Tichaedza Chingombe

Human Resource Practitioner--Humanism at par-Human Resource Management

[Fortune Chasi @fortunechasi]

What Happens to Contributions of People with Less than 12 Months?

If a person has contributed to NSSA for less than 12 months, they do not qualify for either a pension or a retirement grant (lump sum). In this case, their contributions remain with NSSA, and they are not refunded. Essentially, these funds are absorbed into the scheme and help finance the benefits of other pensioners.

This situation has been a major criticism of NSSA, as it means that short-term contributors effectively lose their money without receiving any direct benefits. In many social security systems worldwide, some form of refund or transfer of contributions to another retirement fund is possible, but Zimbabwe’s NSSA does not currently offer this option.

Why Are Insurable Earnings Capped at $700?

The insurable earnings cap means that even if someone earns $2,000 or $5,000 per month, they only contribute based on a maximum salary of $700. This affects both contributions and benefits in the following ways:
1.Contribution Ceiling
•Employee Contribution: 4.5% of their monthly salary, but only up to a salary of $700.
•Employer Contribution: 4.5% as well.
•This means that even if someone earns $2,000 per month, their NSSA contribution is calculated as 4.5% of $700, not $2,000.
2.Pension Ceiling
•Since pensions are calculated based on average insurable earnings, the maximum pension is capped as well.
•If someone contributed based on $700 their entire career, their pension will be significantly lower than if it were based on their actual salary.

Why Does NSSA Have a Contribution and Pension Cap?

The $700 cap is a policy decision by NSSA to ensure that the pension fund remains sustainable. The reasons include:
1.Risk Sharing Across the System
•Social security systems work on a solidarity principle—higher earners help subsidize lower earners.
•By capping contributions, NSSA ensures that wealthier individuals do not receive disproportionately high pensions compared to lower earners.
2.Affordability for Employers and Employees
•If NSSA removed the cap, companies and employees earning high salaries would have to contribute much more.
•Many businesses may struggle with higher payroll costs, leading to job losses or non-compliance.
3.Pension Fund Sustainability
•If high earners could contribute and claim benefits based on their full salary, NSSA would need far greater reserves to pay pensions in the long run.
•Given Zimbabwe’s economic instability and inflation, keeping benefits at a capped level helps maintain the fund.

Criticism of the Cap
•The cap disadvantages high earners, as they contribute a relatively small percentage of their actual earnings but cannot claim a pension reflecting their full salary.
•It reduces retirement security, especially for middle- and high-income workers who would expect a pension reflecting their lifelong contributions.
•Many people seek private pensions or investment options to supplement their retirement, knowing NSSA will not provide sufficient income.

Possible Reforms

To address these concerns, NSSA could:
1.Increase the Insurable Earnings Cap—adjust the $700 limit periodically to reflect inflation and rising wages.
2.Offer Contribution Refunds for those who contributed for less than 12 months.
3.Introduce a Tiered System—where higher earners can voluntarily contribute more to receive higher pensions later.

Conclusion
•If you contributed for less than 12 months, your contributions are forfeited.
•The $700 cap limits both contributions and pension benefits, preventing high earners from receiving pensions based on their full salary.
•The system is designed to be sustainable and affordable but comes at the cost of fairness and flexibility.

[Fortune Chasi @fortunechasi]

Yes, NSSA can and should be audited. The law provides for financial oversight and audits, but enforcement has been weak. Some key points:
https://t.co/AgmWNefdHX Framework for Audits
•NSSA operates under the National Social Security Authority Act [Chapter 17:04], which requires annual financial audits.
•Section 39(1) of the NSSA Act states that NSSA’s accounts must be audited by the Auditor-General, but past audits have revealed irregularities without leading to reforms.
•The Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] also mandates proper handling of public funds.

[Fortune Chasi @fortunechasi]

How is the NSSA Pension Calculated in Zimbabwe?

The calculation of the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) pension in Zimbabwe follows a formula based on your average insurable earnings, the number of contribution years, and a fixed accrual rate. The pension amount is determined using the following standard formula:

1. Pension Formula

The NSSA retirement pension is calculated as:



Where:
•Average Insurable Earnings (AIE): This is the average of your highest 12 months of insurable earnings within the last five years before retirement.
•Accrual Rate: The standard accrual rate is 1.333% (0.01333) per year of contribution.
•Contribution Years: The total number of years you contributed to the NSSA scheme.

2. Example Calculation

Scenario 1: Worker Who Contributed for 20 Years
•Average Insurable Earnings (AIE): USD 700 (assuming the maximum insurable earnings)
•Accrual Rate: 1.333% (0.01333)
•Contribution Years: 20







Thus, the retiree would receive USD 186.62 per month as a pension.

Scenario 2: Worker Who Contributed for 10 Years

If the worker contributed for only 10 years, then:







Thus, the pension would be USD 93.31 per month.

3. Minimum and Maximum Pension Amounts
•Minimum Pension: NSSA sets a minimum monthly pension amount to ensure retirees receive a livable amount, even if their calculated pension is lower. The current minimum NSSA pension is USD 60 per month.
•Maximum Pension: The pension amount is capped based on the maximum insurable earnings, which are currently set at USD 700 per month.

4. Retirement Grant (Lump Sum Payment Instead of a Pension)

If a person has contributed for less than 10 years but at least 12 months, they do not qualify for a monthly pension. Instead, they receive a one-time lump sum payment called a retirement grant. The grant is calculated as:



This means that if you contributed for 5 years, you would receive back all your NSSA contributions plus interest at a rate determined by NSSA.

5. Factors Affecting the Pension Amount
•Longer Contribution Period = Higher Pension: The more years you contribute, the higher your pension.
•Higher Insurable Earnings = Higher Pension: If your salary was always at the NSSA ceiling (USD 700), your pension will be higher.
•Inflation Adjustments: NSSA periodically adjusts pensions to account for inflation.

6. Early or Late Retirement Adjustments
•Early Retirement (55 years, arduous jobs): Pension may be slightly reduced.
•Late Retirement (65 years): Additional contributions can increase the pension amount.

Conclusion

The NSSA pension calculation is straightforward but depends heavily on your earnings history and the number of years you contributed. The more you contribute, the higher your pension. If you contributed for less than 10 years, you receive a lump sum instead of a monthly pension.

[Fortune Chasi @fortunechasi]

Documentation:
•Ensure all necessary documents, such as proof of age, employment history, and contribution records, are in order when applying for benefits.

Relevant Case Law:
•Nyambirai v. National Social Security Authority & Another (1996): This landmark case challenged the compulsory nature of NSSA contributions, arguing it infringed on property rights. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of mandatory contributions, emphasizing the importance of social security schemes for public welfare.
•Elizabeth Chitiga v. National Social Security Authority (2019): In this case, the High Court addressed issues related to the calculation and disbursement of benefits, reinforcing the necessity for NSSA to adhere strictly to its governing statutes and regulations.

Understanding and exercising your rights regarding NSSA contributions and benefits is crucial for securing your financial future and accessing the social security provisions e

[Fortune Chasi @fortunechasi]

In Zimbabwe, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) administers social security schemes to provide financial protection for employees and their dependents. Understanding your rights concerning NSSA contributions and benefits is essential for securing your financial future.

Legal Framework:

The National Social Security Authority Act [Chapter 17:04] establishes NSSA and empowers the Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare to set up social security schemes for employees’ benefits. Specifically, Section 3 of the Act authorizes the establishment of such schemes. 

