By Tafara Pande
Masvingo Central – Thousands of people gathered at Shonganiso Mission in Masvingo Central Constituency as Vice President Hon. Col. (Rtd) Kembo C.D. Mohadi presided over a day of community empowerment, blending healthcare delivery, educational development, and the fight against drug abuse under the theme “Revolutionizing the Education Sector: Unity in Action Towards a Drug-Free Zimbabwe, Leaving No One and No Place Behind.”
The program, hosted in Ward 16 under Councillor Marasha and the custodianship of Chief Murinye, began with a solemn wreath-laying at the graves of the late Reverend Rungano J.M. Zvobgo and his wife, the founders of Shonganiso Mission. This moving tribute was followed by a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, underlining the government’s commitment to sustainability and the nurturing of future generations.
A key highlight of the day was the launch of the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme (PEMS), implemented through Discovery Ambulance Services in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Speaking to this reporter, Discovery Ambulance Services senior paramedic Mr. Elliott Chivige explained that the program has two main components. The first is community empowerment through first aid training. “Yesterday alone, we trained 418 villagers as first responders,” Chivige said, emphasizing that equipping locals with emergency response skills is vital for saving lives. The second pillar is the medical outreach initiative, which provides free health screenings, consultations, and treatments. Over 680 people benefited from services that included cancer screening, pregnancy testing, STI detection, immunization, and family planning.
Addressing the thousands in attendance, Vice President Mohadi underscored the importance of resilience, education, and healthcare in building the nation. Reflecting on his time serving alongside the late Dr. Eddison Zvobgo, he praised Zvobgo’s legacy of honesty, accountability, and transparency.
“Returning to Shonganiso today is humbling, as we recommit ourselves to the values he embodied,” he said.
In a boost for digital inclusion, Vice President Mohadi commissioned the Zivezano Computer Laboratory, which has been equipped with 30 laptops, Starlink connectivity, 4 printers, and 2 projectors. He pledged an additional 20 laptops to further strengthen learning opportunities. The vice president also led the groundbreaking ceremony for two new student hostels, each designed to house 100 learners and help ease accommodation shortages at Shonganiso Mission.
The vice president did not stop there. In a broad show of government support, he donated food hampers to 100 elderly beneficiaries, 60 beds for students, sanitary pads, wheelchairs, 15 tonnes of flour, 10,000 bricks, 1,000 bags of cement, 4,000 books, medicines for Shonganiso Mission Clinic, and classroom furniture.
“Education is the cornerstone of our future. By investing in students, we invest in the fabric of our society,” VP Mohadi said. He added that together with PEMS, the new initiatives ensure healthcare and education reach even the remotest corners of Zimbabwe.
The fight against drug and substance abuse was also a strong theme of the day. VP Mohadi reaffirmed the government’s target of achieving a drug-free Zimbabwe by 2030, urging communities to uphold values of discipline and selflessness. “This gathering proves what can be achieved when government and the private sector unite for a common goal. As President Mnangagwa always reminds us,
‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo,’ a country is built, governed, and prayed for by its people,” VP Mohadi told the crowd.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Hon. Ezra Chadzamira welcomed the vice president, describing the program as a milestone in the province’s history and a beacon in the fight against drug abuse. Deputy Health Minister Hon. Slayman Kwidini, representing Health Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, praised the partnership with Discovery Ambulance Services, noting that PEMS ensures faster access to healthcare. With a lighthearted touch, he said,
“You may start seeing us side by side with the Vice President more often, but don’t worry, we’re not starting a music duo. We’re strengthening healthcare and social services.”
The day also served to honor the enduring legacy of the Zvobgo family, whose commitment to health and education since the 1950s laid the foundation for Shonganiso Mission’s continued growth.
