The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporter
THE Zanu-PF candidate for Umzingwane Constituency in the forthcoming elections, Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome (Retired), has donated a consignment of electrical material to carry out tubing of two classroom blocks at Bonjeni Primary School in the constituency.
The donation came after Cde Mayihlome, who is also a farmer and businessman, donated state-of-the-art mobile science laboratories to two secondary schools, Mvuthu and Nsezi secondary schools which are also in his constituency, following a number of projects he sponsored at Mzinyathini Secondary School and other neighbouring schools.
Apart from the schools projects in the Matabeleland South Province situated constituency, Cde Mayihlome has also assisted villagers in infrastructural development and recently provided cement for repairing Qhama Bridge in Nsenzi.
“Many schools in Umzingwane district and indeed in the Matabeleland region lack adequately equipped science laboratories, hence the low pass rates in science disciplines. This has been a concern of many of our peers and elders, not to mention the pupils themselves. A lot of effort has been put by individuals to assist redress this phenomenon but still a lot needs to be done as the requirement gap is just too wide. Like many of our compatriots, I believe that the mere hope that someone somewhere will address this problem is a futile dream, we have to roll up our sleeves and do something for our communities as this is an investment in the future that we desire.
“It is for this reason therefore, that when I looked at the Umzingwane community, where I hail from, I realised that one more push in this regard might make a difference. I figured that building customised science laboratories at every school could be too costly. Thus thanks to technological developments, I found the mobile laboratory which is equipped with all apparatus and laboratory materials and manuals to be the short to medium-term answer. The building of more classroom blocks is also key, so that our children learn from a conducive environment,” he said.
Since 1998 Cde Mayihlome has promoted sports mostly at schools in conjunction with others, as well as assisting youths to get tertiary education or to get jobs.
“In addition, I have assisted Umzingwane communities and schools with developmental needs like cement to construct bridges, culverts, crèches, brick moulding, churches, dipping and cattle handling facilities, cattle watering points and various other projects.”
Cde Mayihlome urged the people of Umzingwane to vote for him to be their MP, and President Mnangagwa for further development in the constituency and across the country. He has held various positions in the ruling party over the years and between 2005 and 2008, he was the Zanu-PF DCC chairperson for Umzingwane.
“I fully understand Government and party policies and ideals. I am very clear about what needs to be corrected in Umzingwane and the country at large, and how. I fully understand the bureaucracy current system, frustrations and alignments in the country and internationally. I believe that more and better developmental results and emancipation for Umzingwane and Matabeleland can be achieved through participative engagement. I belong, and hence understand Umzingwane challenges and needs clearly. I am also an accomplished civil servant, strategic manager, team builder, businessperson, philanthropist who also loves giving and investing in the future of our people.
‘‘I have served my country adequately, with my qualifications and experience, I could have easily migrated to enjoy a better life in the diaspora, but chose to make a difference for this wonderful community of Umzingwane. Due to my nature, education, training and experience I regard discipline, humility, commitment to duty, transparency and accountability as inherent virtues,” said Cde Mayihlome.
Brig-Gen Mayihlome (Rtd) said he decided to be part and parcel of his community so as to help young children have a better future and also assist the whole community live a better life. He said he also learnt a lot about being selfless and putting people and the country first while participating in the liberation struggle and serving in the army after independence.
“I chose investing in education because mine is a very sad story. I never imagined that after dropping out of school at the age of 16 I would have an opportunity to be in a formal school again. But I took part in the liberation struggle, studied O and A-levels through correspondence, did my Economics degree at the University of Zimbabwe through mature entry in a class with fellow students 15 years my junior, and I was in the United States for a Masters degree, this was nothing short of a miracle,” he said.
