On Saturday 24th October, Friends of Pakati has been granted permission to hold a bucket collection at the game between Scunthorpe United FC and Woking FC at Glanford Park/Attis Arena in Scunthorpe.
We are therefore in need of support from willing volunteers to carry out the collection, particularly before the game, outside & inside the ground.
Friends of Pakati will provide the buckets, a hi viz vest & a pin badge to show security so they can allow you to access the areas needed.
If you can help, please contact us in any of the following ways:
This will be part of our campaign to raise enough funds for full electrification of both Pakati schools. If you can, please donate to https://gofund.me/830c22d52
It will allow both schools to provide full power at all times, meaning things such as Science, Fashion & Fabrics, & IT lessons can go ahead on a daily basis, rather than the current irregular set up.
Proper classroom lighting will help students parricularly during daytimes when it is cloudy and/or in the rainy season….I can say from experience just how dark it can get during these times.
We are still short of our total, so if you can, please do donate to our campaign at https://gofund.me/830c22d52
I recently sat down with fellow fan of the Iron Ryan Middleton at his home in Bottesford, talking about his journey into sports journalism, and we also discussed how he came to support Friends of Pakati.
Below is the recording we made of our meeting, so I hope you enjoy it!
Friends of Pakati attended the Community Day event at Scunthorpe United FC
For the above event, Ryan generously donated a signed shirt from the 2025/26 season for us to help raise funds for Friends of Pakati…
…which we had framed & displayed at our stall at the event.
It helped us raise a fantastic total of ÂŁ692 in total….
…and as if that wasn’t enough, he also bought raffle tickets on the day!
Ryan did his first ever match commentary for BBC Radio Humberside Sport as the Iron played at Barrow FC recently
At the end of the meeting, Ryan then kindly offered me another signed shirt to raffle off to help raise more funds…
Framed signed shirt of former Iron player Matt Godden, 2012/13 season
…full details of the raffle & how to enter to be announced during next week.
Hi everyone! This weekend I had a visitor – someone who studied at Pakati Primary school during 2003 & 2004.
Keith in his newly-acquired Scunthorpe United away kit
Keith is living & working in the UK, & came up to visit from his home on the south coast of England. As a keen football fan, I invited him along to watch Scunthorpe United FC in their home game v Hartlepool United in the National League – tier 5 of the English football pyramid.
After a shaky start to the season, it seems Keith brought us a bit of luck, as the Iron came away with what was a comfortable 4-1 win in the end.
We discussed the ongoing links between the club and Friends of Pakati, and he said he was impressed by seeing all the shirts carrying our logo on the sleeve, as well as the banner in the stadium.
Keith went on to say how friendly Iron fans are, and was delighted with how generous they have been over the last 8 years of Friends of Pakati’s existence.
Keith cooking up some Zimbabwean food
“As a former Pakati student, I can say thank you to everyone for supporting the two Pakati schools, and getting the computers out to rural Zimbabwe where they are very much appreciated.
Helping Pakati to get fully electrified will transform the learning experience of the students there, & will help them get the most out of the donated IT”
Donated Iron shirts from 2020
Keith went on to say that the gift of the various football shirts from the Iron meant a lot to the students, and that there is definitely a growing number of new Iron fans in the atea!
To help us get the two Pakati schools fully electrified, please donate to us via https://gofund.me/830c22d52
Welcome to this weeks blog ftom Friends of Pakati!
Junction box being installed at Pakati Secondaty school in advance of full electrification
Recently we launched an appeal for at least ÂŁ1600, so we can help both Pakati schools to have electricity connected to every single classroom. See the link below for full details:
In support of this appeal, I spoke with Roj Rahman at my home, Roj being a friend since we first met in 2014. He is now the Vice chair & a co-owner of Scunthorpe United FC. Below is a link to the particular blog:
The current total of our appeal – https://gofund.me/830c22d52 – now stands at ÂŁ840 out of ÂŁ1600, so already over 50% thanks to a number of individual donations! We are extremely grateful to all who generously gave to the appeal – so THANK YOU!
We continue to ask for more support as we know what it will mean to both Pakati schools and the wider community, something jointly expressed by the Heads of both schools recently:
“Electrifiaction of the entire schools buildings will help students with better learning environments, staff to better prepare digital learning, and the community to benefit with things like literacy, numeracy & IT lessons themselves. They can also learn better farming techniques, and hold weddings and cultural events to add income to the schools. Most importantly, it allows our students get a similar standard of education to those in urban schools.”
So, please do donate whatever amount you can to our page https://gofund.me/830c22d52 so we can improve the lives of both Pakati schools and its people. THANK YOU SO MUCH đź‘Źđź‘Źđź‘Ź
Today we are delighted to publish a discussion I had with my good friend Roj Rahman, current co-owner and Vice Chair of Scunthorpe United FC
Roj & Chris, Sept 2026
As you will hear in the recording, I have known him since 2014 after meeting at the last SUFC game of the 2013/14 season, which I attended with my son Daniel. It was our first visit to Glanford Park.
