By Caroline Mutsawu
Hwange-The Masuwe Community here is all smiles following the recent commissioning of classroom blocks that will see their local school provide education to all levels of learners, thanks to the collaborative efforts of government and non-governmental organisations.
The project for Masuwe Primary School was made possible by collaboration of NGOs such as More Community Foundation, Woodlands Foundation, Buy-a-Brick Foundation and Jafuta Foundation all supporting the country’s mantra of “Zimbabwe is open for business.”
Matabeleland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, commissioned the new classroom blocks last week.
The new infrastructure will enable the school to introduce Ordinary Level classes, providing access to Form 1 and Form 2 for now as they continue to build. The newly constructed classroom block boasts three fully furnished classrooms, complete with essential amenities, including electricity, doors, windows, chairs, desks, ceilings and whiteboards.
For the local learners, this development will provide them with a conducive and comfortable space, to study and ultimately enhance their educational experience.
Minister Moyo credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the development being witnessed in Hwange, saying his leadership was instrumental in yielding progress in the area through his “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.
“Today we are here to commission another classroom block with about three to four beautiful blocks thus we welcome our partners and Hwange community. This infrastructure before us has been made possible through the hardworking spirit and visionary leadership of the President and SADC chair who allowed partners into the country.”
The Minister commended Hwange Rural District Council (HRDC) and the District Development Coordinator (DDC) for their role in driving Vision 2030 in the Hwange community by facilitating partnerships which have enabled the implementation of development projects that benefit community.
“In other places it is difficult to seek to work with the community as those in the offices immediately shun away the ideas; but the Hwange RDC and DDC welcomes partners and make it possible to work in Hwange and at the end of the day ploughs back to the community.
“This is what I have learned from Hwange since last week looking at the projects we have opened. Recently President Mnangagwa was in Hwange for the ground breaking ceremony of the 720MW power plant which is bigger than Unit 7 and 8. We look forward to the first phase being commissioned and opened next year ending electricity problems,” he said.
He further highlighted the power of collaboration between the government and partners which led significant development in the community yielding tangible results, including the construction of mines, clinics, and schools crucial for the community’s growth and wellbeing.
Recently, Minister Moyo commissioned six new classroom blocks and a clinic at Matetsi and Breakfast Primary schools, an initiative with Jafuta Foundation and Buy-a-Brick Foundation meant to enhance learning for students as well as teachers and improve access to healthcare services in the area.
The Minister reflected on a significant milestone achieved two years ago, when he commissioned two newly built teachers’ cottages and an ablution block at Masuwe Primary School, improving the living and working conditions for the school’s teachers.
Meanwhile, Masuwe Primary School joined in the annual Tree Planting Day celebrations by planting fruit trees on their premises.
District Conservationist, Bulelani Ndlelambi from the Forestry Commission led the initiative, highlighting the unique geological history of Matabeleland North.
He said the region was blessed with a natural phenomenon, where sand from the Kalahari Desert was transported through the air and deposited in the basin, creating an aquifer that gave birth to the natural forest only found in Matabeleland North and not anywhere else.
“Mutsviri and umgusu are trees only found here in Matabeleland and Midlands hence it is important that we hold this as given by God. Last week we gathered in Hwange for the annual tree planting day held on the first Saturday of December and today we are here to continue the ritual. We will be planting more trees in Dinde,” said Ndlelambi
New Ziana
