Innscor, Simbisa invest US$2,2m in school

Herald Reporter

Non-profit Education Matters Trust celebrated the official opening of USAP Community School, its new high school on a permanent site in Marondera last Saturday.

The USAP Community School, which opened in January 2020 and is officially recognised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE), previously ran on leased premises in Goromonzi.

The school takes in brilliant economically-disadvantaged students after O level for two years of enhanced A level education.

In May 2024, USAP inaugurated the second term of the community school on the permanent site, on land bought west of Marondera, near Ruzawi School.

The school is managed and operated under the Education Matters, a non-governmental organisation.

“USAP seeks out the brightest students in under-served communities in Zimbabwe, that teaches through a rigorous, holistic education centred on critical thinking, and prepares leaders of tomorrow with values of integrity, equality, service and curiosity,” said Rebecca Zeigler Mano, Director and Founder at Education Matters.

USAP Community School grew out of a 20 year history of the USAP programme, founded by Zeigler Mano and originally run as a college access programme which helped over 800 high-achieving, low-income students seeking university scholarships in the United States.

Since its inception in 2020, the school has acquired an outstanding reputation for academic brilliance, with three consecutive graduating classes receiving over US$20 million in scholarships to attend prominent universities in Africa, India, and the United States.

The major capital donors which built the permanent campus include Innscor Africa, Simbisa Brands, Chobani LLD, Beit Trust, Padenga Holdings, Beit Trust and Architexture while a major supporter of operating expenses is Oak Foundation as well as many individual donors including USAP alumni and Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.

Speaking at the colourful opening ceremony, Innscor Africa and Simbisa board chairman Mr Addington Chinake commented that the two companies and Padenga had made a contribution to the construction of the school by channelling approximately US$2.2 million.

Underscoring a long-term commitment to social responsibility, Chinake emphasised the companies’ enduring dedication to uplifting marginalized communities.

“This initiative is not an isolated act of benevolence but a cornerstone of a broader corporate strategy.

“By investing in the welfare of the most vulnerable, we recognise the interconnectedness between a thriving business and a prosperous community, positioning itself as a catalyst for sustainable development and positive social change.”