Online Reporter
Sunday News Reporter
Duration Gold Limited has donated 10,000 building bricks towards the construction of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Umguza High School, positioning the contribution as part of a long-term commitment to developing the country’s future workforce through education.
The bricks were handed over during fundraising activities for the planned boarding school near Ntabazinduna, about 40 kilometres outside Bulawayo. The institution is expected to complement the ZRP High School in Hatcliffe, Harare, while expanding access to quality boarding education for learners from across Zimbabwe.
Representing the company’s Managing Director, Finance Manager Last Nhari said education was central to building both industry and the nation.
“We are committed to building a strong, educated future workforce for a strong, educated country,” Nhari said.
“A mining company depends on skilled people, just as the country depends on educated citizens. We therefore see this contribution as an investment in Zimbabwe’s future.”
Nhari said the donation marked the beginning of what he described as an intentional policy by Duration Gold to partner the Zimbabwe Republic Police on initiatives that promote education, discipline and community development.
“We believe this is the first step in a deliberate partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to help foster a strong, well-groomed country. We look forward to supporting more initiatives that positively shape the next generation.”
The ZRP is raising funds to construct the modern boarding school as part of broader efforts to expand educational infrastructure and increase access to quality secondary education. The project recently moved into its construction phase following a groundbreaking ceremony led by Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the force’s existing schools had reached capacity, making additional facilities necessary.
“We have seven primary and two secondary schools in Harare, but we are overwhelmed; that is why we require another. We are having fundraising activities, the school will enrol the community,” he said.
Speaking during the fundraising programme, Commissioner-General Mutamba said broad-based support for the project would help advance Zimbabwe’s long-term development objectives by investing in education.
The initiative also received government backing. Minister Owen Ncube said the project supports the government’s infrastructure modernisation agenda and Vision 2030 through public-private partnerships.
Duration Gold spokesperson Robert Mukondiwa said the donation reflected the company’s philosophy that responsible mining includes investing in human capital.
“Duration Gold is unique in that one hundred percent of our senior management team comprises local Zimbabweans. That means we are investing directly in our own future leadership and in the future leadership of this country.”
Mukondiwa said collaboration with the police was aimed at strengthening communities by supporting young people before social problems emerge.
“There is an old adage that says it is better to build well-rounded youths than to heal broken, wounded adults. That philosophy perfectly captures why we are partnering the Zimbabwe Republic Police on this project. We believe that investing in education today builds stronger families, stronger communities and ultimately a stronger nation.”
He also thanked Finance Manager Last Nhari for representing the company.
“I wish to thank Last Nhari for so ably representing our Managing Director and the Duration Gold brand at this important national event. His participation demonstrated our company’s commitment to initiatives that create lasting value beyond mining.”
The ZRP Umguza High School is expected to admit its first boarding pupils in January and is intended to ease pressure on existing police-run schools while serving learners from Matabeleland North and other parts of the country.
derick.khumalo