Dokora in another fool's mate

For the first time since 2011, Zimbabwe will not be represented at the 2016 African Schools Individual Chess Championships to be held at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora cancelled the scheduled trip at the eleventh hour citing a bizarre reason of foreign currency externalization, in his questionable line of thinking, he suggested that by merely going to Zambia to participate in this prestigious annual event, the Zimbabwean team will be externalizing foreign currency. Regrettably, over forty-nine African countries participate in this tournament.

Yes, it is Dokora's right to foolishness to exercise foolishness, but cancelling a trip that his Ministry did not mobilise resources for, is excess foolishness. Can we honestly say the expenses incurred, investing in the future of our children is externalizing forex. Isn't Dokora shooting himself in the foot by contradicting what is being advocated for in ZANU (PF)'s ZimAsset which is putting more emphasis on human development.

And contrary to his counterpart, the Minister of Higher of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Jonathan Moyo (kudos to him), who has been a STEM Initiative torch bearer, sending our children to Silicon Valley in America, Dokora has been a far cry. Mind you, he is the same Minister who wants us to believe that a child in Rushinga can have internet access to do an online application for a form one place.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is a very critical part of our society for it is our magna carta, the holy grail of our future leaders indeed hence it is important that this ministry be led by someone of a sober mind.

Instead of complementing what other stakeholders in the education fraternity are doing, he is busy destroying the very initiative other people are working tirelessly for. He has destroyed the morale in our children, the confidence that has been instilled in the great future of our beloved country. Why? Simply to prove his selfish points of putting in a new order in the academic realm?

It is ironic that Dokora trained in Cuba where chess was and is religiously followed and produced greats like Jose Raul Capablanca. Even back home, President Mugabe has shown appreciation to international masters like Kudzanayi Mamombe and Robert Gwaze.

The nation demands an unequivocal apology from Mr. Dokora and his ministry. He is not only being unfair to the team that was due to travel but also to his lonely soul and fooling himself with such a gambit is very unfortunate. Zimbabwe needs leaders who embody the spirit of true servant leadership, leaders who we can always account for their actions and who are in touch with the real national issues not tissues!

Checkmate dear Dokora.

CHATURANGA, Bindura.