Zanu-PF steps up Ward 1 election campaign

ZANU-PF has stepped up its campaign for the Ward 1 council seat ahead of Saturday’s by-election, with the party’s candidate, Cde Mathias Tsikira, rolling out a series of community initiatives, including a donation of Starlink kits to schools and the drilling of two boreholes to address water challenges.

Cde Tsikira has donated Starlink kits to King George VI and Robert Tredgold schools and pledged to extend the programme to all schools in the ward as part of what he described as efforts to accelerate digital transformation in education.

He has also facilitated the drilling of two boreholes in Northend and Suburbs with the initiatives forming part of the campaign’s service-delivery pitch ahead of the October 3 poll.

Cde Tsikira has also donated mealie-meal to elderly people, vulnerable children and people with disabilities in Paddonhurst suburb as part of his community outreach programme ahead of the by-election.

The Ward 1 by-election has attracted three candidates — Cde Tsikira of Zanu-PF, Mr Mduduzi Sibanda of the CCC and independent candidate Mr Shepherd Sithole.

The candidates were successfully nominated on September 2, paving the way for the by-election. The seat became vacant after former councillor Josiah Mutangi was removed from office following an independent tribunal’s verdict of misconduct. The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works subsequently declared the seat vacant, triggering the by-election.

Speaking after handing over a Starlink kit at King George VI School, Cde Tsikira said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that learners in the ward were not left behind in the digital era.

“Today, we have donated Starlink to two schools in Ward 1. We started with King George VI and Robert Tredgold. Remember, our President is always saying we are leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.

“We are going to make sure that every school in Ward 1 has access to the internet through donations of Starlink kits. Above all, we’re also going to make sure that every school has laptops. So, it is a programme that has just started.”

Cde Tsikira said the donation to King George VI, which caters for learners with disabilities, was particularly significant in broadening access to digital learning.

“A learner should not be disadvantaged simply because of where they are born, their disability or the circumstances of their school. Every learner deserves the opportunity to learn, explore, discover and participate in the modern world,” he said.

He said internet connectivity would provide learners and teachers with access to educational materials, digital learning platforms, research, vocational information and communication opportunities.

“For learners who are deaf or living with disabilities, technology can also create new opportunities for communication, learning and independence. Our message today is simply: disability must never become a barrier to opportunity,” he said.

“We want to see the learners here at King George VI becoming doctors, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, technicians and artists, among other professionals.”

King George VI School head Mrs Perseverance Hadebe welcomed the donation, saying it would help learners and teachers access educational resources online.

“Today we are privileged as a school. We received a donation of Starlink from aspiring councillor Mathias Tsikira. We are very grateful. This will help to make sure that our children excel and do things creatively,” she said.

“It’s unlike years ago when just a chalkboard and pieces of chalk were enough for learning. But now learning is different. So, it’s very special for our children not to be left behind.”

Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly member Cde Emmanuel Kanjoma said service delivery was at the centre of the party’s campaign and appealed to residents to support the Zanu-PF candidate.

“It’s not only this school that is going to benefit from the Starlink kit donated, but all the schools in Ward 1. It’s an ongoing programme that follows the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.

“We are appealing to all the voters in Ward 1 to vote for our candidate, Cde Tsikira, who is now a link between the community and the central Government.”