Obey Sibanda Chronicle Writer
FORMER students from Zhombe in Midlands Province are pooling modest monthly contributions to improve learning conditions at schools in their home area, with their community association drilling 10 boreholes, renovating more than 10 classrooms, and supporting several other infrastructure projects.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Zhombe Ekhaya Development Association (Zeda), brings together former pupils of primary and secondary schools to mobilise resources and address infrastructure challenges at their former learning institutions.
Established in August 2024, the association works with about 42 schools, identifying one institution each month to benefit from development projects funded through members’ contributions.
Members contribute amounts ranging from R20, R50 and R100 to US$1 and US$2, with the pooled funds channelled towards identified school development needs.
Zeda chief advisor Mr Thulani Ndebele said the association was established to give former students an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of communities where they received their education.
“Basically, the money is meant to develop and improve our schools. Each month we identify a school, raise funds and support a particular project. The following month, we move to another school,” he said.
Mr Ndebele said Zeda would continue mobilising monthly contributions and encouraging community participation to ensure that schools across Zhombe benefit from its programmes.
The association’s interventions have focused on improving access to clean water, upgrading classrooms, providing sanitation facilities and equipping schools with learning resources.
Among the institutions that have benefitted from borehole projects are Gwenzimkhulu, St Martin De Porres, St Theresa Nduku, Sengezi, Dendera, Nhengure, Mabhidli, Siyaphambili and Fafi schools.
Zeda has also supported the construction and renovation of classrooms and administrative blocks through the purchase of cement and roofing materials.
Its first recorded project, in August 2024, saw Bhalimasvosve Primary School receiving US$1 000 towards the purchase of 100 bags of cement for a classroom block.
Other early beneficiaries included Ntabeni Primary School, which received US$1 400 for classroom renovations, and Gwenzimkhulu Primary School, which received US$1 200 towards borehole drilling.
Santa Maria Primary School received US$1 100 for a solar system to power its computers, while Happy Day Preschool in Gespark received US$1 000 towards classroom construction after learners had been using an unsafe shelter.
In 2025, the association extended its interventions to secondary schools, with Somalala Rujeko High School receiving US$2 700 towards roofing materials for its science laboratory.
St Faith Manzamnyama Secondary School also received US$3 000 for roofing materials for its Form Two classroom block, which had collapsed about eight years earlier.
More recent interventions include US$4 100 towards toilet construction at Gomola Primary School in April 2026 and US$3 900 towards completing student accommodation at Donjane Secondary School in June.
In September 2026, Sikabela Primary School received US$3 400 towards roofing its classroom block, while Kasawe Primary School became the latest beneficiary in October, receiving US$2 600 for a solar project.
Mr Ndebele said the association hoped its work would inspire other communities to mobilise resources and take responsibility for developing their local schools.
He appealed to former Zhombe learners who were not yet members to join the initiative and contribute towards improving education in the area.
“We wish we could impact other districts to take care of their communities. If only our community prospers and others are left behind, these are the people who may end up stealing our goats and chickens,” he said.
Newly elected Zeda chairman Professor Douglas Mpondi thanked members for entrusting the incoming executive with leadership responsibilities.
He also acknowledged the outgoing executive, led by Mr Mlindelwa Mancitshana, for its work over the past two years.
“On behalf of myself and the new incoming Zeda executive, I wish to express our gratitude for voting us into office. We also want to thank the outgoing executive, led by Mlindelwa Mancitshana, for the work they have done over the past two years.
“We will continue to make sure that no school is left behind while providing transparent and servant leadership,” said Prof Mpondi.
