Sky is limit for First Class Academy

Cletus Mushanawani News Editor

JUST like their name, First Class Academy is always associated with firsts.

Despite its humble beginnings, First Class Academy has continued rubbing shoulders with the best of the best when it comes to academic excellence.

Its location in Mutare’s oldest high-density suburb, Sakubva has not deterred them to remain at the pinnacle of academic excellence in the province and beyond.

The privately owned institute was the best private college in Mutare in the November 2020 Zimbabwe Examination Council Schools Examination with 15 students attaining 15 points and above.

Under the astute leadership of Mr Stephen and Mrs Tracey Mutsongodza, the sky is proving to be the limit to the academy which has opened its third centre in Fern Valley on the outskirts of Mutare.

With Fern Valley expected to be Manicaland’s hub of diamond cutting and polishing as well as being home to the much-anticipated Gemmology Centre, First Class Academy is already having its presence felt in the area through the construction of the state-of-the-art high school.

Although the school is in its infancy having opened its doors to students three years ago, it has significantly changed the face of the once sleepy area through its buildings as well as trendy and immaculate school uniforms.

Among the firsts the academy has scored is embracing President Mnangagwa’s call for the participation of the private sector in the uplifting of the country’s health delivery system by offering scholarships to excelling students to enroll at the University of Zimbabwe’s Medical School.

Two former Advanced Level students, Divine Mvududu and Nobility Dhliwayo are the first recipients of the First Class Academy Medical School Scholarship and are already enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe.

Divine Mvududu, who is pursuing Biomedical Sciences with an emphasis in Medicine and Surgery, expressed gratitude on the gesture.

“I am very happy and appreciative to be a recipient of the First Class Academy Medical School Scholarship. I am now a first year student at the University of Zimbabwe pursuing Biomedical Sciences with an emphasis in Medicine and Surgery. 

“The scholarship has lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on the aspect of school which is learning. Your generosity has also inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I promise to work hard and eventually be in a position to help other students achieve their goals,” said Mvududu.

He added: “As a former student of First Class Academy, I would like to encourage my young brothers and sisters at college to be that seed of hope that grows from waters of perseverance and light of self determination. So focus, believe in yourselves and always do your best. I hope to see you at university, where your authentic life purpose becomes clear and you will be able to share it with the whole world.”

Another beneficiary, Nobility Dhliwayo, said the scholarship enabled his dream to be a medical doctor come true.

“I have just begun my undergraduate career as a freshman at the University of Zimbabwe and can already report that my academics are off to a first-rate start. I am pursuing Biomedical Sciences with an emphasis in Medicine and Surgery. My plans at this stage are to complete a major in this programme. The University of Zimbabwe offers the finest programmes in the country and I consider myself fortunate to be able to attend. As a First Class Academy alumni, I would like to urge fellow students to preserve in accomplishing their goals.

‘‘No matter what you do, it is all about persistence, no matter how big or small it is. As long as you persist, you will definitely gain a different self. Learning is the same. No matter what you learn, you must persist. Imagination is everything. It is the preview to life’s coming attractions and I believe I am closer to mine,” said Dhliwayo.

First Class Academy director, Mr Stephen Mutsongodza, said this is part of the institution’s efforts in contributing towards the attainment of President Mnangagwa’s vision of having an upper middle class economy by 2030.

“Following calls by President Mnangagwa to have more doctors in the country, as a college, we decided to walk the talk by supporting the President’s vision. We are sponsoring two of our former students’ studies at the University of Zimbabwe’s Medical School where we are fully paying their tuition fees.

“We are hoping that on completion of their studies, they will help to contribute in a small way towards the health delivery system of the country so that we attain the vision of having an upper middle class economy by 2030.’’ he said.