Nketa honours teachers, donates to needy learners

WARD 24 residents and their councillor, Tavengwa Zidya, on Friday joined hands to honour teachers for their diligent service and good performance at Manondwane Primary School in Bulawayo where they donated school uniforms to 30 learners.

Parents, community leaders and School Development Community members attended the event, which was organised as part of the school’s annual Teacher Appreciation Day.

What began as a celebration of educators quickly turned into an emotional homecoming as Councillor Zidya, on behalf of other former learners, handed over brand new uniforms, shoes and stationery to the needy.

Clr Zidya said the donation was mobilised using a WhatsApp group called “Nketa 7 Legends” in collaboration with former learners of Manondwane Primary and friends from the community who are based locally and abroad.

Clr Zidya said the gesture was inspired by the desire to reconnect and express love for the school. “I walked these same corridors many years ago wearing the same uniform, and today is about restoring dignity of the school and reminding these learners that their dreams are valid,” he said.

Clr Zidya also commended the dedication and hard work of the teachers for delivering good public examination results at 83 percent for Grade Seven in 2025.

“At Manondwane Primary, you are already living this curriculum and by blending academic excellence with our rich cultural values, you are ensuring that our children don’t just graduate with certificates but with a deep connection to their heritage,” he said. “Investing in our children and supporting the teachers who mould them is part of strengthening our primary schools and strengthening our entire community.”

During the event, teachers at the school were given tokens of appreciation and honoured for continued service, some serving for nearly two decades.

School head, Mr Morris Dube, said the recognition meant a great deal to staff members.
“Teaching is a calling but it is encouraging when their efforts are acknowledged,” he said.

“Seeing one of our former pupils return as a leader and give back, reminds us why we do what we do.”
“It is my honour to thank our teachers for such beautiful results since 2023 and for them to continue uplifting the pass rate so as to produce more leaders,” he said.

The school is constructing a new Early Childhood Development block and expects to complete it by the end of the year.