Story by Tamuka Charakupa
A Chipinge-based teacher has become a shining example of dedicated service after serving the nation for 43 years despite her disability.
In 1980, at the age of 22, a young Evermore Zuze enrolled at Mary Mount Teachers College in Mutare and she never looked back until this day.
It has been a 43-year journey with Ms Zuze diligently fulfilling her duties despite being wheelchair-bound since the tender age of two.
“I joined teaching in 1980 and served for 15 years in Makoni district as a teacher and 22 years in Chipinge as a deputy head here at Mundanda primary school,” she said.
“I am a victim of polio since the age of two but that did not stop me from executing my duties and here I am today, retiring after 43 years. Teaching is not only a profession but a calling for me.”
“I have accomplished a lot of things despite my condition and my message to others is that disability does not mean inability. Going forward, I want to open my schools where I supervise. I no longer want to teach, I am tired,” she explained.
Her colleagues, students and the community at large have nothing but praise for the dedicated civil servant.
“If it wasn’t for time, we wished she stayed because she has done a lot for the school over the past decade,” noted one of her colleagues.
“She is an example of how professionalism should be. As a colleague, we admired how dedicated she was and her leadership skills,” added another colleague.
“Our teacher helped us with BEAM registration so that we could learn for free. We will miss her,” a grateful student said.
Whilst another student weighed in, “She gave us homework every day, so she helped us with our school work.”
Manicaland Deputy Provincial Head in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Richard Gabaza saluted Ms Zuze for her professionalism.
“For one to serve 43 years, it goes beyond to prove the level of professionalism and sticking to the principles of the ministry. We have come to her farewell party on her resignation day to show our appreciation.
As a ministry, we will continue to support her endeavours to the best of our ability,” he asserted.
It was also pomp and funfair as her retirement coincided with her 65th birthday.