School kids living in the fast lane

Having taken a glance at people’s lifestyles in and around Harare, it should be quickly pointed out that Zimbabwe might have a similar “Levity Hollywood lifestyle” where families live in huge mansions, have a butler to announce the arrival of visitors and do have huge car garages, where three or so vehicles will be parked to cater for a family of three.

It is therefore no longer surprising to come across a 17-year-old student, driving herself in a state-of-the-art Grand Cherokee, or cruising in the fast lane in a huge V8, while going to school, although most who do so have a far more modest car.

This week Saturday Lifestyle went around different schools and was amazed by the type of vehicles they found parked at students’ car parks. While the bulk of these cars are the standard Japanese second-hand imports, functional cars bought for convenience so a parent does not have to spend an extra hour a day commuting, there are some very fancy cars scattered among the “grey” Corollas and Vitzes.

Schools such as St George’s College, St John’s College, Gateway High School and Arundel School have a student car park where one can see models more appropriate for business executives.

BMWs, Chevrolets, Mercedes-Benzes, Volkswagens and Range Rovers among others were some of the vehicles that were parked in the school premises.
Students interviewed said their parents had modest incomes but busy lifestyles, a situation that called for a viable transport arrangement to take them to school. The majority of parents interviewed said they opted to buy cars for their kids, instead of dropping and picking them from school on a daily basis.

“I live in Greystone Park and run two surgeries in Mabvuku and another one in Mufakose and I have to start work at 7am. My daughter goes to Arundel, which is the opposite side of town, so I decided to buy her a reasonable easy to maintain car for use so that I will not spend three hours each day driving her to and from school,” said a local doctor who chose to remain anonymous. Another parent, Ms Rosemary Pande – who runs a timber factory in Willowvale – bought her son a Toyota Vitz, so that he can drive himself to school.

“I often drive out of town three days in a week to go and buy timber in Chimanimani and that leaves me with little or no time to take him to school,” she said. Even the students themselves say the arrangement is convenient for them.

“When I was growing up my dad complained about the hassles of dropping me at school and he encouraged me to have a driver’s licence when I turned 16 so that I could drive myself to school,” said Kundai Mugwiji, a St George’s student.

Tanaka Katuruza, an 18-year-old Gateway school student, could not hide his elation after his parents honoured him with a BMW 225I birthday gift. He is also a proud owner of a Toyota Corolla.

“Sometimes I am in a dilemma over which car to choose to go to school,” he said.
The Upper Six student acknowledges that driving to school was a privilege.

“There are some people out there who have licences, but they do not have cars to drive. To me it is a different story. My parents can afford to buy me most of the stuff I need and I must say it is a privilege,” said Katuruza.

These pupils have also a penchant for noise as characterised by the powerful sound systems in their cars. Pedestrians near St John’s College have had to bear with the booming and heavy sounds that come from these cars when the pupils are driving back home.

For St John’s College Kurt Burger (18), who cruises in a Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Prado, his case is different. While his classmates drive to school to ease transport blues, Kurt cruises to school because he merely wants to listen to music from his state-of-the-art car radio.

“I live so close to the school, but just can’t stay away from my baby (car). I just like the music.”
Who can blame these children when their parents can afford it?

All the arguments and critics may be posed and raised, but the students say that is what they were exposed to since their infancy.
Some argue that decent parents would rather force their children to keep low profiles depending on who they are in terms of background and social status.

There are cases where boarding school pupils use their parents’ car to show off during visiting and sports days.