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Chronicle had a one-on-one with Mr Dube, who has enrolled for a degree in theology with an American university, at his rural home in Matobo District, about 45km away from Maphisa Growth Point under Chief Bidi.
After retirement from a four decade-long teaching career, Mr Dube believes his mind is still sharp enough to challenge the youths in the academic ring.
“Reading has been my hobby from my youthful days up to today. All knowledge is hidden in books and age would not stop me from studying further,” he said, adding: “Right now I am studying for a degree in theology with an American university and I will be writing my examinations in December.”
But who is Mr Dube and where does he come from?
“I am a Kalanga person. I was born on 18 December 1928 in Mpandeni area in Mangwe District. I grew up there herding cattle until 1938 when the whites displaced us to this place. I am the oldest in a polygamous family of 18,” he said.
“I enrolled for my Sub A in 1938 at Mambale Primary School, which is 15km from here, and continued up to Standard Three. I was then transferred to Usher Primary where I did Standard Four to Six.”
Mr Dube said at that time there were few secondary schools in the whole of Matabeleland region except Empandeni Mission, Thekwane, and Inyathi Mission in Bubi.
Said Mr Dube: “I did my Junior Certificate at Empandeni and later on trained for primary school teaching at the same school for two years. After completing the course I became a junior tutor for Standard Six pupils at the same institution. I stayed there for five years and then left for Tshelanyemba here in Matobo where I became the head for three years.”
Following a misunderstanding over administration of school funds, Mr Dube said he quit his job and joined the London Missionary Society (LMS).
“With my teaching certificate I was in demand and I was given a job at Nyashongwe Primary. That was in 1968. I worked hard to restore order at the school, which was almost torn by conflict between staff members. I stayed there for 25 years during which I learnt that consultation, planning, implementation and supervision were key to successful leadership,” he said.
Between 1994 and 1995 the veteran teacher was temporarily transferred to Nkayi to relieve the then District Education Officer, Mr Gibson Hlongwane.
“I stayed in Nkayi for two years and then went to Goholi Secondary where I stayed until retirement in 2000. I also had a stint at Embakwe High where I taught. During my days as a teacher I never stopped reading.
“I also did business studies and earned a diploma in politics and law through correspondence with the University of Zimbabwe, which I completed in 1978,” said Mr Dube.
Asked about his motives for reading when he has already retired, the veteran teacher had this to say: “Reading broadens the mind and I am not doing it for selfish reasons. I am doing it so that I can assist my community and be able to interact and conceptualise issues in my environment.”
The veteran educationist, however, has reservations about the quality of education offered in schools today.
He also bemoaned the low pass rates in schools in Matabeleland region.
“Education standards in Zimbabwe have fallen and the truth must be told. The greatest problem is politics. Diligence is lacking in the profession as teachers have become so corrupt and are only after money.
“I am writing a book titled Sibukula Ingiga Ubone Ukuthi Imbokotheni, which talks about education, HIV and Aids and the broader social environment. Where is education when we have primary school pupils getting pregnant?” he asked.
He said the Government must act responsibly in addressing the exodus of youths to South Africa. This can be done through creating jobs for them.
“Government must have a deliberate policy to uplift education standards in Matabeleland and this should be done constitutionally through devolution of power. Matabeleland is not developed left, right and centre and our leaders should tell the truth.
“Our children must also go to school and stop going to South Africa without certificates. They should have an ideology and empower themselves with knowledge. What they are doing now yibulema (its madness),” said Mr Dube.
“Most schools in the region do not have laboratories and as a result produce pupils who are not competent enough to get places at university. Sadly the MPs we have are not even looking into that.”
On his life after retirement Mr Dube said he was content.
“I am a content vessel. I enjoy my life. I own a house in Bulawayo and a cocktail bar in Maphisa called Ubukhosi Ngabantu.
I am a member of Matobo Indigenous Business Association.”
Mr Dube is married to Joyce and they have two sons and three daughters.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter