Friends Of Pakati

Just recently I have moved back to my home town of Scunthorpe. I got asked today how long I had been away – only then did it strike me that it had been 50 years!

So where have I been? What was I doing? And of course, what made me return? I believe someone is hoping to document my story in some detail, but that is likely to be dominated by Pakati then & now. But for now, this is just a brief outline from when I left Scunthorpe in 1976, through to my return in 2026.

My first job was working for a national bank, starting in August 1976, they posted me to their branch in Grimsby, 30-odd miles down the road from Scunthorpe. I still spent most weekends at my parents for those 2 years, but the job led me to my next destination – Sheffield – through friends I made on holiday.

6 years in Sheffield took me from age 21 through to 27 in 1984, working on and off in an accounts office, a photo laboratory, a shop & two pubs, before a housemate suggested I should try teaching…

…so I moved to Bradford in September 1984, where I completed 4 years of teacher training at Bradford College. As the course ended, I applied to VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), and at the end of 1988 I was preparing for what was to become the most significant move of my life – being posted to a small, rural secondary school in Zimbabwe called Pakati. That took me through to August 1991 at the age of 34.

When I left Zimbabwe in 1991, I went straight to Leeds University to study for an MA in Development Studies, where I lived for 12 months. After this I moved back to Bradford, where I worked until May 1995…

…then I got another teaching job, via the British Council, at Mater Spei College in Francistown, Botswana, until the end of 1997 when I returned to the UK, back to Bradford.

I taught on supply in & around Bradford until the end of the school year in July 2000. I then worked as the North of England Regional Representative for VSO, until the end of 2004. I returned to teaching until July 2005, after which I became a Civil Servant for the next 20 years. I lived in Bradford throughout this time, until 2023 when I moved to Leeds.

Finally, having been increasingly involved in Friends of Pakati, & with ever deepening ties to Scunthorpe United, especially a number of fans who have become very close friends, I decided to move back home to Scunthorpe, making it much easier to get to games!

Great to be back home!

Coming soon here on Friends of Pakati:

• Build up to the United by Steel Gala – August 2

• Funds needed to complete ZESA connections

• Podcast guests being lined up

• Shirt sponsorship – more details & what it means

To help us at Friends of Pakati to support both schools learning environment, please donate to either http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you👍

Friends of Pakati has become more intertwined with Scunthorpe United FC recently, as evidenced here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/06/26/the-iron-v-friends-of-pakati-when-two-passions-collide/

We were invited as a sponsor to attend the above networking event at the club, and definitely found it productive, discussing ideas with a number of local businesses & sponsors like ourselves.

A few days prior to this, the club launched their new kits for the forthcoming 2026/27 season in the Natiinal League, and had the home & away versions on display at the event.

The host of the event – club Head of Operations Gkyn Sparks – introduced team manager Andy Butler, and two of the current playing squad, Joe Starbuck and Brandon Horton

Two of the four co-owners also spoke – Ian Sharp in the green t-shirt, and next to him in the white polo shirt is Roj Rahman

We were talking to several guests, not least the creators of the kit videos – panenka.co.uk – looking to see where we might collaborate in the near future. Hoping this develops over the coming weeks, and as ever, we will publish any resulting outcomes.

Friends of Pakati were delighted that Joe Starbuck from the squad took time to have a photo or two with myself.

The sleeve showing our logo definitely stands out on both shirts, for which we are grateful to James Moody, General Manager at Scunthorpe United, who said he gave the logo a brighter, more colourful look

To find out more about what we do, have a read here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/06/27/friends-of-pakati-6-month-review-2/

To help us at Friends of Pakati to support both schools learning environment, plesse donate to either http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you👍

Coming soon on August 2nd! Two events on the same day, both at the Attis Atena/Glanford Park – the home of Scunthorpe United FC.

Firstly, we have the United by Steel Gala, bringing together the Iron and its new front-of-shirt sponsor, British Steel, main employer in the town of Scunthorpe.

This is another chance for Friends of Pakati – new shirt sleeve sponsor – to raise significant funds and our profile too. Our stall is becoming a regular feature of events laid on by Scunthorpe United

The second event is after the Gala, and is a friendly match between ex-players of both Scunthorpe United and Manchester United. This event is sponsored by Nor Lait Promotions.

We will be attending the game as fans of the Iron of course!

Friends of Pakati are already gearing up for the Gala event, with offers of help & some donations for sale or prizes promised.

