The ManicaPost
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
AS the country is still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, stakeholders have continued to urge development partners to assist in building back better infrastructure to ensure resilience in the event of more natural disasters in future.
Cyclone Idai struck Zimbabwe in March 2019, affecting over 270 000 people.
The storm and subsequent flooding as well as landslides left 340 people dead and many others missing.
Agriculture, schools and infrastructure all suffered heavy impacts.
Government has since partnered with the private sector to assist in the recovery efforts in areas affected by the disaster, and the country’s largest media organisation, Zimbabwe Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd (1980), adopted Chikukwa Primary School, which was also affected.
After the cyclone, the school’s 12 classrooms were condemned by authorities owing to the structural damages that weakened them.
Zimpapers built a two-classroom block to bring relief to more than 1 000 learners whose access to education was affected by the cyclone.
The block, a modern structure with two offices, has been touted as a model structure for all future plans to restore infrastructure in the district. Zimpapers also handed over furniture, a printer, hand sanitisers, masks, a thermometer and exercise books to the school.
In addition to the 10 students that are already on a Zimpapers scholarship at the school, two more girls will benefit from the initiative.
Speaking during the hand-over ceremony in Chikukwa last week; Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, who was the guest of honour, said the private sector is playing a major role in the recovery efforts in Chimanimani.
She expressed concern over the fact that most classrooms at Chikukwa Primary School are no longer safe for use and called on Zimpapers to assist in rebuilding the school to make it better than it was before.
“The school has highlighted that the cyclone destroyed many classrooms and they are no longer fit for use by the children. This is a concern that needs to be addressed. Zimpapers cannot do it all in a short time, but what they are doing is good.
“We cannot expect you to do it all alone, but you can engage other partners to finish this project and make this school a modern one with proper infrastructure,” she said.
Chimanimani Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Nehemia Deure said the private sector’s role in the development of the country is espoused in the country’s economic development plans.
“The role of the private sector in the provision of education cannot be underestimated. In fact, if you look at the previous economic blueprint, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), one of the most critical pillars was inclusion of the private sector in the development of the country. Zimpapers’ association with Chimanimani in building this block is part of the response to the TSP because for the private sector to develop, we need skills that can only come from a vibrant education sector,” he said.
He said Zimpapers set a good example for other partners to build modern schools that will remain strong for years to come.
Mr Deure said changes in the weather patterns calls for more resilient infrastructure.
“This is what we call Build Back Better (BBB) in case we have other disasters in future. We can no longer afford to put up structures that are made up of ordinary brick and mud. We expect the engineering to be upgraded so that it matches the kind of weather we are experiencing.
“This block is different. The others were built long back before we knew that we would be affected by such natural disasters. From now on, we are advising engineers and planners to come up with better methods and designs that can withstand such catastrophes,” he said.
School head, Mr Cephas Sibindi expressed hope that as the other condemned buildings are rebuilt, the same standard will be maintained.
“This block was not constructed like the other buildings we had before. It is of top quality and can withstand the hazards that may come. The block is also user-friendly for people with disability as it has ramps to allow wheelchairs to get in and out easily. This is the type of environment we want to have for all our children to encourage inclusivity in the education sector,” he said.
Chikukwa villagers applauded the Zimpapers’ initiative.
“We are happy with the block built by Zimpapers. This block will go a long way in accommodating our children because the other blocks that are available are not safe. We really need something safer so that our children can access good education in a safe environment,” she said.
