Former Deputy Minister apologises

FIRED former Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Cde Simelisizwe Sibanda, yesterday issued a public apology following a backlash emanating from his sentiments on an Early Childhood Development (ECD) teacher in Bubi District who was not conversant with IsiNdebele.

Cde Sibanda had ordered the teacher to be transferred from the district. In a statement yesterday, Cde Sibanda, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bubi Constituency, said he regretted his approach to addressing the issue.

“I, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda, former Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, do hereby express my sincere apologies for the concerns arising from my recent actions.

“I understand that my approach to addressing the issue of a teacher’s language proficiency was misguided and inappropriate, leading to perceptions of tribalism,” he said.

“I want to assure the public and especially the teachers that my intention was solely to ensure that our children receive quality education and I was concerned about the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with her students.”

Cde Sibanda said as a national leader, he realised that he should have addressed the issue through appropriate channels and avoided public platforms that could have fuelled the tribal connotations.

He also said he was taking full responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that his approach was wrong.
“I understand that my actions may have perpetuated tribal divisions and for that, I truly apologise to the whole teaching fraternity and nation at large.

I want to assure the public that my commitment to our nation’s unity and development has always been genuine,” said Cde Sibanda.

“I want to express my gratitude to the public, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, for supporting me during my tenure.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have served and contributed to the development of our education sector.”
Cde Sibanda also extended his apology to the ruling Zanu-PF party, saying he understands the party’s values of unity and inclusivity and regretted any harm caused by his lack of judgment.

He also thanked President Mnangagwa for entrusting him and giving him an opportunity to serve in Government, but regretted letting him down.

“Finally, I remain committed to the nation’s progress under the leadership of our visionary leader His Excellency Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa as we consolidate the gains we have made as we pursue Vision 2030,” said Cde Sibanda.

“I hope that the public will accept my sincere apologies and recognise my commitment to our nation’s unity and progress. I am committed to learning from this experience and growing as a leader.”

Comments could not be obtained from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. However, last month, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira told Senators that the policy, which was introduced in 2018, making it mandatory for student teachers to learn three local languages besides their mother language still exists.

The policy was introduced as part of a raft of measures by the Second Republic to improve pass rates, particularly in Matabeleland following concerns that teachers deployed in the region were not conversant with local languages.

Prof Murwira said while they were starting to see the results of deliberate moves, the process is still a journey.
In 2019, Hwange Teachers’ College recruited 150 students from Hwange who speak Nambya and Tonga.

“In terms of the speed of movement, this is what we always need to improve every day because we cannot say we are 100 percent correct. Still, the direction is correct and we will be moving in that direction and continue to move in that direction,” said Prof Murwira.