If you or anyone you know can help in any way, please email friendsofpakati@gmail.com

We are looking for things to sell, raffle, or give as tombola/lucky dip prizes. Also we are looking for donations of surplus IT, sports gear, and clothes/toys/books for children up to 18 years, for us to send to both Pakati schools

We are also planning to attend this networking event on Friday of next week. Its a great opportunity for us to spread the word, not least due to our status as a sponsor.

To help us at Friends of Pakati to support both schools learning environment, plesse donate to either http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you👍

2026 has been a good year so far for us at Friends of Pakati – and it looks like it us only going to get better following the important announcement made recently by Scunthorpe United. The link for it is near the foot of this blog post, but there is much more to be covered before then.

The year 2026 began with our podcast no. 30, and here is the link to all our podcasts for you to enjoy: https://friendsofpakati.com/podcasts-and-vlogs/

In January I travelled to Leicester for two things – firstly to meet up with Cuan Forrest to discuss all things Friends of Pakati, and secondly to have some donated items shipped out to Pakati.

To find out more about what went on see here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/01/29/two-days-in-leicester/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/01/27/it-takes-a-team/

The most important event for us financially was the Community Day we attended at Scunthorpe United FC in March.

It went extremely well for us, adding almost £700 to our total funds. What happened? Find out here on our most popular blog so far this year: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/03/15/iron-fans-prove-their-generosity-again/

I reminisced about how I got to Pakati in 1989 and about my very early days there… https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/03/31/chris-looks-back-to-1989-part-1-getting-to-pakati/ & https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/04/02/chris-looks-back-to-1989-part-2-early-days-at-pakati/

I also decided to include a piece about another African country I visited several times here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/04/08/the-pearl-of-africa/

Most importantly for Friends of Pakati is, of course, the wonderful students at both Pakati schools, and the staff who support them. Here are the things we posted about, starting with the Primary school in January:

https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/02/15/pakati-primary-prefection/ 

https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/04/23/school-holidays-at-pakati/

https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/05/13/back-to-school-for-pakati-prinary/

https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/05/29/local-history-lesson-for-pakati-students/

https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/06/04/heritage-lesson-follow-up/

https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/06/13/sports-at-pakati-sec/

And lastly, I had contact with a former colleague from 1990/91 for the first time since I left Pakati, Mr Kamuti: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/05/24/a-new-voice-from-the-past/

Finally, just as June is drawing to a close, we have the latest connection between Friends of Pakati and Scunthorpe United, two things which came together here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/06/26/the-iron-v-friends-of-pakati-when-two-passions-collide/

This is a collection of stories all about what Friends of Pakati is all about – looking at how we can help the two Pakati schools, to improve the learning environment and experience for their students. It tells about life at Pakati, its ups & downs, with stories from staff & students. It shows what we are doing & what we are trying to achieve.

To help us to support the schools with all this, please donate to either by http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you!😎

Those who know me well can tell you I have two particular passions – Friends of Pakati, and Scunthorpe United – both of which have now joined together in a new deal!

Thanks to support from our good friend Cuan Forrest (see https://friendsofpakati.com/2025/04/13/out-of-the-shadows-meet-cuan-forrest/ ) Friends of Pakati has agreed to be a sponsor of Scunthorpe United’s shirts for the upcoming 2026/27 season.

Our logo – similar to the badge below –  will be seen on the sleeve of the shirts at both home & away games.

The details have been worked out between Cuan, the club’s Head of Partnerships, Glyn Sparks, and myself.

For me, as the founder of Friends of Pakati and Iron fan since childhood, this partnership is one of great personal meaning, and one that has been building steadily since 2019.

The club, its owners, staff and perhaps most importantly, its fans have been so supportive over the years. Donations of money, time, support, sports tops, t-shirts, gifts, prizes, and publicity or social media support have come from many different people affiliated to the club, & I cannot thank them all enough. I know that the local community at both Pakati schools feel exactly the same.

Below are some further comments from key supporters of Friends of Pakati:

Debbie Chadbon said this:

“Hi Chris.
The Scunthorpe United shirt sponsorship is great, and will increase the profile of Friends of Pakati, helping to raise awareness of the organisation. This is very much appreciated.”

The Heads of both Pakati schools (seen above) issued a joint statement as follows:

“On behalf of the Pakati schools and local community, we really appreciate the support given to Friends of Pakati by all involved with Mr Walker’s local football team, Scunthorpe United FC. This partnership will provide a boost to the level of interest in Friends of Pakati, and also to the funds available to help support both schools. We can also say that there is a growing fan base for the club in our small corner on Zimbabwe – so Up the Iron!”

