Vital to celebrate Independence gains

MY name is Hopewell Batsirai Makairirwa, aged 57 years. I come from Dzvete Village, Chikwaka Communal Area in Goromonzi District, Mashonaland East Province.

I want to share my brief history as part of urging fellow Zimbabweans to celebrate the Independence that we currently enjoy under President Mnangagwa.

I attended Inyagui Primary School from 1973 to 1979. In 1980 I moved to Mabvuku High School for my secondary education, but had to repeat Form 1 due to ill health. I then sat for my ‘O’ level examinations in 1984.

I happen to be among the last Grade 7 group from colonial Rhodesia and the first group of Independent Zimbabwe’s Form 1 pupils.

By the time I sat for my ‘O’ level in 1984, we had 18 Form 4 classes and the junior Forms 1 and 2 were housed at Donnybrook Primary School.

We were taught by expatriate teachers from countries like Australia and Mauritius. My Maths teacher in Form 1 went on to become a director for the then Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

In 1985 and 1986, I moved to Sandringham High for my ‘A’ level studies.

I had three points and could not get a vacancy at the University of Zimbabwe as they wanted a minimum of four points.

I had no option but to go to Hillside Teachers College for the two-year post ‘A’ level programme.

I am also a beneficiary of the Land Reform Programme and have a gold mining claim in Shamva where we shall start mining gold soon, thereby creating employment.

I urge fellow Zimbabweans to work hard wherever they are in agriculture, mining or any sector. I urge students to work hard at school and stay away from drugs and rally behind our visionary President E.D Mnangagwa as we celebrate 42 years of our Independence.