Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa in Mashonaland East
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) marked its 90th anniversary by breaking ground for a new classroom block at Mukanganise High School in Mashonaland East on Tuesday.
The board seeks to reduce child labour in rural areas and turn tobacco industry success into tangible benefits for farming communities.
The ceremony marks TIMB’s evolution from a regulatory authority into a development partner, investing in education and welfare to reduce child labour and uplift rural livelihoods.
TIMB chief executive officer, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, said TIMB’s 90‑year journey is being celebrated through direct investment in education.
He said the initiative symbolises gratitude to farming communities.
“As we celebrate 90 years of service, it is only fitting that we give back to the very communities that have sustained this industry for generations,” he said.
“Every classroom we build creates a better environment for learning, most importantly, it gives children hope that tomorrow can be better than today.”
He said the project is designed to empower communities while safeguarding children’s rights.
“No learner or any person under the age of 18 shall participate in any aspect of this construction project,” he said.
“Every child belongs in the classroom, not on a construction site. This project will not only produce classrooms, but it will create employment, support local businesses and inject income into this community.”
Marondera East legislator Honourable Vimbayi Mutokonyi said TIMB’s initiative reflects meaningful corporate social responsibility that drives Vision 2030 goals.
“If a business is not into corporate social responsibility, it is a naked business. This is how we drive growth towards an upper‑middle‑income society of Vision 2030,” he said.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s District Schools Inspector Mr Fernando Changa, who was represented by the Schools Inspector for Marondera District Mrs Natalia Hwicho, said:
“The partnership aligns with national strategies to strengthen human capital through education.
“We work in collaboration with all government ministries, including Agriculture, why you see TIMB assisting us in the construction of schools.
“We are contributing under Pillar 5 of the National Development Strategy, which talks of human capital development aiming to produce quality education so that we produce a workforce for the country.”