I have also recorded a brief video which will be out on Instagram this afternoon.

To help us at Friends of Pakati to support both schools learning environment, plesse donate to either http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you👏

This week I heard from Mr Chizenya, Head of Pakati Secondary school.

They have been hosting the Zonal sports competition, which included the following local schools: Dombodzvuku High, Mabika Secondary, Mapukutu Secondary, Mubamba Secondary, plus the hosts, Pakati.

The sports covered are the usual ball games of Under 17’s Football, Netball and Volleyball.

The football competition took place against backdrop of the school buildings at Pakati, as seen below.

Next up are the Under 17 volleyball boys in action!

Below are the Pakati Sec Netball girls (in white and yellow) in competition

I can remember watching Pakati sports competitors both at Pakati and other localities, such as Hokodzi, Rota, and Murewa, with vwey find memories. Pakati often punched above their weight, performing above expectations and beating teams or individuals from bigger schools.

Long may that continue!

To help us at Friends of Pakati to support the schools learning environment by donating to either http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you!👍

Welcome back to Friends of Pakati, where we talk about how we help both Pakati schools, and report on everyday life & education at the Primary & Secondary schools.

Following on from this recent post https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/05/29/local-history-lesson-for-pakati-students/ we asked the school for more information about their trip.

My thanks go to Mr Chadenga, teacher of Maths, and Heritage Studies at Pakati Secondary school, for the images and information provided.

I wanted to find out more about the trip, so here is what Mr Chadenga told me. I first asked him about how the trip fit into the school curriculum:

He said that it is a part of the Heritage Studies course, where learners are taught about Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history.

“These are some of the (Form 1) learners who were present when we went there. They said that they have heard about it before. They believed that these people occupied our area when they visited the painting site. They also acknowledge the idea of art and drawing was brought about by these people.”

The settlers in the area at the time were considered to be hunter-gatherers, as told to a teacher by the Form 1 student pictured above.

I also enquured about the area in general, and why they chose the particular location they visited:

“.. we toured the nearest mountain with the two Form 1 classes. This was a heritage studies lesson. We went to see rock paintings done by the San people.

They also believed that there were animals like the deer that time from the paintings they saw.”

In the general catchment area of Pakati schools, particularly in the hilly areas, there are at least 3 places where rock paintings can be found, including these at the mountain called Nyakudyara mountain in Chadenga village, Gwangwadza in the Chigwada area, and Mbundire village. There others in the area too I am told, thus confirming the presence of a fairly large settlement in the area dating back at least 1400 years.

Accompanying the students were teachers Mr Chadenga (Maths, Heritage Studies & Combined Science) Ms Musindo (Heritage Studies & Combined Science) plus Mr Ediyeti and Mrs Munaatswa.

Here are some of the 80 Form 1 students who visited the site, discussing what they saw back in the classroom.

As I mentioned in the previous blog, learning is enhanced when it includes ‘hands-on’ experiences. It is clear that these Form 1 students were fully engaged with the history on show within walking distance of the school.

To help us at Friends of Pakati to support the schools learning environment by donating to either http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Freinds-of-pakati

Thank you👍

Just recently, students from Pakati Secondary school have had a practical History lesson, relating to a local site of significant historical interest.

From Mr Chizenya, Secondary school Head recently: “Ms Musindo and Mr Chadenga engaged on a local tour with learners in late May 2026. They went to see some rock paintings at a cave in the Chadenga village. It is believed that the paintings were done by the early inhabitants of Central and Southern Africa, that is the San people.”

During the time I lived & worked in Zimbabwe, I  saw & read a book on Rock Art in Zimbabwe. This is the book: “The Painted Caves: An Introduction to the Prehistoric Art of Zimbabwe” by Peter Garlake (1987): Widely considered the definitive guide to prehistoric cave art in northern Zimbabwe. It provides excellent site descriptions and context for Mashonaland.

The images above from the hill Gwangwadza are during a number of visits to the site by both myself and Debbie Chadbon. The location is one of those mentioned in Peter Garlake’s book mentioned above.

This video is from the students trip, discussing some of the paintings they found.

It would appear that there are a number of similar sites in the area, indicating there would have been settlements dating back to around 600AD at least. This would pre-date the Great Zimbabwe ruins, thought to have been built from around 900AD onwards over 200 years.

