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By a Correspondent
THANKS to a local farmer, Brigadier General Levi Mayihlome (Retired) two secondary schools in Umzingwane district, Matabeleland South Province have been given state-of-the-art mobile science laboratories.
Dating back to 1998, Brig-Gen Mayihlome (Rtd) who hails from the district has had a long association with assistance of schools and the community.
He became the first individual to donate computers to Mzinyathini High School in the same district. The donation of mobile laboratories, the first of its kind in the region, if emulated, could shift the paradigm in teaching of science subjects as it will no longer be necessary to built science laboratories as the mobile laboratories can be carted from class to class and are stored securely in safe rooms when not in use.
“It is common knowledge that many schools in Umzingwane district and indeed in the Matabeleland region lack adequately equipped science laboratories, hence the low pass rates in science disciplines. This has been a concern of many of our peers and elders, not to mention the pupils themselves. A lot of effort has been put by individuals to assist redress this phenomenon but still a lot needs to be done as the requirement gap is just too wide. Like many of our compatriots, I believe that the mere hope that someone somewhere will address this problem is a futile dream, we have to roll up our sleeves and do something for our communities as this is an investment in the future that we desire.
“It is for this reason therefore, that when I looked at the Umzingwane community, where I hail from, I realised that one more push in this regard might make a difference. I figured that building customised science laboratories at every school could be too costly. Thus thanks to technological developments, I found the mobile laboratory which is equipped with all apparatus and laboratory materials and manuals to be the short to medium-term answer. I decided to adopt two Umzingwane secondary schools as a pilot project (Mvuthu and Nsezi secondary schools). I implore fellow businesspeople and corporates to follow this route, for investment in education has huge spin-offs for everyone especially the corporate.” The farmer and businessman then revealed how it all started when he was studying in America.
“It was in late 1996 while studying for my Masters in International Resource Planning and Management at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California that a fellow military MSc student from Botswana (then Captain), Clive Matenge and I were reflecting on the long and hazardous journey we travelled to be at one of USA’s prestigious military universities.
“We both recognised that we were some of the most fortunate people from the Third World to be there. We are grateful to our Governments and fellow countryman for affording us the opportunity to share with the best of the First World. So I asked Clive what he would do as gratitude for his people when he goes back to Botswana. His reply was that he would build a clinic as it was a pressing need. He then asked me what I would do. Without hesitation, I said I would like to sow a seed of education, for I do not want any of my compatriots to go through the pain I went through to get where I am. I told him I would organise computers and give to one school in my community.”
Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenge of sourcing and shipping the computers to Zimbabwe, with assistance from a few Zimbabwean friends based in the US like Mr Israel Chideya and Rotary International, Brig-Gen Mayihlome (Rtd) pressed on with the idea and the rest is history.
Mzinyathini High School received eight desktop computers in early 1998, at the time, there was no other recorded donation of computers to any school in the country by an individual.
“The entire region and particularly the community were so excited about this development. I recall very senior officials from all Government departments including three Cabinet ministers attending the commissioning and connection to the Internet, RDC officials, local secondary schools including Falcon College, the local community all descended on Mzinyathini Secondary School to witness the presentation. I was made the school patron after the donation. In the ensuing years I helped maintain the computers, and assisted electrify the residential blocks and classrooms. From then on school after school in the district started approaching me when they had educational challenges. I also joined the Committee of Friends that was promoting the development of science and mathematics teaching in Matabeleland schools,” he said.
Apart from donating the science equipment, he has also been a champion of sports development in schools and among youths. He has also given financial support in building infrastructure like roads and bridges.
“Since 1999 I have also promoted sports mostly at schools in conjunction with others, as well as assisting youths to go to college or to get jobs. In addition, I have assisted Umzingwane communities and schools with developmental needs like cement to construct bridges, culverts, crèches, brick moulding, churches, dipping and cattle handling facilities, cattle watering points and various other projects.
“On a social note, in 2013, we set up a social football team Mayihlome Rangers FC to promote our liquor outlet in Mpopoma, Bulawayo. In 2015 we adopted the sponsorship of two other social soccer teams, Brotherhood FC and Kadudu FC from Njube in Bulawayo. In 2017 Mayihlome Rangers were crowned Champion of Champions of Bulawayo social soccer,” he added.
Buoyed by the apparent success and fulfilment in promoting social soccer in Bulawayo, in 2017 he and his team started organising social soccer and netball tournaments in Umzingwane, starting with Bonjeni, Mbizingwe, Silobi and then Habane, Mpisini, Kumbudzi, Mathendele/Nswazi, Doyana, Ntabenende. He is now planning an Annual Sports Bonanza in Esibomvu.
“At these tournaments, prizes and trophies are won. It is our desire to form mini leagues in groups of wards, which will culminate in a Champion of Champions competition towards the end of the year. Soccer kits and footballs have been given to several teams in the district. We hope to assist introduce various other sport disciplines so as to develop talent and promote friendship and networking. Several more disciplines are being considered to introduce variety,” he said.
Brig-Gen Mayihlome (Rtd) said he decided to be part and parcel of his community so as to help young children have a better future. He said he also learnt a lot about being selfless and putting people and the country first while participating in the liberation struggle and serving in the army after independence.
“I chose investing in education because mine is a very sad story. I never imagined that after dropping out of school at the age of 16 I would have an opportunity to be in a formal school again. I had been through the liberation struggle, studied O and A-levels through correspondence, did my Economics Degree at the University of Zimbabwe through mature entry in a class with fellow students 15 years my junior, and I was in the USA for a Masters’ degree, this was nothing short of a miracle.
“I had dropped out of school in 1970 while commencing Form Three at Mzingwane Secondary School due to financial difficulties.’’
derick.khumalo