Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
ACADEMIC achievement is nothing without the formation of the whole person, said Fr Superior Anesu Manyere SJ at the prefects’ inauguration ceremony on Friday, January 30, 2026.
The ceremony was marked by celebrations of academic excellence, servant leadership and the school’s enduring Jesuit values.
Fr Manyere said the gathering was centred on two simple but profound purposes – honouring work done extremely well and acknowledging leadership that is actively shaping the school’s community.
“We gather to honour former students who have done exceptionally well in various subject areas but it is not enough to recognise them without also recognising the sterling work of our teachers.”
Turning to the newly-inaugurated prefects, Fr Manyere emphasised that leadership is not merely about authority but about capacity for greatness, humility and humanity.
He reminded the prefects that academic formation alone is incomplete without the formation of the heart.
“A mind that is not adequately formed in the heart is like a bicycle ridden on one wheel. It will move, but it will not balance, especially when navigating difficult terrain,” he said.
As a Jesuit institution, Fr Manyere highlighted the school’s commitment to moulding students grounded in Competence, Commitment and Conscience.
He hailed the outstanding academic results, highlighting 44 straight As in Agriculture at Ordinary Level, 38 straight As in Shona, and 17 students attaining 15 points at Advanced Level.
He described these achievements as remarkable.
He also celebrated the continued exceptional performance of the girl child.
“We aim to form men and women with conscience, people whose values go beyond grades, who think before they act and understand that every action has consequences.
“We are Gentes Pro Aliis people for and with others. Let us aim for higher and greater things.”
In his address, the school head, Asthma Mataya, paid tribute to the founding fathers of Visitation Makumbi High School and the Catholic mission at large.
He commended the Jesuit community led by Fr Anesu Manyere SJ, Mission Administrator Br Majichi SJ, School Nurse Br Ben SJ and Chaplain Br Kuda SJ for their dedicated stewardship of the mission.
“With an enrolment of over 700 students from Form One to Upper Six, we strive to nurture every learner and give equal opportunities regardless of background or ability,” he said.
Mataya noted that despite challenges faced over the years, teamwork has been the school’s greatest strength, enabling it to produce academics serving both locally and internationally for over a century.
He highlighted the school’s consistent pass rate above 90 percent at both O and A Level, describing the 17 students with 15 points and classes achieving only As as a testament to staff excellence.
Beyond academics, he applauded the school’s sporting and arts departments, citing participation in Zone Six Games in Zambia, as well as successes in NASH and Catholic festivals.
He also outlined major developments, including the acquisition of a state-of-the-art 86-seater luxury bus, installation of Starlink internet, and solarisation of all departments to counter power shortages.
Looking ahead, Mr Asthma revealed plans to introduce e-libraries, strengthen ICT, transform the science department into an innovation hub, and modernise technical departments into goods-producing units, enabling the school to become largely self-sustaining.
“You are our bundle of joy. Without you, we are nothing. Once ‘People for Others’, forever Gentes Pro Aliis,” he said.
Mlambo Jestiel, an Arts teacher, expressed gratitude to parents, the SDC and the Old Students Board for their unwavering support as it helped in achieving great results.
“Without the support of the parents and the students we would have not produced such results. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this success.”
daniel chigunwe