Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A GENEROUS portion of roasted chicken and beautiful Christmas dress were how Nyasha Razawo’s mother planned to spoil her 13-year-old daughter during the recent festive season.
This was in celebration of Nyasha’s outstanding performance in her junior school public examinations, where she defied all odds and excelled.
“I am overjoyed because my daughter passed her examination, and few people would have imagined that she would excel in her studies,” she said in her Ndau dialect.
“I pray that God blesses her with a laptop so that she can get more reading material on the internet as she starts a new chapter in her secondary education. I want the best for her, and I will keep praying for that.”
Nyasha, a young girl from Chibuwe Village in Chipinge, has faced unique challenges.
Born with a disability, her leg was amputated at just six-months-old. Despite this, Nyasha remains remarkably positive about life.
Her daily journey to pre-school was a daunting 10km walk, often becoming a nightmare due to mobility challenges. A makeshift artificial leg made walking difficult, and replacing it with a proper prosthetic leg seemed like an impossible dream for her family.
Financial constraints made it difficult for Nyasha’s family to afford a prosthetic leg, further exacerbating her mobility issues.
Nyasha’s plight touched the hearts of Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), prompting them to offer her an educational bursary and financial assistance for her treatment.
The State-owned diamond miner, which recently expanded its operations to Chimanimani, a town near Chipinge, known for its tourism and agriculture, made a commitment to cover Nyasha’s treatment costs, prosthetic leg expenses, and school fees through tertiary education.
ZCDC has taken Nyasha under its wings, covering her medical expenses, including physiotherapy. To alleviate her transportation challenges, the company enrolled her at Chipinge Primary School, which provides boarding facilities.
Thanks to a supportive learning environment and her own hard work, Nyasha excelled in her Grade Seven examinations, achieving an impressive eight units – exceeding the maximum possible score of six. Despite facing unique challenges, she continues to dream big.
Nyasha’s aspirations extend beyond her current circumstances; she hopes to become an orthopedic specialist, focusing on the correction of bone and muscle deformities. Her determination and resilience serve as a testament to her unyielding spirit.
“I nailed it,” an elated Nyasha said.
“I believe that I am now on course to realise my dream of becoming an orthopaedic technician. I really want to help people who have difficulties with bones. With the necessary support from my family and well-wishers I can reach this milestone.”
As Nyasha grows older, her prosthetic leg requires periodic replacement. ZCDC corporate affairs executive, Mr Sugar Chagonda emphasized the company’s commitment to education.
“Investing in education is one of our key result areas,” he said.
“We are thrilled to learn that Nyasha excelled in her public examinations. Her story embodies perseverance, hard work, and resilience,” said Mr Chagonda.
“Our company values education, and our corporate social investment programme ensures that underprivileged individuals in our operating communities and beyond receive basic education from primary to high school,” he said.
“We also offer scholarships to students pursuing tertiary education. At ZCDC, we have a deliberate policy of empowering the girl child, supporting her education from primary to tertiary levels. Currently, we are sponsoring two students at local universities, covering their tuition and living expenses. We will continue to extend support to those in need, aligned with our available resources,” he said.
Over the years, ZCDC has expanded its corporate social responsibility initiatives, extending support beyond its mining concessions to surrounding regions.
Despite the global decline in precious stone prices, the company paid a dividend of US$1,2 million to the Chiadzwa Community Share Ownership Trust this year.
These funds will support community projects, including providing safe drinking water and procuring food hampers for vulnerable groups affected by the El-Nino induced drought.
