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Tapera Chikandiwa

Ruth Butaumocho : Gender Profile

The economic challenges of 2008 threw many people in the deep end with some businesses going under and being declared insolvent. The year also saw the emergence of judicious men and women who took the opportunity of the environment to venture into businesses that are still operational to this day. Mr Tapera Chikandiwa is one such individual who chose to swim against the tide and define his territory along other astute businesspeople, when the situation seemed hopeless.

He is the founder and owner of High Achievers Coach Educational Centre, HAEC, an independent Christian college based in Harare, which provides academic and life coaching skills to students from different backgrounds.

“Ensuring a child’s good foundation in life through education is at the core of heart. It (education) is what I know best and I am constantly upgrading my knowledge around the subject, through God’s word,” he said in an interview recently.

Mr Chikandiwa whose background is rooted in education, having trained as a teacher more than 20 years ago and leaving trailblazing success in the schools he taught, has managed to mould the institution into a college that provides quality education in a Christian context.

“In fulfilment of its mission, based on Luke 2:52, HACEC is committed to transform lives by integrating biblical principles in all subject areas.

“It evangelises the student body and the community by leading them to know, love and obey God for a lifetime and also model a character that demonstrates Christ-like attitudes,” he said.

While many conventional schools and independent colleges are not worried by their students’ religious background and only focus on academic and sports achievements, Mr Chikandiwa firmly believes that it is important to nurture and develop students in the example of Jesus Christ.

“We endeavour to lead each student to the knowledge that absolute truth exists in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ as found in the word of God, the Bible,” he said.

Through these tenets, the school has been able to produce virtuous students who after achieving academic excellence, are doing well in their respective careers locally and abroad.

The school is modelled around the Knowledge Village of Dubai, a centre of excellence in the Middle East, which Mr Chikandiwa initially visited while on an educational trip with Gateway High School.

During the visit, he noted that the village housed different universities and educational institutions from around the world, making it a hub of knowledge and expertise.

“It was during that visit, that it dawned to me that I wanted to play a part in improving academic excellence in the country.

“Having achieved a good track record of academic excellence from the time I was with St Faith (Rusape), where I was the first teacher to teach Advanced Level without a degree and my contribution to the Curriculum Development Unit and Zimsec, I knew I would rise to the challenge,” he enthused.

Mr Chikandiwa, who by that time was doubling up as both examinations officer and accounts teacher for Gateway, gave the school nine months notice, to enable him to work and operate independently.

“I had built a name since I used to conduct remedial lessons in different homes. I already had a group of more than 40 students under my tutelage during holidays.”

Getting a green light from the education ministry to conduct hot-seating lessons in Accounting and Business Studies at Mount Pleasant School was on its own an affirmation of his capabilities and an endorsement to change the country’s educational landscape.

With the assistance of his wife, Mr Chikandiwa immediately set up a study group, a move which culminated in the registration of High Achievers Coach Educational Centre in 2008.

The next two years proved to be a challenge for Mr Chikandiwa as he battled to set up the college against a backdrop of economic challenges that threatened to derail the project.

“At one time, I had to fly to South Africa to buy 25 chairs for the first group of students who had enrolled with us, because I could not get anything locally that I could use,” he recalled.

He also faced fierce resistance from residents around the area, who could not fathom the idea of having a school in their neighbourhood, a move which they feared would “downgrade” the status and standards of the residential area.

“I overcame all that because I believe in Christ and I know I could succeed for with God, nothing is impossible,” he said

Mr Chikandiwa says his Christian virtues are firmly rooted in his background, where his mother, Mrs Moud Chikandiwa instilled in him the importance of hard work, obedience and cultivating a good relationship with God.

Even the hardships that Mr Chikandiwa encountered while as a young boy, where he had to walk about five kilometers to school every day and his active participation as an informer during the liberation struggle were more than life time lessons he still value even to this day.

“The rejection that I encountered at the hands of my peers, as a result of a rare skin disease I had while as a young boy and the ridicule I got for being a dull student, whilst in my early secondary years strengthened my belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he revealed.

It is the same values that have been the bedrock of the institution.

“Our academic tutors work with students and their families to develop students who will know and serve the Lord with all their hearts, mind and strength,”

Mr Chikandiwa noted that while parents had a crucial role to play in their child’s education, schools are instrumental in the development, growth and success of a student.

“It is team work, but I believe the school should be instrumental in identifying and polishing a diamond within each child, while preparing them for the future,” he said.

He believes that although he not been in the education sector for a long time, his contribution has been transformational and he would want to do more.

It is against this background that Chikandiwa is now in the process of building a conventional private school that will accommodate 400 students.

Mr Chikandiwa who is also a successful horticulture farmer says his decision to expand HACEC is not financially motivated, but wants to grow the brand that is increasingly becoming a household name because of the good results it has been producing.

“We are motivated by the results we have haven producing, we would want to do more.”

Enrolments at the school are only by referral and not open to everyone looking for a place.