Herentals Group, 45 centres countrywide
HERENTALS is certainly one of the biggest group of schools and colleges in Zimbabwe assisting government to offer education to Zimbabweans.
Now stretching literally from border to border, not one group in Zimbabwe is doing it better to help our children become better people as individuals and as national and global players.
The group has schools and colleges in Mutare, Masvingo, Beitbridge, Chiredzi, Victoria Falls, Gweru, Zvishavane and twenty (centres) in Harare alone.
Herentals chief operating officer Mr Tafadzwa Benza chronicled the wonderful story of the humble beginnings and remarkable growth of this bastion of educational excellence.
“Herentals group of schools and colleges is the brainchild of Dr Innocent Dambudzo Benza and wife Patience. What started off in 1998 as extra lessons for needy learners in the veranda and corners of their home gradually grew into one school in Harare... and now Herentals is a brand and force to reckon with,” said Mr Benza.
“My dad and mom have a passion for education and both live a lifestyle of helping people. They are products of very humble backgrounds ... brought up by hardworking parents and good will philanthropic godfathers and mothers, they naturally committed themselves to making other people better. And what better way is there to do that than offering education to those who need it?”
The principal of Herentals-Mutare Mr Joseph Chivhuro was at a loss for words to describe how he feels being a small part of this big idea and institution.
“Herentals has changed my life completely. I am different in thought, deed and status. I am proud to belong to this train of great educators and leaders. I have learnt a lot and promise to offer all I can for the betterment and growth of this great group of schools and colleges,” he said.
Mr Benza, son of owner of Premier League football outfit Herentals, attributed the phenomenal growth and achievements to the work ethics typical throughout the Herentals system of education.
“From top to bottom, everyone is focused on achievement. We all share and have a vision to become number one provider of education and training in the global village. And that’s no mean feat. Everyone works extra hard towards that one vision from day to day,” he said.
Some of the fascinating education and training opportunities highlighted on the radio programme include finance, marketing, accounting, hotel catering and hospitality. “Beyond these we have a new course in operating construction vehicles. This is a new attraction currently in demand. For this special course we offer boarding facility. So wherever you are coming from in Zimbabwe, you are covered,” said Mr Benza.
Mr Benza said those in and around Mutare who are interested in courses offered in Harare can contact Herentals College Mutare for details.
Mr Benza revealed that their colleges offer students transport to school and back home.
“We sometimes face a challenge that we cannot always have a seat for every student,” said Mr Benza. He added: “We have a provision for scholarships for deserving students to continue with their studies further to Form 5 and 6 and university. In February 2019 we shall host professional individuals who want to be trained as executives by international and local professionals. This is an opportunity not to lose”.
Mr Benza also revealed very interesting innovations within the group of schools and colleges. He said each college competed on entrepreneurial projects in which students from Form 1 to 6 were judged according to their practical application and mastery of proper business theories and practice.
Herentals Group of Schools and Colleges has in the past won several awards for outstanding performance in service delivery.
“On December 8 there is a Herentals exhibition or product fair in which member schools of the group from all over Zimbabwe exhibit various products to the public.
‘‘This is an opportunity for people to learn about and see products of various natures on display and an opportunity not to miss. There will be music and braai to spice up the exhibition,” Mr Benza said.
Answering a question about a common perception amongst Zimbabweans that independent and private colleges and schools are slowly turning into brothels Mr Benza said:
“It cannot be correct to say moral decay is an independent college problem alone. The children come from the same home backgrounds and environs with those deemed to be better behaved. They mix and mingle during weekends and school holidays influencing each other this or that side of morality. It cannot be honestly true that independent colleges alone are havens of behavioural decadence. This is a global problem.
“However...,”said Mr Benza “... though we do have measures about how best we can control moral decay in our institutions within our systems, we are aware of increasing behavioural challenges amongst our students. We are therefore sincerely open to outside interventions meant to mitigate moral decay in our institutions. We acknowledge this fact to an extent that we are ready to support and sponsor programmes to do with the behavioural transformation of learners particularly the girl learner in our own schools and colleges. We will sit down with the rest of the directorate to see how we can do this as soon as possible. Some schools, colleges and universities have become conduits of moral decay, student prostitution, drug abuse and other forms of behavioural waywardness. We are certainly going to be in it together with you. The girls of substance movement which our Mutare Herentals chapter is part of, and our principal its chairperson, is a perfect point of entry into supporting and sponsoring a cause many institutions have ignored and looked away from. We will do our best to be in it together.”
Herentals Group of Schools and Colleges has in the past scooped several merit awards for achievement, among them the best private education system in Zimbabwe among independent colleges. This accolade was awarded by Zimbabwe Business Awards (ZBA).