The Sunday News
Charleen Ndlovu, Sunday News
A LOCAL businessman has finally got the greenlight to construct a state-of-the-art secondary boarding school at Nkenyane area in Bubi District, Matabeleland North to uplift education standards in the area.
Mr Thabani Moyo told Sunday News that the school, to be named Quantwasi College was part of his five-year development plan. In 2016, villagers in the area threatened to use force to compel the businessman to stop construction of a private school in their area.
The villagers were arguing that the project would reduce their agricultural land, both for cropping and grazing and might even result in some homesteads being displaced. But, Mr Moyo said at least $180 000 has been invested into the project so far.
“The project is a five-year development plan and we expect our first phase to cost about $250 000 and so far we have invested about $180 000. The first phase which is the construction of the administration block encompassing the classrooms is expected to be completed around December this year. By June 2019 we expect to be done with the construction of the pupils’ accommodation and dining hall.
“The school will have one science laboratory, a library and also classroom for practicals. Hence our first learners will walk into our school grounds by 2020,” said Mr Moyo.
He said the project was part of his quest to make education accessible in rural areas, complementing the Government’s quest to build schools around the country, especially in disadvantaged communities.
“I did not start this project as a businessman but as a Zimbabwean who wanted to make a contribution to the society that has done so much for me and also because I was aware that there is deficit of schools in the country especially in rural areas.
Hence I wanted to embark on a project that would not only benefit me but the community,” said Mr Moyo.
He said the project was motivated by his past experience.
“In 1983 at the age of 19 I went back to do my Grade Seven. I remember it so well, I had walked from Zhukwe to Gwanda and finally to Bulawayo.
I arrived in Bulawayo after three days at my brother’s place and from that particular point I reflected on my life. One day as I was passing in front of the school office, I approached the school headmaster Mr Godfrey Kandawasuka and I asked him for a place to do my Grade Seven of which I was the oldest in my class and was immediately appointed the deputy headboy. The headmaster was a very strict man, however, he remains my inspiration to this very day,” he said.
“The project has been commissioned to celebrate my family, I consider them as my business partners because they have been supportive throughout this entire journey which has had its ups and downs where at one point I was dragged to court by the residents of the area after a land dispute. My two sons and daughter have been hands-on everything from the start. Hence I decided to call the college Quantwasi,”said Mr Moyo.
Bubi District chief executive officer Mr Patson Mlilo said the project would help develop the community.
“The project will bring development in terms of quality education and economic activity. The construction of the private school is purely an economic driver and we have gladly welcomed it with open arms,” said Mr Mlilo.
Ward 14 councillor Cookie Moyo expressed appreciation over the project.
“The construction of the private will ensure that our children receive quality education and job opportunities. He has promised to build a computer room and also provide computers for one of our secondary schools, Ethikeni Secondary School,” she said.
@NdlovuCharleen