Your Rights Regarding NSSA Contributions:
1.Equal Contribution Rates:
•Employee and Employer Contributions: Both employees and employers are required to contribute equally to the NSSA scheme. As stipulated in Section 20 of the Act, each contributes a prescribed percentage of the employee’s insurable earnings. 
2.Insurable Earnings Ceiling:
•Maximum Insurable Earnings: There is a cap on the amount of earnings subject to NSSA contributions. As per the National Social Security Authority (Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (Rates and Benefits)) (Amendment) Notice, 2024 (No. 33), effective June 1, 2024, this ceiling is set at USD 700 per month. 
3.Access to Benefits:
•Qualifying for Benefits: After contributing for the minimum required period and meeting specific conditions, you are entitled to various benefits, including retirement pensions, survivor’s benefits, and disability benefits. These provisions are outlined in Section 22 of the Act. 
4.Transparency in Deductions:
•Payslip Documentation: Employers must clearly indicate NSSA deductions on your payslip. This ensures transparency and allows you to verify that contributions are correctly deducted and remitted. While the Act mandates employer compliance, specific payslip documentation requirements are detailed in NSSA’s internal guidelines.
5.Right to Information:
•Accessing Contribution Records: You have the right to access your contribution records maintained by NSSA to verify that your contributions are up to date. This right is supported by Section 4 of the Act, which outlines NSSA’s functions, including maintaining accurate records. 
6.Portability of Benefits:
•Continuity Across Employment: Your NSSA contributions and accrued benefits are portable, meaning they remain valid and continue to accumulate even if you change employers within Zimbabwe. This is facilitated by the continuous nature of the social security schemes established under the Act.

Eligibility for Retirement Benefits:
1.Normal Retirement:
•Age Requirement: 60 years
•Contribution Period: At least 10 years
•Employment Status: Must have ceased employment
2.Early Retirement (Arduous Employment):
•Age Requirement: 55 years
•Contribution Period: At least 10 years, with at least 7 of the last 10 years in designated arduous occupations
•Employment Status: Must have ceased employment
3.Late Retirement:
•Age Requirement: 65 years
•Contribution Period: At least 10 years
•Employment Status: May continue employment until choosing to retire

Form of Benefits:
•Monthly Pension:
•Eligibility: Contributors with at least 10 years of contributions
•Details: Provides a regular monthly income upon retirement
•Lump Sum Payment (Retirement Grant):
•Eligibility: Contributors with less than 10 years but at least 12 months of contributions
•Details: A one-time payment instead of a monthly pension

Important Considerations:
•Re-employment After Retirement:
•If you resume employment before age 65 after starting to receive a retirement pension, your pension payments will be suspended during the period of re-employment. Additional contributions made during this time will be treated separately and can be claimed upon subsequent retirement. 
•stablished by law.

[Fortune Chasi @fortunechasi]

Check your pay-slip. You will see a deduction in favor of NSSA. Do you know your rights? When can you benefit? What does the LAW say? Speaking with many, they have no clue & only focus on the company pension scheme. Below i summarize the law and your rights.

[Tichaedza Chingombe @TichaedzaC]

@LynneStactia Bragging with zanu pf's oppression was offside too

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

This is the letter that King Leopold of Belgium sent to white missionaries in the Congo.

He said Africans must be taught that their riches were in heaven and not on earth.

He said Africans were to be taught to read but not to reason.He told the missionaries to teach Africans that Happy are those who are weeping because the Kingdom of God is theirs.

He asked the missionaries to teach Africans that it was impossible for the Rich to enter heaven.And that letter defines the Africa we have today!

Find the letter below in text or attached video.
-----------------------------------

“Reverends, Fathers and Dear Compatriots: The task that is given to fulfill is very delicate and requires much tact. You will go certainly to evangelize, but your evangelization must inspire above all Belgium interests.

Your principal objective in our mission in the Congo is never to teach the niggers to know God, this they know already.
They speak and submit to a Mungu, one Nzambi, one Nzakomba, and what else I don’t know.
They know that to kill, to sleep with someone else’s wife, to lie and to insult is bad. Have courage to admit it; you are not going to teach them what they know already.
Your essential role is to facilitate the task of administrators and industrials, which means you will go to interpret the gospel in the way it will be the best to protect your interests in that part of the world.

