By Staff Reporter

In an inspiring tale of youthful talent nurtured to fruition, 12-year-old Kayla A. Chitaunhike from Hippo Valley Primary School is preparing to launch her debut book, Mysteries of Samandra’s New School, on November 1st.

The novel traces the journey of its protagonist, Samandra, as she navigates the challenges and adventures of adapting to a new school environment.

For Kayla, the path to authorship began modestly in Grade 4 when she first discovered her twin passions for reading and writing.

“I started reading and writing in Grade Four and discovered I was passionate about both, initially, I was just writing stories for fun,” said Chitaunhike.

What began as a pastime soon caught the attention of established writer Rurami Mugwizi, who recognized the young student’s raw talent.

“Mrs. Mugwizi is the one who discovered my writing and encouraged me to write a book. She is the one who helped me with editing the manuscript and facilitating the publishing process,” she said.

The budding author also found encouragement from another literary heavyweight, Albert Nyathi, a prolific writer, poet, and musician whose guidance further solidified her resolve to pursue publishing.

Despite her young age, Chitaunhike demonstrates remarkable discipline in balancing her writing ambitions with academic responsibilities and household duties.

“I can balance writing, school work, and chores since I write during my leisure time that is why the book took nearly two years to complete,” she said

She said the main challenge she faced was during illustration since she was suing her phone which had a smaller screen. She said that was until her parents bought her a tablet.

Chitaunhike loves sport, reading, and painting, travelling to new places among other hobbies

Published by ELI MS PUBLICATIONS under the ISBN 978-177928-196-8, Mysteries of Samandra’s New School is not only a milestone for Kayla but also an emblem of what young minds can achieve with passion, perseverance, and the right mentorship.

BUHERA – In a vibrant celebration of academic excellence and holistic achievement, Makumbe High School honored its outstanding learners during a memorable Speech and Prize Giving Day on Saturday, where top performers received cash rewards and recognition for their dedication and hard work across both academic and non-academic disciplines.

Makumbe High School was a hive of activity and celebration on Saturday, 04 October, as it hosted its annual Speech and Prize Giving Day, coupled with the official commissioning of two new vehicles and a state-of-the-art classroom block. The event also served as a visiting day, allowing parents to meet with their children and witness the school’s progress firsthand.

The ceremony was marked by the recognition of outstanding academic and non-academic excellence. Top performers in each subject and across every class level received cash prizes, with the highest achievers walking away with US$50 or more. Adding to the rewards, local Member of Parliament Tafadzwa Mugwadi, who was in attendance, personally gave an additional US$20 to each of the best learners.

In his address, the School Head, Mr. Rusekeni, expressed pride in the learners whose dedicated efforts have consistently maintained the school’s high pass rate.

“In 2024, at O level we posted an impressive 94.64 percent passrate, which is one of the best in the province. We had 39 learners with 5As and above. Our best peformers had 11 As and our heritage teacher recorded 123 As,”said Rusekeni.

He went on to say the school had a 100 percent passrate at A level where 12 leaners had 15 points and above.

“Our school is a hub for sciences and commercials at A level. In Business Studies, we recored 20 As out of 22 learners and 17As out of 35 learners in Mathematics,” said Rusekeni.

He challenged the 2025 candidates to surpass the 2024 pass rate at O level and increase the number of As at A level.

Rusekeni also commended parents for their unwavering support, including through the School Development Committee (SDC), which has enabled the hiring of additional teachers to bolster the academic staff.

Beyond academics, the event also honoured excellence in non-academic disciplines such as sports, music, and art, showcasing the school’s commitment to holistic education.

“In none academic activities, the school is sporting and cultural giant having introduced kickboxing as a new sport code. We have tennis, cricket, basketball among others and the majority of our teams participated at the provincial level,” said Rusekeni

MP Mugwadi, during his speech, motivated learners by sharing his own educational journey. He recounted how he attended school without shoes, contrasting his experience with the opportunities available to today’s students. He challenged them to work hard and aim for excellence so that in the future, they might be seated in the VIP or VVIP sections at such events.

The SDC Chairperson, also present, thanked parents for the trust and support given to her committee and the school, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that has driven the school’s development.

The Guest of Honour, RCZ Moderator Reverend Baloyi, accompanied by members of the moderature, presided over the proceedings. The day stood as a vibrant reflection of community partnership, student achievement, and the shared vision for quality, all-round education in Buhera.