Zanu PF engages sangoma, chief to recover school fees arrears

MAZOWE WEST - A community‑driven initiative led by Zanu PF councillor Dickson Mucheriwa has brought relief to nearly one hundred vulnerable learners at Farai Primary School after a local sangoma, Sekuru Nyangatayani (born Peter Chingudzi), donated school fees, stationery and other essential learning materials.

The intervention comes as the school battles mounting bad debts caused by widespread poverty, with many guardians unable to pay fees or provide basic necessities for their children.

Councillor Mucheriwa said the donation was motivated by the urgent need to protect learners from the effects of financial hardship.

"This is a noble cause, and I'm honoured to be part of it. The school has been grappling with bad debts, a development which threatens the education of these vulnerable learners," he said.

He added that every child deserved access to quality education regardless of their background, and encouraged more partners to support similar initiatives through public‑private partnerships.

"This is how we complement Vision 2030 and the national development strategy, in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Second Republic's mantra of leaving no one and no place behind," he said.

Parents, school authorities and the School Development Committee welcomed the gesture, describing it as timely and transformative.

"This initiative has come at a time when we were struggling to keep our children in school. We're thankful to Councillor Dickson and the sangoma for their kindness and generosity," said one parent.

Farai Primary School headmaster, Mr Shonhiwa Nyanhanga, said the school had been struggling to recover fees from guardians, prompting them to seek assistance from traditional leadership, including Chief Makope.

"School fees donations and other necessities will complement our efforts to recover from bad debts. Today's gesture is a relief to both teachers and learners. We received boxes of chalk, stationery and fees support, ensuring no learner is left behind as we embrace the Heritage‑Based Curriculum," he said.

School Development Committee chairperson Mr Fredrick Mulesi said traditional leaders had been instrumental in helping recover outstanding fees, but the additional support from Sekuru Nyangatayani would go even further.

"With this gesture, and his promise to cover fees for some learners for the whole year, we expect significant progress. These public‑private partnerships empower less privileged learners to access education, which is their right," he said.

The initiative underscores the growing role of community‑based solutions in addressing educational inequalities in Mazowe West, which falls under the constituency of Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe.