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Sheron T Bandawa
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) officially handed over a new classroom block at Tsungai Shumba Primary School in Gokwe Nembudziya, as part of their ongoing efforts to ensure everyone has access to education.
This follows the official launch of the 2024 ZDF Community Assistance Week on August 5 by the Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, in Kuwadzana, Harare.
The ZDF latest gesture dovetails well with the President’s call of leaving no one and no place behind as the country races towards achieving an upper middle income economy by 2030.
Addressing the gathering at the official handover of classroom block in Gokwe recently, the Permanent Secretary for Defence, Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera, reiterated the ZDF’s commitment to help communities.
“This is part of the ZDF peacetime operations and the Ministry of Defence’s way of giving back to the community for the support we continue to receive in pursuit of our constitutional mandate of ensuring peace and security in the country . . .” he said.
Nhepera also revealed that most of the projects under the ZDF community assistance programme were targeted at expanding access to health and education as envisioned in President Mnangagwa’s vision 2030 mantra.
“The construction of the classroom block is indeed a welcome relief to the community as it helps alleviate shortage of suitable and critical infrastructure at the school.
“I am however, aware that more still needs to be done to create a conducive learning environment through the provision of adequate suitable facilities for students and accommodation for staff,” he added.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Chief Chireya, born Henry Chidzivo expressed gratitude to the President and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for considering marginal areas and making sure that no one is left behind.
“In my 21 years experience as a traditional leader, I have never witnessed such great development in this community. I am truly grateful to our President and the Defence Forces for remembering us,” Chief Chireya said.
One of the community members, who is also the School Development Committee vice chairperson at Tsungai, Sharon Mulambani described the donation as a timely intervention saying they have been facing serious classroom shortages.
She also appreciated the ZDF for working hard to ensure their community is not left behind in terms of development.
The construction of the classroom block commenced in November 2021 and was completed in August 2023. The ZDF through 5 Infantry Brigade based in Midlands, provided artisans free of charge.
Online Reporter