By Staff ReporterMASVINGO – A debate ensued during Masvingo City full council meeting after two councillors from the city’s northern suburbs accused the local authority of concentrating development in highdensity areas across Mucheke River, while their wards where ‘most revenue is generated continue to be neglected’.Ward 9 Councillor Bernad Muchokwa and Ward 10 Councillor Sengerayi Manyanga, whose wards cover Masvingo town, Rhodene, Zimre Park, Eastvale, Eastlea and 4 Brigade Headquarters, expressed frustration over what they described as a deliberate bias in the allocation of projects.Muchokwa listed several projects that had been completed or were underway in the highdensity suburbs of Mucheke, Rujeko and Runyararo, while nothing similar had been done on the northern side of the city.“We constructed Rujeko Secondary School, a swimming pool in Runyararo, maternity wings at Runyararo and Runyararo North West Clinics, and now council is proposing to build a school in Runyararo and another in Runyararo West. But this side of town, where most revenue comes from, is getting nothing,” said Muchokwa.He said his ward had appealed for a fruit and vegetable market and for public toilets, but no action had been taken.“We appealed for a fruit and vegetable market, but up to now nothing has been done. We are appealing for toilets, but we aren’t getting them. Yet the swimming pool and maternity wings across Mucheke did not take time. Why is development concentrated across Mucheke?” he asked.Councillor Manyanga added that the two wards had only three government schools, Victoria High, Victoria Junior and Hellen McGie Primary, which are being flooded by learners from across Mucheke who prefer those institutions over schools in their own areas.“We only have three schools, and we appealed to council to construct another school that meets the standards of the three already existing because we have seen that from Rank (Ward 1) to Ward 8, all the learners prefer to come to this side. We even appealed for council to allow Hellen McGie to extend and build uprising buildings to meet the demand,” said Manyanga.Responding sharply, Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe told the two councillors that they should not complain because their side received expensive services that highdensity residents can only dream of.“You shouldn’t be complaining. I don’t want to say much, but I am sure you are aware that in Rhodene there are no potholes. If roads are damaged, we repair them, and tarring is expensive. But in Mucheke we use gravel to repair damaged roads. So don’t complain,” said Tabe.Deputy Mayor Daniel Mberikunashe weighed in, arguing that comparing the two sides of the city was unfair and that the northern suburbs could simply lobby for a school through proper channels if land is available.“Some other things cannot be compared. Let them apply that we have 200 or 300 square metre stands in Rhodene and see if it’s possible. So we should avoid comparing because there is a reason why the planners said this side should be for people of this level. There are a lot of people in Mucheke, and a lot of money comes from there,” said Mberikunashe.He said there were no dusty roads in Rhodene and threatened that if they continue comparing then councilors from the southern side would resolve to start developing that side until it matches the standards of ward 9 and 10. “If you want a school, just lobby through the planning department so that if there is space, you get one. If we talk of roads, they drive from Rhodene up to here with clean cars, no dust. But look at us from Mucheke. Even if we look at those who owe council money, it’s this side. So we shouldn’t compare, because we will then say all development should go to Mucheke until we have roads like Rhodene.”
From Rejection to Stardom: How a Grade Six Soccer Certificate Unlocked a Premier League Career
By Tadiwa ShunjeMASVINGO – When her Grade Seven results fell short of the entry requirements for Seke 1 High School, Priviledge Magagani’s future seemed uncertain. But her mother refused to give up. Armed with a single piece of paper, a certificate naming her the best Grade Six soccer player at Mberi Primary School, she convinced the school to give her daughter a chance. Today, Magagani is a second-year Social Work student at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University and one of the most exciting players in the Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League.Now 23, Magagani has become a household name in the country’s topflight women’s football. Known for her blistering pace, twofooted ability, and relentless work ethic, she is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the league. Her nickname, “Chimudhudhu” (the speedy one), follows her everywhere she plays a tribute to the speed that leaves defenders trailing.Magagani currently plays for Rufaro Starlets Queens FC in the Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League (ZWPSL) and balances her football career with university studies.She recalls how her mother’s persistence changed everything. “Seke 1 wanted learners with 12 units, and my results were lower than that. My mother took my certificate to the school and showed them that I played soccer. They prioritised football there, so they gave me a chance,” said Magagani.That opportunity became the foundation of both her academic and sporting career. At Seke 1 High School, she balanced schoolwork with competitive football before earning a scholarship to Rufaro High School, where she completed both her O and A Level studies while continuing to play regularly.She said football opened doors she never imagined possible. “I wouldn’t be here without soccer. It gave me school, and school gave me options. Now I’m trying to make both count,” she said.Magagani’s competitive nature pushed her to work harder at every stage. “I don’t like losing. Even at training, if someone beats me, I want to come back stronger. People started saying I run faster than the ball, and that’s how the nickname came,” she said.Her speed and ability to use both feet comfortably have made her one of the team’s most versatile players. She can operate as a left winger, right attacker, or left back depending on the team’s needs. “Coach puts me wherever there is a gap. Left, right, back, or forward – as long as I’m on the pitch, I will work for the team,” she said.One of her standout achievements came in 2022 when she scored six goals in a Northern Region tournament and finished as the competition’s top goal scorer, even though her side lost to Black Rhinos earlier in the league season.Now playing in the country’s premier women’s league, Magagani hopes to cement a regular starting place at Rufaro Starlets while helping the club finish strongly this season. “My target is for the team to finish in the top 10, and personally I want to score more goals because I only have one so far,” she said.Balancing university studies, training sessions, and matches has not been easy, but Magagani believes education remains important for her future beyond football. “Soccer doesn’t last forever. My degree is my backup plan. On the field there are injuries and challenges, but I stay focused unless it’s something serious. I always want to be there when my team wins and we celebrate together,” said Magagani.Rufaro Starlets coach Langton Giwa praised Magagani’s determination and versatility, describing her as an important player in the squad this season.
GZU, MaRODO partner to tackle youth mental health challenges
By Staff ReporterGreat Zimbabwe University (GZU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Masvingo Root of Development Organization Trust (MaRODO) in a move aimed at strengthening mental health support, research and community outreach programmes for young people in Masvingo Province.The agreement, signed on May 18, 2026 brings together the university’s academic expertise and MaRODO’s community-based youth initiatives under the Helping Everyone Achieve Robust Thoughts and Souls (HEARTS) programme.The initiative seeks to address the growing mental health challenges affecting young people, including depression, drug and substance abuse, anxiety and suicide.GZU Registrar Dr Sinikiwe Gwatidzo signed the agreement on behalf of the university, while MaRODO founder and executive director Acknowledge Mawere represented the youth-led organisation.Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mawere emphasised the importance of prioritising mental health in national development efforts.“Everything begins with the mind. Mental health is foundational to human wellbeing, productivity, peace and development. We are building a generation where asking for help is accepted, where speaking out is normalized and where emotional vulnerability is not viewed as weakness. Through partnerships such as this one, we envision a Masvingo Province with zero suicide cases and reduced crime linked to mental health challenges,” said Mawere.Mawere appealed to development partners, corporates, researchers, non-governmental organisations and well-wishers to support the initiative.“MaRODO is not merely youth-led, but results-driven and impact-driven. Investing in mental health is not an expense; it is an investment in peace, productivity, human capital and national development,” he said.GZU Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Business Development and Industrialisation Professor Marian Tukuta said the partnership should go beyond ceremonial commitments and result in meaningful programmes that positively impact communities.She also commended the Julius Nyerere School of Social Sciences, which will oversee the collaboration, for actively pursuing partnerships with community-based organizations that work directly with young people.The partnership comes at a time when mental health concerns among youths are increasingly becoming a national issue, particularly in urban communities and tertiary institutions. Stakeholders in the health and education sectors have raised alarm over the rise in substance abuse and mental health-related cases affecting young people across Zimbabwe.Through the HEARTS initiative, the two institutions aim to promote a mentally healthy and resilient youth population by providing psychosocial support, mental health education, research opportunities and improved access to affordable care services. The programme will target schools, communities and tertiary institutions throughout Masvingo Province.GZU will provide academic and technical support to the programme including training peer educators, supporting research projects and encouraging student participation in community outreach activities. The university will also make selected facilities, including lecture rooms, innovation hubs and libraries, available for joint programmes and engagements.MaRODO, on the other hand, will lead community outreach programmes and coordinate the training of youth peer educators. The organisation also plans to establish youth empowerment hubs that will serve as safe spaces for counselling, mentorship and resilience-building activities for young people.In addition, the organisation will spearhead advocacy campaigns and digital awareness initiatives aimed at reducing stigma surrounding mental health. Working together with GZU, MaRODO will also help translate academic research into practical community interventions in line with Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 framework.The two institutions are also expected to jointly host workshops, leadership seminars, mentorship programmes and mental health awareness campaigns designed to strengthen youth wellbeing and community resilience..
