The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda
Correspondent
TWO Chipinge pupils wrote their own unique piece of history when they took first and second positions in poetry recital and public speaking in a well-attended contest pitting schools from the seven districts of Manicaland Province at Hartzell Primary School recently.
The Mhlanga siblings – Tariro and Esnath – of Maronga Primary School were the toast of Chipinge District as the former made a huge impression with her rendition of the vicissitudes that visited Chimanimani and Chipinge districts in the wake of Cyclone Idai in 2019.
She may be just 10, but her voice modulation and gestures leave one convinced that the abundance of talent in our local schools crying out to be tapped into and nurtured has been neglected for long.
According to the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) Manicaland chapter’s provincial vice chair, Mr Kurauone Chipongo, the public speaking and poetry recital theme this year centred on Covid-19 and its effects on the school system in Zimbabwe.
‘’We made a deliberate effort to sensitise the country and, indeed, students about the new normal. As NAPH, we are excited with the level of competition we witnessed at Hartzell and we believe the future is bright for our pupils,” he said.
Mr Chipongo said the organisers strictly adhered to the Covid-19 protocols during the event.
Not to be outdone, Tariro’s sibling – Esnath – scooped a silver medal in the infant section of poetry recital.
Aged just six, her powerful voice reverberated in the auditorium as she recited her poem in undiluted Ndau dialect and left many in delirium.
FUTURE STAR . . . Esnath Mhlanga
She literally had the audience eat from her little palms.
Maronga Primary School head, Mrs Remigia Sithole, praised the team that mentored the two girls and she heaped compliments on the parents as well.
She said the updated curriculum encouraged sports, arts and culture activities to take centre stage.
Mrs Sithole added that notwithstanding the pandemic-induced lockdown, teachers and pupils have to work flat out to harness the talent that is latent among school children.
She said: ‘’Many times we do not draw upon our children’s abilities. I am happy that several teachers at this school were in the thick of things as they mentored the sisters to a high level. These teachers include Matsairire Tenson, Maname Absolom, Mutisi Florence, Khosa Evelyn, Gamira General, Mudimba Ivy and Mutiumwe Sarudzai. I salute them.’’
Meanwhile, Buhera District powered to a gold medal finish as the overall winner, while Mutare District took the silver medal and Chipinge District won the bronze medal.
The categories competed in include quiz, chess, poetry and public speaking.
