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Cambridge A level results out: Junior High records 100% pass rate

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Cambridge A level results out: Junior High records 100% pass rate

By Virginia Njovo

In yet another outstanding achievement, Junior High School has recorded 100percent pass rate in the 2024 Advanced Level Cambridge examinations, cementing its reputation for academic excellence.

The school opened its doors in 2022 and the pioneer class for Advanced level who sat for Cambridge exams in 2023 left no crumbs as it secured a 100 percent pass rate from a total 32 learners sat for exams where the highest scored straight 24 points.

In 2024, 35 learners sat for exams and the highest scooped 15 points from a combination of Maths, Chemistry and Physics, with the majority of the group scoring between 12 and 14 points.

Commenting on the results, Junior Investments Director Noah Marima said he was impressed by the performance saying they were fit to compete with others with several years in the trade.

“I am elated with these results as they exceed the previous year’s. It is an indicator that we can now compete with giants as we strive to become one in the future,” said Marima.

Marima also applauded the hardworking staff whom he said were behind the results as well as the learners and their parents for their dedication.

“A huge shout out to the hardworking teachers and our esteemed parents for support all the way as we promise to deliver the best at Ordinary level again in the coming years,” said Marima.

The school is strategically located along Harare Masvingo road in the leafy suburb of Rhodene and near the scenic Mangwandi dwala.

The school offers the Cambridge curriculum and offers both elite and traditional sporting activities.

It is one of the few schools to take learners on international educational trips and early last year they had a chance to tour Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Council management, councilors clash over cellphones, motorbikes

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Council management, councilors clash over cellphones, motorbikes

By Brighton Chiseva

Tensions ran high in a full council meeting at Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) on January 6 as councilors clashed with management over the delayed purchase of cellphones and motorbikes. These items were supposed to have been purchased before the end of 2024.

The full council heard that the local government had advised the council to procure these items for the councilors in the last quarter of 2024, but management failed to do so, citing unexpected hurdles.

Zaka RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Batsirai Majaura said the parent ministry had issued a statement requiring ministerial approval for all purchases, which had not been anticipated. As a result, management had written to seek approval, but this had caused a delay.

He also said they had been instructed to clear outstanding obligations before purchasing conditions of service gadgets for the councilors.

“We received a ministerial circular which instructed us that all purchases of that kind required approval from the ministry, and we were also instructed to clear outstanding obligations before we embark on that,” said Majaura.

The councilors were unhappy with management’s explanations, feeling that they had not been prioritized. They were adamant that they needed the cellphones and motorbikes to perform their duties effectively.

They argued that other councils had already provided similar benefits to their councilors, and they saw no reason why Zaka RDC should be any different.

Ward 24 Councilor Zivanai Zvada questioned why only Zaka RDC was required to clear other obligations before purchasing necessities for councilors, alleging that some local authorities had already purchased motorbikes for their councilors despite salary arrears.

“Why does that apply only to Zaka RDC? It’s now not clear if it’s the head office or the management here that is not willing to let us get the cellphones and bikes. We know of another local authority with five months of arrears but has already purchased bikes for its councilors. Here we cleared ours, and we are left with less than two months, but we are not allowed, why?” queried Zvada.

Another Councilor, Enias Chinyoka of ward 4, said management was supposed to prioritize the welfare of councilors so that they could work to unlock more revenue streams to ease the financial challenges affecting the local authority.

“You need to prioritize councilor’s welfare if you want to unlock more revenue streams. We need to be mobile, but it’s difficult because the wards are too big. The ministerial communications also have to be clear to us. We need to see the circulars here, not just telling us that you spoke to someone. We need it in writing so that we understand,” said Chinyoka.

Former Council Chair and ward 13 Councilor Alderman Sebastian Musundire said councilors were failing to receive council proceedings minutes that were sent via WhatsApp because some did not have smartphones or data.

“We need cellphones and data. If you address that, you won’t hear some saying they did not receive minutes. Some do not have smartphones and data, and that needs urgent attention,” said Musundire. However, ward 19 Councilor Albert Mazvanya said the councilors should ensure that they cleared workers’ salaries before thinking of themselves.

The standoff exposed the challenges faced by local authorities in Zimbabwe, where resources are scarce and priorities often clash. While the councilors are pushing for better working conditions, management is constrained by bureaucratic red tape and financial limitations.

Zaka youth defies odds, finds success with small grain cultivation

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Zaka youth defies odds, finds success with small grain cultivation

By Brighton Chiseva

In a region where climate change has made rainfall a scarce commodity, an innovative farmer in Zaka District is making waves by growing small grain, a crop he believes is suitable for the area’s challenging weather conditions.

Amiel Jekese, a 34-year-old father of three from Matizirofa Village in Ward 19, had been growing maize and cotton. Last season, a field day was held at his homestead, attracting the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davies Marapira, who is also the local MP.

Despite initial skepticism from fellow farmers, his perseverance has paid off, and he is now expecting a bumper harvest.

“I realized that our traditional crops, such as maize, were no longer viable for our region due to the erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change. Small grain, on the other hand, is more resilient and requires less water, making it an ideal crop for our area,” said Jekese.

Jekese said he was born to peasant farmers and grew up working in the fields, cultivating small grain, which also inspired him to start growing it.

“I studied agriculture at school, and I grew up working in the fields since my father was a peasant farmer. He used to grow rapoko, and my mother would brew beer, and the proceeds were used to fend for the family and send us to school.

“So, when I discovered that maize was not doing well due to poor rainfall, I decided to start growing small grains, and now I have a hectare of rapoko and half a hectare of millet,” said Jekese.

He said he works with his wife since his kids are still young and he cannot afford to hire labor, which has forced him to work even during the night.

“Some people think I use juju because I only work with my wife, though since our kids are still young. I cannot afford to hire labor, so I am forced to work even at night when there is a full moon,” he said.

He urged other farmers in the locality to adopt small grain farming, which he said was promising and had been encouraged by agriculture experts.

Jekese said his vision was to get a borehole for irrigation, saying that would enhance his productivity since he has a passion for farming.

“I have the power and passion, but I am still lacking resources. My wish is to get a borehole so that I can start irrigation and grow crops all year round,” said Jekese.

Apart from small grain, he also has two hectares of cotton and said he was the second-best cotton farmer nationally in last year’s competitions.

Jekese’s small grain fields have become a model for other farmers in the district, who are eager to learn from his experiences and adopt similar practices. His success has also caught the attention of local agricultural authorities, who are now considering promoting small grain cultivation as a viable option for farmers in the region.

Marapira commented on the farmer, saying he was doing great and heeding the call to grow small grain, which is drought-tolerant, considering that Zaka receives low rainfall.

“We encourage farmers to grow small grain, and Jekese is leading the way. We urge our youths to emulate him,” said Marapira.

Zaka District Agricultural Advisory Services (Ardas) officer Kennedy Pedzisai confirmed Jekese’s work and said he was among the best in the district.

“Last season, Jekese managed to conduct a successful cotton and maize field day, which was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. He did not end there but proceeded to the national level, where he got the second national prize in cotton production. This season is his second year doing traditional grain crop production,” said Pedzisai.

He urged farmers to emulate Jekese and grow traditional crops and gave general tips for good crop production.

“Though farmers continue to produce maize, we encourage them to produce traditional grain and also to observe good agricultural practices like liming of soil, organic/inorganic fertilizer application, correct plant population, and proper land preparation. “We also encourage farmers to ensure weed, pest, and disease control and bird guard to control birds, especially on small grain,” said Pedzisai.

Last supper for anti 2030 Cdes!

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Last supper for anti 2030 Cdes!

Mapombi is really in a jovial mood, for the first time since the November 2017 coup, and this is a sign that good things are coming. I know that not so many of my readers would believe that better days are coming especially on the backdrop that they had a bleak Christmas and New Year. Aaaah iko kutaurisa kwangu kukanganwa kuti compliments of the new season dear reader! I wish you a prosperous 2025. May our enemies of progress fail dismally this year in the name of the Almighty God. E-eh e-eh ngatisataura mazita please I’m hearing some people whispering Mthuli’s name aah ini handina kudaro; ndamboti Mthuli here ini or I just said enemies of progress? Ini ndiri kungoti Dambudzo ngarive shoma mugore ra 2025 – zvamurimi muchatizve ndataura zita remunhu.