Abductions, arbitrary arrests top Zimbabwe human rights violations in April
By Staff ReporterAbductions and arbitrary arrests remained among the leading human rights violations recorded in Zimbabwe during April 2026, according to a new report released by Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP).The organisation recorded 145 human rights violations during the month, affecting at least 3 675 people across the country, a figure ZPP described as alarming.In its latest monitoring report, ZPP raised concern over what it described as a growing pattern in which individuals allegedly abducted by suspected state security agents later reappear in police custody, raising questions about the legality and transparency of arrests.“Recent incidents reflect a deeply concerning pattern in which citizens abducted by suspected state security agents are subsequently discovered in formal police custody, blurring the line between lawful arrest procedures and abductions.“On 23 April 2026 individuals suspected to be state security agents. The victims were likely identified during the distribution of fliers and mobilisation for a planned demonstration. Witnesses stated that the operatives, who were travelling in Mahindra vehicles and carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols, removed the individuals simultaneously from their homes without presenting arrest warrants or identifying themselves,” reads part of the report.ZPP said the MDC members were allegedly abducted ahead of a planned demonstration organised by the party.“Following public outcry and alerts circulated through private media, the victims were later located at Harare Central Police Station at approximately 07:00am, where they remained in the custody of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). “Additionally, the seventh victim, a member of the MDC, was arrested after visiting the police station to follow up on the party’s notice for a peaceful demonstration. He was subsequently charged together with the others for allegedly ‘inciting violence’,” reads another section of the report.The report also highlighted the case of Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP) youth leader Emmanuel Sitima, who was allegedly abducted and unlawfully arrested in Mabvuku.“Sitima was assaulted, slapped, publicly labelled a thief allegedly carrying a firearm, and forcibly taken away in an unmarked vehicle before later being delivered to Harare Central Police Station without initially being informed of the charges against him,” reads the report.The report also cited cases involving arrests linked to opposition against Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3.“In another case of unjustified arrests, a commuter omnibus operator was arrested after police allegedly discovered anti-Constitution Amendment Bill (3) campaign material in his vehicle, leading to charges of inciting public violence.“His arrest occurred after he went to the police to file a complaint against ZANU PF youths who had assaulted him at his workplace in Waterfalls, destroyed his property, and forced the closure of his business. Instead of receiving protection and assistance as a complainant, he was arrested, denied bail, and remains in custody pending trial,” reads the report.Apart from arrests and abductions, ZPP also noted cases involving administrative abuse by government and local authority officials topped violations with the organisation documenting 16 such cases during April, including incidents in which citizens were allegedly coerced into making financial contributions towards state functions and local activities.“In Chipinge East, a District Schools Inspectors (DSI), Mr Ndamuka Tarubereka, directed teachers from the district to contribute US$3 each towards Provincial Independence Day celebrations held at Gaza Stadium in Chipinge and instructed school heads to compile lists of those who had paid, while threatening non-contributors with exclusion from possible national incentivised duties,” reads part of the report.The report said similar incidents were also recorded in Chipinge Central and Mutasa Central Ward 13, where teachers and village heads were allegedly pressured to contribute money towards Independence Day activities.ZPP also highlighted allegations from Masvingo South Ward 20 involving community members seeking treatment at Zibhowa Rural Clinic.“In Zaka South, Ward 20, reports from Zibhowa Rural Clinic confirmed that community members seeking medication were being forced by Councillor Walter Masaka and Felix Tambade, an assistant to the village head to pay fees of US$2 for adults and US$1 for minors under the pretext of clinic development, despite the Health Centre Committee and the clinic administration being unaware of the arrangement,” reads part of the report.Masvingo Province in April recorded 24 human rights violations during the period under review, with most cases linked to political intimidation, coercion and restricted access to basic services.