Online Reporter
Africa Moyo, Deputy National Editor
THE two-day Run for Hope Half Marathon begins today in Beitbridge, with one of the partners set to offer a comprehensive first aid training programme to residents, aimed at equipping them with essential emergency response skills.
The marathon, held in honour of Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s legacy — particularly his contributions to social infrastructure development in the area — will take place tomorrow.
Following the marathon, hundreds of community members and senior Government officials, including Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also chairs the National Drug and Substance Abuse Committee, will gather at Mtetengwe Primary School for the official handover of rehabilitation works carried out at the school.
The event will also serve to promote the national campaign against drug and substance abuse.
In an interview, Permanent Secretary in Vice President Mohadi’s Office, Dr Benson Martins Dube, confirmed that the mega event begins today.
He emphasised the importance of the programme in a region prone to accidents, particularly road traffic incidents, noting that empowering individuals with first aid knowledge can significantly reduce fatalities and improve outcomes during emergencies.
“Our goal is to ensure that before professional medical help arrives, community members are capable of providing immediate assistance, which can be crucial in saving lives,” he said.
The training is expected to cover a range of emergency scenarios, including road accidents, domestic injuries, and workplace incidents.
“We want to create a culture of preparedness within the community,” he said.
The initiative is a collaborative effort under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, integrating local healthcare providers to ensure the training is relevant and tailored to the specific challenges faced by Beitbridge residents.
Tomorrow, the Run for Hope Half Marathon will be held alongside a medical outreach event, where local doctors will offer free consultations and distribute medication to residents.
Provisions have also been made for home visits, ensuring that those unable to travel to the outreach location still receive the necessary medical care.
The outreach aims not only to treat ailments but also to educate the public on preventative health measures, reinforcing the programme’s dual focus on immediate care and long-term wellness.
The marathon will be led by the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Recreation, in collaboration with the Sports and Recreation Commission and the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz).
Registration for the marathon begins at 5:00am, with the race starting at 6:30am.
Deputy Director for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Vice-President’s Office, Dr Takudzwa Zvobgo, said the marathon presents an opportunity to promote physical health and community engagement.
The programme will culminate in an official handover and commissioning ceremony for the renovations at Mtetengwe Primary School, which Dr Zvobgo described as a significant milestone for the local community.
Mtetengwe Primary School suffered extensive damage during Cyclone Idai. Various partners came together to renovate classrooms, install a solar-powered borehole, and establish a computer laboratory equipped with the latest technology — including Starlink for WiFi connectivity, whiteboard screens, and projectors—for the benefit of learners, under the spirit of building back better.
“The Office of the Vice President contacted its friends and partners, who came together in the spirit of unity, which also cements the relationship between the Government and the private sector,” Dr Zvobgo said.
Vice President Mohadi, who was born in the area, was deeply moved by the devastation at Mtetengwe Primary following Cyclone Idai and activated systems to mobilise resources for its reconstruction.
