admin
Political Editor
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko on Sunday called on Tsholotsho youths to stay in school and attain the highest form of education to secure a better future than illegally crossing to South Africa to do menial jobs.
Speaking at a handover ceremony of a classroom block at Mbiriya Primary School, VP Mphoko said the government was committed to providing a conducive learning environment for pupils.
“I’m aware that young people from this part of our country drop out of school and go to South Africa in search of greener pastures. There’s no future for you in South Africa. Your future is here in Zimbabwe. I urge you to focus on your education, as it is education that will open doors of prosperity for you. What we are doing here as the government, we’re doing for you. Don’t waste opportunities given to you to learn,” said VP Mphoko, who helped in mobilising resources to construct the block.
“We now have a university in Matabeleland North, Lupane State University. I want to be informed in a few years’ time that some of you school children of Mbiriya Primary School have been enrolled at LSU.”
He said the completion of the block was testimony that his promise was not a gimmick but a commitment, adding that the government, through its Zim-Asset economic policy, was addressing educational needs and deficiencies in the sector under the Social Services and Poverty Eradication cluster that he chairs in the Cabinet.
VP Mphoko paid tribute to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services that built the classroom block in collaboration with the local community.
He also commended companies that answered his call to chip in with materials for the classroom block — MacDonald Bricks, PPC Zimbabwe, JR Goddard Contracting, Sondelani Ranch, Tregers Group of Companies, Halsteds Brothers, Premier Medical Aid Society, UBM, Buy’n’Build, Antelope Park and Kolbro.
“In order to have this classroom block built, my office approached various businesses for donations of building material. I’m pleased to inform you that inspite of the harsh economic climate due to western sponsored illegal sanctions, there’re companies that were magnanimous enough to donate building material,” said VP Mphoko.
He said the companies had sent representatives to the function so that he could thank them personally.
During last year’s rally, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa also donated $5,000 to the school which was used to refurbish another classroom block and also used to buy sports kits.
On Sunday, Matabeleland North provincial affairs Minister Cain Mathema pledged to build an Early Childhood Development classroom block at the school while Zanu-PF youths led by Cde Tongai Kasukuwere pledged to sponsor the school with more sports kits.
Online Reporter