Enough of this, can someone tell me what is happening in this teapot country? I heard there is brisk business these days as people are selling walking sticks following the extension by government of retirement age to 70 years. Hanzi civil servants who were preparing to retire varikutenga midonzvo kwete zvekutamba yekuti vashandise vachienda kubasa. Kkkkkkkk haaa zvemu Zimbabwe zvinokunda ngoma kurira chokwadi. We have over 80% youths not formerly employed but the government is busy extending retirement age to 70 years, really? What are we trying to achieve here as a nation? With all due respect, this is hogwash. Nonsensical! Mumaworkshop nemumameeting avanoswerera aya they won’t be cooking nyama ine mabhonzo because inotsengwa nani, vasharukwa vanenge vasisina meno kkkkkk nhaka mahotera achabika nyovhi nemuboora akazvirega or else kutobika mvumvira because vana musharukwa vasisina meno vangadii ivo vari paWorkshop.

At one point Mapombi was tempted to think that Ngwena is overrated. Who would surely extend the years of service to 70 years? Kuda kuti vanhu vafire pamabasa here senge ma politicians? Bva kana kuriko kungwara kwacho bva ndiregei zvangu ndife ndichigara pano paChitima eating maputi and rotten bananas. I am very much contend with this kind of life than depriving a young generation because we want to please old people who are supposed to be enjoying retirement. Old people need better retirement packages not extension of retirement age Mr President woye. Chete these days because of succession fights we might be blaming ED yet zvakatoitiwa zvazvo nerimwe team kuti Murambwi vashorwe zvavo.

Anyways, let me divert my attention to other issues but before I do that let Mapombi encourage all the youths vasina mabasa kuti endai mundohodha tsvimbo dzakawanda dziri pa demand zvekutodaro because Harahwa neChembere zvakanzi zviende kubasa. But issue of succession is now getting to another level. All Mapombi can tell you is that Ngwena means serious business. The way the command elements in the security sector are being retired and fired haaa hazvina kumira mushe ba! Godwin Matanga gone! Isaac Moyo gone! But I am sure someone told someone kuti kuArmy hakumihwe mihwe unochohwa chohwa kkkkkkkk Or probably it’s a calculated move? Mapombi heard Phillip Valerio Sibanda contract was renewed up to November 24, 2025 ikoko. That was a strategic move because the mumbles from the barracks anga oda kuita achiwedzera volume, now imagine with Valerio out of the picture, haa daiso takutotorwa maselfie muroad nanaGeneral Bae nanaFadzi Mahere. The stakes are becoming higher and higher ladies and gentlemen, because the 2030 agenda is becoming more aggressive by the day.

Mapombi can safely tell you that chero 2030 ikasasvika zvayo but the next president of Zimbabwe will be surely from that camp – pamwe ndi Tagwirei who knows. Kkkkkk vakuru vakati chati homu chareva uye vamwe vakaudzwa hondo nemurwere wepfungwa vakamushora hanzi anorwara. It’s just that Mapombi is not prepared to wear that Apolo jersey rekuzopfekwa naChipanga gore riye otherwise I would have gone deeper nayo. Maybe another day.

Did anyone notice that VP Chiwenga is no longer trusted that much because of these succession issues. We all know that the President is on his annual leave this whole January ka, and the two vice presidents would be exchanging the role of Acting President. Mapombi noticed that  Kembo Dugish was given almost three weeks – from 1-19 January as Acting President but Chiwenga only get 11 days – from 20-31 kkkkkkkkk this is very telling. Mapombi just want to tell those who care to listen kuti kindly monitor the movements and activities of the President from around January 20 when Mukanya will be acting. I can tell you that chances are very high that there will be a lot of events and official opening of even little projects just to disturb Chiwenga. We will see donations being received at State House, roads being opened, Chinese containers and stuff being officially opened. I can tell you that our public broadcaster will be overwhelmed by these stories zvekuti kubuda kwaChiwenga pachivhitivhiti maybe ku entertainment or sports segment kkkkkkkk.

Let me not say much otherwise Mapombi will be accused of yep yepping but those who know me I have a proven track record rekutaura zvinouya. Dr Grace ndakambovaudzxa kuti chingoma kana choririsa choda kuparuka manje zvino varipi? Ko passenger 34 kana kedu tsuro magen’a Walter Mzembi? And the Professor? Kkkkkkk but life so ka ma1 – who thought Jonathan Moyo would run away kundogara uri mupoteri ini zvangu Mapombi ndichimalaza maBanana akaora nemaputi ndirimo munyika yaBaba va2. Zvinhu zvinoshanduka vakomana and it only tells us one thiung that no one is invincible, chero Ngwena chaidzo one day gava rinodambura musungo ndozviziva hangu ndakazvidzidza Nov 2017.

But for now ED is firmly in charge and as I’m speaking right now some Ministers and senior government officials are having their last supper. I mean they are looting kekupedzesera because anytime they are going – ko ED zvekudzinga haanonoke. Those who crossed to join General Bae’s faction are going. We have seen the warning shots kkkkkk hanzi namatanga handina kumborambira pachigaro ini im going to become full time farmer now kkkkk baya wakanyarara iwe. Mapombi anotongonamata kuti zvitadzo zvako zvisakuteverera chete. Mapombi is sure that ED is determined to fire all those who are blocking agenda 2030, all those who betrayed him by crossing the floor to support Number 2 will go home. Mapombi is giving them up to February to loot kekupedzesera because there is no going back . Mukati vana Machakaire vanosara ipapa kkkkkkkkkk.

It’s almost lunch time, let me go ndindokanga zvangu maputi angu for lunch ndobva ndarova zvangu rotten bananas as desert. I know many people laugh at me because of the kind of life I am living but all I can tell you is that I am in this mess because of Zanu PF. My parents were killed by Zanu PF in 2008 for supporting Morgan Tsvangirai (may his soul rest in peace) but Mwari vakandichengeta ndikatoendawo kuchikoro kusvika kuUniversity of Zimbabwe yenyu iyi ichashamisira but basa cant get. Asi Zanu so, kutonga nyika until everyone becomes a beggar. Right now government is busy begging for beds to accommodate madrug addicts’ enyika, yet the druglords are known. Munhu wese angodhakwa kunge nyika yacho, nyika inenge rombe. Zvinhu zvacho hazvina kana order. We see Zimra following people in shops for smuggled goods, ko kuborder zvakambopinda sei? Ko muroad mese umu? That’s when you realize kuti tirikutongwa nembavha. Ivo Chitova Mushayazano kubva vati diii zvavo, kunge vasipo. Zig failed dismally, shasha ndobva yati kwakaa zvayo like he wasn’t there when this useless thing was introduced. Not even a sound when Mthuli stole Christmas in broad daylight.

Anyway, before I go kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, let me go ndinomira pahighway apoo, these days motorcade yaBaba Two irikupota ichionekera vachifurwa nemhepo zvavo, handiti he is on leave? Don’t worry, I will just stand ndichiyeverwa, I will not get in trouble, ndinganunurwa nani hangu? Iringuva yaBhobho I would not dare, taitotyanana even kudzimba, no one could be trusted. Baba MaTwins changed a lot of things guys, hameno General Kedha vachaita seiwo. Who knows, maybe Ngwena will soon have his last supper, but who will be on the menu, we will have to wait and see. See you soon team rangu, otherwise mboko imboko!!

Shashe River toxic spill kills fish, goats

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Shashe River toxic spill kills fish, goats

By Andrew Zhou

An ecological crisis has unfolded at the Shashe River after a toxic chemical spill from a local mine polluted the river, killing fish and livestock. The incident has sparked outrage and fears of long-term damage to the environment and livelihoods.

Masvingo Provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Acting Spokesperson Wilfred Munyaradzi Muchono confirmed the case and said he was yet to gather facts pertaining to the incident.

“Let me get the facts right and I will come back to you,” said Muchono.

Chivi North ward 3 councilor Stephen Takawira confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the health and lives of villagers, as their source of water was under threat from pollution caused by mining activities within the area.

“We are now afraid that our health and life is under threat from the mining activities close to the water sources. Our domestic animals depend on that river, and now the river is polluted,” said Takawira.

Sources close to the matter said the disaster occurred when a pond at a nearby mine overflowed, releasing a large quantity of poisonous chemicals into the river. The chemicals quickly spread throughout the water.

One of the victims from the village, Timius Timire, said he lost two goats that had consumed water from the contaminated river.

“On January 2, 2025, I lost two goats after they drank the contaminated water. Some villagers had already picked fish from the river. I saw the fish floating belly-up in the water, and I knew something had gone wrong. Some villagers had already picked up the fish, but luckily enough, they had not consumed them when it was discovered that they could have died from contaminated water,” said Timire.

