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GIDEON Mhlanga High School recently partnered with the District Development Fund and the community to rehabilitate a bridge that links the school and the community, which was swept away by Cyclone Eline in 2000.
In an interview, the school head, Mr Can See Mapuranga, said former students, with the help from parents within the community, constructed the foot-bridge which was a relief not only to students who had to brave the flooded river to cross it, but the community that includes teachers and parents.
“The project was spearheaded by Mr Edgar Madzungu of Dods Bakery who is the treasurer of Gideon Mhlanga Old Students Association. Remember, some time ago, another structure was built but over time, it collapsed. One hopes that the current structure will last longer,’’ he said.
One of the old boys, Mr Joe Muzamana thanked the head, Mr Can See Mapuranga for being a hands-on head who acted as a link between current and former students and who wanted nothing, but the best for the school.
“I am thrilled at the developments. The Tanganda River has to be crossed when one is going to and from the school. It is unpleasant to remove socks and wear them again in this day and age because of the river. With the foot-bridge in operation, that will be a thing of the past. Seeing how the community rose to the challenge is something worth applauding. Of course, our good friend, Edgar Madzungu, is doing wonders with his business and social corporate responsibility by knowing where he came from. Gideon Mhlanga school has been in operation since 1970 and thousands of students have passed through where the footbridge is. We ask those people to reflect on what they can do for the school that gave them fame and riches,’’ said Mr Muzamana.
Mr Mapuranga added: “We intend to buy a bus and plans are at an advanced stage. With that in mind, as administrators, we approached DDF in Chipinge for help. As you know our economic situation as a country is not in the best of shape, the quasi-government-institution did not have money, but Mr Sundao of DDF offered us a tractor and some builders. The arrangement was a typical private-public-partnership which went according to plan.’’
The community was not left behind in these efforts to make Gideon Mhlanga High School accessible for those coming in from the Chiredzi direction.
“For our manpower, we liaised with the local leadership. Any member of the community who worked for three days would get a bucket of maize. I was made the chairperson of the initiative and the rehabilitation of the bridge started in August 2015. Members of the community have done a great job so much as the DDF personnel. To date, slightly over two tonnes of maize have been disbursed to the community. We rehabilitated infrastructure while at the same time making sure that the food security cluster is catered for.
“The school bought all material that was required by the builders, but at times we would receive fuel for the tractor from DDF if it was available. On November 30, most of the work had been done and it is our hope that in the near future it will be officially opened. God works in mysterious ways,’’ said Mr Mapuranga.
Mr Clever Sigauke, a member of the Musani community, who happens to be a Building Studies teacher commented the head and his staff for shunning the donor dependency syndrome.
“It is good that Mr Mapuranga took the bull by the horns and led in the rehabilitation of the bridge. Now, his school can host a number of events with this accessibility that has come about,’’ he said.
Mr Roderick Gondo, a Literature in English and English teacher at the school felt that the link between the community, school, former students, Government and the wider world was a recipe for success.
“The school is poised for greater heights if there is unity of purpose from all stakeholders. It is a matter of time before the school buys a bus,’’ he said.
Online Reporter