Valentine Makufa

Tzu Chi Foundation commissioned two classroom blocks at Murerekwa Primary School on September 14 in Ward 8 under Chief Ndanga in Zaka Central constituency.
The Taiwana-based charity organization (Tzu Chi Foundation) constructed the two blocks as a rescue to the effects of Cyclone Idai which hit the country in early 2019.
Zaka Central Member of Parliament Davison Svuure welcomed all who attended the commissioning and appreciated Tzu Chi Foundation for the two classroom blocks built at the school.
“I welcome you all to this important event as we gather here to celebrate this milestone development that will go a long way in improving the education sector in our area.
“Let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Tzu Chi Foundation for coming to our rescue after Cyclone Idai destroyed our infrastructure and the two blocks will bring a huge sigh of relief to the school as learners get a spacious learning environment,” said Svuure.
Tzu Chi Foundation country director Chin Chai Chu said he was touched when he came to know that the school was affected by the cyclone and did not have enough classrooms and decided to inform the funder to build the two blocks.
“When I heard about the school from one of our volunteers, Volunteer Mutava I paid a visit to the school and I saw the damage inflicted by the cyclone. I informed our funder Master Cheng Yen. I also saw that the second building was about to collapse since the wooden trusses had been eaten away by ants .
I told our funder again that two blocks needed to be built for the safety of children because they are our future,” said Chu.
Parents whose children attend Murerekwa Primary School were very happy for the development and appreciated the work of Tzu Chi Foundation as it offer relief to overcrowded classrooms.
Zaka District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Dhliwayo who was standing in for Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira (the guest of honor) expressed gratitude to Tzu Chi saying the foundation had played a role in the President’s vision of ‘Leaving No One and No Place Behind’.
“I would like to express gratitude to our friends from Taiwan for this noble gesture that will go a long way in helping realize the vision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Dhliwayo.
Schools Inspector for Zaka District Jemias Bangamuseve standing in for District Schools Inspector Samson Chidzurira also thanked government for allowing the foundation to help the school as it was struggling to cope with the damage caused by Cyclone Idai.
“We are actually happy at government intervention to allow the coming on board of other partners who have come to our rescue after the disaster of Cyclone Idai in 2019 which damaged two of our blocks and it made our normal operation to a stuck and we could not cope. The involvement of local organizations and the supportive community gives us pride as a ministry,” said Bangamuseve.
Chief Ndanga born Wilson Makono thanked the Tzu Chi Foundation saying it has come as a rescue to Murerekwa Primary School and also challenged ward 13 councilor Manfred Mada to include the school and the Four Miles Clinic on the water project..
“Tzu Chi Foundation has come when we were in time of need due to the disaster we recently faced. We appreciate organizations like these who are ready to help those in need. Now that that the school has more blocks, I am challenging you Councilor Mada as illustrated by the children who performed their play that you provide the school with safe water. When you lay water pipes for the clinic, please extend the project to the school so that children will get clean and safe water,” said Chief Ndanga.
Tzu Chi Foundation is a Buddhist charity foundation originating in Taiwan whose founder is Cheng Yen (76). In Zimbabwe it is headquartered in Harare and has volunteers in different provinces.
Its main aims are charity, providing medicine for the sick and also educating the underprivileged. The foundation has been delivering food relief to alleviate the effects of drought in Zimbabwe.

