Well-wisher donates shoes, sanitary pads to Matobo school

Mbekezeli Ncube

Ernest Mthandazo Ngwenya, a South African-based philanthropist, recently donated essential supplies to Homestead Primary School in Matobo District, Matabeleland South, driven by a desire to empower local children with confidence for school attendance.

Ngwenya’s donation included 45 pairs of school shoes and 275 packs of sanitary pads.

Similar to many schools in rural Zimbabwe, Homestead Primary caters to underprivileged students who may struggle to afford basic necessities. Ngwenya, originally from Number 4 village under Chief Nyangazonke in the area, specifically chose to support Homestead over his childhood school, Gohole Primary, to directly benefit his local community.

“While I went to Gohole because my mother taught there, my heart is with Homestead,” Ngwenya explained. “It’s where the children from my village receive their primary education. These donations are for them.”

While some rural schools may be less strict on uniforms, students from disadvantaged families often attend school barefoot or in worn clothing, impacting their self-esteem and potentially hindering their learning.

According to Ngwenya, teachers identified students who were most in need of shoes, while sanitary pads were distributed to girls in grades six and seven.

A parent, who requested anonymity, expressed immense relief for the donations, acknowledging the financial struggles faced by many families.

“These donations are a lifesaver for many. We all know the situation in the country; people are struggling. I would like to thank Mr. Ngwenya for his generosity. Imagine, 45 children who used to go to school barefooted now have shoes, and the girls have sanitary pads. This is such a wonderful gesture,” the parent said.

The School Development Committee chairperson, Mqabuko Ncube, echoed the sentiment of gratitude. “We are incredibly thankful to Mr. Ngwenya for his generosity. These donations will greatly benefit our students.”

Efforts to reach Matobo District Schools Inspector, Nicholas Moyo, for comment were unsuccessful, as his office had not yet received reports on the contributions.