“In Masvingo Province, 24 human rights violations were documented, largely reflecting political intimidation, coercion, and restricted access to basic services. The most serious incidents involved forced political participation, including in Bikita South Ward 29, where residents were compelled to sign pre-filled Constitutional Amendment Bill forms under village leadership pressure, with no genuine option to dissent, undermining freedoms of expression and political choice. “In Masvingo Central, Ward 15, an elderly man was harassed and threatened by a war veteran for wearing an opposition party T-shirt during Independence Day commemorations, illustrating restrictions on political expression and intimidation. In Chiredzi East, beneficiaries of agricultural support were excluded from receiving vegetable seed distributions and cash assistance based on perceived political affiliation, constituting discrimination in access to state support,” reads the report.
162 Arrested, $7m Drugs Seized within 5 months in Masvingo
By Staff ReporterMasvingo – At least 162 people have been arrested and drugs valued at over $7 million recovered in Masvingo Province since January, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira has revealed, as the government intensifies its fight against drug and substance abuse across the province.Presenting a press statement on May 21, 2026, Chadzamira said the province was fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all Zimbabweans and building a drugfree, healthy, and productive society under the Zimbabwe MultiSectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 20242030, which was approved by Cabinet in April 2024.“Currently, Masvingo Province is embarking on District DSA Technical Committee trainings under the community reintegration pillar. These trainings are bringing out effects and experiences encountered by families, communities, and the province at large. Three districts have been trained to date namely Chiredzi, Mwenezi and Bikita and the remaining districts are expected to be trained by the end of June 2026,” said Chadzamira.The Minister revealed that from the beginning of the year to date, 162 people, 125 males and 37 females, had been arrested for drugrelated offences, with the majority being youths. Prosecutions and convictions stood at 83, comprising 60 males and 23 females.Recoveries included 533.49 kilogrammes of cannabis, and 7,512×100ml bottles of cough syrups (Broncleer and Benylin). The total value of recovered drugs was put at $7,080,010.Masvingo Province is a major transit point, with most drugs smuggled from South Africa and Mozambique passing through the province on their way to other cities such as Harare and Bulawayo. This strategic location makes the province a critical battleground in the national fight against drug trafficking.During the first quarter, the Supply Reduction Pillar carried out an awareness march campaign at Mucheke Stadium that attracted over 2,000 people of all ages.On the demand reduction side, the province reached 36,336 youths, 15,526 males and 20,810 females since the beginning of the year, with strategies spanning education, awareness, and communitylevel interventions.He said the government was working to expand access to rehabilitation services and integrate restorative care into health delivery systems. He added that training more mental health professionals and providing aftercare services to reduce relapse would be prioritised.Proposed rehabilitation centres across the province include Ngomahuru (Masvingo Province), Clipsham House (Masvingo District), Chambuta (Chiredzi District), Zivuku Clinic (Chivi District), Mushava Clinic (Mwenezi District), Muvava Clinic (Bikita District), and Bota Clinic (Zaka District). The Minister also said Masvingo City Council had offered four hectares of land towards the establishment of a rehabilitation centre.Asked on the issue of corruption towards drug dealers, Minister Chadzamira emphasised that the fight against drug and substance abuse was everyone’s responsibility and urged parents, guardians, community leaders, faithbased organisations, and young people to actively participate.He also disclosed that last year the province launched an antidrug fundraising campaign where individuals and corporates pledged US$27,000. He appreciated those who had honoured their pledges and urged others still to pay.“The fight against drug and substance abuse is everyone’s responsibility. Government alone cannot overcome this challenge without the active participation of families, communities, the private sector, faithbased organisations, and young people themselves,” said Chadzamira.He further announced that his office and the provincial police leadership were open to receiving tipoffs on anyone supplying drugs in Masvingo.“My office is open for tipoffs. The provincial police leadership is also open to receive information on those who could be supplying drugs in Masvingo. It is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.Parents and guardians were urged to remain vigilant and engaged in the lives of their children, while community leaders were called upon to foster environments that discourage drug use and support recovery. Young people were encouraged to make positive life choices and seek opportunities for personal and national development.
