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Youth Interactive Reporter

Local businessman and philanthropist Exevia “Wezhaz” Maoneke last weekend donated two chubby doors for two schools that recently acquired centre status in his home district of Chivi in Masvingo province. 

The chubby doors donation which is a key Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) requirement for exam papers strong rooms was highly commended by guests who included the local Member of Parliament, local councilors and the community leaders.  

In an interview with Youth Interactive section, Maoneke said the donation was his way of giving back to the community and pledged to do more particularly in support of the local education system. 

“I am one person who believes in the empowerment of our people and I appreciate efforts by Government ensure quality and affordable education for all since Independence,” he said. The donation of two chubby doors to Domboshava and Chishavakadzi Secondary Schools in ward 14 and 21 respectively is a demonstration of the hope we have in local education and we will continue exploring ways to support these marginalised schools,” Maoneke said. 

Maoneke and his team later toured the premises and said he will be donating building materials to enhance infrastructure at the school.

“The best way to break the poverty cycle and to empower children is through quality education and making sure the learning environment is conducive. 

Having toured the two schools I also pledge to donate building materials so that they can build strong rooms as per Zimsec requirements as well as work on the floors and cracking blocks for safer learning,” he said. 

Both schools have been operating as satelite schools since inception with Domboshava being in that state since 2010 and Chishavakadzi since 2013. 

Students had to travel to other schools to write exams but thanks to government efforts to make learning more comfortable, they were recently given exam centre status. 

Domboshava school headmaster Tapiwa Mutoko said students at his schools would move seven to eight kilometers to write exams while those at Chishavakadzi students would walk for 19 kilometers and this caused lots of problems. 

“Students would walk long distances and this would result in child pregnancies. 

“We are thankful to government for this development and to Mr Maoneke for this generous donation of chubby doors and pledges of building materials. Together we will make the education in Zimbabwe better,” he said.  Domboshava School started in 2010 with two blocks but now has five blocks with two classes and three teacher houses. Chishavakadzi School Head Usiwe Mamhunga also commemded the development and called for more corporate support to make the learning environment better. 

“While we appreciate efforts by government, we appreciate efforts by corporate players and business people like Mr Maoneke and we call for more such supper. 

We have 350 students at the school but financial developments have hampered our progress  because students struggle with

tuition fees especially with the Covid-19 situation. 

Staff accommodation is inadequate and we hope more support will continue coming. Water is also a challenge because of the dry area,” she said.