Chris, Roj & Daniel, 2019
Here is our conversation, so please have a listen & I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
Roj has been a keen and generous supporter of Friends of Pakati since I started it in 2019, for which I am always grateful. It continues to this day, as he showed recently at the United by Steel Gala in August this year.
When we did fundraising campaigns he helped us promote them…
David Scott, who had the ‘Get Tied Up For Pakati’ ideain 2022, with Chris & Roj
…and introduced me to another interested person who has joined our team
Roj, Cuan Forrest & Chris, in April 2026
But behind it all is a friendship which can be said to be forged in (the) Iron.
Important update
Our current fundraising efforts are going well, but we still need help…if you can, please donate via https://gofund.rme/830c22d52 so we can electrify both Pakati schools.
Thank you all for listening, watching & supporting Friends of Pakati!
‘Why do you need ÂŁ1600?’ I hear you ask….please read below & I will explain.
Pakati schools are in a rural setting, approximately 60 miles by road from Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. It is a community of subsistence farmers, where people grow crops to consume, and to sell surplus to markets in the towns & cities. They are dependent on the weather for a successful harvest each year.
The schools did not have any electricity during my time there (1989-1991) and only had limited power since around 2017. Power was a mixture of solar and the local electricity grid provided by ZESA, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, and unfortunately it has not always been consistent.
However, the power was limited only to the Administration block and to the teachers houses, not the classroom blocks. So as we sent donated IT to the schools in 2019, 2022 & 2024 they have not been able to fully utilise the computers. Sometimes the Secondary uses extension cables from the Admin block to the newly-refurbished Library & IT Suite in order to have IT lessons.
Mr Magabaza trying out the newest IT, delivered in 2024
At the Primary, solar power was used for the Head’s office, & power cables ran to the nearby classroom where the IT was set up.
The first IT lesson ever held at Pakati in 2019
For both schools, the power supply was erratic and limited – low power output at the Primary & aging solar equipment at the Secondary meant unreliablilty, so they have not got the best out of our donations yet.
Now however, we have the opportunity to get both schools, including all school buildings, onto the grid by having ZESA supply connected!
The cost is estimated to be around US$1000 per school, a total of US$2000 – on current exchange rates that would be around ÂŁ1600 in total – hence our campaign today. What would it mean to Pakati schools and the community? Let’s hear from the Head’s of both schools, Mr Chizenya (left, Secondary) and Mr Mahachi (right, Primary).
Two Heads are better than one!
In a joint statement, here is how they see the benefits of the ZESA connection:
“ZESA connection will change everything for the students. Lighting will allow for studies outside the usual school day, so pupils can do their homework without relying on parafin lamps & candles at home.
Secondary student seeing the IT Suite being brought to life with our IT donations in 2024
They can then access digital learning – we have a beautiful IT Suite at the Secondary school. A ZESA connection will allow us to use the PCs, laptops and projectors to enhance Audio-viual lessons.
We can also then install wi-fi, allowing studemts to access internet information, and to connect with the rest of the World.
Some of the staff at Pakati Secondary school in 2022
For the staff, teachers will be able to use printers, photocopiers & laptops to help with lesson and exam preparation, plus it can help with secure record keeping on computers. Improvements to administration tasks are possible, also training and professional development via online courses.
The schools can carry out fundraising projects such as poultry & fish farming as they require lighting & heating, which will help generate its own funds.
Pakati Secondary school Library & IT Suite, 2024
Electricity makes the learning environment better with lighting, plus it allows development of a computerised library system to help raise student morale and ultimately, better grades.
Lighting will make the schools safer at night for school property. People can charge their phones & laptops so they can communicate better with the outside world, i.e. emailing & sending messages/images to Friends of Pakati.
Opportunities for the local community by means of evening classes in IT and adult literacy/numeracy. The school could also host events such ss weddings, religious programmes, cultural activities. and workshops to improve things such as farming methods, etc.
And finally, electricity means our students will get the same quality of education and opportunities as urban schools. It will give them hope and real skills for the future.
We are so grateful for your support in making this possible.”
The wiring is in place, ZESA have been to inspect things & authorised the work to be done. All we need now is the funds to cover it. Over to you my friends of Pakati…
Something a bit different in this particular blog…
During a visit I made to Pakati and its neighbouring schools in 2022, as part of the celebrations for items Friends of Pakati donated, we were entertained by students from the various schools.
Pakati students prepare a local traditional dance for the Friends of Pakati visit in 2022
Today we are concentrating on the traditional dance which both Pakati and Mapanga Primary schools performed for us. It is a culturally significant dance which originates in the Murewa district of Zimbabwe, which is where Pakati is situated.
