Online Reporter
Nkosilathi Sibanda at Usher Institute in Matabeleland South
THE roar from the grandstands, whistles echoing across the fields and colourful cheers from pupils created an electric atmosphere as Usher High School hosted the 18th edition of the Salvation Army Schools Association (SASA) Ball Games over the weekend.
From the first whistle on to the final matches, the sporting grounds at the school transformed into a vibrant festival of unity, passionate celebration.
Pupils and other spectators alike, rallied behind athletes and the host school welcomed visitors with warmth that reflected the school’s Christian values and spirit of togetherness.
Eight schools under the Salvation Army gathered at the institution to compete in six sporting disciplines that included football, volleyball, handball, tennis, basketball and netball.
Participating schools included hosts Usher High School, Tshelanyemba, Howard, Bradley, Chinyika, Marikopo, Mazowe and Ngezi High Schools, creating a colourful sporting showcase that drew participants from different parts of the country.
Beyond the competition itself, the tournament became a celebration of friendship, discipline, talent and cultural exchange. Athletes, coaches and officials camped at the institution during the games, with many describing the experience as a true “home away from home” because of the hospitality and organisation displayed by the Usher High School community.
Throughout the weekend, spectators kept the atmosphere alive with nonstop singing, chanting and cheering. Every goal, point and winning moment was met with excitement as learners waved school colours and rallied behind their teams in scenes that captured the true spirit of school sport and how the Salvation Army conducts their activities well.
The tournament highlighted the growing importance of school sport in national development, with educators and organisers emphasising that sporting platforms are helping shape disciplined, healthy and responsible young citizens. Through sport, learners are being exposed to teamwork, leadership, wellness and career opportunities while also being kept away from social ills such as drug and substance abuse.
Hosting the prestigious tournament marked a major milestone for Usher High School, earning the institution a special place in the annals of the history of the SASA Games. The school received praise from participating schools for its organisation, professionalism and exceptional hospitality.
Usher High School headmistress Mrs Kudakwashe Dzvairo described the occasion as historic for the school community.
Founded in 1936, Usher High School holds a special place in the history of education in Zimbabwe and remains one of the pioneering institutions under the Salvation Army education system. The school, which has an enrolment of 640 pupils, has over the decades built a strong reputation for academic excellence, discipline and holistic learner development.
Originally established as a girls-only institution, Usher High School has evolved with time. In 2025, the school enrolled its first intake of boys, marking a significant step towards co-education and inclusivity. This year’s tournament was particularly special as the school proudly fielded boys’ teams for the first time at the SASA Games.
“We are proud to be hosting the 18th edition of the SASA games. In term one we have athletics, term two there are these ball games and third term we do cultural activities. These competitions help us to grow. When we meet and interact sharpen each other other and we believe that iron sharpens iron. We iron each other in terms of skills, management and all schooling activities. Even our learners, they enjoy the SASA competitions a lot because as they interact and socialise, they learn from one another.
“Ever since I joined Usher High in 2022, I have enjoyed the SASA competitions the same way. These are games that no-one would want to miss. This is cherishable and the whole community of Usher High School will live to remember this.
“Besides competing with one another, we share valuable information. This also enables us to enhance our skills for the National Association of Secondary School Head competitions and that is an advantage because when our learners go for the Nash competitions, they are a force to reckon with. They would have prepared well and sharpened their skills during the SASA competitions,” she said.
Mrs Dzvairo also praised the SASA leadership for continuously supporting sport and professional development within Salvation Army schools.
“Within SASA, we also have a conference for the leaders where management skills are taught. We get insightful knowledge and wisdom from speakers who share with us different topics and pertinent issues that are beneficial to our running of the system. It benefits us and the learner as well. This also enables our School Development Committees to assess and up their performance.”
She said hosting the 2026 Ball Games had positively impacted the school both academically and in sport.
“These SASA ball games have led Usher High School to improve in term of performance in sport on all levels. I take this opportunity to reveal that we have been recording a 100 percent pass rate at A’Level since 2023 and 95 percent at O’Level. We are not only good at sport, we are gurus even on the academic front. I give credit to SASA in ushering this great improvement. The management, staff and learners at Usher High School have benefitted a lot from SASA.”
Mrs Dzvairo was proud to reveal that Usher High School was embarking on a number of projects aimed at uplifting standards that are beneficial to the institute and the learner as well.
SASA chairman Mr Thompson Katanda commended Usher High School for successfully hosting the tournament and maintaining high standards throughout the event.
He said the association’s vision extends beyond academic achievement, with strong emphasis also placed on sport, leadership, wellness and moral development.
“The purpose of these games is to bring the Salvation Army Church schools together and help foster an element of unity among ourselves,” he said.
Mr Katanda noted this year’s edition was unique because it welcomed newly established Salvation Army schools into the SASA sporting system.
“Usher High School scored a first and they did well as we had to bring in new schools under the Salvation Army desk which are Tshelanyemba in Maphisa, Kondonin Guruve and Ngezi in Kadoma.
“We aim to prop and streamline our new schools into the sporting system so that we spot and expose the talent they have. That is the most important aspect and vision of these games,” he said.
The SASA Games have also become a recognised platform for nurturing sporting talent. Mr Katanda revealed that national sprint champion Tapuwa Makarawu first rose through the ranks during his days at Salvation Army schools.
“The SASA ball games have produced many champions at every level of sport we can think of. We are proud of having produced Tapuwa Makarawu who did his Ordinary Level at Mazowe and then proceeded to Bradley High for his A’ Levels.”
Mr Katanda added that the games also focus on spiritual growth and wellness, in line with the values of the Salvation Army Church.
“At the end of the programme, they have spiritual activities where they are fed and taught the spiritual aspect of life so that they grow up morally upright. Another important point in all this is the issue of wellness. We aim to build pupils who will be able to be wholesome citizens and who are physically and mentally fit,” he said.
He said sport was also being used as a tool to fight drug and substance abuse among young people while contributing towards building productive citizens for the country’s future.
“Occupying these students on sport and other beneficial activities, they will not have that free time to partake in drugs. Moreover, the spiritual aspect will guide then to refrain from drugs and substances.
“Going forward and planning for the Salvation Army Schools Association games, we have a long-term view of seeing these games expand and bring in other codes. As we head back, we want to give thanks to the Usher High School community led by the able Mrs Dzvairo for the outstanding hospitality they gave us. It is from the bottom of our hearts to say we enjoyed. Unity among all Salvation Army Schools must persist,” said Mr Katanda.
Usher High School Development Committee chairperson Mr Anesu Chibi said parents and guardians were proud to see the institution hosting such a significant event.
“Representing the Usher High School parents and guardians, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the SASA executive and the church for this opportunity.
“The 2026 games went on well and we are proud. Our children are being given life changing opportunities to identify their niche in life and chart paths that will help them be responsible citizens in life. This is not just sport, it’s a living and that has to sink into their minds as they grow,” said Mr Chibi.
Away from the sporting activities, the event also gave the Usher High School administration an opportunity to showcase several development projects as the institution continues to expand, innovate and position itself as a centre of excellence within the Salvation Army education system.
As the curtain comes down on a memorable SASA ball games weekend, Usher High what remains etched is the school’s mission of “Empowering minds and shaping futures”.
“Usher High School is a learning institute of choice. We say thank you to all of our sister schools within the Salvation Army for sharing such a good sporting weekend with us. Our goal to produce individuals that are Christian oriented and come out ready to serve the community well,” said Mrs Dzvairo.
