By Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Chiredzi Central, Member of Parliament Ropafadzo Makumire, has delivered on a key election promise with the construction of Gozonya Secondary School in Hippo Valley Section 27, bringing quality education closer to a community where children previously faced a 30-kilometre daily walk to the nearest secondary institution.
The completion of the school, funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), was announced during a public dialogue organized by TellZim News where Makumire detailed how he had allocated part of his 2024 CDF allocation to address the educational needs of his constituents.
The new school is expected to end the arduous daily journey local children faced to reach Mleme Secondary School.
“We have successfully completed the construction of Gozonya Secondary School, which includes a new block and roofing for the existing structure built in 2016. Both blocks have been plastered, and we are currently installing window frames. We will soon reach out to the community to raise funds for the school’s furniture,” said Makumire.
The MP confirmed that the project included a solar-powered borehole to ensure reliable water supply and expressed optimism that the school would welcome its first learners in 2026.
He also said he anticipated to hand over the completed facility to the Chiredzi Rural District Council by the end of this year.
Chiredzi Central was among the constituencies that received an allocation from the ZWL 1,300,000 CDF, with portions dedicated to both Gozonya Secondary School and the construction of Melbourne Government Primary School in the newly developed Melbourne Park Residential estate.
While the school construction represents a significant achievement, the dialogue also revealed ongoing community concerns about healthcare services. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the state of local medical facilities, urging Makumire to investigate the availability of free medication in public hospitals.
Tizirai Mazuruse, a community member, voiced the collective frustration saying they pay for a stamp at hospitals but cannot get any medication.
“Nowadays, we only pay US$9 for the stamp at public hospitals, which often lack even basic supplies like bandages. We are also being charged for blood, despite having donated multiple times,” said Mazuruse.
He appealed to the MP to follow up with the government, noting that patients were often referred to private pharmacies for medications despite paying hospital fees.
“As a repeat blood donor, I find it troubling that I must pay for blood if I need it after donating so many times,” said Mazuruse
The completion of Gozonya Secondary School marks a significant step in addressing educational infrastructure gaps in the constituency, even as healthcare concerns emerge as another priority area requiring legislative attention and government intervention.