Drug dealer teacher jailed over mbanje, crystal meth
By Staff ReporterZAKA – A teacher and Madzibaba sect member who turned his school staff quarters into a drug den has been jailed for eight months after police found dagga in his pocket, more dagga under his sofa, and crystal meth stashed in his bedroom wardrobe recently.Shadreck Chitsama, who torched a social media storm after his bust, appeared before Zaka Magistrate Grace Tupiri on Thursday, May 28, 2026, facing two counts: unlawful possession of dangerous drugs (dagga) under Section 157(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, and possession of prohibited medicines (crystal meth) under the Medicines and Allied Control Act. Magistrate Tupiri convicted Chitsama on both counts. On the first count, he was sentenced to four months, suspending two months for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence. On the second count, she sentenced him to eight months imprisonment, suspending two months for five years on the same condition. The sentences will run consecutively, resulting in an effective eight months behind bars.The state led by prosecutor Davyson Mavenga told the court that on May 12, 2026, at around 1pm, police officers from ZRP Zaka acted on a tipoff and proceeded to Jinjika Secondary School. They met Chitsama along the way, introduced themselves, and presented a search warrant, which the accused read and understood.Upon searching him, one sachet of dagga was found inside his left pocket, leading to his immediate arrest. Chitsama then led the officers, together with the school’s deputy head John Chigavakava, to his residence in the staff quarters inside the school yard.In the living room, another sachet of dagga was found underneath the second sofa from the main door. While searching a heap of shoes near the electricity metre, the accused’s wife, Learnmore Gondo, discovered loose dagga wrapped in a black plastic, which was confiscated.The court further heard that during the search, two sachets of crystal meth were found inside a black monarch bag in the main bedroom, while empty packaging sachets were also recovered from the wardrobe. Another sachet of crystal meth was found underneath the third sofa from the main door.The recovered drugs were taken to Jerera ZimPost for weighing. The accused had no lawful permit or licence to possess the substances.
Delta donates 10 hospital beds to Masvingo Provincial Hospital
By Staff ReporterMASVINGO – Delta Beverages, through its flagship brand Castle Lager, has donated ten stateoftheart hospital beds to Masvingo Provincial Hospital as part of a national programme to support public healthcare, with the province becoming the ninth beneficiary of a pledge made during the 10th anniversary of the National Castle Lager Braai Day.The handover ceremony took place at the hospital today, May 29, where Delta Masvingo Region Sales Manager Leonorah Kateedze delivered the company’s commitment speech. Kateedze explained that the donation was part of a broader pledge to give one hundred hospital beds across the country’s ten provinces, a gesture of appreciation to communities that have supported the brand over the years.“We pledged to donate one hundred stateoftheart hospital beds, which will be distributed across the ten provinces of the country. Delta Beverages remains committed to supporting national development and investing in the wellbeing of the communities that form the foundation of our success. We truly believe that this donation is a fitting way to show our appreciation to the communities we serve, while also playing a part in supporting and advancing public healthcare,” said Kateedze.She said the Masvingo handover marks the ninth of ten such events, and the beds were expected to improve patient comfort and support the hospital’s ongoing efforts to deliver quality healthcare.Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital, Clinical Services Director and acting Medical Superintendent Dr Richard Makoni said the beds could not have come at a better time, as the provincial referral facility is undergoing major renovations.“We are in a process of upgrading this hospital, so this is a timely welcome development. We really appreciate what Delta has done for us because we are moving towards offering worldclass services and we want to make it one of the best hospitals in the country, so the donation helps us to achieve that. We received ten stateoftheart hospital beds, and they will feed well into our vision,” said Dr Makoni.Delta Beverages’ lager beer business made the pledge during the 10th anniversary celebrations of the National Castle Lager Braai Day. The company has now rolled out the bed donations across all provinces, with Masvingo being the ninth to benefit. The final handover is expected to take place in the remaining province soon.
