Zimplats brings hitech learning to Mhondoro-Ngezi schools
THE days for imagining and dreaming about information and communication technology and the internet for marginalised schools in Mhondoro-Ngezi district are over as platinum giant Zimplats continues to support the local community.
Zimplats, which has set a target of upgrading schools in the district through education, skills and infrastructure development over the next five years, is also expected to promote science, technology engineering, maths and computer science subjects.
The mine constructed computer labs at Chingondo and Tangwena schools in the district that are fully-equipped with computers, printers and furniture.
Zimplats also installed 10 kilowatts solar power systems at both schools to provide uninterrupted power supply, while internet service has been guaranteed to both learners and staff.
Speaking after handover and commissioning of ICT projects spearheaded by the mine at schools, pupils and teaching staffs lauded the gesture.
Johanna Sithole, a student at Chingondo said she had no access to even a smartphone, but with the opening of the lab she expected to improve her ICT knowledge.
“My uncle has a simple phone and I have been failing to access online learning,” she said. “The computers are going to improve our education.”
Johanna said over three quarters of her class had no access to internet and smartphones.
Ward 10 junior councillor and a student at the same school, Vimbai Gamanye, applauded the mining giant for opening doors to a new technological world.
“We can now access the internet and be able to research on various subjects topics. This is going to be beneficial to all of us,” she said.
Tangwena Primary School head, Mrs Leitha Mangoyi, was elated by the timeous gesture.
The school had an enrolment of 400 pupils, she said, but relied on one laptop and teachers’ gadgets to conduct ICT lessons.
In his speech, Zimplats managing director Mr Stanley Segula said the target to upgrade schools in the district was in line with its corporate social investment targeted at complementing the Second Republic’s agenda of living no one or place in line with Vision 2030.
“What makes these projects unique is that they cut across three of the four pillars underpinning our corporate social investment and social performance programmes,” he said. “Zimplats has not only invested in education and skills development but infrastructure development and community well-being through the use of clean energy and provision of potable water.”
Zimplats has drilled boreholes at the two schools and fitted and solar-powered pumps.
Commissioning the two projects this Tuesday, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mary Mliswa-Chikoka was upbeat about Zimplats’ commitments, saying they dovetailed with National Development Strategy 1 (NDS-1).
“The gesture by Zimplats is welcomed and supports President Mnangagwa’s mantra of “Nyika inovakawa nevene vayo” as the mine has taken great strides for other corporates to emulate,” she said. “These labs and many other projects that the company is undertaking speaks to Vision 2030 and NDS1.” Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said the refurbishment and construction of classroom blocks and staff accommodation helped to retain staff at the schools that were perceived to be backward.
She lauded Zimplats’ Local Enterprise Development (LED) pillar as helping in employment creation.
At least 22 companies employing nearly 3 000 people have been supported under LED, with beneficiaries saying they were unleashing their full potential.