Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Religious leaders in Beitbridge have urged the government and its partners to consider setting up vocational training centres and institutions of higher learning to reduce challenges residents face in accessing such facilities in other towns.
At the moment, the district, with an estimated population of 250,000, has no such facility, and those interested in pursuing higher education travel to Gwanda, Gweru, Masvingo, Harare and South Africa.
Speaking during an interface with the Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, on Saturday, the church leaders said the situation was affecting self-development among most youths, some of whom were turning to crime and drug abuse.
“We are very concerned, and our appeal is for investors to consider setting up such facilities to address the challenges our children are facing,” said Pastor Danmore Dzokurasa.
He said many people were willing to further their studies but were being discouraged by the lack of such facilities.
“It is important that the youths have full access to such facilities where they can develop themselves as effective human resources or even acquire life skills at vocational training centres,” said Pastor Dzokurasa.
President of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ), Bishop Edgar Maireva, said the opening of vocational training centres or colleges was long overdue.
He said the establishment of institutions of higher learning dovetails with the town’s transformation into a city.
“There is a strong need for the Church, the Government and the community to work together in establishing such facilities,” said Bishop Maireva.
“Having colleges and other institutions also raises our town’s profile, attracting students from across the region and country. In addition, we believe establishing higher learning facilities is in line with our Head of State’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind in critical economic and social development matters,” he said.
Already, the Beitbridge Municipality is engaging a number of higher learning institutions to open campuses in the town to cater for the Beitbridge community.
“Most of the children from Beitbridge are experiencing a difficult life in other towns, especially regarding accommodation, if they cannot get residence within some colleges and universities. In addition, this could help a lot; issues of drugs will go down, and we believe having such facilities gives hope to young men and women who did not get other qualifications,” said chairperson of the Beitbridge Pastors’ Fraternal, Pastor Busani Moyo.
Some pastors said that, in other instances, some children from Beitbridge have had to go to South African colleges which are very expensive, not because they can afford it, but because they have failed to secure places at colleges in other towns inland.
It is understood that female students are the worst affected by the current state of affairs, and many are giving up on their dreams because of the unavailability of facilities locally.
Those from generally poor families are reportedly finding it difficult to keep up with exorbitant accommodation and general upkeep costs while in other urban areas.
