Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) has stepped up efforts to expand access to quality education through a fundraising golf tournament held in Gweru on Saturday in support of the construction of Umguza High School in Matabeleland North Province.
The fairways of the Gweru Golf Club provided the setting for the charity event, with golfers from across the country teeing off in support of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s latest education infrastructure initiative.
The tournament aimed to mobilise resources for the construction of the school, which is expected to improve access to secondary education in the province.
“We have seven primary and two secondary schools in Harare, but we are overwhelmed; that is why we require another. We are having fundraising activities, the school will enrol the community,” ZRP Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
To mobilise additional resources for the project, the fundraising golf tournament was followed by a dinner attended by government officials, business leaders, and development partners, where stakeholders made various commitments towards the project.
“The support is inspiring, as we seek to create a sustainable future for our nation, and our nation will reap rewards. This prepares us to meet our needs to attain an upper middle income economy,” ZRP Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba said.
The initiative also received government backing as it aligns with the modernisation drive.
“Today’s event resonates with President Dr Mnangagwa’s bold and strategic decision to adopt private-public partnership, advancing resource-based and knowledge driven innovation, modernisation, and industrialisation of the economy as we drive towards attainment of vision 2030.
“Accordingly, the new dispensation recorded significant prigress in the education sector underpinned by modernisation of infrastructure and adoption of the heritage based education 5.0 model incorporating critical thinking and problem solving to address community needs,” Midlands Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Owen Ncube said.
Expected to open for boarding learners in January, Umguza High School is set to ease pressure on the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s existing schools while broadening access to quality education for learners across Matabeleland North and beyond.
Beyond fundraising, budding golfers and the established were awarded in different categories.