Timire said he had approached the mining company over the matter, and they had since sprayed antidotes into the river.

“I went to the mine and approached management, telling them about the ordeal, and they sent a team that sprayed antidotes into the river,” said Timire.

Timire said the community was not using water from the river since no proper assessment had been done to ensure the water was safe and urged authorities to act swiftly on the issue and ensure the safety of people and animals.

“Villagers are not using water from the river since a proper assessment is not done yet; even fishing is no longer taking place. People have stopped buying fish from anyone since we do not know where they came from.

“We encourage those who are responsible for enforcement of environmental laws to take action very fast to make sure water sources are safe from pollution,” he said.

The river feeds into Tugwi, which is the main source of water for Mashava residents through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).

Man Killed over snooker token on Christmas Day

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Man Killed over snooker token on Christmas Day

By Tavonga Munyanyi

Shurugwi – The Christmas Celebrations turned deadly in Shurugwi when a 21-year-old man lost his life after being stabbed with a Colombian knife following a dispute over a snooker token.

 Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which took place at  Tamuka Bar, Musavezi Business Centre in Shurugwi on December 25 , at around 21:00 hrs. .

“I can confirm the murder of Sydney Matsveru (21) of Shurugwi, who was murdered whilst people were celebrating Christmas,” said Mahoko.

Circumstances are that the deceased, Matsveru, was drinking beer at Tamuka Bar, Musavezi Business, Shurugwi. A fellow patron in the bar Learnmore Mudzengi (36) who was playing a pool game lost a token.

He accused Matsveru of having taken the token, and a misunderstanding ensued but they were refrained by other patrons.

Later, when the bar was about to close, Mudzengi allegedly went to where Matsveru was and stabbed him once on the chest and he died on the spot.

The matter was reported to the Police who attended the scene and arrested the suspect.

Inspector Mahoko confirmed another murder incident in which a 17-year-old boy from Munyimani Village, Chief Nhema was fatally attacked by his fellow artisanal miners at Donga Business Center, Shurugwi.

The late Shingirirai Banda was murdered on December 21, at around 0100hrs and four other suspects were said to be still at large.

“I can confirm a murder case where a 17-year-old-boy died after being attacked by fellow artisanal miners. We are appealing for information concerning the whereabouts of four suspects who are on the run,” said Mahoko.

Circumstances are that on the day in question, Banda was drinking beer at Donga Business Center, together with five other artisanal miners.

One of them spotted a knife in Banda’s pocket and informed others. They queried him about carrying a knife and he withdrew the knife from his pocket.

The five proceeded to their car, a Nissan Caravan, which was nearby, where they armed themselves with axes, machetes and knives. 

They charged towards Banda and assaulted him all over the body with their weapons before leaving him in a pool of blood. One of the suspects Trust Zireva (26) of Chitora village under Chief Nhema was arrested.

The other four suspects on the run are Gerald Marita (19) of Marira village under Chief Banga and the other three only identified as Tafadzwa, Promise and Forget.

Zaka RDC chairperson Maregedze off the hook

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Zaka RDC chairperson Maregedze off the hook

By Brighton Chiseva

Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Chairperson, Fungai Maregedze, has been acquitted of five counts of criminal abuse of duty after the state failed to establish a prima facie case against her. Masvingo Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie handed down the verdict yesterday (January 7).

Maregedze was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, and spent a single night in police cells before being granted bail. Her case had been dragging on since then.

In the ruling, the magistrate noted that Maregedze had acted within the confines of council resolutions and had not abused her office or acted contrary to her duties. There was no evidence to suggest that Maregedze had personally benefited from the alleged offenses.

The allegations were that Maregedze convened several unsanctioned meetings between February and April 2024. These meetings were attended by councilors only, without council management. They were also alleged to have had no agenda and were not on council schedules.

Maregedze was accused of authorizing the payment of sitting allowances for these meetings, amounting to over US$6,000, all outside the council’s budget and resolutions. It was also alleged that no harm or prejudice was suffered.

Specifically, it was alleged that on February 10, 2024, the suspect called for a weekend meeting that was not part of the council’s annual schedule, resulting in US$692 being paid to councilors, including herself, for attendance.

It was further alleged that on February 17, she demanded US$926 in allowances, in violation of council procedures. In April, she allegedly forced the finance director to approve payment of US$4,749 for another unsanctioned meeting.