Branton Matondo

Shadreck Mlaudzi, well known in the football realms for leading the Mighty Warriors to their maiden Olympic games in 2016 at Rio de Jenairo, Brazil is pushing to change physical education and sporting science curriculums in primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions, a project that is already on its foot.
Physical education and sport has been epitomized by ministries in charge of different educational structures from primary, secondary and tertiary as noted by their inclusion in curricular and learning programmes.
The former Mighty Warriors gaffer who is based in Bulawayo told this publication that both physical education and sport science are key to each and every educational structure hence the move to modernize it for the better.
“Physical exercise and literacy is a lifelong healthy habit which will ultimately lead to reduced medical bills in families and the country. Physical education is the base of all national sporting aspirations. It is the springboard for TI (Talent Identification). Through physical education and sports at schools, critical foundations for sports, basic motor functions are embedded which shape professional sports.
“Sport science has emerged as the leading branch of sports performance. It informs and guides models, decision making and in a nutshell, benchmarks have been set by leading nations such as USA, China and South Africa,” said Mlaudzi.
Mlaudzi has already published a piece of sporting literature dubbed ‘Anima Sana In Corpore Sano: Physical Education & Sports For Secondary Schools’ that is the first of its kind to prepare students for sport science related examinations.
The 21 chaptered book narrows down on sporting technical insights that are supported by Blooms Taxonomy (structured typically of CAMBRIDGE/ZIMSEC style).
According to Mlaudzi, the book is categorized into 10 classes that are Foundations of Sports, Body Systems and Performance, Fundamentals of Fitness, Testing, Measuring and Evaluation, Training Methods, Training Programme, Game skills, Sports Clubs and Patenting and finally event management.
He added that the book is available at established literature centers across the country also pointing out that reception of his work has been good so far as it seeks to achieve the leveled goal.
“The book is massive, it equips one with knowledge and understanding of physiological differences between men and women, the difference in mental faculties with huge bearing in coaching. The target is all secondary schools, tertiary institutions as trainers of teachers. Yes, the response has been slow but good. The book is available at Macedonia projects and Heritage Bookshops nationwide,” he added.
The literature covers four sporting codes which is unique in the way it imparts knowledge.
“The book is set out to be the first of its kind in which content coverage is structured to impart new attitudes, values and knowledgeable young learners who in turn value the importance of sports science in elite athlete training and at grassroots levels. ASICS is the premier and ultimate resource book that will aid the learner, teacher, sports practitioners and health practitioners invest less time on research as material brings a breath of fresh air into the teaching methods and approaches to athletic training. The stand out feature of this textbook, is the depth coverage of game skills. Its unique and compelling detail of sampling four sports codes in each game skill sets it apart,” he said.
Mlaudzi who divorced from coaching since 2017 said he will only resume with the trade when a lucrative offer comes.
“When the right offer comes, I will gladly assume responsibilities. Ambitious clubs can always come through for negotiations,” added the former teacher.

…Beneficiaries struggle to access funds as projects lie idle

Emmanuel Chitsika

Devolution funding adopted by the Central government of Zimbabwe to ensure national development through allocation of approved budgets to lower tiers of government has always sounded a noble idea if the approach is holistically implemented.
However, the disbursement of the funds from State to local authorities’ coffers has and continues to be the major obstacle affecting the possible success of the programme.
So many projects earmarked under the funding are bearing the brunt of lack of proper mechanisms that should allow smooth flow of the funds with some already started while others are yet to kick start.
Masvingo City Council has some of its critical projects supposed to be funded by Devolution funds seemingly progressing at a slower pace with missing of completion deadlines becoming a key feature.
The legacy Mucheke Trunk Sewer that started over a decade ago is one of those key projects suffering from late disbursement of funds and so is the new landfill at Cambria Farm being another major highlight for the City Fathers.
During last full council meeting on August 1, the local authority made revelations that of the total ZW$ 253 million, Masvingo city had received only ZW$ 50 million.
Masvingo City’s acting Finance Director Danister Jori confirmed the issue though he pointed out that after a series of meetings with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, they were promised to get another batch of ZW$ 120 million this year.
However, it is the directive by the Treasury Chiefs to councils to revisit their priority areas and adjust that point to the conclusion that no full payments would be made for the year 2022.
Contacted to clarify government’s position on the late disbursements, Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Jefta Sakupwanya referred questions to the Economic Development Director for Masvingo Clever Chingwara who said the ministry of Finance and Economic Development could be in a better position to respond since they are in charge of the national.
He said the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works could be another port of call to seek comment since in case of challenges, local authorities may seek redress through parent ministry.
“Concerning that issue, the funds go directly from ministry of finance to local authorities, so the former might have more details pertaining to that. Ideally, the local authorities submit their reports to the Provincial Secretary, but when it comes to when the funds are disbursed, the treasury is responsible.
“What we may have are the reports of projects undertaken and progress from local authorities. The issues are channelled through the ministry of local government because our office was shifted to the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC). We are not privy to the reasons behind the ‘delays’ though we have heard of such delays and thus ministry of finance have the proper answer while the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) may provide details on how the delays may affect their works,” said Chingwara.
A survey carried out by this publication at most local authorities revealed that there was limited activity in terms of progress on devolution funded projects as delayed disbursement of funds stall works with some contracted companies shelving operations due delayed payment of their dues.
Some councils have on a number of occasions deferred projects for a given year to the next because of lack of funds while at times they revert to internal funds to fund the projects.
The development is also seeing most local authorities only engaging in low cost projects since most of them are now relying on the funds rather than internal funds.