Online Reporter
Gabriel Manyeruke
Happy new year, learners!
Happy New Year to all learners across Zimbabwe!
As we welcome 2026, I hope your holiday celebrations were joyful and filled with hope.
The festive season was punctuated by the Africa Cup of Nations, where our Warriors carried our national pride.
Though they were booted out of the tournament in the group stages, should we lose hope or withdraw our support? Certainly not.
Their courage reminds us that setbacks are temporary and we believe they will return stronger next time, having learnt valuable lessons from this campaign.
As schools reopen next week, learners too must embrace this spirit of renewal, stepping into the year with discipline and determination.
Beyond last year’s challenges
Every learner carries memories of setbacks — missed targets, unfinished assignments or grades that fell short.
Yet, the past is not a prison but a teacher.
The new year offers a chance to begin again, proving that resilience matters more than regret.
Success is not about avoiding failure; instead it is about refusing to be defined by it.
Small targets, big success
Great achievements are never sudden.
They are built on small, consistent steps.
Reading one page daily, practicing an essay each week or revising one formula at a time may seem ordinary.
Yet these habits accumulate into extraordinary results.
Learners must remember that one cannot be a crocodile abroad when they are still a lizard at home.
Excellence begins with mastering the basics before dreaming of international recognition.
Habits define destiny
The secret of success lie not in grand resolutions but in daily discipline.
Just as athletes train through routine drills, students must cultivate habits that strengthen focus and persistence.
A renewed year demands renewed habits — punctuality, preparation and perseverance. These are the invisible victories that shape visible success.
Results and responsibility
This January, Cambridge will release O Level and A Level results, defining the academic paths of many learners.
Zimsec results will also be released soon after.
These results are not destiny; they are reflections of preparation.
Learners must take responsibility for their choices, knowing that consistent effort today builds tomorrow’s opportunities.
The grades may open or close doors, but habits will determine how far each learner walks through them.
The Warrior spirit
The Warriors may not have lifted the trophy, but they lifted our spirits with their courage.
Learners must adopt the same warrior spirit: resilient in defeat, humble in victory and relentless in pursuit of excellence.
Win the small battles each day and the bigger victories will surely follow.
Gabriel Manyeruke is an author and educator at Wise Owl High School in Marondera.
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