Author: Friends Of Pakati

“….I had also to fetch water from as far as 2km and sometimes halfway back from the well I would fall and had to go back again to fetch more, this time I would be crying.”

My name is Locardia Mandishayika. I was born in 1979 at St Pauls Hospital, Musami.

I was at Pakati Primary from 1987 to 1993 and Pakati Secondary from 1994 to 1997. My favourite subjects were Science, Commerce and Shona.

At primary I still remember Mr Zimbudzana teaching me in grade 1, also Mr Marambakuyana, Mr Kupara, and Headmaster Mr Rugoyi. At secondary school I still remember our Commerce teacher, the late Mr Sagonda, the late Science teacher Mr Goronga and Mrs Chingoriwo, Agriculture teacher. During those years our headmaster was Mr Senzere.

I remember doing my school work and reading with my friends Christine Bayo and Happymore Makuwaza during lunch. I still keep in touch with my classmates including the two I mentioned. I wrote 5 subjects instead of 8 in O level as no one could pay the extra 3 after welfare paid for only 5.

My father died in 1993. I am the 3rd born, I have 1 sister and 5 brothers. Every morning at 3am we watered the garden, then we went to school. We came back at 5pm and watered the garden until 9 pm We farmed vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes while our mother cooked. We did the dishes at 10pm, so that when I tried to study I was too tired.

I would read during break at school. We were 30 in a class with 3 people on each desk. I am currently working in South Africa (as an Au Pair in Sandton, Gauteng Province), and I take leave from work at the end of May to 30 June to sell the produce and during my leave I still help at the farm near Pakati.

My name is Moses Chadenga, I was born in 1974 at St Pauls Hospital, Musami. I was at Pakati Primary from 1981 to 1987, then at Pakati Secondary from 1988 to 1989. My favourite lessons were Geography, Shona, Science and Mathematics. My favourite memory at Secondary school is when I topped at ZJC in the subject of Shona and it was announced at the Assembly point.

When I left Pakati I transfered to Harare High school where I finished my O levels. I then got a job and worked for Lever Brothers for 2 years, then later joined Tedco Management Services where I worked for another 2 years.

In 1998 I formed a company with my brother, and we operated for 3 years. The company I formed was manufacturing batiks. We operated in Glenlorne area of Harare. I was also into sign writing, I am the one who designed and painted the Pakati sign post.

I then came back in Mrewa and started a farming business, until i was contracted by Pakati Secondary school and worked as a clerk from 2012 to 2015. When I was working I started studying with Bindura University.

I was inspired by Mr Walker & am now following in his footsteps. I finished the diploma in Science Education with Bindura University specialising in mathematics. I am waiting for the results, after which I will be a qualified maths teacher. I now have a contract with Chanetsa Secondary school, a neighbour and sister school to Pakati.

This week, on Thursday morning 14th March 2019 at 6:25 am, my Mother passed away in Scunthorpe General Hospital after a long illness. I think it is fitting I remember the time my parents visited Zimbabwe while I was working at Pakati.

My Mum, Pat as she liked to be called, had quite a sense of adventure, a bit more than my Dad to be honest….some of this only came out when they visited Zimbabwe.

My Dad also found something recently that she had written in 1990 & 91. I will quote directly from those notes in here, as it tells us a lot about my mum. Enjoy reading it, enjoy the photos and at the same time, I will enjoy the memories…

“What a year 1990 turned out to be…Each of my 3 sons had surprises for me. One got married, one got engaged, and one was teaching in Zimbabwe. I shared in the joys of the wedding, and of the engagement too, but the most unexpected thing for me was my chance to visit ZIMBABWE.

I cruised down the River Zambezi, saw crocodiles on the shore, hippos bathing and elephants galore. I excitedly left London on a 10 hour overnight flight, & Chris greeted me in Harare at 6am, as did the African sun.

I went on safari drives & saw zebras, more elephants, buffalo herds, giraffes, baboons and colourful birds. I also went to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, an old fortress with thick high walls.

