The Sunday News
Marvelous Moyo
MATABELELAND South Province has a deficit of more than 100 schools, the Minister of State responsible for provincial affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube has said.
Speaking during the handover of the Gwanda Adventist Primary School to the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church and the Gwanda community by Maranatha Volunteers International, an organisation which was constructing the school, Cde Ncube, who was the guest of honour, said the province needed to construct more than 100 schools.
He applauded Maranatha Volunteers for constructing a new school in Gwanda, saying the move was part of the much needed development in the province.
“As Matabeleland South province we have a shortfall of more than 100 schools that need to be constructed for the learner’s convenience, hence the completion of this project is a goal scored on our part,” said Cde Ncube.
He said he believed the SDA education system would mould children to become God fearing citizens who would not engage in any corrupt tendencies to ensure the nation developed.
Maranatha Volunteers International is an arm of the Adventist system found worldwide. It started the construction of the new school in Gwanda in March and it is expected to be opened soon.
The new school to be run by the SDA Church is located in Spitzkop North Extension. It has a total of 10 classrooms and a library.
The acting Matabeleland South provincial education director Mr Reuben Mabhena said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, although faced with financial constraints, had managed to create a conducive learning environment for children through working together with partners such as the church.
He said the new school would help reduce the distance travelled by pupils to Senondo and Jahunda primary schools.
“This school will assist us to decongest Jahunda and Senondo. It is now our duty as the community to put the school into good use and avoid vandalism,” said Mr Mabhena.
He appealed to other stakeholders to come in and help in the completion of the school.
Officially handing over the school, Maranatha Volunteers International country director Mr David Woods said the construction of the school was in response to the need for infrastructure development in the communities.
“An opportunity to have education is a privilege and a blessing. We are happy that we have played our part,” he said.
Mr Woods thanked the Gwanda community for their co-operation and encouraged them to continue with the same spirit for further development.
The president of the South Zimbabwe Conference of the SDA Church, Pastor Jefrety Sibanda, said the SDA was proud to work with the Government in enhancing the education sector and would continue doing so.
“We feel indebted to the government of Zimbabwe for extending to us an opportunity to shape the future of our citizens. We promise to continue to partner with the government in providing a holistic education for our communities,” he said.
The pastor said the school, which is yet to be furnished, would need fencing for security, water and electricity among other necessities to effectively operate.
As the school is located in an area faced with water challenges, a borehole would be drilled.
Town mayor Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu said the municipality would work tirelessly to ensure water and electricity were made available at the school.
He said the municipality had acquired a water booster pump to improve water supply in the Spitzkop area.
