Online Reporter
Online Reporter
Machiva Primary School in Zaka District recently got a cheer after receiving a donation of sports regalia from former student and businessman, youth advocate, journalist and development practitioner, Mr Takemore Mazuruse.
Mr Mazuruse said he donated to the underprivileged rural school as he embraces President Mnangagwa’s vision of citizen participation in community and national development.
He donated a full soccer kit, complete with boots, a pump and soccer balls to the primary school, aimed at promoting talent development and good behaviour.
Speaking after handing over the donation, Mr Mazuruse said the gesture aligns with the President’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
“Our government has been clear on inclusive development and true to the President’s assertion that “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” I felt compelled to play my part by donating to my former school,” he said.
“I have over the years been actively involved in youth and community development through our organisation, Zimbabwe Network for Economic and Social Transformation Trust (Zinest), and I am happy that beyond previous drug and substance abuse interventions in areas like
Highfields and Dzivaresekwa, I have extended the support to my home area of Zaka.”
Mr Takemore Mazuruse
Mr Mazuruse said the donation to Machiva Primary School would be followed by another to community teams as his way of complementing ongoing national development programmes.
“We can’t leave everything to the Government and our leaders, as community members we have a role to play in empowering our communities and I believe sports development is one key area we can do that,” he said.
Beyond the donation of the full soccer kit to the primary school, I have also acquired full soccer and netball kits for the community teams, which will be delivered anytime from now,” he said.
“The goal is to ensure responsible behaviour and harmony, especially in the face of rising drug and substance abuse.”
Machiva Primary School head, Mr David Chavizha, commended Mr Mazuruse for the gesture and highlighted that community development calls for unity of purpose.
“Mazuruse was one of our best students and I am proud that he has remembered his former school by making this generous donation,” he said.
“We have received 18 pairs of socks, 18 pairs of soccer boots, 15 soccer jerseys, one soccer ball and a pump. This demonstrates that with unit of purpose we will achieve a lot as a community.”
While acknowledging that every community across the globe faces its own challenges, Mr Mazuruse said it was imperative that citizens also seek homegrown solutions to everyday problems.
“I am a product of Machiva Primary and Zaka District, hence it’s important that, despite whatever limitations we face, we must always remember to support ongoing community development because competing needs always outweigh available resources,” he said.
“The challenges are many, but so is the responsibility we all share. We will continue reaching out to partners who can help us change the story of our communities, one act of support at a time.”
Bongani Ndlovu