SYDNEY MUBAIWA
GWERU-In a dramatic turn of events following phone calls by The Midweek Watch, the Midlands provincial education director has ordered the Gweru district schools inspector to stop the a directive for schools to fund the 45th Uhuru celebrations.
The Gweru DSI wrote to schools this week to contribute money towards the purchase of regalia, food and fuel for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
“As soon as I heard about the letter I instructed the Gweru DSI to stop the collection of money from schools to fund the Independence celebrations because the directive is illegal,” said Jameson Machimbira, the Midlands Province PED.
According to a circular in possession of this publication, Gweru DSI Tranos Mahlokozera ordered all schools in the district to hold a once off civics day to raise money for the annual event.
“The district is requesting all schools to conduct a once off civic day in order to purchase regalia, food and fuel including unforeseen costs for the Nembudziya Independence Celebrations to be conducted on the 18th of April 2025.
“The Heads are expected to deposit the civics money in the BSPZ account. The civic money must not exceed $1 per child,” reads part of the notice.
When contacted for a confirmation the DSI at first was very jocular and happily acknowledged the letter but when this reporter said he was calling from Masvingo he cut the phone before saying it is not true despite the letter having been sent to schools.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader Obert Masaraure said the bankrolling of government events by poor parents is illegal and unacceptable.
“This thing is illegal and it shows that our government lacks commitment towards the education system which is slowly deteriorating.
“They are not considering the hot economic climate our parents are experiencing and they are bankrolling this event with the little our parents have. This is totally unacceptable and unheard of,” he said.
He also added that, “Independence Celebrations are a partisan affair where the ruling party pursue private political interests. This year’s celebrations will mainly be dedicated to assaulting the constitution by pushing for an illegal term extension for Emerson Mnangagwa. It is unethical and illegal for government to force schools to fund the partisan junket dedicated to the violation of the constitution. Zimbabwe’s schools are severely underfunded because of government’s neglect.
“The parents are bearing the burden of funding education in violation of a 75 which mandates government to provide state funded basic education. It is cruel for Mnangagwa’s government to extract from the incapacitated schools. We urge school heads to refuse to participate in this illegality. We stand ready to defend our schools from abuse,”
Running under the theme “Zim @45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030”, the national event is expected to bring together over 100 000 people from all the country’s 10 provinces.
As part of the festivities, a Children’s Party to be hosted by the First Family will be held on April 17, 2025 at Nyamuroro High School, where over 3 000 children will be accommodated from April 15 to 19.
The musical gala will be on Independence Eve at Nembudziya Government High School.
The celebrations will feature the lighting of the Independence Flame, the traditional Torch Relay and various cultural performances, including traditional dance groups and artists from Gweru, Kwekwe, Mberengwa and other surrounding districts.
Football fans can look forward to a mouth watering match featuring PSL champions Simba Bhora FC against FC Platinum during the main celebrations, while Herentals Queens and Black Rhinos will play at the Children’s Party.