However, the court established that she never abused her office or acted contrary to her duties, and that she acted within council guidelines.

The court further noted that the fuel request reduction from 2,000 liters to 1,000 liters, which was one of the charges against Maregedze, was in line with a council resolution. Additionally, the court found that all payments for councilors’ allowances were initiated and made by council management, and not by Maregedze personally.

It also came out that, according to the evidence submitted, no law was contravened. Therefore, she could not be held personally accountable where collective decisions were made by the full council.

The court said there was poor communication between councilors and management and that there was a need for the Council to improve its financial management.

Veteran educationist Mutsambiwa joins Junior High as substantive head

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Veteran educationist Mutsambiwa joins Junior High as substantive head

……as Prof Kasese is appointed Junior Group of Schools board chair

By Staff Reporter

Veteran educationist Stern Mutsambiwa will be the new substantive head for Junior High School, one of Masvingo’s top private schools.

Mutsambiwa, who has overseen outstanding pass rates at some of Masvingo’s most notable high schools will replace Munyaradzi Mataruse who has been acting head since 2023.

Academic and life coach Professor Frederick Kasese, who is known for his sterling work in leadership training was also appointed as the Junior Group of Schools board chairperson with effect from January 1, 2025.

Junior Group of Schools Director Noah Marima confirmed the development and said both Mutsambiwa and Prof Kasese’s appointments was a step in the right direction for the learning institution.

“I want to say to Mr Mutsambiwa is welcome to the Junior Group of Schools. We anticipate incredible leadership and expertise based on his wealth of experience,” said Marima.

Marima said the appointment of Prof Kasese fed into the institution’s vision of growing beyond expectations, with his experience working on various projects expected to facilitate development at the group of schools.

“Prof Kasese again, has vast experience, and similarly, he worked with different stakeholders on various projects. This helps us realize our goals as an institution,” Marima said.

Mutsambiwa has headed Gokomore High Mukaro High, and until recently, Silveira High School, both Catholic-run schools that have broken records both academically and in extra-curricular activities, giving him a vast range of experience.

On his part, Dr Kasese said while he had spent his life uplifting black communities, he saw the work Marima had done in investing in such a great institution and wanted to support that work.

“When I saw this amazing institution, I thought to myself, we should support this man’s vision whatever way we can because it is a great project that we should be proud of as Masvingo.

“My motivation for coming on board was seeing the amount of investment this man had done to come up with such a good project. This man invested so much in coming up with that kind of a learning institution,” Prof Kasese said.

Mutsambiwa said he was looking forward to the challenge, bearing in mind that the school was already doing well, which he hopes to carry forward.

“It is a great honour and great challenge at the same time. I am very excited to join the school, which is already doing well, and I hope to take it further,” Mutsambiwa said.

The Junior Group of Schools is a private learning institution, composed of Junior Primary and Junior High Schools, which have state-of-the-art facilities, located in the leafy suburb of Rhodene in Masvingo town.

Academic and life coach Professor Frederick Kasese

Masvingo City to purchase two more ambulances

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Masvingo City to purchase two more ambulances

By Perpetua Murungweni

In a move to address recent criticisms, Masvingo City Council resolved to purchase two new ambulances, following a damning video published by TellZim News showing its only functional ambulance being pushed after breaking down.

This came out during a Public Finance Management (PFM) meeting organized by Vendors Initiative for Social Development and Economic Transformation (VISET) in partnership with Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) held at Chevron Hotel on January 7, 2025.

Masvingo City Council Finance and General Purpose committee chairperson and ward 9 Councilor Bernard Muchokwa in his presentation acknowledged TellZim News for exposing the council ambulance being pushed and said they had budgeted for two more in the 2025 budget.

“As council we were very ashamed to see our ambulance being pushed in a post by TellZim News on social media and that made us realize that we needed to do something about it. So in this year’s budget, we have allocated US$60 000 to purchase two more ambulances,” said Muchokwa.

Masvingo City Mayor Alec Tabe said this year council was going to embark on income generating projects to ease the burden on residents.

“As council we have come out of our comfort zone and think outside the box, we have decided to embark on some income generating projects. We are going to establish a truck stop at Exor. We are also going to offer lodge services and service stations as a way of raising funds than relying on rates paid by residents,” said Tabe.

