By Tavonga Munyanyi
SHURUGWI – Renowned Shurugwi entrepreneur Nicholas Gara, who is the Director of Nichrut Trading, has broken ground for the construction of a new US$2.5 million boarding school in Munyanyi Village, Ward 3, under Chief Ndanga’s jurisdiction in Shurugwi South, in a move aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of inadequate infrastructure at rural schools.
The ground-breaking ceremony for Nichrut Private College was officiated on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and was attended by government officials, Shurugwi South Member of Parliament Wilson Mhuri, Tongogara Rural District Council representatives, ward councillors, village heads, teachers, and students.
Addressing the gathering, Permanent Secretary in the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution’s offce Dr Edgar Seenza, who was representing the Minister of State Owen Mudha, said the construction of Nichrut Private College resonated with the government’s drive for educational advancement and innovation.
“This event aligns with the President’s inclusive and people-centric policy decision to adopt Public-Private Partnership in advancing resource-based and knowledge-driven innovation, modernisation and industrialisation of the economy, underpinned by the National Development Strategy 2 pillar on infrastructure development and housing in pursuit of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030,” said Seenza.
He said construction of the school would positively impact the community through employment creation and youth empowerment, with the project expected to commence in September 2026 and employ more than 100 people.
“I applaud the Gara family, together with the massive support from the community and the church fraternity, for their unwavering commitment towards bolstering Heritage-Based Education 5.0 by nurturing a generation of thinkers and the provision of goods and services that address community needs,” said Seenza.
Speaking to TellZim News after the event, Gara emphasised the need to elevate rural schools, saying every child deserves good standards.
“I want to construct a state-of-the-art private college in my area because every child deserves good standards. If rural students access quality education, they will not be discriminated against by students from urban schools,” said Gara.
He underscored the importance of developing rural areas, stating that it was his desire to improve standards of living in Shurugwi and urging communities to work together towards fostering economic and sustainable development.
“It is very important to trace and upgrade our origins. I am a businessman who was born here in Shurugwi. Establishing business entities in my area will upgrade infrastructure and the community’s standards of living. I encourage people to work together and have a quest towards economic development,” said Gara.
Shurugwi South Ward 3 Councillor Lonely Makara expressed gratitude for the development, saying the new school would mitigate the shortage of educational facilities in the area and bring relief to children who travel long distances to access quality education.
“The new school will create modern classrooms, ample seating and cutting-edge facilities, providing a conducive learning environment for generations to come. Currently, we have one secondary school in Ward 3 which serves our neighbouring wards, including Ward 4, 8, 10 and 11. Some children are travelling to Shurugwi town to access better quality education, so this new school will bring relief to them,” said Makara.
A local parent from Ward 3, Beaullar Makanjure, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the construction of a new school in the area. She said the new educational facility would greatly benefit local parents by providing a more affordable option, thereby reducing the financial burden of transport fares for those travelling to Shurugwi town.
Another villager, Precious Mukombe, expressed excitement about the development, saying children would now access better quality education in the area.
“I am very happy with the construction of a new school in our area. Our children will have options to select a school of their choice,” she said.
