Morris Mtisi
SEVEN girls from Chancellor Primary School, all with four unit passes in their 2015 Grade 7 final examinations, now all at St David’s Bonda High School, received awards at the Mutare District Award ceremony last Friday, among hundreds others from other schools in the district. The Manica Post educational materials writer, guest columnist and Diamond FM’s Head-to-Head With MM education talk-show host, bumped into one of the stars, Wadzanai Nyamupanedengu (WN ) now in Form One at St David’s Bonda High School and interviewed her:
MM: Wadzanai it’s an honour to meet with you here. My name is Morris Mtisi. I speak education on Diamond FM and write education in The Manica Post.
WN: What a surprise and pleasure to meet you sir!
MM: How old are you Wadza?
WN: 14.
MM: Only?
WN: (Chuckles)
MM: Tell me a little story about your journey of education to this day.
WN: I attended Chancellor Primary School from Grade One to Seven and got my four units at the end of 2015. Then I went to Bonda where I am now in Form One. I am here today to receive my award for achieving four units in the 2015 Grade Seven examination.
MM: Sweet and short story! Brilliant! You remember your favourite Chancellor teacher, Grade Seven teacher may be? And why was he or she your favourite?
WN: Mrs Kuture! She had no favourites in class. She treated us the same and we were all her children. She loved us all and loved us equally. Mrs Kuture wanted the best from all of us and we gave her what she wanted. That is why seven of us are now at Bonda and here today receiving awards. There are 67 others who achieved the same units each. Some of them, in fact many of them, are here with us today and I have no idea where others are – whether they are in Mutare District or elsewhere in the country.
MM: You miss home Wadza?
WN: Badly Mr Mtisi, how did you know?
MM: I talk to a lot of Form One pupils especially girls, and that is what they tell me. You were used to being with mom or dad or both every day and suddenly you find yourself away from home three months per term. And visitations are too far and between and certainly not enough, they say.
WN: I am home-sick Mr Mtisi. Here we enjoy one visit per term from parents.
MM: How many visits? Oh dear me!
WN: Yes, Mr Mtisi. One visit per term! But I’m getting used to the pain. After all there is advantage in this boarding business. You grow up fast and mature faster. Through making new friends and learning to be responsible for yourself away from the safety and security of mom and dad at home.
MM: Your English is very good. You speak very freely and very well. I am enjoying talking to you and not surprised you are here collecting last year’s award for excellent performance in the final examination.
WN: Not so good, but I do my best. Thank you.
MM: I see you haven’t received your award yet.
WN: Can’t wait!
MM: What do you hope to receive?
WN: A medal of achievement.
MM: I see. But if you had a choice what would you like to receive?
WN: (quick to answer) i-pad of course and prize money!
MM: Not books? A book hamper perhaps?
WN: (quick answer again) Oh, Noooo! We have lots of books at Bonda and at home.
MM: I want you to say hello to your friend or friends in The Manica Post and just a word or two of encouragement or inspiration to them.
WN: That’s very pleasant of you Mr Mtisi. I want to say hi to Tanyaradzwa Dezha at Chancellor Primary School and Kimberley Musere, an old Chancellor friend now at Hartzell High School also here with me to receive her own award.
To both of them I say continue to work hard and to respect your teachers and parents.
MM (interjecting) Why do you say this about teachers and parents?
WN: They build our future. We cannot afford to disappoint them. At least I won’t disappoint my mom and dad.
MM: Beautiful and brilliant girl! What a wonderful answer!
WM: I also want to say to my sister Ruvimbo in South Africa – University of Jo’burg, enjoy your stay and studies, but God is watching you and over you. Be careful in a foreign land and don’t’ let anyone or anything disrupt your studies and life. Finally to Tanyaradzwa, sweet sister (cousin-sister) Tanya Porusingazi at Knowstiscs Academy, best wishes in your exams! God is watching too. Chikoro chete-chete sister . . . we are young only once. Let us not waste the opportunities to do our best.
MM: Oh what sweet words from sister to sister . . . from friend to friends! You are so sweet and intelligent! May the good Lord bless you abundantly; your friends and sisters!
WN: Thank you very much.
MM: When this story comes out in The Manica Post next Friday, I will donate a copy to you through your school head, Mr Samanga. I know him very well. He is a gentleman. I hope he won’t object.
WN: Ooohh that’s pleasant of you. Thank you and God bless you. Looking forward to it.
MM: Only doing my job. But thank you all the same.