MASVINGO – The Margaret Hugo schools for the blind, commonly known as Copota, celebrated their 90th birthday in Zimuto on Saturday last week.
The event was preceded by the unveiling of Helen Hugo’s tombstone at Morgenster Mission earlier in the day.
Hugo, who was born in 1909 and died in 2002, played an instrumental role in the establishment and later growth of the schools together with her parents Margaret Hugo and Reverend Hendrick Hugo.
The history of Copota dates back to 1915 when it was formed by the Dutch missionaries at Chibi Mission and was formally registered as a school in 1927 with eight learners and it relocated to its present site in 1939 under the tutorage of Helen.
The institutions now run under the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ), championing the educational rights of the visually impaired who are taught such skills as chalk-making, cane-weaving, agriculture, music and home economics.
In the speech read on his behalf by Rev Josphat Zambuko, RCZ moderator Rev Rangarirai Rutoro praised the work being done by the schools.
“Copota grew to become a large mission station with grade seven, form one to four in 1976 and advanced level in 2008. At present, the enrollment is above 350 learners.
“Copota has managed to produce several skilled workers, college and university graduates and it saw the development of the Maranatha Choir which travelled throughout the country and abroad,” Rev Rutoro said.
The schools, however, celebrated their birthday amid a myriad of challenges ranging from electricity arrears to a tight budget and lack of specialised learning equipment.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education through the Provincial Education Director (PED)’s office, said it was concerned with the lack of activity in the schools’ workshops.
Cosmas Tapiwanashe Musasa, who spoke on behalf of PED Zedius Chitiga, pledged continued support for the schools.
“We are worried about the under performance of the workshops and we encourage authorities to engage in research about dustless chalks and other productive projects so as to revive the workshops. We will continue to support Copota school for the Blind,” Musasa said.
Hospitality services group, Holiday Inn donated duvets, forks, blankets, knives, sheets and others goods to the tune of US$5 000.local

MWENEZI – The Lutheran Development Service (LDS), a developmental arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, has intervened in a gardening project in Mangezi village under Chief Neshuro by installing modern equipment and irrigation facilities.
The Hungoidza garden project now boasts a solar-powered irrigation service and is sustaining the livelihoods of people in 57 households of ward 5.
The one hectare collaborative scheme achieved a turnaround after LDS secured funding from the Dan Church Aid to procure the requisite equipment.
Speaking during the official opening of the upgraded garden last Tuesday, project chairperson, Timitia Dziva said after the LDS partnership, the project had seen major improvements taking place.
“Hungoidza garden came into existence around 1992 and we used to cover the garden with tree branches. When LDS came with solar-powered irrigation material in 2015, our garden became vibrant. We are now able to generate produces for family consumption and surplus for sale,” said Dziva. 
LDS board member, Reverend Tawanda Chovere encouraged Hungoidza garden beneficiaries to remain united and continue working hard so that the garden can keep on flourishing. 
Speaking at the same occasion, Dan Church Aid programmes officer, Diego Matsvange said irrigation schemes like the Hungoidza garden were a critical development in face of the unreliable rainfall patterns in low lying areas.
Mwenezi Assistant District Administrator (DA), Martin Musakanda expressed gratitude over the work being done by LDS in improving livelihoods and self-sustenance among people.
The official opening of the garden was attended by various dignitaries and stakeholders among them LDS director Simangaliso Hove, LDS staff, Chief Neshuro, ward councillors, village heads, civil servants and ordinary people.local

Shumirai Zhou

GWERU – A 42-year-old man from Lalapanzi was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison for raping, impregnating and infecting his neighbour’s 14-year-old daughter with a sexually transmitted infection.
Christopher Mamvura had pleaded not guilty to the rape charges but Gweru magistrate Morgan Nemadire found the evidence presented against him adequate to merit a conviction.
Appearing for the State, Fred Kadodo told the court that the accused saw the complainant on her way to school and followed her.
He then grabbed her by her waist, dragged her into a bush were he forced her to lie down facing upwards and raped her. He then gave her some sugarcane to buy her silence.
The complainant went on to report the case to the accused’s wife Faith Mugwise who then questioned her husband but he denied the allegations.
The accused and his wife escorted the complainant home where she was examined by her mother who noticed some discharge on her private parts and a police report was made leading to the accused’s arrest.
In passing sentence, Nemadire said Mamvura deserved a lengthy period in prison because instead of behaving as a father figure, he had abused a vulnerable girl.local

