The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sunday News Reporter
HAVING left Irisvale (Mawabeni, Matabeleland South) in 1989, Malven Ntini’s return, last Monday, was an emotional one for the former Highlanders Football Club striker, who had been gnawed by the difficult upbringing he experienced in the area before leaving then Bulawayo and then the United States of America.
Last Monday, Ntini arrived at a different Irisvale, a new shopping complex having been constructed, a new secondary school and the building formerly used as the primary school has been turned into offices with a new Irisvale Primary School having been built.
A higher bridge has been built over Nsezi river, a stream that he remembers would at times, when full, force them to sleep in their classrooms as they could not cross going back home.
However, listening to challenges faced by the two schools, it became clear little has changed with the current set of pupils facing their own challenges although some are similar to the difficulties Ntini went through.
Through the RainyDayz Foundation, Ntini, who grew up in Village 8, Ward 13 in Umzingwane District, paid school fees for 40 pupils, 20 at Irisvale Primary and 20 and Irisvale Secondary and some of the funds had come from his children.
Returning to Irisvale was not just a hasty made decision but was inspired by the difficulties Ntini faced growing up in the area and once his wife, United States citizen, Marion convinced him they create RainyDayz Foundation, he set on the path of making a difference in his community.
Mr White Rain, as Ntini, who is now into music is known, believes with many Zimbabweans having migrated abroad and achieved success it was the time to come back and make the change in their different communities.
“I believe it’s time to start making a difference in our communities as people who were lucky to get the chance to travel abroad and succeed in our endeavours.
“For me it was the struggles that I experienced that resulted in my wife urging me to come back and make a difference but alone I cannot do much, but if we work together, we can make wonders for the different communities we come from.
“As RainyDayz we did not just come with the intention to pay school fees for the kids and then leave. For me it was the beginning of establishing a relationship that will see us working together with the schools and community in improving the lives and education of the children in Irisvale.”
Officials from the two schools revealed they face similar challenges with lack of water being at the top of their priority list of needs. They also do not have electricity despite there being lines running a few hundred metres from the schools.
Irisvale Secondary School head, Mr Thembelani Mpofu said lack of specialised classes such as science labs and geography classes was also hampering their efforts to produce science students. He said they intend to build a low-cost boarding so as to ensure pupils don’t travel long distances and also ensure no one misses classes when rivers are flooded.
Irisvale Primary School teacher in charge, Mrs Sindiso Sibanda said it was disheartening to teach computers only in theory.
“We teach them theory only when it comes to computers but for me it’s like teaching someone to drive in theory only, would that person be able to drive when you give them a vehicle, I doubt that. We have no fence and cows come in and graze indiscriminately disturbing us during lessons, we are also hard pressed with materials for ECD pupils.”
Mrs Ntini took the time to give a pep talk to the pupils at the secondary school, numbering about 150, as she emphasised the importance of confidence.
She advised the pupils to go about confidently in their efforts and always know they are important and can succeed in whatever they put their minds to.
“I believe once we assist the pupils here and show them that someone can rise from the difficulties they are experiencing and succeed in life as Malvern did then they can also do it.
“That is why we decided to make the journey from America as we want to give them hope. We also believe once a pupil is assisted in their schooling once they succeed, they will willingly give back to society in the future and also help other needy students,” said Mrs Ntini.
Pastor Jedmos Moyo, who accompanied the Ntinis and is their neighbour in Irisvale said lack of Information Communication Technology education in the area was disadvantaging kids as they cannot compete with their peers in other areas.
“How does a pupil advance to an A-level school in Bulawayo without learning ICT and the internet? We are in the technological age and I believe it is time we come together and bring these facilities to the pupils so they can succeed going forward,” said Pastor Moyo, who runs Talent Trackers, an NGO that seeks to aid youths.
Malenko, as Mr Ntini is known in football circles, revealed RainyDayz will embark on a fundraising effort and will make a return to assist on the various challenges raised by the school officials.
Malvern played for Phinda Mzala before moving to Highlanders and then secured a football scholarship in the United States, assisted by his father Rob Ngungu who was already based there, before pursuing a career in ICTs. He also runs a music stable, RainyDayz Entertainment with a studio in South Africa.
