Online Reporter
Africa Moyo in BEITBRIDGE
The border town of Beitbridge comes alive today when it hosts hundreds of people at the Run for Life Marathon, which unfolds from 5am to about 9am.
It promises to be not only a sporting event, but also a heartfelt reunion where Vice President Kembo Mohadi is expected to reconnect with old friends, comrades from the liberation struggle, and the Mtetengwe community members where he was born.
The event, which started yesterday with first aid training for community members, is in honour of VP Mohadi’s legacy, not just in the province, but countrywide.
The marathon will weave through the scenic landscapes of Beitbridge, highlighting the community’s commitment to health, wellness and togetherness.
Featuring different categories including 3km, 5km, 10km and 21km runs, the marathon is set to attract participants from all age groups.
Permanent Secretary in VP Mohadi’s Office, Dr Benson Martins Dube, said they are happy about the event’s all-encompassing nature.
“We are excited to see everyone here; the immediate community, war veterans, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, people with disabilities and the armed forces,” he said.
Dr Dube said lots of discussions today will be around drug and substance abuse, hence the decision to invite Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is leading the nation’s fight against the scourge.
Other ministers and deputies, businesspeople and Zanu PF officials, are expected to attend.
“This event will bring people together,” he said.
Dr Dube added that they want VP Mohadi to meet “his old peers, people whom he grew up with, learnt with, went to war with, we want him to interact with them and bring back old memories”.
After the marathon, focus will shift to the official handover of renovations done at Mtetengwe Primary School, which suffered significant damage during Cyclone Idai.
As the winds brought by the cyclone howled ferociously, one classroom block’s roof was ripped off, windowpanes shattered, and floors left extensively damaged.
But the Office of the VP contacted its friends and partners, who came together and refurbished the block.
One of the classrooms was converted and is now a top-of-the-range computer lab with the latest computers, high-speed internet, whiteboard screens, and projectors.
The development has bridged the digital gap, with facilities previously found in urban areas now in rural areas, promoting e-learning.
“We are very excited with the work done, the students are also excited to be included in this programme of devolution being done by the Second Republic.
“Through the devolution programme, provinces are now being equipped; schools are being brought to the status of those in the urban areas,” he said.
Dr Dube said VP Mohadi started schooling at Beitbridge Mission Primary School and as part of his legacy, he has gone back to uplift it.
A borehole was sunk, solarised and taps have been put around the school, providing learners and the community with clean drinking water.
“We donated laptops to their computer room, and the school now looks new. We even went into the classroom where he actually sat and learnt.
“We also went to his secondary school, which is Manama High School, and we have sunk a borehole and it’s in the process of being solarised. “The water within the school is very salty, but we were fortunate to get water that is not salty, and we will pipe it to the school. There is a lot we are doing as part of his legacy, and these are some of the projects.”
