adminThe combined launch will be held at Garanyemba Primary School in Gwanda Central on the 20 February under the theme “Catch Them Young”.
The project is being spearheaded by World Vision, a non-governmental organisation and RDCs from Matabeleland South and North Provinces with funding from the European Union (EU).
Speaking during a preparatory meeting in Gwanda Town yesterday, the Gwanda Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Ronnie Sibanda said the RDCs in collaboration with World Vision had applied for funding for the programme from the EU about two years ago.
“Finally, last year we got the response from the EU saying that they would fund us for the next three years. Gwanda is the holding district where all the money will be kept and the EU has already deposited $260 000,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said in Matabeleland South Province the pilot districts to benefit under the programme would be Gwanda and Mangwe.
In Matabeleland North Province Kusile and Nkayi Districts will be the pilot districts for the project.
“Each district would have 10 primary schools to benefit for the first year,” he said.
The district has had meetings in the past weeks in preparation for the project launch, which is expected to attract up to 2 000 people.
“We will be having delegates from the EU and World Vision head offices in Harare and representatives of the four RDCs from the two provinces. We are expecting about 100 dignitaries,” said Mr Sibanda.
Matabeleland South Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku is expected to officially launch the project.
Mr Sibanda said the budget for the launch had been set aside while State function sub-committees had been activated for preparations for the event.
School children, traditional dance and urban grooves artists would provide entertainment.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu