By Panashe Ndlovu
Local celebrities from the worlds of arts and sport will from August 9 to 12 converge at Mudzimirema primary and secondary schools in Chihota for a gala that is being organised by non-governmental organisation Changamire Chimbaire group ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development).
According to the organisers, the four-day event — dubbed Zuvaguru (Big Day) — is meant to give the rural child an opportunity to showcase their talent and confidence in what they do best.
The gala, which will have a variety of activities including quiz, athletics, ball-games, music and other arts disciplines, will be graced by musicians Leonard Zhakata, Hosea Chipanga, Fulton Bheme, Sandra Chirenje, Pax Gomo and Pastor Charles Charambas and wife, Olivia.
Changamire Chimbaire group ABCD is an overseas-based trust that operates in rural Zimbabwe with the aim of assisting the less-privileged child. The organisation’s main goal is to see rural schoolchildren get recognition just like their urban counterparts.
“We scout for talent hidden in rural communities and fight to expose those kids to the world for any possible opportunities,” said Changamire Chimbaire group ABCD founder and CEO Ralph Chibaire.
“We do so by voluntarily sponsoring a camping every second year where schoolchildren do all sporting and academic activities from Friday to Monday.”
The gala’s official opening ceremony will be held on August 10 and will be presided over by Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul Mavima.
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“We expect the Primary and Secondary Education minister to grace the occasion and we have already made necessary communication with the ministry and they have confirmed that he is coming,” Chibaire said.
Chibaire said they want to see the transformation of the rural child’s life through community participation and provision of entertainment, hence the roping-in some of the country’s top artistes.
“Baba Charamba and Mai Charamba will perform on Sunday night just after the debate and public speaking. They have four hours to perform and we agreed that they would perform in the evening to avoid our programmes being disrupted by the fans,” Chibaire said.
“We are also happy to have Bheme shooting his video of the song Dare raChangamire on August 10 during our procession. This will help schoolchildren witness how professional videos are done.”
Chibairei said all was set for the gala as primary and secondary schools were already conducting preliminaries to qualify for the Zuvaguru sports tournament.
“The programme is packed with different events. There are 18 primary and six secondary schools participating in the gala. They have been divided into zonal groups.”
Meanwhile, Changamire Chimbaire group ABCD’s first beneficiary Remote Mugada recently graduated at Midlands State University.
“The graduation of Mugada is an encouragement to all the upcoming rural students to work hard and aim higher,” said Chibaire.