The red dot shows the approximate location of Pakati
Before I post the two videos from Pakati and from Mapanga, here is a some information about the Jerusalem Dance:
In addition to the above, Mrs Maenzanise told me about the preparations Mapanga made in the lead up to our visit:
Mrs Maenzanise, Head of Mapanga Primary school in 2022, wearing the Scunthorpe United scarf she acquired from the Author…
“As for the school children…we have a resource person who comes in the afternoon to train them on drum beat and how the dance is performed…children by nature are good at imitation…they can easily follow every movement very well…they can perform at assembly or any other day…
As for preparations…we invited a resource person from the local area…we prepared the crops and instruments especially the drums…its quite exciting to dance to the dance.”
The dance performed by students from Pakati
The following information was also sent by Mrs Maenzanise:
*Costumes worn during Mbende / Jerusarema dancing*
The look is bold, colorful, and meant to highlight the fast hip, waist, and leg movements. Both men and women dress to show Zezuru identity and to make the dance visually strong.
*For Women* 1. *Skirt – _Zambia / Chipisi*_ Short pleated skirt made from cloth, often bright colors. It flares out so the hip and waist shaking is very visible. 2. *Top – _Chitenge blouse*_ Fitted blouse or wrap top, usually matching the skirt. Sometimes sleeveless. 3. *Headwrap – _Doek*_ Colorful headscarf tied at the back. 4. *Beads and accessories* – Beaded belts around the waist to emphasize movement – Beaded necklaces, bangles, and anklets – _Magavhu_ – rattles tied around the ankles to add sound with the footwork 5. *Body paint* Sometimes traditional patterns are painted on arms/legs for performances/festivals.
*For Men* 1. *Shorts – _Chipisi*_ Knee-length shorts or a wrap-around cloth. Allows for the crouching, kicking and “mole” movements. 2. *Top* Sleeveless vest or bare chest, often with a cloth sash across the shoulder/chest. 3. *Headgear* Headband or cloth tied around the head. 4. *Rattles – _Magavhu*_ Tied below the knees and around the ankles so each stomp/kick makes sound. 5. *Wooden clappers* Some male dancers also hold clappers to keep rhythm.
*General performance notes* – *Colors*: Bright reds, yellows, greens, and blues from chitenge fabric are common. They represent celebration and life. – *Instruments worn*: The _magavhu_ ankle rattles are part of the costume because the sound is part of the dance. – *No shoes*: Dancers usually perform barefoot to feel the ground and make the stomping clearer.
The whole outfit is designed for movement — nothing should restrict the fast hip rolls, waist shakes, and the men’s crouch-and-kick “mole” steps.
UNESCO notes that keeping the _authentic_ costume — chitenge, beads, rattles, no modern additions — is part of safeguarding the dance.
Mapanga Primary school entertain Friends of Pakati with the dance in 2022
Also, I was talking to a friend of mine, a former Pakati student, as they had sent me some videos from a funeral of an elderly relative. As you will see below, the funeral was very much a celebration of the 91-year-olds life.
She was known among many other things,as being the ‘queen of the Jerusalem dance’, a well-known traditional dance that originates in the Murewa District of Zimbabwe.
The dance is used during many different occasions, including weddings, funerals, festivals and other significant events. Mrs Maenzanise also said “Our pupils dance a day before we close school…when the parents come and cheer and celebrate with their top ten excellent perfoming children in class…from ECD to grade 7, most recently on 5 Aug 2026…”
From my personal perspective, I found it fascinating, and felt honoured by the performances at both schools, as it was clear how much work they put into it & how culturally important it is to them all.
It is the school holidays in Zimbabwe right now, and at Pakati Primary school there are the usual activities going on…
More on the play area further down the blog post
Mr Mahachi, Head of the Primary school, sent me the images & information used in this blog post.
Every school holiday there are usually a handful of staff around, & they oversee the students who are coming in for holiday lessons.
The extra lessons were held a couple of days a week during the holidays, & were for the Grade 7 students as they were to sit their final Primary school exams in September.
As well as the lessons, the students had some additional duties, including some cleaning around the school
The school gardens also needed some attention, so the students brought water from the borehole & watertank, to make sure the plants were well hydrated.
The school has had a play area constructed recently, according to Mr Mahachi “…Newly constructed ECD (Early Childhood Development) play center using locally available materials.”
When the students go back to school in early-mid September, we should have some footage of the schools’ youngest children playing on the new equipment.
It is great to see the school always trying their best to improve the learning environment for all their students, from ECD up to Grade 7.
If you enjoyed this post, please help us to help both Pakati schools to get the power supply connected, to help them provide the improved standard of education they deserve.
As usual, our Podcast host is Bradley Mell along with myself, and our special guest is another of our Trustees-in-waiting, Cuan Forrest – the man behind the deal – who has featured on the blog several times, but first introduced here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2025/04/13/out-of-the-shadows-meet-cuan-forrest/
The logo can also be seen on the Iron’s away kit for the 2026/27 season
Part of the sponsorship deal is also that we have an advertising banner on display…