The two pictures of Great Zimbabwe above were taken by me in 1990 when on holiday with my parents, travelling around Zimbabwe.

It is widely recognised in Education that if students experience things for themselves, they will get a better understanding from that experience than simply reading from a textbook, no matter how well written or illustrated it might be.

It is encouraging to see that Pakati Secondary are able to use the local environment wisely to support the students & try to make their learning experiences more real. It can only help them understand the world around them.

Just this week I was contacted by someone who I knew from back in 1990….my thanks to Memory Mapiti for enabling the contact.

A new teacher (one of several) who started at Pakati Secondary school in January that year, Mr Givemore Kamuti. He joined along with others like Mr Siayawamwaya who has appeared here on Friends of Pakati previously.

Let me tell Mr Kamuti’s story from the chat we are having on WhatsApp.

Born in Mutoko, he attended Bwanya School in his local area. He started in Grade 1 in 1976, but his education was interrupted by the Civil War for 3 years. (The fighting took place largely in the rural areas, moving steadily in from Mozambique border on the Eastern edge of Zimbabwe, towards Harare, before ending in 1979).

He completed Grade 7 in 1984, before attending Mutoko High school up to 1988. He went on to become a Tempoary Teacher for 3 years, which is how I met him.

As I mentioned earlier, he came to Pakati Secondary school in January 1990, the beginning of my second year there. Here is what he told me:

“I was teaching Geography and Science Form 3 and 4, plus Shona and Agriculture to Forms 1 & 2. I was also the 1991 sports organizer  And I also was organizing drama performing from school to school especially the neighboring schools.” I remember him as a valued teacher at the school.

He married a lady who was selling things at a shop in Chigwada, & took her to his home in Mutoko. From there, he was no longer teaching after his year at Gezi Primary school in 1992.

He went in to say: “Then I started gathering things in Harare and selling them in my rural area, bartering them for grain, especially plastic buckets, second hand clothes and such like. I did that for at least 4 years, before becoming a Security Guard.”

During the time of economic challenges in the 2000’s he says “I did what ever was possible for me just to put bread on the table. I am now in Harare living at my late father’s house with the family.”

He lastly tells me more about the family: “God blessed me with 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy. The First is married with 3 kids and the second is also married with no kids and the 3rd (boy) is also married with 1 baby. Only the last one is with me now.”

Finally, I want to end this by adding something he said when I asked him what he remembers from Pakati:

“Mr Walker was a different type of person He most of the time associated with parents in the society, could walk alone with ease in the area and was a very strong man. He would cook meat & relish with many spices in it. However, he could eat sadza but didn’t want to learn cooking it!”

I have to admit he was right about most of that!

This week across Zimbabwe schools are re-opening for the second term of 2026. Here the school year runs from January to December.

Recently the Head of Pakati Primary, Mr Mahachi, spoke passionately about his role, and where he got his inspiration to be a teacher from: https://friendsofpakati.com/2026/05/09/podcast-33-meet-primary-head-mr-mahachi/

Below are images of many of the learners he and his staff inspire on a daily basis.

One of the Primary teachers sent me the images used here, Mr Baloyi. He is shown later on with his class, but he also added the following message about the school:

“Pupils are really excited to begin another term, they’re really happy to meet their twachers and their fellow friends after a long holiday. Learners are smart and presentable showing that there is full support from home. They have their writing books, pens and pencils, learning has already began. The feeding program has started well and all pupils are feeding well. However some learners failed to attend school today and we hope to see them tomorrow and during the course of the week.”

As the students arrived with parents to meet the teachers, some helped prepare the school for re-opening at the start of the day.

The remaining pictures are of the staff with their classes, plus the Head & Deputy in their offices.

We post these images to show what the two Pakati schools have, as well as what they don’t have. Friends of Pakati, at its heart, is trying to help both schools improve how they provide education to their learners from before Grades 1 to 7 (Primary), and Forms 1 to 4 (Secondary).

We have moved from just providing donated IT as originally planned, to sports shirts, t-shirts, polo shirts, now into donated books for teachers to use, toys for early learners, and in the future,  (not computer) games, more toys, and I am promised, some clothes.

We have also helped to fund things like solar power repairs & connecting power supply to the main school buildings, & hope to extend that to wi-fi/internet connectivity. There is a lot we can do, and will put forward a plan soon to explain it in more detail.

To support us, please donate here:

http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

Thank you!