For these things, you have to keep watch on disinteresting our savages from the richness that is plenty [in their underground.
To avoid that, they get interested in it, and make you murderous] competition and dream one day to overthrow you.
Your knowledge of the gospel will allow you to find texts ordering, and encouraging your followers to love poverty, like “Happier are the poor because they will inherit the heaven” and, “It’s very difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

You have to detach from them and make them disrespect everything which gives courage to affront us. I make reference to their Mystic System and their war fetish – warfare protection – which they pretend not to want to abandon, and you must do everything in your power to make it disappear.

Your action will be directed essentially to the younger ones, for they won’t revolt when the recommendation of the priest is contradictory to their parent’s teachings.
The children have to learn to obey what the missionary recommends, who is the father of their soul.

You must singularly insist on their total submission and obedience, avoid developing the spirit in the schools, teach students to read and not to reason.
There, dear patriots, are some of the principles that you must apply.
You will find many other books, which will be given to you at the end of this conference.

Evangelize the niggers so that they stay forever in submission to the white colonialists, so they never revolt against the restraints they are undergoing. Recite every day – “Happy are those who are weeping because the kingdom of God is for them.”

Convert always the blacks by using the whip. Keep their women in nine months of submission to work freely for us. Force them to pay you in sign of recognition-goats, chicken or eggs-every time you visit their villages.
And make sure that niggers never become rich.
Sing every day that it’s impossible for the rich to enter heaven.
Make them pay tax each week at Sunday mass. Use the money supposed for the poor, to build flourishing business centres.
Institute a confessional system, which allows you to be good detectives denouncing any black that has a different consciousness contrary to that of the decision-maker.
Teach the niggers to forget their heroes and to adore only ours. Never present a chair to a black that comes to visit you. Don’t give him more than one cigarette. Never invite him for dinner even if he gives you a chicken every time you arrive at his house.

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

The Head of the SADC Election Observer Team, Dr Nevers Mumba submitted the final SADC report to the SADC Troika chair, President Hakainde Hichilema.

Dr Nevers Mumba talks in depth here about the whole process.

RETWEET

[K @begottensun]

Marondera you made my day! 🤣🔥

[Team Pachedu @PacheduZW]

Thank you Zimbabwe.

You have supported us in the past 5 years and we will continue to do our best. Our teams were up the entire night sorting data. We continued receiving lists until 3am this morning.

Thank you all for the support. God bless you, Gob bless Zimbabwe.

[Tichaedza Chingombe @TichaedzaC]

The Great Prof!

[Prof. Arthur G.O. Mutambara @amutambara]

The Liberation Struggle & the ZANU Modus Operandi

Book Excerpt from:

In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream, Volume III (Ideas & Solutions)

One of the unique opportunities I enjoy, while serving in the Inclusive Government from 2009 to 2013, is spending a lot of time in bilateral discussions with Robert Mugabe.

Just the two of us.

We sit at State House and chat for hours.

Mugabe is relaxed and, being a great storyteller, he entertains my inquisitive mind for hours on end.

It becomes a ritual for us to discuss government business and then digress onto other subjects, in particular history and global affairs.

Our conversations run through the entire duration of the GNU.

In that same period, I also spend a lot of time in extensive discussions with other liberation icons such as Edgar Tekere, Solomon Mujuru, Joseph Msika, Nathan Shamuyarira and Wilfred Mhanda.

My primary objective is to consolidate my understanding of the liberation struggle by engaging some of the key players in that epic journey to Zimbabwe’s independence.

As already indicated, President Mugabe and I spend a lot of time together talking.

We cover everything and anything.

These are intimate interactions that give me profound insights into Robert Mugabe – the political gladiator.

Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle is our focus.

Early on, in our conversations, I am very keen to understand the story behind Ndabaningi Sithole’s loss of the leadership of ZANU.

‘’Tell me about the Reverend. What happened?’’

Mugabe charmingly smiles and says:

“Let me tell you a story.

