Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE partnership between Government, private sector, religious organisations, and private individuals should be prioritised to provide a quality and standard learning environment, ultimately improving education.
This was said by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Mugadza during the handover of essential building materials and solar-powered borehole at the United Methodist Church-run Gandanzara Primary School in Makoni, which was extensively damaged by a hailstorm late last year.
Minister Mugadza commended several organisations for their contributions to rebuilding the school.
These organisations include Angel of Hope, United Methodist Church, Old Mutual, and the Old Students Association, which donated building materials worth thousands of dollars.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services also provided free labour to reconstruct the damaged classroom blocks, aligning with Government’s call for collaborations.
The school, founded by missionaries in 1907, has a rich history and has produced several notable personalities.
“First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa kindly donated 80 bags of cement and other crucial building materials. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our development partners and stakeholders for their invaluable support in this endeavour.
“Your contributions serve as a shining example of the remarkable achievements made possible through collaborative efforts towards a common goal. Old Mutual generously supported with US$10 000 worth of building materials and United Methodist Church donated US$11 000 worth of materials.
“Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services graciously provided invaluable labour and their team is currently on site diligently working to repair the damaged infrastructure. Our dedicated Old Students Association also contributed 80 bags of cement. The provision of clean water and sanitation is a top priority for our Government. This borehole will significantly enhance the health and well-being of learners and staff, creating a more conducive learning environment,” said Minister Mugadza.
Makoni South Member of House of Assembly, Honourable Albert Nyakuedzwa said the urgent repair of damaged infrastructure in rural areas is in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no place and no person behind.
“Fifteen (15) schools in the constituency were affected by hailstorm last year, and we are happy with the response and assistance we are getting from Government to repair them. Government has brought us partners such as Old Mutual, Prevail Group, United Methodist Church, ZPCS and former learners to assist us. The school is now in a better state than it was before the disaster.
“We intend to construct an administration block through efforts of former learners. This is line with the President’s mantra of leaving no person or place behind,” said Honourable Nyakuedzwa.
Makoni Rural District Council acting chairperson, Councillor Ellah Hlanguyo said council is working hand-in-glove with Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and other partners to repair affected schools.
“We are glad that stakeholders heeded Government’s call to assist in repairing damaged schools. A lot of schools were affected by the hailstorm, and we were extremely lucky to have a visit from the First Lady, who assisted us with building materials to attend to the affected schools in Makoni South. Normalcy has returned back to the affected school,” she said.