Amos Chibaya calls for political tolerance
By Staff ReporterCHIVI – Opposition politician Amos Chibaya has called for political tolerance among Zimbabweans, saying they may differ politically but they remain one people, united by shared humanity and the inevitability of death.Chibaya was speaking at the burial of veteran educationist Aleck Tabe (senior), father of Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe, who died after serving the Ministry of Education for 42 and a half years. The funeral, held at the family’s rural home in Chivi, drew mourners from across the political divide, including Zanu PF supporters, opposition members, and ordinary villagers.Chibaya said a funeral naturally brings everyone together, and people should freely brush shoulders regardless of party affiliation.“Here we are at a funeral. A funeral brings everyone together. We have Zanu PF supporters, CCC members, and my party led by Nelson Chamisa. So you can lean on each other; it doesn’t matter. We are at a funeral,” said Chibaya.He said death was imminent and unavoidable, so people should not bother each other because they are one.“Death is nonnegotiable. So while we are still here, let us avoid conflicts, especially us politicians. Politics and church are the same: if you go to the Reformed Church, there is God; if you go to the Roman Catholic Church, there is God. That is what we should do,” he said.Chibaya warned against political violence and urged people not to support politicians more than they should.“There are some who want me to go to Parliament more than I do. If I become an MP, I get a car, and I will not give you that car. Some go on to kill people for that, but the avenging spirits will haunt your family, not mine. When we go to Parliament, we share meals with MPs from other political parties. We will eat well, and from there we tell you to fight,” said Chibaya.He also made a veiled reference to the Constitutional Amendment Bill that seeks to extend the presidential term to 2030, saying no one knows their time of death.“No one is spared when death comes. We may have our wishes, but God may not want that. You may think that in 2030 you will be there; God may say you will not be there. I am not referring to anyone, I am just saying,” said Chibaya.Tabe junior also urged people to practice political tolerance, saying people should live like family and leave politics to politicians.“Here we have people from different parties. This should remind us that we are one community, and we will remain like that. So we should not allow politics to separate us. Let politicians do politics, and the general populace should remain united as neighbours because we borrow salt from each other,” said the Mayor.The burial was attended by several mayors, school heads, government officials, education officers, church leaders, and ordinary mourners, all gathered to pay tribute to the late educationist who had shaped many lives over his fourdecade career.
