I went to Chidiya Secondary school that was in 1989 for my form 1. 1n 1990 I transfered back to my home school, Pakati Secondary, because of unforseen circumstances at Chidiya where I was staying with a relative.
It was good meeting my former primary school student friends again, one of whom is Wilbert Chanetsa, and am delighted that I have just reconnected with him some two weeks ago. There are a lot more but I have forgotten most of them. I was so glad to reconnect with them after a very long time.
says Lorraine Mapuranga, 2019
I was very good in Engish and Shona. I still remember some of my teachers Mr Nyamauya, Mr Vheremu, Mr Siyawamwaya, Mr Chifamba.. not forgetting Mr Walker. Miss Ison, Miss Beattie and Miss Chadbon. We had a blessing to have such teachers at the school – why ? Because I have a testimony to share.
1n 1992 when I was in form 4 there was a severe drought, and my parents could not manage to pay for my exam fees, probably because they could not afford it, or because the girl child was looked down upon.
My parents advised me to go back to form 3 and would sit for my O levels the following year. Miss Chadbon and Miss Beattie seeing me in a form 3 class asked why…I told them my reasons. Little did I know that good samaritans had knocked on my door. They told me to go back to my class and then they paid for my Exam fees. I was very grateful to them for that.
After completing my O levels worked for my community under Agritex, and when the contract expired I moved to Harare where I met my husband, who encouraged me to do a course. I did a secretarial course with Trust Academy, then I worked for Karina (pvt) Ltd but sadly the company collapsed because of a liquidity crunch.
I’m a proud mom of Keith and Michelle. Keith is 23 and has just completed his four year Programne with Airforcre of Zimbabwe. Michelle is 18 and is waiting to go to university. Unfortunately my husband passed on and I have been hustling to make a living in Zimbabwe, but after realizing that things were not working well I relocated to South Africa, where I am currently working with a Doctor (Occupational Therapiist) in her office- so far so good.
Mr Walker was my Maths teacher and the other white teachers at the school made us proud, to an extent that when you hear me communicating, you would think this is not a woman from a grassroots school.
I got a lot of inspirstion from Mr Vheremu who would always teach and encourage us to work hard, and I qoute”vapfanha verengai otherwise muchatengesa shiri dzirikubhururuka muchiti ndedzenyu” close quote. He meant we must study hard and not sell what does not belong to us e.g. – if you don’t make it in life you will end up pointing at a bird that is flying and claim it is yours and then demand money for it!
There is a distinct possibility that we will hear more from Lorraine soon…
