Central Africa, alongside select parts of the Middle East and South Asia.
It is also prevalent in Southern Africa, where Eswatini King Mswati III is the most prominent and leading polygamist with 16 wives, although some of them have died, quit or were divorced.
According to biblical and historical accounts, King Solomon of ancient Israel had 700 wives and 300 concubines.
The second Shah of Qajar Iran (1797–1834) is documented to have had more than 1 000 spouses.
A controversial Islamic cleric from Bida, Nigeria, gained international attention in 2008 for having 86 wives.
By the time of his passing in 2017, he reportedly had around 130 wives and 203 children.
Within days of its release, the hit drama, The Polygamist, soared to the No.3 spot on Netflix worldwide, holding the No. 1 position in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and several other countries across Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Premiered on June 12, 2026, the series explores themes of wealth, deception, and family dynamics, sparking viral debates across the continent and internationally.
The dramatic film follows a wealthy businessman named Jonas Gomora (played by S'dumo Mtshali) and his public image as a family man when he was living as a closet polygamist.
When he dies, Gomora's carefully hidden life of polygamy unravels, revealing a web of secret marriages, mistresses, and infidelity.
The drama — which features other prominent stars like Gugu Gumede— centres on his social media influencer wife uncovering the deception.
It is trending because the show has viewers and critics passionately debating the blurred lines between traditional polygamy and mere infidelity.
It has sparked huge debate on polygamy, infidelity, patriarchy, domestic violence and absent fathers.
Traditional polygamy requires consent and transparency, whereas the show's protagonist normalises deception and infidelity as part of his complicated life.
The film has also caused a spike in reading the original source material - the book - across South Africa and Zimbabwe, among other countries.
The Polygamist has South Africans from all walks of life talking and debating in animated and emotional ways.
In this Newzroom Afrika interview,
Arabile Gumede speaks to Nyathi, and Zuma-Ncube, the women who made it happen.

[Architecture Hub @archpng]

After yesterday’s star-studded opening ceremony, the Obama Presidential Center officially opens to the public today in Chicago’s Jackson Park.

The $850 million, 19.3-acre campus includes a museum, public library branch, gardens, playgrounds, walking trails, and civic spaces — designed as more than a traditional presidential library.

The opening has also renewed local debate over rising costs, displacement, and the project’s long-term impact on the South Side.

[The Washington Post @washingtonpost]

Barack Obama opened his presidential center in Chicago, the city that launched his trajectory to the White House as the country’s first Black president.

The 19-acre grounds open officially to the public on Friday, the Juneteenth holiday. https://t.co/9X7eLL4LWU

[MOFED&IP @ZimTreasury]

AIIB Meeting

Following Zimbabwe’s formal expression of interest in joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) through a letter addressed to the President and Chair of the Board of Directors in May 2026, the Hon.Minister of Finance. Prof.Mthuli Ncube accompanied by a @Treasury delegation held a strategic engagement at the Bank’s headquarters in Beijing today.

The delegation met with the President of the AIIB Jiayi Zou and AIIB senior management team to discuss Zimbabwe’s development priorities and the prospects of deepening cooperation as the country advances its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) (2026–2030) and Vision 2030 agenda.

During the discussions, the AIIB outlined its four priority areas, namely sustainable infrastructure development, green and climate-resilient infrastructure, regional connectivity and integration and mobilisation of capital for private sector development financing. These pillars guide the Bank’s financing approach across transport, energy, water, urban development, digital infrastructure and climate resilience projects.

The Hon. Minister pointed out the alignment between AIIB’s mandate and Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development needs, noting that the Bank’s priority areas strongly resonate with the country’s development agenda particularly climate change resilience and hydro-infrastructure development. He emphasized that Zimbabwe is seeking long-term financing and technical partnership to expand sustainable energy and water systems, which are central to the country’s economic transformation.

In response, the AIIB President commended Zimbabwe for recent macroeconomic stability gains, particularly in achieving single digit inflation, describing these achievements as critical foundations for sustainable development and successful infrastructure investment. She further expressed appreciation for Zimbabwe’s commitment to reforms and its interest in becoming a member of the Bank.

Both parties agreed to continue technical engagements toward Zimbabwe’s potential membership and project pipeline development, with a shared commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure growth.

[Hon Lt Gen (Rtd) Amb. AN Sanyatwe @HonMinSanyatwe]

I was delighted to receive H.E. Radisa Grujic, Ambassador of Serbia to Zimbabwe, for a productive engagement on strengthening Zimbabwe-Serbia relations through sport and culture.
Our discussions focused on expediting the finalisation of the outstanding Memorandum of Understanding on Sport and exploring opportunities around Zimbabwe's participation at Expo 2027 Belgrade. We remain committed to leveraging sport and cultural diplomacy to deepen bilateral cooperation and create opportunities for our people.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

.@Stone_SkyNews analyses what is in the agreement between the US and Iran.

Iran war latest: https://t.co/FazNtZhGPA

[Hon Lt Gen (Rtd) Amb. AN Sanyatwe @HonMinSanyatwe]

Today, I had the honour of welcoming His Excellency David A. Thomas, the newly appointed Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, on a courtesy call. Our discussions focused on deepening Zimbabwe–Namibia relations through sport, recreation, arts, and cultural exchanges, harnessing these vibrant sectors as bridges for people-to-people connections and engines of shared prosperity.
#SportDiplomacy
#ArtsAndCulture #ZimbabweNamibiaPartnership

[FranceNews24 @FranceNews24]

🔴 INFO - #USA : JD Vance met en garde #Netanyahou : « Ne jouez pas avec nous, vous risquez de tout perdre. Trump est votre dernier allié, le monde entier vous hait déjà. » #Israël #USA #Diplomatie 🇺🇸🇮🇱⚠️

[Fox News @FoxNews]

The moment President Trump signs the Iran deal at the Palace of Versailles.

The agreement was finalized during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron inside the historic palace.

The signing marked a major diplomatic milestone after months of negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

'I'm the boss.'

The U.S. president appeared to be in the mood for jokes as he smiled and spoke informally with other leaders and the media at a G7 meeting.

https://t.co/DzreVyeEJq

[Matapatira 🦅 @MatapatiraB]

Zimbabwe | 🇿🇼

Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) HARRISON DZUNGWA

Nom de guerre: Cde Cover Takurira

CHRONICLES: I was arrested by Frelimo soldiers whilst attempting to cross into Mozambique – herald https://t.co/WTw8wivTRM

[Zwelinzima Vavi @Zwelinzima1]

Please don't insult her for the truth she is telling

[Fox News @FoxNews]

BREAKING: A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base, triggering an emergency response.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene as thick black smoke billowed from the wreckage scattered across the desert airfield.

More details, including the condition of those on board, have not yet been released.

[Matapatira 🦅 @MatapatiraB]

@KingJayZim "my husband knocked him down" 🤣

[Pete Vowles @PeteVowles]

What a privilege to meet my musical hero, Leonard Zvakata.

I’ve played his music in every kitchen, car journey and party of my life.

And today, I met the man himself.