The Sunday Mail
. . . Zim students conquer Sadc
| Two students from Zimbabwe travelled with President Mugabe to Swaziland for the SADC 36th Ordinary Summit of heads of states and governments after coming first and second in a SADC essay competition. Below is their story . . . |
Prudence Zvikomborero Mavura, Murambinda High
Rehlutsi Victoria Magabo, Mosi-Oa-Tunya High
LIFE’S journeys can sometimes be a nine days wonder — remarkable, vivid and indelible.
Our journey and stay in Swaziland for the SADC 36th Ordinary Summit of heads of states and governments remains a fairytale to us.
Firstly, we met the Honourable Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora.
It was such a pleasure meeting him as we never imagined shaking hands with him. All this seemed like a dream no one would want to wake up from. He expressed gratitude to us and coaxed us to continue working hard. We also met Mr Doba, the Director of Secondary education. Their smile of approval encouraged us to continue flying high.
The journey in the Presidential Chattered plane with His Excellency Comrade R.G Mugabe swept us with a spike of happiness. We felt like we were in heaven on earth. We had always imagined what it would be like to travel in the Presidential jet. Imagination was now playing reality.
We were welcomed at King Mswati III international airport by Swazi cultural dance group, proudly dancing in their colourful beaded dresses and animal skins — fully publishing their culture. We were driven to Mbabane and had a peaceful night at Lugogo Sun Hotel. We were treated like royalty and had scrumptious meals. We fully felt like winners and ambassadors, proudly representing our mother land — Zimbabwe.
The following day, the summit was held at Lozita Palace in Ezulwini in a glitzy and spacious place. The heads of states and governments delivered good and powerful speeches which gave a limelight of what the SADC region was hoping to achieve.
Proudly representing our country we were called out for the prize presentation. We were congratulated by the outgoing chairperson of SADC, Sir Seretse Ian Khama and the president of the Republic of Botswana and the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax. Definitely, we raised our Zimbabwean flag and I’m sure our president was proud.
Quoting from Disney princess, Milan, “there are two great days in a person’s life: the day we are born and the day we prove why we are born. Best wishes for the second one!” We definitely proved the why we were born – to shine bright and show the world the star’s that we are. Most of all we proved that girls are on the move.
Our names are Prudence Zvikomborero Mavura and Rehlutsi Victoria Magabo. We scooped the first and second prizes respectively in the SADC Secondary School Essay writing competition. Our strong desire is for other students to enter this competition with a tipple pack of maximum effort, determination and wide research. Maybe you might wake up being a winner next year!
We would like to thank Dr Lazarus Dokora, Mr Doba and most of all our lovely chaperone Mrs Zoraunye-Sibanda for being more like a mother to us, scouring for us whenever in need.
Prudence: I would like to thank my mentor Mr J Kufa for mentoring me while writing my essay.
Rehlutsi: I would like to thank my mother and father for being there for me. Thank you so much for believing in me. You are the best. Also my grandmother for always telling me that I can do anything and believing in me.
We promised to defend our positions and hope more students will compete too. You never know what you can do unless you try!
Students, YOU CAN SEND YOUR ARTICLES THROUGH E-MAIL, FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP or TEXT Just app Charles Mushinga on 0772936678 or send your articles, pictures, poetry, art . . . to Charles Mushinga at [email protected] or [email protected] or follow Charles Mushinga on Facebook or @charlesmushinga on Twitter. You can also post articles to The Sunday Mail Bridge, PO Box 396, Harare or call 0772936678.