Anesushe Mamhute

CHIREDZI – A Zaka man was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a 15-year-old juvenile who suffers from moderate psychiatric illness.
Jerry Chavani (28) of Chavani village under Chief Nhema in Zaka, appeared before Magistrate Judith Zuyu on charges of rape.
The State’s case, led by Moreblessing Rusere, was that the complainant (name withheld) had been send to Charamba by her uncle when she met Chavani close to Chiredzi River.
Chavani then followed the minor, grabbed hold of her hand, pushed her to the ground and raped her while threatening to kill her if she made noise.
The accused then took his victim to his own place where he spent the whole night with her.
 In his defense, Chavani said he was in love with the juvenile and they were about to marry but the magistrate dismissed the defense outline saying the accused had taken advantage of the victim’s mental state to abuse her.local

Elliot Jinjika

BUHERA – Formal business people and street vendors selling privately-owned newspapers say they are no longer feeling safe after suspected Zanu PF functionaries in the district reportedly warned them that selling such media was like betraying President Robert Mugabe.
People who spoke to TellZim News said they were told in no uncertain terms that they must sell only State-controlled newspapers as all the other ones were ‘antagonistic’ to the ruling party.
One grocery shop which used to sell all newspapers, privately-owned or otherwise, has since complied with the order ‘to avoid the consequences’.
“I was told that privately-owned newspapers are critical of the government and are tools of the opposition bent on destroying the President and the ruling party so I have complied with the order.
“I have been doing this business for a long time but things seem to be going bad now that elections are approaching. You don’t want to be vulnerable, you want to be safe,” said a jittery business person.
One street vendor who now sells food on the dusty streets of the growth point said she had moved from the newspaper selling business out of fear.
“I was afraid of being targeted so I stopped although selling newspapers does not mean you agree with everything that is written in there. A pharmacist sells medicine, but you may find that he does not want his children to take some of the very medicine he sells,” said the vendor.
Murambinda and the whole Buhera district are considered as Zanu PF strongholds and villagers say political temperatures have been rising there as the country hurtles towards the 2018 general elections.local

MASVINGO – Gokomere Primary School last week Friday walked away with US$400 cash prize and kits from Auto Bavaria after winning the Mayor’s Junior Soccer Tournament 2017 at Mucheke Stadium.
Gokomere defeated Francis Aphiri by five goals to nil in group stages before proceeding to the quarter finals where they beat Dikwindi Primary School 2-0.
In the semi-final penalty shoot-outs, Gokomere won 4-1 against Vurombo Primary and marched to the finals where they defeated St Don Bosco Primary 1-0.
St Don Bosco Primary finished at number two and won US$200 and a kit while Vurumbo Primary won US$100 for coming out third.
Gokomere coach Francis Hwede praised his boys for fully utilising their chances to win the tournament.
City of Masvingo Mayor Hubert Fidze thanked Auto Bavaria for investing time and resources in the tournament, and congratulated the victors for a hard fought win.
“I would like to thank the organising committee and the sponsor for this tournament because it is part of our efforts to encourage cleanliness in our city. We encourage everyone to take responsibility of keeping the environment clean by not littering the streets,” Fidze said.
Auto Bavaria director, Sam Sibanda said the company will continue to work for the growth of the tournament.
“We have hopes of making the tournament an annual event that will also accommodate other schools outside of Masvingo,” Sibanda said.
Schools that participated in the tournament are Gokomere, Don Bosco, Vurombo, Rujeko, Hillside, Chikatoita, Dikwindi, Victoria, Runyararo, Shakashe, Francis Aphiri and Seventh Day Adventist Primary School.local