Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

Hope arrived in boxes this week for 10 rural schools in Mberengwa, as Mutapa Energy Resources (MER) handed over more than 60 computers and laptops to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban learners.

The donation was made on Thursday at the Mberengwa Schools ICT Fair, Innovations and Business Expo at Maringambizi Secondary School, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services, NetOne, Digitalise Zimbabwe and Video Promotions.

For learners in Chegato High School, Maringambizi and Chebvute Secondary Schools, and Sandawana, Chavengwa, Chizungu, Chingechuru, Mutsime, Ruvabvu and Guruva Primary Schools, it was a first touch of a future that has long felt far away. The schools lie around the Sandawana Mine, which is under development and set to create thousands of jobs and breathe new life into the district.

The donation is part of Mutapa’s wider Corporate Social Responsibility programme in the area.

Speaking at the expo, MER Chief Executive Officer Innocent Rukweza said no child should be left behind in the digital age.

“Every child deserves an opportunity to have access to a computer,” said Rukweza. “There should not be a gap between those who are in towns and those from Mberengwa in the Sandawana area.”

He said schools near Sandawana must become centres of excellence, “known, feared and revered when it comes to the education system.”

Rukweza challenged NetOne, TelOne, ZETDC and Econet to make the ICT Expo an annual event, where learners can showcase innovations built on the donated computers. He said electricity remains the key to unlocking true digitalisation.