By Decide Nhendo
Pamushana High School has once again proved to be a force to reckon, not only in class, this time extending its prowess to intellectual academic competitions after winning the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) provincial drama competitions held at Victoria High School in Masvingo on June 18.
Pamushana came first with 76 percent and went on to represent the province at the national finals held at Mutare Boys High School on June 20 and 21.
The competitions ran under the theme ‘The Threat’ set around human actions to climate change and drug abuse.
Speaking to TellZim News, Pamushana High School drama coach Simbarashe Mlambo said he was happy the team had come first at provincial level and said they were ready to represent the province at the national games.
“I am happy that we came first at the competitions and this was possible because of teamwork. Our next stop is Mutare Boys High for the national games and we are ready to represent the province, we are going to use some of the tips that were aired out here at Victoria High so that we will be able to thrive in the coming competitions,” said Simbarashe.
Simbarashe said intellectual academic competitions were important because they helped identify talent within learners as well as nurture them to grow since some were making it through their talents.
“Intellectual academic competitions like drama are of great importance to learners because when we go for these competitions we scout talent in learners and nurture them to grow.
“When working with these learners sometime we come across some who have great potential, and we want to make them realize their talents, nurturing them to be professionals just like those making it in real life,” said Simbarashe.
NASH Masvingo provincial head in charge of debate, public speaking, and drama Lincoln Mlambo said this was the first the competition to be held since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 and urged school authorities, and parents to support intellectual academic games saying they could earn learners a decent living if done well.
“These are the first drama competitions to be held since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, and we call for relevant school authorities not to undermine intellectual academic competitions, but to support learners in these disciplines in ways they are capable of,” said Lincoln Mlambo.
He also said they were going to embark on training for coaches to promote talent nurturing and make sure they excel.
“We are trying our best to make sure that intellectual academic games are valued in schools. We are going to embark on virtual training with the aim of acquainting coaches and their administrators on how to coach the learners as well as bringing value to these sporting disciplines,” said Mlambo.
Other teams that competed were Victoria High School, Choverere Secondary School from Mwenezi District, Chibi High, Dewure High, St Antony, Mkwasine and Mutendi High Schools.
Chibi High School came second, Victoria High on number three while Mkwasine High School from Chiredzi came fourth, Choverere came fifth Mutendi High came sixth while Dewure High and St Antony came seventh and eighth respectively.
