I have been following closely articles published in some of the independent papers and also The Herald about civil servants’ issues and the comments that were being made in the press by the teachers’ unions with great interest and concern.
Being a teacher by profession, I believe teachers deserve a better deal for all the work that they do. The contribution that the teachers of this country have made towards building a literate nation is invaluable not only in the context of southern Africa as a region but in the whole of Africa.

This is why it is so painful to imagine that the inclusive government that we all thought would bring hope and restore the status of teachers in Zimbabwe is now treating them as second-class citizens with regards to giving them a decent salary commensurate with their status in society.

I am one teacher who honestly believed the coalition government was finally going to recognise Zimbabwean teachers and give them what was due to them, but now I have been disappointed and I am angry about it. I love my job and I believe it is only in Zimbabwe, when compared to  other countries in the region, that the profession has been reduced to nothing. Incentives provided by parents are now supplementing salaries, — this is degrading. I am in this job for the love of teaching and cannot imagine myself doing any other job.

I want to thank Apex Council chairperson, Tendai Chikowore, who has been unwavering in her stance to have civil servants salaries increased. Chikowore has remained consistent and professional in her demands and negotiations with government to have salaries reviewed, and clearly the woman deserves praise.

Unfortunately, there are some bogus teachers who write to the newspapers week-in, week-out, attacking her under the cover of anonymity. These individuals are obviously out of sync with reality. In fact, I am convinced these are not genuine teachers. They should be asked to produce their identity documents  first before speaking on behalf of  teachers. I am afraid the profession has been infiltrated by undesirable elements.

My advice to these anonymous so-called teachers is that they should face their own union leaders and demand results rather than abusing Chikowore who is doing a wonderful job for teachers and civil servants in general.

Mationesa Mazhambe, Chitungwiza

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