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Langalakhe Mabena
The modern chief of Nkayi in Matabeleland North — Mbusi Bekithemba Dakamela — is one leader who takes education and literacy as a serious matter in his community, as he says education is the main pillar behind Nkayi’s growth, be it economic, social and even cultural.
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Chief Dakamela expressed these sentiments at his Achievers Awards which were held on 5 and 6 April at koDakamela Hall. The Imiklomelo ka Dakamela or Chief Dakamela Achievers Awards are a community-driven initiative designed to recognise, acknowledge and motivate individuals and organisations who were able to contribute significantly to the advancement of human development through their respective fields.
Most of the people who were awarded with accolades at the event were from the academic field including students who did well on their Grade 7, as well as Ordinary and Advanced Level studies.
Teachers, nurses, businesspeople and other community leaders were also accorded accolades for showing excellency and uplifting the community through different means.
Speaking at the event, which was graced by thousands of people from different walks of life including Bulelani and Zwide Khumalo, chiefs Mathema, Menyezwa, Stauze, Mathe and Fuyane, as well as Kingdom Blue founder Brilliant Ncube, Albert Nyathi, Pathisa Nyathi among others, Dakamela said it is vital for the community to see the need of education and cherish it for it opens many doors in life.
He said Nkayi has been deemed as a “dark” place with less people who are educated. However, as a leader he promised that he would do by all means to make sure that such a stigma won’t be talked about people from Nkayi.
“A lot has been said about our community when it comes to education. We have brilliant minds in our community but they are not exposed to educational facilities and that makes Nkayi to lag behind even on serious issues. Myself, as a leader, I am willing to lead in this course and make a difference in the community. That is why I even went back to school to advance myself.
“As a way of exposing our children to various opportunities, we approached Bulawayo Polytechnic, Lupane State University, and Zimbabwe School of Mines to come down in the community and do outreach programmes and career guidance in our local schools to open up the minds of the students.
“We came up with this initiative because we noticed that in as much as they may say people from periphery regions do not apply, some would be unaware of these institutions. But at least if they come to the people, they will be more exposed, and our people would be inspired to apply,” he said.
Dakamela — a student at the National University of Science at Technology (Nust) — prides himself on education such that he grants scholarships to under-privileged students who are also excelling in his community.
He revealed that the Dakamela Education Foundation will fund 15 learners this year, up from seven learners last year. The initiative by Chief Dakamela includes beneficiaries from Form One up to tertiary level.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Rebecca Ncube (22), who scooped 15 points in her Advanced Level studies — and is now enrolling at university to study law, said the Dakamela Education Foundation is a dream come true for her.
“I had always wanted to proceed to university, but unfortunately, my father could not afford to raise the fees, hence for the past two years, I was sitting at home doing nothing,” she said
Other strides in the Nkayi community that Chief Dakamela touched on is the housing scheme.
Chief Dakamela would identify vulnerable members of his community—the elderly and widows—who had no homes and build houses for them.
He encouraged those who have resources to assist those who are less privileged to allow everyone equal opportunities.
“I usually point out that there are certain people who were given resources that do not belong to them. We realise that in our midst we have people who have different resources; some have more money, some are successful businesspeople and some have more livestock.
“If these people who have more resources fail to recognise the people who are less privileged and share with them what they have, then they are the wrong people to possess those resources.
Resources must be allocated to people who can share. I implore all those who have access to resources to share what they have with those who are in need,” said Dakamela.
From all the people who received the awards, the most emotional accolade was given to an inmate who is doing time at Nkayi Prison as he was awarded for commendable behaviour change and was exemplary in turning one’s life around.
Online Reporter