Former Chegato High School students source Covid-19 donations

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By Mswazie Wamanava

Exactly two weeks ago, a famous Mberengwa High School, Chegato found itself making headlines for wrong reasons. This followed after 59 students tested positive to COVID-19 sending Chegato High School community into panic. The headmaster of the school Morris Ngara made distress calls for help.

The ugly scenario attracted the attention of members of the 1987 Chegato Form 1 WhatsApp group, who vowed to help. As the 26 members of the group were brainstorming on how they can pull resources together and import PPEs from South Africa through Priscillah Chikuhwa-Dzino, another member Claiton Manikai made a single call to his brother Edwin Manikai, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee and a celebrated Harare corporate lawyer. The former head-boy, Levernos Gumbo was revving his truck in anticipation of picking the consignment from South Africa when Manikai dropped the good news to his team.

Through this group’s efforts help is on its way to the rural mission school that desperately needs PPEs to contain more than 200 students who are in quarantine.

The respected Harare law eagle, Edwin Manikai knocked at the correct door which precipitated OK Chairman Herbert Nkala to donate 15, 500 masks, 200 litres of sanitizers, 10 infrared thermometers, 600 bin liners, five knapsacks and food stuff.

Max Karombo OKZL CEO and Rute Moyo a board member, quickly signed off the donations in a rare display of unison with Chegato students.

Some of the PPEs donated by OKZL heading for Chegato High School in Mberengwa

“Following your appeal for PPEs for Chegato Mission through EI Manikai, OKZL are pleased to make the donation whose details are in the attached email,” wrote Nkala to another Chegato High School student Mufaro Moyo.

ELCZ Bishop, Kenneth Sibanda confirmed that the donations were delivered today by Ok at the church premises in Zvishavane and will be delivered to Chegato in Mposi area tomorrow.

Bishop Sibanda extended his words of appreciation to members of 1987 Chegato Form 1 class and OKZL for the donation.

“On behalf of Chegato High and the entire ELCZ community we would like to sincerely thank you for your donation which came at the right time. This donation shall indeed go a long way to help the school contain the COVID-19 cases.” said Bishop Sibanda.

The venerated Chegato Mission School, situated under Chief Mposi, is 103 kilometers from Zvishavane town and offers boarding facilities to 715 learners and a couple of day scholars. The school is cut off from the rest of the nation by a pot-holed dust road.

The Johannesburg based Actuary Scientist, Claiton Manikai thanked his classmates for the spirit of comradeship which they displayed upon receiving news of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Team effort got us the donations and allow me to thank everyone who has been part of the brainstorming session on how to raise the medical resources,” said Manikai who insisted on sharing the credit with his classmates.

Members of the Chegato High School 1987 class include two medical doctors, Martin Sibanda and Sithembile Chinyoka, Levernos Gumbo, Edson Maidza, Tshavani Dhliwayo, Epson Moyo, Wilfred Hove, Takwana Chenyika, Sheunesu Madziba, Tamirirashe Gambiza, Sibanengi Dube, Priscillah Chikuhwa-Dzino, Natso Shumba, Claiton Manikai, Wisdom Bvunzijena, Collen Shumba, Pearson Msevenzi, Engineer Victor Machetu, Tawanda Madovi, Diamond Dziva, Allen Nani, Nkululi Mangena, Pregress Mambo, Ephraim Mbambo, Lennox Simari and Hamadziripi Nhongo.