In a significant step towards improving education infrastructure in Matabeleland North, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) officially handed over Tshino Secondary School to the Tsholotsho community today. This event is part of the 2024 Zimbabwe Defence Forces Community Assistance Week, which aims to support local communities by constructing and refurbishing public facilities.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Brigadier General (Rtd) Hon. L Mayihlome, officiated the handover ceremony. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including the School Development Committee Chair, the Matabeleland North Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, and Chief Mathuphula, alongside local business community members and residents of Tsholotsho Rural District.
“Tshino Secondary School, established in 2018, has significantly reduced the distance students travel to access education. Despite initial infrastructure challenges, ongoing projects and contributions from various stakeholders are addressing these needs,” said Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Mayihlome.
The ZDF’s involvement in community development projects, part of their peacetime operations, underscores their commitment to national development. Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Mayihlome highlighted that the ZDF provides skilled personnel for construction and refurbishment projects free of charge, while communities contribute building materials and general labor. This collaborative approach aims to reduce project costs and make development initiatives more accessible.
In his speech, Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Mayihlome commended the continuous efforts of local and diaspora communities in supporting Tsholotsho’s development. “Zimbabweans from Tsholotsho in the diaspora have not turned their backs on their area of origin. They continue to contribute to the development of Tsholotsho through various means, including mobilizing funding for community projects,” he said.
This handover marks the third ZDF project in Tsholotsho, following the completion of Sipepa Primary School in 2022 and Mbamba Clinic in 2023. The increasing number of completed projects highlights the strong ties between the ZDF and local communities.
The handover ceremony also saw Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Mayihlome encouraging the community to maintain the new facilities and urging students to focus on their studies. He emphasized the importance of avoiding drug and substance abuse, noting that the ZDF offers rewarding career opportunities for those interested.
The ZDF’s Community Assistance Week will continue with more handovers, including a classroom block at Tsungai Primary School in Gokwe Nembudziya and new classroom blocks at Charles Luwanga Secondary School in Chimanimani, rebuilt after Cyclone Idai’s devastation.
In addition to infrastructure projects, the ZDF is conducting a week-long free medical outreach program at Sipepa Rural Hospital, further enhancing access to healthcare services for Tsholotsho residents.
The Deputy Minister’s remarks highlighted the collaborative spirit and the ZDF’s commitment to supporting national development, ensuring that education and healthcare infrastructure meet the needs of all Zimbabweans.
