Lovemore Kadzura and Tendai Gukutikwa
ZIMBABWE Defence Forces (ZDF) this week delivered tangible and impactful projects which are in sync with Vision 2030, and unquestionably cemented its semiotic relationship with beneficiary communities in Manicaland.
Chief among the projects was the handover of two new classroom blocks at St Charles Lwanga College in Chimanimani.
The school, which is owned by the Roman Catholic Church, was damaged by the infamous Cyclone Idai in 2019, leading to the death of two learners and a security guard.
The disaster forced authorities to permanently close its old site at Skyline and relocate it to the much safer site in Nhedziwa in Chimanimani.
This prompted the involvement of the military in the construction of new school infrastructure in tandem with President Mnangagwa’s mantra: ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ and the ‘build-back-better’ concept to create safer, sustainable, and more resilient institution.
To build-back-better, Government, stakeholders, and disaster-impacted communities came together to create long-lasting, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.
ZDF Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda handed over the new classroom blocks yesterday (Thursday).
The event was graced by Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Torerayi Moyo, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, senior Government officials, politicians, Roman Catholic dignitaries and traditional leaders.
The handover of the infrastructural projects was part of the ZDF Community Assistance Week, which is a precursor to the Heroes’ Day and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations due next Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
General Sibanda said ZDF has been involved in a myriad of life-enhancing projects across the country since independence in 1980.
“Since independence, ZDF has undertaken community projects, however, of late, a decision was taken to decentralise the projects in line with the devolution concept where military formations take charge of projects in their tactical areas of responsibility.
“The decentralised approach enables ZDF to have a wider reach of the communities in their tactical areas of responsibilities in line with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“In this regard, we are working with different partners on community-initiated programmes so that we address their utmost needs. This year, nine projects will be handed over to beneficiaries during the ZDF Community Assistance Week, while over 20 other projects at various stages of completion will be handed over as the year progresses or in 2025.
“The completed classroom blocks at St Charles Lwanga will go a long way in alleviating the plight of learners from the local community, who used to walk long distances of more than eight kilometres to Lydia Chimonyo High School and nine kilometres to Nhedziwa High School. It is my hope that the new classroom blocks will motivate the business community, and other willing partners to invest in the construction of more educational facilities, not only at this location, but other areas across the country. I also want to urge all parents to invest in the future of children by contributing to the betterment of our schools. Keeping children in school also helps to reduce their exposure to vices like early pregnancies, drug and substance abuse,” said General Sibanda.
Minister Moyo applauded the gesture as a testament of strong collaboration, and joint commitment between Government arms in providing services to citizens.
“Education is the bedrock upon which we build the future of our nation, and initiatives like this help to strengthen that foundation. Construction of these state-of-the-art classroom facilities is a shining example of the holistic approach to nation building, where the various arms of Government work in seamless harmony to uplift lives of our citizens. It is a testament to that spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility that permeates our society.
“These new classrooms will provide a conducive learning environment for hundreds of young learners, ensuring that they have access to the quality education they deserve. We are deeply grateful for this support which will go a long way in advancing our mission of providing inclusive and equitable education for all,” he said.
Minister Mugadza said ZDF’s assistance will go a long way in addressing overcrowding of learners at the school.
“We deeply appreciate the noble gesture by ZDF. The magnificent classroom blocks are a culmination of countless hours of planning, hard work and dedication by the military team. Quality education is the cornerstone of a prosperous community. This school is, not only going to benefit the people of Chimanimani, but will draw learners from across the country.
“Furthermore, the school shall address the problems of overcrowding in learning institutions, and create a favourable learning environment for our learners. ZDF has transformed this place into a vibrant hub of knowledge and progress,” he said.
The ZDF Community Assistance Week kicked off this week, with a hectic handover of projects in Nyanga, Makoni and Mutasa districts.
These include renovated schools and health facilities to improve access to education and universal healthcare to the citizenry.
Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, yesterday also handed over a new three-classroom block at Samanyika Primary School in Nyanga North, replacing one constructed in 1952 when the school was opened.
The old block had depreciated, and developed cracks due to lack of periodic maintenance, and lessons were being conducted in makeshift tents.
A development partner, Solace, provided funds for the procurement of building materials, while ZNA provided artisans and engineers from 3 Infantry Brigade to construct the classroom block, a gesture that dovetails with its constitutional mandate to provide assistance to civil ministries and disadvantaged communities.
On Wednesday, Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Jacob Nzvede presided over the ground breaking ceremony of Mandizha Clinic in Makoni South Constituency to improve access to, both preventative and curative healthcare.
The clinic, being constructed under the Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund, will bring huge relief to villagers currently footing over 14km to access healthcare at Mukamba and Denzva Clinics.
As it stands, many patients are failing to access life-saving health interventions on time, especially pregnant mothers, who sometimes resort to unsafe and risky home births.
Air Force of Zimbabwe also handed over a renovated Tsonzo Rural Health Centre in Mutasa after installing plumbing, electrical connections, painting, tilling, carpentry, sewer reticulation, and putting up a new incinerator for proper clinical waste disposal.
It also handed over five renovated houses at Fairfield Orphanage at Old Mutare Mission in partnership with Tottengram Financial Services.
A solar powered borehole is earmarked to be drilled by September to improve access to clean water for domestic use and horticultural production.
To add icing on the cake, AFZ doctors and nurses provided free medical services to villagers at Denzva Primary School and Tsonzo Rural Health Centre respectively.