I visited Victoria Falls, gazing in awe…looking down on the beautiful scene from the ‘Flight of Angels’

High sprays caused a rainforest, leaving trees & leaves glistening and those stood too close get wet through…

At Pakati School, where Chris was teaching, life was very different…no electricity or running water, but a very warm & sincere welcome from people there. They might not have much material things, but they laugh & dance & sing. Being happy inspite of a hard life, they could surely teach us something.

I had such fun, enjoyed the sun, and went again in 1991.”

There is very little I can add to this, other than to say I feel as proud of my mum as she clearly was of me…

I am a man, 47 years old, born in 1972 at St Pauls Mission, Musami. I did my Primary at Pakati from 1980 to 1986 then Pakati Secondary from 1987 to 1990.

My favourite lessons were Bible Knowledge, Commerce and English Language

My favourite memories were on the spirit of togetherness as we were mixing with different students

From school I moved to the capital (Harare) in search of opportunities, which are proving hard to find.

It is nice living in the area. Off season I am doing seasonal farming in the rural area, and on season I am working at a tobacco company, being a production seasonal clerk (Universal Leaf tobacco company).

I am married with a family of 5 children . My wife is called Euritah Ninga. My first born a girl – Judith – 1998, 2nd a boy – Langton – 2000, 3rd a girl – Stayce – 2005 and lastly my twins a boy – Actor – and a girl – Action – in 2009.

Daily life since growing up in the area is an on going activity from people of within and it teaches a lot, because you will be able to see and hear exactly the stories be it happiness or sadness, it is an going experience. Thinking back to those years at Pakati schools it was a bit simple because I was a young boy with not much to think of but now I am able to see to it that things should move the way expected by the family.

I was born in 1971, and did my primary education at Pakati from1979 to 1985. My headmaster was Mr Chihaka from 1979 to1983, then came Mr Rugoyi up to1985. My favourite subjects were English & Religious Education.

Then I proceeded to my secondary education at Pakati Secondary school. The head was Mr Samakomva, then he moved to another school and Mr Nyamauya become the acting headmaster until 1989 when Mr Samakomva returned. I only managed to pass 3 subjects, and since my parents were poor i wasn’t able continue with my education. I have some few memories at the Secondary School. I remember Mr Samakomva our headmaster, he used to punish us whenever we are late at School…

Also I remember an adventure with Mr Walker in the mountains near Pakati, taking in the rock paintings together near our rural homestead near Chigwada. One of my former schoolmates, Fortunate Chinhoyi, is now my neighbour in Harare.

Furthermore, I moved to Harare looking for a job while I was staying at my parents house. I then found a job and worked in a supermarket for 7 years, that’s when I met my husband. Sadly he died in 1998 …God has blessed me with 2 children, a boy (Hope) and a girl (Faith). ..both are in tertiary level education now…I am currently working at a hygienic campany as an operation supervisor.

There are a number of profiles being worked on right now. They are forner Pakati students from both schools.

There are some fascintaing insights into what it was like living in the area & going to school at Pakati, with memories of teachers & schoolmates. Also they tell us what has happened to them since. The ones being readied for publishing are:

Elliott Munyaradzi Chadenga

Locardia Mandishayika

Lorraine Mapuranga

Anyway Chinyanya

There are others still working on their own stories. Those above will be published this week.

Fundraising – gofundme

http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

Social media – twitter & facebook

http://Twitter.com/friendsofpakati

http://Facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati

Contact – email

friendsofpakati@gmail.com

Left to Right…Patrick Tabeti, Melygine Chiromedza, Caroline Kasake and Vimbainashe Chiroodza – this weeks **Saturday Stars**

The stars with Mrs J Kupara, their teacher at Pakati Primary school

Relaxing after the Zonal athletics competition

**BREAKING NEWS**

Friday 8th March, District competition at Murewa Mission school – 2 of these 4 have made it through to the Nationals!! Makorokoto!! Well done to Melygine Chiromedza and Vimbainashe Chiroodza !!!