Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa in CHIROTI
SPECIAL Advisor to the President, Dr Joram Gumbo, has hailed private sector involvement in supporting key pillars of National Development Strategy (NDS1) towards attaining Vision 2030.
Through cooperation between the Government and stakeholders, said Dr Gumbo, hope, dignity and opportunities were being created in communities.
He was speaking during a tour of Gangarahwe Primary School in Hurungwe District constructed by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) at a cost of US$300 000.
He said the project showed the impact of private sector involvement in development.
“What I have witnessed here is not merely the construction of school buildings-it is the building of hope, dignity, and opportunity,” he said.
“The transformation from rudimentary, grass-thatched shelters to a modern, two-storey educational complex stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when government, corporate partners, and communities unite in purpose.”
Gangarahwe Primary School is one of the 17 model schools across the country. The school had grass-thatched makeshift classrooms, which were not conducive to learning.
It now boasts of a double-storey block with six classrooms and another block with a science laboratory.
He said the transformation of Gangarahwe Primary School was an embodiment of President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Development, he said, should be inclusive, equitable and far-reaching.
MMCZ director, Mrs Thandiwe Mlobane, said her organisation was moving to the second phase of the project, where an administration block and ECD learning centre will be constructed.
“We want to ensure that children in the area have access to quality education and facilities,” she said.
“We have completed the first phase of the project t and MMCZ has already approved another $200 000 for the construction of an administration block and facilities for ECDs, upgrading the water system and a solar power system.”
Acting provincial education director Mr Chance Mudambasere said the move had helped to have Gangarahwe Primary School registered paving the way for it to get a substantive headmaster.
At least 16 satellite schools remain unregistered in the district. Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said the development highlighted the impact of the whole of Government and whole of society approach to drive development.
“This is one big statement towards attaining Vision 2030 and shows how corporates such as MMCZ can impact lives through their corporate social responsibility projects,” she said.
Hurungwe West legislator Cde Chinjai Kambuzuma, who learnt in a grass-thatched makeshift classroom, said the development was key to instilling confidence in the children.
The makeshift classrooms had concrete slabs for benches, while teachers are squatting in the community.
Other outstanding works include the construction of teachers’ houses.
Chief Dandawa welcomed the construction of the state-of-the-art school as helping to promote development and dignity for children in the area.