It all happened at one meeting during the Summit on Zimbabwe organised by the Frontline States Presidents in Dar es Salaam in September 1976 just before the Geneva Conference, held later that year from October to December.

Chairing the meeting is President Julius Nyerere.

Also present are Presidents Samora Machel and Kenneth Kaunda.

The entire Zimbabwean political leadership – Joshua Nkomo, Abel Muzorewa, Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere and I – all of us were there.

Nyerere really liked Sithole who had done a book on him.

On the other hand, Nyerere never really liked me – he had this antipathy towards me throughout our national liberation struggle.

He only started warming up to me after the independence of Zimbabwe. Anyway, back to the matter at hand;

Nyerere starts by asking Sithole: ‘Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, which party do you belong to?’

Sithole thought about it for a moment and gave what he thought was the politically correct answer.

‘I belong to the African National Council (ANC), which is led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa.’

In his mind, Sithole figured that the Southern African Presidents wanted unity and would be firmly in favour of the ANC umbrella organisation that they had imposed on the Zimbabwean nationalists through the signing of the Lusaka Declaration on 9 December 1974.

However, the ANC was already unravelling with infighting between Joshua Nkomo and Abel Muzorewa’s supporters.

We of ZANU were never interested in that ANC charade.

Yaingove tamba wakachenjera. (It was just a deceptive power play).

Nyerere felt Sithole had given the wrong answer and wanted to assist his favourite Zimbabwean nationalist.

So he says: ‘Reverend Sithole, I am going to ask you again. Which party do you belong to?’

Sithole, being the aggressive and self- assured type, becomes agitated and angrily responds:

‘I have already told you. I belong to the ANC, which is led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa!’

Nyerere then says: ‘It is fine and in order. I hear you loud and clear Reverend Sithole,’ and proceeds with his round-robin exercise.

‘Joshua Nkomo, which party do you belong to?’ Nkomo says: ‘ZAPU.’

‘Robert Mugabe, which party do you belong to?’ I say: ‘ZANU’.

‘Edgar Tekere, which party do you belong to?’ Tekere says: ‘ZANU.’”

At that point in the description of the events, President Mugabe bursts into uncontrolled laughter.

When he gathers his composure, he continues with the narration:

“You see, Professor Mutambara, your man rejected the party – ZANU – in front of everyone!

Even his friend Nyerere could not help him.

What did you want us to do?

There you have it, Sithole openly dissociated himself from ZANU in favour of Muzorewa’s ANC.

He categorically declared himself so to the Presidents of the Frontline States. It is an open-and-shut case, Professor Mutambara!

Anyway, two days after that meeting, Sithole, realising that he had made a monumental blunder, calls a press conference and declares:

‘I am pulling my ZANU out of the ANC.’

What a clumsy overgrown baby! Who does such amateurish flip-flopping?

Absolute political insanity!”

Another rip-roaring fit of laughter follows from Bona’s son.

What I find striking is that Robert Mugabe does not bother to give me the traditional accusations that are levelled, at the point in 1976, against Sithole:

‘A sell- out who denounces the armed struggle in the dock, his deposition by his colleagues in prison, not paying attention to fighters’ needs when he came out of prison, not defending the arrested ZANU Dare ReChimurenga and High Command leadership after Herbert Chitepo’s death in Zambia, general lack of commitment to the armed struggle and debilitating cowardice.’

What this says to me is that while these transgressions are officially and formally advanced as constituting the rationale for Sithole’s deposition, at the root of it all is just a Game of Thrones – a power play where political actors outmanoeuvre each other as unbridled ambition and an inordinate lust for influence and control pervade all judgements and decisions.

Liberation struggle values and principles, and grand narratives of revolution, just become convenient tools in pursuit of power by individuals and groups.

Trickery, subterfuge, deceit, deception, disinformation and cold-blooded murder are acceptable instruments.

Sad.

At the end of our discussion, in a more reflective mood, Mugabe is fairly charitable to Sithole and says:

‘’I blame lack of experience for all the mistakes and mishaps that Ndabaningi Sithole went through.

