Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
IN a move aligned with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 mantra, ZANU PF National Chairperson, Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri donated 30 tonnes of cement towards the construction of Mabiya Secondary School in Mutare District.
The new school aims to alleviate the plight of local learners, who currently walk nearly 20 kilometres to access secondary education at Derembwe Secondary School.
Children from Mabiya Primary School are forced to make this arduous daily journey.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the Defence Minister, described the donation as a response to the community’s desperate situation and part of a broader campaign to empower rural communities through education infrastructure development.
“I was moved by Mabiya Primary School head’s plea, and I decided to take action. It is unacceptable that children in an independent Zimbabwe must walk 20km to and from school every day to access secondary education. I have donated 30 tonnes of cement for the construction of Mabiya Secondary School,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She also said Government under President Mnangagwa’s leadership is committed to ensure that children’s futures are not jeopardised by lack of nearby education facilities.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the donation aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, ensuring that no child is left behind and every community benefits.
“This is about servant leadership, taking the Second Republic’s vision to every village and community, empowering people at the grassroots level,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri stressed the importance of education in national development and achieving an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“How can we expect children to excel in examinations when they walk 20km daily to school, arriving exhausted and discouraged? That must end now. Education is key to unlocking our country’s future, and we will ensure that every child, whether in Mabiya or Harare, has access to it,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She pledged continued Government and parliamentary support for the school’s construction, in partnership with the local legislator, Honourable Wilson Maposa.
“This is not a one-off event, but a commitment to the people of Mabiya. We will push this project forward, ensuring its successful completion,” she said.
Mabiya Primary School head, Mrs Bitta Faranando expressed deep gratitude to Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri for the donation.
“We thank Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri for this generous donation. Many children were dropping out of school after completing primary education due to the distance to Derembwe Secondary School. The thought of walking 20km daily is daunting. Our primary school has a good pass-rate, but many could not proceed to secondary school,” she said.
Mrs Faranando noted that the donation would help address child marriages, which had become prevalent due to school dropouts.
“The girl child was dropping out and getting married at a young age, which is worrisome. With the secondary school, this will be a thing of the past, thanks to Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri,” she said.
Inspired by the donation, community members are mobilising resources, with many contributing bricks for the school’s construction. A parent, Mr Cleopas Mandinde welcomed Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri’s intervention, saying it brought renewed hope to the community.
“This donation shows we are not forgotten. I have three children, and I feared for my daughter’s safety due to the long distance to Derembwe. Now she might attend a nearby school. I thank the Minister for remembering us,” he said.
