Yesterday’s spirited sporting spectacle at Rutenga Primary School was, to the casual observer, just another chapter in Zimbabwe’s school competitions—a gathering of under-14 teams from across Mwenezi East.
But to those who know, those who see beyond the score lines and final whistles, it was a reminder of something far greater: the enduring legacy of missionary churches in shaping Zimbabwe’s educational and social landscape.
In Masvingo Province, there is a pattern impossible to ignore. Whether in classrooms or on sports fields, Christian-founded schools continue to dominate. Names like Pamushana, Chibi High, Chiredzi Christian, Marist Brothers, and Anderson High and Regina Mundi from Midlands have become synonymous with excellence—consistently producing scholars and athletes who rise above the rest. What is it about these institutions that sets them apart? Could it be, as Seventh-day Adventist member Jonas Gudhuza posited yesterday, that “God is in it”?
Nowhere was that dominance more visible than in the performance of Masogwe Primary School. Nestled about 10 kilometres off the Beitbridge Road, this rising educational giant delivered an exceptional showing that echoed the legacy of one of Mwenezi’s most revered sons—the late Nhamo Chigohi. A man of the cloth and of action, Chigohi was not only a Baptist evangelist but a visionary who transformed Masogwe Primary and spearheaded the establishment of Masogwe Baptist Secondary School.
His legacy is not just etched in the buildings, but in the culture of excellence that persists. Under the capable leadership of Madam Chuma and Mr. Mabaso, the schools continue to embody the ideals of service, discipline, and ambition that Chigohi championed. Staff dedication is palpable, and the learners—whether on the pitch or in the classroom—are the living testimony of that enduring spirit.
At the heart of yesterday’s competition was a classic encounter—call it Mwenezi’s own El Clásico—as Masogwe Primary faced off against G & N Adventist Primary in a thrilling football final. Though G & N displayed remarkable flair and discipline, it was Masogwe’s solitary goal that clinched the victory, crowning them the kings of Mwenezi East football. Their coach, Mr. Madhange, a man of few words, captured the mood succinctly: “My boys nearly gave up, but during the break, I reminded them who they are. We mean business.”
Masogwe didn’t stop at football. Their dominance spilled over into boys’ handball, volleyball, and netball, turning the day into a coronation of sorts for a school once quietly nestled in the rural sprawl, now roaring onto the provincial stage.
Yet while the young athletes were writing their story in the dust and sun of Rutenga, the nation’s political theatre was scripting its own, albeit with less clarity. Reports surfaced regarding the possible co-option of business magnate Kuda Tagwirei into the ZANU PF Central Committee. While some outlets suggested his application was rejected, others, more aligned with the ruling party’s communications, celebrated his purported ascension. The contradictions have left many Zimbabweans scratching their heads.
Add to that the President’s recent slogan, pasi nezvigananda, which some opposition voices interpreted as a veiled dig within the corridors of power. Whether it signals factional tension or simply a misinterpreted political flourish is up for debate. What is certain is that such slogans, ambiguous as they may be, have become part of Zimbabwe’s complex political lexicon.
Still, perhaps there is something poetic about yesterday’s events—a quiet Baptist school triumphing over adversity, while the political elite wrestle for position and clarity. In a nation where power and purpose often seem to diverge, Masogwe’s story reminds us that legacy, leadership, and faith still matter. And maybe, just maybe, God really is in it.
Chana CheMasvingo
johannesmikemupisa11@gmail.com
