Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
Chibamu Enterprise, a locally owned company involved in mining and agriculture, has constructed a modern secondary school and clinic in Ward 15, Goromonzi, bringing relief to thousands of residents who have been travelling long distances to access education and healthcare services.
Construction of the secondary school has been completed, while the clinic is now 98 percent complete.
The two facilities were constructed on the company’s farm, which employs hundreds of people from the surrounding communities.
Previously, residents requiring healthcare services had to travel more than 10km to Mabvuku in Harare or Gejo RaRubhi along the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway.
The development is in line with President Mnangagwa’s call for citizens and local businesses to contribute to national development by investing in their communities.
The school is expected to open at the beginning of the 2027 school year, while the clinic is expected to start operating before the end of this year.
The facilities are expected to improve access to essential services for residents of Ward 15 and surrounding communities.
In an interview with Zimpapers, Mr Tatenda Chibamu, representing Chibamu Enterprise, said the institutions were built to ensure their employees and the community have access to services closer to their homes.
“We are operating in a community where there are a lot of people, some who are employed in our mine and farm. These people need to have easy access to quality services.
“This is our way of giving back to the community where we are operating from. We have employees here with children who need to have education as well as being assisted whenever they are not feeling well. So we decided to build this secondary school and a clinic nearby.
“We are proud to be contributing to transforming people’s lives. We are humbled to be contributing to the development of our nation,” Mr Chibamu said.
He said the school will be opened next year.
“We are working on the paperwork that will allow our school to be officially opened. Construction of the school is complete. Soon we will put some modern furniture for learners and staff,” he said.
“Final touches are being done on the clinic and soon it will be opened to the people. People are travelling for long distances to the nearest clinic and this is not good. So not only our workers will be assisted here, but the entire community.”
For Ward 15 residents, these institutions are not merely bricks and mortar, but centres aimed at transforming people’s livelihoods.
A Ward 15 resident, Ms Chantel Mazani, thanked Chibamu Enterprise for the school.
“We want to thank Mr Chibamu for this development. We have one secondary school at Arcturus Mine and it is now congested,” she said.
“So our children are travelling either to Harare or Goromonzi for school. It is expensive for us parents.
“So now we have a secondary school nearby, which is a good gesture by Mr Chibamu and we are grateful.”
Mrs Chipo Jena said their wish is for the school to be opened soon so that pupils can access education nearby.
“We have a modern school nearby and we hope that nothing will stop it from being opened next year,” she said.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa and Government for allowing local people to build schools and clinics for the people.
“My prayer is that Mr Chibamu can get more land also and build a primary school close by. We are thankful as people of Goromonzi.”
Mr Samuel Mahaso said some learners are walking for more than 5 km to school.
“Some are walking for more than 5 km to the next school. They were getting to school exhausted and they were not performing at all,” he said.
“Now that a school has been built nearby, we are thankful to all those who made it possible,” he said.
While final works are being done on the clinic, residents are optimistic that it will be opened soon.
“Thanks to President Mnangagwa as well as Baba Chibamu for this clinic. We are walking for almost 10km to the next clinic, which is not good at all,” Ms Tinevimbo Chingururu said.
“Now we are going to be served nearby. This is good. We thank authorities for making this possible. We hope that the clinic will be opened soon for our convenience.”
Another resident, only identified as Amai Natasha, said the construction of this clinic has brought a major relief to them.
“Imagine we have been going to Mabvuku to seek services. Imagine being pregnant and having to walk long distances to get help. Some even gave birth before reaching a health facility. Some lost their babies in the process,” she said.
“I want to appeal to the Government to ensure that this clinic is open as soon as possible so that we can be served nearby.”
