Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
LANDA John Nkomo High School in Tsholotsho District came alive on Sunday as the School Development Committee officially commissioned a 72-seater bus donated by businessman and philanthropist, Mr Wicknell Chivayo.
The bus handed over to the school trust by Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi in Harare last week, was unveiled at the school on Sunday. Staff, pupils and members of the Nkomo family gathered to celebrate the bus, which is expected to address the school’s long-standing transport challenges.
Established in 2006 as Manqe Secondary School and later relocated and renamed Landa John Nkomo High School in 2012, the school is the brainchild of the late Vice President, John Landa Nkomo. The late nationalist sought to create a centre of excellence serving children from across Tsholotsho District.
Before the donation, the school relied on a truck and a 15-seater kombi to transport sporting teams.
Boarders from outside Tsholotsho often faced expensive and unreliable public transport. The school has an enrolment of more than 300 pupils and some of them are borders.
Addressing the gathering, Landa John Nkomo Memorial Trust chairperson Mr Jabulani Nkomo said the donation fulfilled a promise made to his late father.
“Wicknell Chivayo was very close to my father and our family. Before Vice President Nkomo passed on, he asked Mr Chivayo to remember this school, the clinic, the ruling party and Highlanders Football Club,” Mr Nkomo said.
“Today, we witness the fulfilment of that promise. He has done well at the clinic and now he has made a remarkable contribution to the school. I advised him to buy a strong bus suitable for our rural terrain, and he did it out of love and respect for my father’s legacy.”
Mr Nkomo added that Dr Mohadi, during the handover, reminded the family of their duty to carry forward the late Vice President’s legacy.
“To the staff and pupils of Tsholotsho, I hope this bus motivates you to work harder and aim for 100 percent pass rates. Safeguard this precious gift and use it to achieve excellence in all your endeavours,” he said.
School head Mr Musarurwa Evans Guri also expressed gratitude to Mr Chivayo, saying the bus will help address the school’s transport challenges.
“I am thrilled to be here today to appreciate this gesture from our very own philanthropist, Wicknell Chivayo, a man whose heart is crafted in passion and love, inspired by charity and the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo’s legacy of caring and giving,” he said.
“In 2023, our under-15 boys’ and girls’ soccer teams travelled from zonal to national competitions in a truck. This new bus will undoubtedly enhance their experience and performance.”
The 72-seater bus is expected to significantly improve transport for learners and staff, especially for boarders and sporting teams.
