VICE President Cde Kembo Mohadi says the government remains committed to inclusive development and youth empowerment, hence the ongoing efforts to improve learning conditions in rural schools and national campaigns against drug and substance abuse.
This Friday saw Vice President Mohadi commissioning a fully furnished digital skills laboratory at Shonganiso Mission in Masvingo before leading a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of girls’ and boys’ hostels at the institution.
The event also saw him leading a drug and substance abuse campaign in the area, where hundreds received free medical assistance under the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme.
“The work done here at Shonganiso is a reflection of the strength of our Government’s efforts with the private sector through the Public-Private Partnerships. These partnerships are cross-cutting in various sectors, including but not limited to education and health. The establishment of the Student Halls of Residence at Shonganiso Mission is a testament to the Second Republic’s commitment to education and the empowerment of our youth. It will provide a conducive environment for learning, foster a sense of community among students, and promote academic excellence,” he said.
Drug and substance abuse is a health and social crisis, hence the need to equip youths with digital skills.
“Drug and Substance abuse has become a national crisis, and recently our President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, launched the Presidential Resource Mobilisation Scheme to harness resources to achieve a drug-free society by 2030. Let us work together in our various capacities to fight the scourge, and we are also advocating for stiffer penalties for drug and substance abuse offenders, including suppliers,” Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe noted.
“Today we saw the commissioning of a fully furnished digital skills laboratory, and as the government, the thrust is to ensure access to the internet for all, including our school children and communities hence bridging the digital gap between rural and urban communities,” Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera said.
“Drug and substance abuse is a health and social crisis that needs all hands on deck. Despite awareness campaigns going on in communities, efforts are also currently underway to train village health workers on how they can deal with the drug and substance abuse menace,” Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Sleiman Kwidini added.
Masvingo Province continues to benefit from government development programmes, including in the education and health sectors.
“As a province, we are a beneficiary of various programmes meant to improve community livelihoods. Today, we saw Shonganiso Mission receiving ICT accessories, and many of our schools have so far benefited. Again, several clinics are being established to ensure access to healthcare services in our rural areas among many efforts,” Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira expressed.
The church has a role to play in complementing government efforts in ensuring access to education for all.
“This mission was established in 1952 by the Founding Bishop Reverend Rungano Jonas Mudadirwa Zvobgo, his wife, and other Bishops. Today, we are happy that the legacy continues to live on with the government supporting us. As a church, we continue to support the government and its development programmes that are meant to improve people’s lives,” African Reformed Church Presiding Bishop, Professor Rungano Zvobgo noted.
The event saw Shonganiso Mission, which comprises a Primary and High School, a clinic, and a church, receiving various donations towards improving their operations.
Vulnerable groups from the community also received wheelchairs and food hampers.
Earlier on, Cde Mohadi laid wreaths at the tombstones of the late Founding Bishop of the African Reformed Church, Reverend Bishop Rungano Jonas Mudadirwa Zvobgo, and his wife, Mrs Esther Zvobgo.