Teaching Vocabulary Development in English: From Word Lists to Word Power
By Langton Chikaka
Vocabulary is the gateway to learning in secondary school. A learner can sit through a lesson, read the passage aloud, and still fail the comprehension question if the key words remain foreign. In Forms 1 to 4 English Language lessons, the challenge is no longer sounding out words, but understanding, using, and thinking with academic language. Teaching vocabulary well means moving beyond word lists and dictionary copying toward deliberate strategies that make words usable in reading, writing, and real life.Teaching High-Utility Academic Words Once, and Using Them EverywhereNot all words deserve equal attention. Secondary learners meet thousands of words each term, but only a fraction carry the weight of academic success. Words like analyze, evaluate, contrast, demonstrate, evidence, impact, and significant_ appear across English, History, Science, and Geography. They are the language of ZIMSEC questions and of clear thinking. These are high-utility academic words.The mistake is to teach them once in isolation and never return to them. Research and classroom experience both show that a learner needs eight to twelve meaningful encounters with a word before it becomes part of their working vocabulary. One encounter in a copied definition does not count.The alternative is to teach a small set of words deeply and use them everywhere for two weeks. If the English department selects evidence for a reading unit, the Science teacher can use it in a practical report, and the History teacher can use it in source analysis. The word is displayed on a class word wall, used in oral tasks, and applied in writing. Learners see it in different contexts and are asked to use it themselves in sentences about their community or school. This approach changes vocabulary from a list to be memorized into a tool to be used. When learners encounter “impact” in a passage about Cyclone Idai and then use it to describe load-shedding at home, the word moves from passive recognition to active use.Teaching Strategies for Independence: Context Clues, Word Families, and AffixesLearners cannot carry a dictionary into an exam, nor should they rely on the teacher for every unknown word. The goal is to build independent word learners who can decode meaning on their own.Context clues are the first line of defense. Most texts give hints through definition, contrast, example, or inference. In the sentence, “Unlike _abundant_ water in the dam, the river was scarce,” the word _unlike_ signals an opposite meaning. Teaching learners to hunt for these signals turns reading into a problem-solving activity rather than a guessing game. A simple “Context Detective” activity, where learners underline clues and justify their guesses, builds this skill quickly.Word families and affixes multiply a learner’s vocabulary with minimal effort. Knowing the root “struct”= build unlocks _structure, construct, destruct, instructor,_ and _construction_. Knowing common prefixes like _un-, re-, dis-_ and suffixes like _-tion, -able, -ive_ allows learners to break down unfamiliar words into familiar parts. The activity is not to memorize affix lists, but to apply them: find the word _demobilize_ in a text, break it into de + mobil + ize, and infer that it means to reverse mobilization. These strategies work because they treat vocabulary as a system, not a set of isolated facts. Learners begin to see patterns and transfer them to new texts without prompting.Avoiding the Dictionary Copy TrapThe most common vocabulary activity in secondary schools is also the least effective: “Find ten words and write their meanings.” Learners copy definitions from dictionaries, often without reading the example sentence, and forget the words by the next day. The task involves copying, not thinking.The trap exists because it looks like work. Books are full, teachers see evidence of activity, and marking is straightforward. But it fails on three counts. There is no connection to the text being studied, no opportunity for personal use, and no cognitive processing beyond transcription.The alternative follows a three-step rule. First, meet the word in context within the reading passage. Second, explain it simply using a local example a learner understands. Third, require the learner to use the word themselves in speaking or writing. A word that cannot pass these three steps should not be taught at that time.Instead of copying definitions, learners should use five target words in sentences about their own lives. Instead of random lists, words should come from the text of the day. Instead of writing once, learners should use the word three times: in discussion, in a short write, and in review. This shifts the activity from passive copying to active processing, which is what creates retention.Bringing It Together in the ClassroomA practical 20-minute routine illustrates how these ideas work together. Begin by pre-teaching three words from the text, using a sentence and a local example. Read the text and have learners underline the words, using context clues to confirm meaning. Spend a few minutes breaking one word into its affixes and building its word family. End with an exit ticket: write one sentence using a target word about the school or community. Over a term, this routine exposes learners to 90 words with multiple encounters and personal use. It takes less time than marking 45 dictionary lists, and the impact on comprehension and writing is visible within weeks.Assessment and Follow-ThroughAssessment should match the goal. If the goal is use, then test use. A quick write with two target words, a word sort by affix, or a speaking task that requires three academic words will show whether learners have moved beyond recognition. Track errors using simple codes when marking past papers. If 70% of learners lose marks because they copy from the passage, the next two weeks should target rephrasing, using the academic word _rephrase_ itself as part of the instruction.ConclusionTeaching vocabulary development is not about covering more words. It is about teaching fewer words better, and giving learners the strategies to unlock the rest. Select high-utility academic words, teach them in context, and require active use. Teach context clues and affixes so learners become independent. Abandon the dictionary copy trap in favor of activities that demand thinking.When learners can read a passage and say, “I know what _consequence_ means here, and I can use it in my own sentence,” vocabulary ceases to be a barrier. It becomes a tool. And with that tool, learners can access the curriculum, answer exam questions, and participate in the conversations that shape their communities. That is the purpose of teaching words in the first place.
Huge send-off for veteran educationist Alec Tabe
By Brighton ChisevaCHIVI – Veteran educationist Aleck Tabe, who died last Friday (May 22, 2026), received a huge send-off at his rural home in Chivi as people from all walks of life paid their last respects to a man whose journey in the teaching fraternity spanned four decades.He survived with his wife, four children, two boys and two girls and 12 grandchildrenTabe was born in June 1958. He did his primary education at Chisenga Primary School and secondary at Lundi and Dadaya High Schools before enrolling at Morgenster Teachers’ College, graduating in 1980. He later became a headmaster at various schools and also a renowned farmer.He was promoted from teacher to deputy head at Makasi Primary School before being promoted to head at Tadzembwa Primary in 2001. He later transferred to Rujeko Primary School in Masvingo City, where he served until his retirement in 2023.Speaker after speaker emphasized the love he had for his work, his family, and everyone he worked with. Family representatives said they had lost a unifying figure who held the family together. His daughters-in-law described him as their pillar whenever they faced challenges with their husbands, saying he was the best person to approach.His elder brothers described him as the manager of their “family company”, saying he ensured that everything needed for the progress and unity of the family was done. They said he groomed countless family members, sending his siblings’ children and other vulnerable community members to school and supporting them through various empowerment programmes.The church described him as a devout Reformed Church member who never missed any church programme and was always ready to use his vehicles for church activities without asking for payment. They said he would transport firewood and congregants to church using his lorry.His firstborn son, Svitsai Tabe, described him as a rare gem who never asked him to contribute anything towards the education of his siblings, even though all of them were still in school when Svitsai started working.“There is an eightyear age difference between me and the one who comes after me, so it means I started working while he was still in school, along with the rest of my siblings. However, I never paid a single cent towards their education. He would say, ‘I will send my own children to school on my own. I don’t want you to one day bother them telling them that you contributed towards their education,’” said Svitsai.Svitsai, who is now also a school head like his father, said his father advised him to avoid misusing school funds or engaging in improper relationships with pupils.His namesake, Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe Jnr, said his father imparted leadership skills to him, and as a result, he is now a mayor and able to connect with many people. He noted that many mayors attended his father’s burial as a testament to the elder Tabe’s farreaching influence.Fellow heads from Masvingo City Council schools also paid tribute describing him as a role model who groomed many.Masvingo City Council Chamber Secretary Vitalis Shonhai, who represented Town Clerk Edward Mukaratirwa, said the late was one of their finest heads at council schools and that he left his son to the council, who is now the mayor.“He was one of our best school heads until his retirement. He served well at our school, and when he retired he left us his son, who is our mayor. We work very well with him,” said Shonhai.Masvingo District Schools Inspector Ishmael Chigaba described Tabe as an advisor to him, even though Chigaba held a higher office.“The late was older than me, so he was my advisor despite my holding a higher office. He was elected to the Better Schools Programme board. He would bring the challenges of other heads and advise us on the best way to handle the situation,” said Chigaba.Opposition politician Amos Chibaya said he had been sent by former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to convey condolences to the Tabe family.Masvingo Provincial Permanent Secretary in the Minister of State’s office, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, described the late Tabe as a role model, saying serving four decades in government was no small feat.“The late Aleck Tabe was a role model. Serving 43 uninterrupted years in government is not easy. It shows who the man was, because many are expelled from work after abusing funds,” said Pazvakavambwa.The huge turnout was a clear sign of the late educationist’s impact. Long lines of vehicles stretched along the roads leading to the rural homestead, with registration plates from across the country. Government officials, opposition politicians, several mayors from different towns, school heads, teachers, MPs, councillors, education officials, the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe leadership, congregants, and ordinary villagers all gathered to bid farewell. The sheer number of mourners, from the powerful to the humble, spoke volumes about the respect and love the community had for the man who had shaped so many lives through education.