Of course, he meant well.

We were all operating in uncharted territory.

In any case, politics is a blunt instrument, Professor Mutambara. If you use it to carry out a Caesarean operation, you might deliver the baby, but many organs will be damaged in the process.

The mother might even die!

That is politics for you.

Take care!’’

Fast forward to November 2017, when Robert Mugabe is taken out by a coup d’état, and in his apoplectic fury, he publicly supports the opposition in the 30 July 2018 general elections.

The ZANU-PF war veterans and the party’s top leadership are absolutely disgusted and angered.

Through Victor Matemadanda, Mabel Chinomona and Oppah Muchinguri, they advance rabid and incredulous accusations against Mugabe which are not very dissimilar from those levelled against Ndabaningi Sithole when he was deposed in 1975:

‘’Robert Mugabe has always been a sell-out. He did not do any fighting.

Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, he has been working with the West to undermine the country’’;

They incredulously lambast him.

For these shameless and mindless ZANU-PF functionaries to dish out these charges against Mugabe in 2018 after having worked with him as their leader for 40 years, from 1977 to 2017, is beyond absurd.

It is dumbfounding.

It is rich indeed.

Why would you have a sell-out as your frontman for all those years?

Why install such a man as the leader of the country for 37 years?

Of course, the vitriolic attacks are hollow and without meaning, just as similar allegations were vacuous against Ndabaningi Sithole.

The charges are just meant to suit the new circumstances of power.

For Robert Mugabe, maybe it is the revenge of history, as the narrative of deception and deceit comes full circle.

He is getting a taste of his own medicine.

It also means historians and scholars must revisit the allegations levelled against all
individuals and groups that fell out of favour with the ZANU-PF leadership over the years – such as Ndabaningi Sithole, the ZIPA commanders, the Gumbo-Hamadziripi group, Edgar Tekere, Joice Mujuru and indeed, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

That charge sheet against Mnangagwa read out by SK Moyo fits into the ZANU modus operandi.

Evidently, transgressions and misdemeanours are fabricated to justify and explain away the retributive actions against the perceived rebels, thus paving the way for a new dispensation.

The objective is the delegitimization of rivals, thus justifying their political and sometimes physical elimination.

That is the ZANU style, playbook, and modus operandi.

Nothing has changed since the liberation struggle.

[Tichaedza Chingombe @TichaedzaC]

@amutambara @OSamukute thank you, Prof ...Interesting reads always.

[King Jay🇿🇼 @KingJayZim]

Cecil John Rhodes -The Arch Imperialist!

Sit back,grab some biltong,popcorn,and a drink of your choice and watch this doccie.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

On Juneteenth, we commemorate the anniversary of the delayed but welcome news of freedom reaching the enslaved Black folks in Galveston, Texas. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest hours, there is cause to hope — and a reason to keep building a country that lives up to its highest ideals.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

I had fun answering some questions about my work journey. Check it out, and then make sure to watch Working: What We Do All Day on Netflix.

[Tichaedza Chingombe @TichaedzaC]

@RTsvangirayi Saveee wangu

[HRCurator @HRCurator]

RT @TichaedzaC Thx4RT fr @HRCurator: When ping pong fails: the real driver of employee #engagement - HRD https://t.co/IYAJCx1CSi via @HRDCommunity #e4s #HR #HCM #management #leadership

[HRCurator @HRCurator]

RT @TichaedzaC Thx4RT fr @HRCurator: #Elearning in the workplace: Four common misconceptions debunked https://t.co/bBXTbzw4vp @TrainingJournal #learning #HRTech #FutureofLearning

[HRCurator @HRCurator]

RT @samirdawoodani @avarma2008 @Weichert45 @jarendavid @coinsamatik @jasonaverbook @ebcrew00 @TichaedzaC @Sheyionasanya Thx4RT fr @HRCurator: How To Shift From Administrative #HR To People Operations via @forbes https://t.co/fIoC3OJW1V #HCM #FutureofHR