adminMorris Mtisi
INDEED when intelligent effort, perseverance and hard work come together there is no compromise of quality. Such is the story of independent school Cross Kopje in Mutare.
In the words of its principal director Mai Mutowo on the night of Cross Kopje’s speech and prize-giving recently, it was through prayer and trust in God that the school pulled through.
Resorting to African proverbial philosophy “Munhu ndimutiro, haafi nenzara’’ literally meaning ‘A human being is like a baboon, it cannot die of starvation,” Mrs Mutowo chronicled the story of wretched poverty in the community, unemployment and other economic woes, yet, she said, “through all this, miraculously we have seen the whole nation…ordinary people living ordinary lives, sometimes near-impossible circumstances, able to talk things through and laugh and hope, able to say ‘We will get by somehow’.”
Mai Mutowo praised the resilience of Zimbabwean people whom she described as amazing.
Her good story about Cross Kopje began with the steady rise of enrolment figures: “In 2012 we had 100 pupils, 250 in 2013, 257 in 2014 and 300 in 2015,” she told her audience which comprised visibly delighted pupils, their parents and guardians, friends and loved ones.
She congratulated swimmers who scooped first and second prizes in backstroke, butterfly and breast stroke Dolphin competitions where Kayla Francis, Sunaila Mackenzie, Tendai Manzunzu, Blessing Mudzengerere, Shanice Makakani, Precious Mafaune, Renee Mugaba and others proved outstanding mantle.
Mrs Mutowo expressed pride in the school choir which she described as ‘superb.’ and boasted three years of 100% pass rate (2012, 2013 and 2014). “We won a trophy sponsored by Ministry of Education jointly with National Rehabilitation first and then a shield sponsored by Honourable Mushowe.
She had flattering comments for pupils, teachers and parents emphasizing the need to work harder and harder, putting intelligent effort as a collective in order to achieve quality outcomes.
The night’s highlight for this writer was the Grade 6 and 7’s performance of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar which most of us acted, if at all, at Form 4, 5 or 6. This only goes to show how these little schools illustrate unprecedented preparation for higher levels of learning and education. If children taste Shakespeare now, the appetite can only grow sharper in higher grades. That is the idea of an ideal education; an opportunity for growth, preparing children for the joy of learning as they harmoniously develop with their environment! No amount of literary challenge will scare them in the future and nothing can be better then catching them young in the development of Literature skills of Concentration, Reflection, Observation, Imagination and Judgment.
I hope I will get the time and space to highlight individual actors and actresses in this scintillating performance. Well done Cross Kopje! Makarongeka!
Not forgetting the fabulous MC of the night Marceline Mugaba who lit up the house with her fascinating mastery of MC antics and sense of humour. Well done Marcie! Without your wit and humourous brilliance the night would be totally different.
Online Reporter