The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporter
A BORN again Zimbabwean youth Leon Chaipa who dropped out of school in 2003 and joined the great trek to Johannesburg, South Africa has testified that the alluring glitz, glamour and said rich pickings of the South African economy are nothing more than a mirage to many.
The proverbial prodigal Chaipa, now a student of Foundation College’s famed Adult School division narrated how he was grateful for redeeming his life as he passed four O-level subjects; English, Ndebele, Commerce and Integrated Science in the November O-level 2016 Zimsec examinations.
After achieving such a feat in a gruelling nine (9) months crash course, he is poised to attain a full school certificate as he is currently grappling with Mathematics, Accounts and Geography for the 2017 November Zimsec examination session, still with the same education centre in Bulawayo.
He left for South Africa against his parents’ will while in Form 3 under the illusion that “Egoli” was a perfect hunting ground for hustlers like him as he dreamt of rebounding to Zimbabwe as a swanky rich young man. For years he endured South Africa’s harsh socio-economic conditions which were a living death that presented few job opportunities for unskilled illegal migrant workers. His turning point came in October 2015 when a wealthy South African Good Samaritan converted him to Christianity.
He lamented why Chaipa did not get a school certificate as he was prepared to help him acquire a decent career in South Africa once he undergoes a laudable tertiary training course. Inspired by the decent lifestyle of skilled Zimbabweans equipped with appropriate work and residence permits, he resolved to return to Zimbabwe. In January 2016 he registered for a formal academic course to emulate the pathway taken by his successful countrymen.
Today, he is buoyant that at Foundation College he is on the right track and his dream of returning to South Africa armed with appropriate academic certificates will not be ill-fated.
“I regret leading a treacherous lifestyle during my childhood days. I’m fully rehabilitated. I’m committed to achieving my dreams through righteous means. Foundation College has whetted my academic appetite to attain a respectable professional qualification. I’m confident that God willing I shall prosper,” said Chaipa.
Foundation College’s Adult School Head of Department and Ndebele teacher Mr Msindisi Chikuvi said, “we are dedicated to offering quality educational service to any academically disadvantaged persons of virtually all age groups in a conducive ambience. Numerous adult learners want individual tailor-made programmes. Some seek to supplement the so-called nightmarish STEM subjects like Mathematics and Science as well as the compulsory English language. Also, the latest tertiary institutions registration requirement that insist on a pass of O-level Mathematics has led to a high demand of our services by mature learners. Learners are accorded special classes where they interact exclusively as adults and the tuition is affordable and results oriented.”
He added that the college is inspired by Erich Fromm who once said, “why should society feel responsible only for the education of children, and not for the education of all adults of every age?”
Educational authorities are always giving awareness campaigns to scholars emphasising that it is prudent to take full advantage of the country’s internationally acclaimed educational system before dreaming of an illustrious life as a migrant worker.
