Africa-Press – Botswana. The people of Zwenshambe in the North East district have been described as a valuable addition to the country.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi praised the residents during Zwenshambe Primary School’s 85th anniversary celebration on Saturday.
“Your many accomplishments since 1939 together with the good results have compelled me to drop other important engagements to be part of today’s celebrations,” he said.
As a teacher and educationist, Dr Masisi said he saw it befitting to show the people of Zwenshambe and the primary school community appreciation by gracing the event.
He said education was the primary ingredient that could change people’s mindsets and better their lives.
Dr Masisi thus applauded those who conceived the idea to start a school then, among them, Mr Philip Chabale, Ms Palalani Mafa and the London Missionary Society for their good vision.
“Ke lebogela gore e rile ha ba bopa mogopolo o ba ne ba o direla mo ngwaong ya rona ya go ipelega. Go ipelega ke go itirela le go lemoga gore go molemo go itirela dilo tse di molemo,” he said appealing to the youth to take the baton from those who established the school to further develop it.
Government, he assured the people of Zwenshambe, was ready to complement their efforts and make their dreams and aspirations a reality.
Dr Masisi cited free high-speed internet connectivity as among the many investments that the government of Botswana had availed to connect schools to the outside world, which must be utilised responsibly to derive maximum benefits.
In addition, he called on parents and the community across the country to give teachers whom he described as ’the education military force’ the necessary support so that they could continue churning-out excellent results and moulding holistic and enviable posterity.
Also, President Masisi reminded learners and the youth that they had a responsibility to preserve the many milestones achieved and to further build on them to take Botswana to a greater development trajectory and compete with the best globally.Former Minister, Area MP and Zwenshambe Primary School alumnus, Mr Charles Tibone attested that the people of North East’s penchant for education dated back many years.
“It is not surprising therefore that in 1939, two members of the Zwenshambe community with the assistance of the London Mission Society (LMS) church decided to start a primary school here,” he said adding that at the time there was no village and that Zwenshambe was only birthed after the establishment of the school.
He was happy that the school grew in stature and had been instrumental in moulding young minds for the development of Botswana.
Organising Committee chairperson, Mr Stanley Mapiki echoed President Masisi’s words about the important role played by education in the development of the people.
He said the Zwenshambe community aspired to have youth businesses to ensure that Botswana transitions into a high-income status by 2036 and becomes part of the value chain development.
“Here at Zwenshambe Primary School, we are envisioning to set up a multi-purpose centre fully equipped with internet and computers connecting pupils to the world. And to the teachers we have an Application that will help you prepare for lessons,” he said.
A former teacher at the school, Mr Edward Kizito challenged teachers to roll up their sleeves and produce excellent results. School head Mr Kedumetse Gabonowe said the Standard
Seven results had been outstanding save for this year’s results that reflected a decline.
“We have the strategy in place to turn results around and go back to excellent results of well over 80 per cent A, B, C,” he said.
Earlier on Kgosi Moses Mabutho said the school had produced able men and women who had contributed meaningfully towards the development of the country.
He highlighted that the government had helped develop the people of Zwenshambe.
Area Member of Parliament, Mr Simon Moabi expressed gratitude that government had successfully procured chunks of land from Tati Company, a thing, he said would help ease the acute shortage of land in North East District.
“We are also excited about the Tshesebe-Masunga road that has eased movement of the people in Tati West,” he said.
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