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Austin Nyathi and Sikhumbuzo Moyo

VICE PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga has said Government under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa will continue to spearhead development across the country in line with the Second Republic’s development agenda of leaving no one and no place, behind.

He made the remarks yesterday during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an administration block at Sibhabha Primary School in Filabusi, Insiza district in Matabeleland South.

VP Chiwenga who was accompanied by his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, a former learner at Sibhabha Primary School, also donated building materials for the construction of the administration block including a computer laboratory.

He also pledged to rebuild and electrify the teachers’ cottage, modernise the school, and equip it with internet facilities.

Col Baloyi-Chiwenga did part of her primary education at Sibhabha Primary School where her late father taught for three decades.

VP Chiwenga also donated maize seed to the local community for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa climate-proofing programme.

Addressing scores of villagers at Sibhabha Primary School, VP Chiwenga said infrastructure development is important in terms of shaping the future of the country’s youths.

He said he felt obliged to contribute towards the development of Sibhabha Primary School where his late father-in-law taught for 30 years.

“I never met my father-in-law, Mr Baloyi, but he was a teacher at this school for three decades, and it’s the same school where Mrs Chiwenga also did her primary education. We are going to construct the administration block, rebuild and electrify the teachers’ cottages,” said VP Chiwenga.

“Further, we will modernise the school by bringing computers and internet so that learners are able to communicate with the world, they must not be left behind as our mantra is clear that no one and no place will be left behind.”

The Vice President said in line with the philosophy of the Second Republic ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’, the Government will continue to push the development mantra across the country.

“I am here first and foremost because I got married to your daughter, I am your son-in-law, and secondly I have been here since Friday when I visited the Dube family, my mother-in-law.

“However, as we are doing our private business, it doesn’t mean we cannot also undertake official Government business,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said the elections have come and gone and people should now focus on developmental issues.

He highlighted some of the major projects being implemented by the Second Republic which include Lake Gwayi-Shangani, road infrastructure development, and the new Parliament building among other key projects.

“As we all know the weather experts predicted that the country will receive normal to below normal rainfall this summer cropping season which, therefore requires us to use the climate-proofing farming method Intwasa. I also came with seeds to give to our people,” said VP Chiwenga.

On Friday, VP Chiwenga commissioned a solar-powered pump and borehole at Singwango 1 Primary School. The equipment was donated by Col Baloyi-Chiwenga who also set up a nutritional garden that will benefit the school and the community.

Speaking during the same occasion, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the donation is a major boost for learners as it will improve quality education.

“Our children need quality education and the construction of this laboratory will improve the learning capabilities of our children. They will now be able to research through the internet and be able to communicate with their counterparts across the country,” she said.

In an interview yesterday, Col Baloyi-Chiwenga said she was delighted to return to her former school, which nurtured her during her early childhood.

“I am extremely happy and excited about what has just happened today, I have an emotional attachment to this school as a former learner here and also that my father taught at this school for over 30 years,” she said.

“So in my small way, I thought I should assist, I also want to thank my husband, Vice President Chiwenga for agreeing to assist me in this endeavour because when I told him about what I wanted to do, he never hesitated and I am really so grateful.”

Col Baloyi-Chiwenga said the administration block should be completed in less than two months.

Sibhabha Primary School Development Committee chairperson Mr Salvin Bhebhe said they felt humbled and honoured by VP Chiwenga and his wife’s generosity.

“In our Ndebele culture, we say umkhwenyana yingxoza, we are so grateful to have a son-in-law such as Dr Chiwenga, who is also the Vice President of this country. Our school has for long been looked down upon with learners and teachers shunning it because of its poor state,” he said.

“Now we are seeing a turnaround thanks to our daughter Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi and her husband. We are indeed not left behind.”

Sibhabha Primary School, which is located 74km from Filabusi centre, has six teachers, one male, and six female teachers.

Among those who attended the event were Chief Maduna, and former Cabinet Minister and local MP Andrew Langa.