Council had for the past years blaming the government for poor service delivery and high inflated rates saying government was not disbursing devolutions funds.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT KEY TO CHILD GROWTH ANDDEVELOPMENT

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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT KEY TO CHILD GROWTH ANDDEVELOPMENT

By Dr. Aribino Nicholas

The growth and development of children cannot be fully realised without parental involvement. One of our lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe, Reverend Rinashe used to intimate that parents are the first and natural teachers of their children. The premise of Reverend’s Rinashe’s argumentation is that parents are primary socialisation agents whose behaviours, actions or inactions can largely influence the growth and development of their children. The process of socialisation comes with values, norms, beliefs and practices that by and by are inculcated in children. Sigmund Freud, a psychoanalyst believes that the personality of a child is formed during formative years (0-5/6 years). Sigmund Freud’s characterisation of the development of personality gives credence to the import of parents in influencing the growth and development of their children. Observably, Reverend Rinashe and Sigmund Freud seem to converge on the understanding that the formative years are critical in shaping children’s personalities. It is the object of this opinion piece to argue for parental involvement in the education of their children.
Parents wield immense influence over their young children. When children are growing up, they look up to their parents as immortal, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient beings. For example, when a child is beaten up at play, we often hear this statement, ‘ I will report you to my father.’ This statement demonstrates what the child holds about his / her father. By inference, the child’s father is the Mike Tyson of the village, meaning that no one can beat him, hence the notion of omnipotence. As children grow up, they have faith, confidence and trust in their parents. Their impressionable minds bask in the security of the omnipresence of their parents. Given what children hold about their parents, parents therefore have a duty and obligation to impart values and norms of civility, co-existence, tolerance, positive reciprocity in communication, interactive justice, love, respect, equity, social justice and humility. These values if properly built into the personalities of children will help them fit properly into the school system. With globalisation, schools and classrooms have become multicultural sites that thrive on understanding and appreciating diversity. Parents should be seen to identify with the success goals of the schools to which they send their children and similarly schools should understand that children do not come to school as entities separate from their home, background and community. This understanding of children as having multiple belongings will assist teachers to treat them as individuals who have own cultures and identities that ought to be tolerated in the process of knowledge dissemination and distribution.
Observably, some parents want quality education for their children, but don’t want to pay for it. Often-times, schools have challenges in terms of their budgets because most parents will not have paid school fees for their children. Parental involvement is about organisational citizenship, that is a spirit of identifying with the vision, mission and core values of a school to which their children go. Parents have diverse skills-set -engineers, doctors, painters, accountants, psychologists, counsellors, musicians, artists, journalists, sculptors, carpenters, builders, footballers and comedians, among others. From this array of professions, schools can immensely benefit when these parents in their different occupations decide to offer voluntary services in areas that they are adept at. Imagine a school in the neighbourhood of Moses Chunga (footballer), having this legendary coming to train children in the domain of soccer and the school in Kapfupi’s neighbourhood having him as a resource person in music and drama. The argument above about parental involvement is as clear as a bell in advising that parental involvement is much more than just paying school fees for children.
In some countries like America there is a designated National Teacher Day for honouring teachers and recognising the lasting contributions they make to the lives of their students. On the teachers’ appreciation day, parents visit schools of their children with different gifts for teachers. Teachers in a country like Zimbabwe work like elephants but at the end of the day feed like rats and the same goes for university lecturers. They need to be motivated; motivation of teachers is critical in terms of pepping up their spirits. Imagine a child is driven to school in a Toyota Fortuner to meet a teacher who has been dropped off at the same school by a Honda Fit (Zvipipi). Sad. Arguably, growth thrives in conducive environments, one cannot expect a goose to lay golden eggs if it is not given food. Parents should appreciate that teaching has lost its touch of respect and dignity because of measly salaries, teachers’ so called ‘take home’ is no longer enough to take them home. Parents who are concerned about the education of their children should realise that achieving quality education is a function of a multi-pronged process that needs all the hands to be on deck. The welfare of teachers should not just be the concern of a government but should be equally the concern of parents. The government has competing needs, and its tax base is so lean that it cannot handsomely reward teachers. Parents through schools’ development committees and as individuals should go a stage further to investigate what they can do to spark morale into the psyche of their teachers. The same parents also should also know and appreciate that for their children to thrive at school they need a home where they feel valued and cared for, both physically and emotionally.

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