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Zidulini Primary School children

My early years of education were at primary school in the rural parts of Zimbabwe, Matebeleland North in Nkayi, to be more specific.

Zidulini Primary School did not attract the best of teachers one reason being because of the under-development in this part of the country.

Nkohliso visits his old school

As a young boy I went to school barefooted and had my classes under a tree because there was no classroom to house us. Teachers were often faced with big classes (with a ratio of 60 students to 1 teacher) which made it not only hard but almost impossible to provide individual supervision to each student. 

An inspirational father

It was up to the individual to motivate themselves and their parent’s encouragement that one achieved the requisite grade.

My father was a big inspiration in my life; he kept on encouraging me and used to tell me success stories of people who had humble beginnings. Out of this optimism and the inspiring stories from my father I was determined to aim high.

Zidulini Primary School Children

The UK – a land of opportunities

It's general belief amongst some of my countrymen in Zimbabwe that your education is incomplete if you have not studied abroad (particularly in the UK). This maybe as a result of the inherited system of education and shared heritage brought to us by our former colonizers.

English is the official language in Zimbabwe and all academic learning is also conducted in this language. It is against this background that I started making some moves to come to the UK and further my studies. 

Today I have achieved beyond what I could have ever of imagined during my days at Zidulini primary School; in 2008 I graduated twice with good grades at the University of Wolverhampton.

Nkohliso talks about his achievements

It’s time for change

However I still remember some of my brothers and sisters who I for one know that they were most gifted and if only they only had a chance they could have gone on to make a big impact in our community (even on national affairs).

I visited my former school in 2007 after seven years living in the UK, I was greatly touched; it was like watching an old movie.

The state of Zidulini primary school has not changed even after 30 years of our independence (from the colonial days of Rhodesia), today pupils from the school are still not getting a chance and nobody has made a conscious effort to help to them.

I challenged myself to do something about it and realized that I had an obligation not only to help the school but the community as well.

Zidulini Primary School children

Helping the next generation

Zidulini Primary school was were my academic education all started, and as a son of Zidulini I had to do something to improve the school and consequently improve the chances of the young people that are students there today.

Nkosi gives new books to the school - April '09

Having been in the UK for over six years I found myself thinking of ways in which I could raise funds for my old primary school. I know change cannot happen overnight, nonetheless little by little change would come and improvements would be made and some people in future would reap the rewards of the efforts we make today.

So I decided to set up a fundraising project for the school and have approached individuals, companies, community organizations (churches and sports clubs) and whoever was willing to listen to my plea.

I am also a recording gospel musician and part of the proceeds from the sale of my music is donated to my former school.

The youngsters show off their new kit

Helping to create a better learning environment

Funds raised will go towards rebuilding the dilapidated classrooms and help to purchase desks and chairs for the pupils and teachers, exercise books, text books, planners, chalks, dusters - all that is needed for a daily learning environment.

Safe, clean cottages will also be built for teachers with a hope to motivate qualified people to come and teach at the school.

Giving the young people a future

My duty to help make a difference

Many young children in the UK and the western world in general do not realize how fortunate they are to enjoy such good standards of education in well built and safe schools, compared to children in other parts of the world.

I feel I have a duty to help the youngsters back home in Zimbabwe and will continue to do so.

Nkosi visited Zimbabwe in April 2009 and presented Zidulini Primary School with text books and a football kit bought with money raised for the project.

Watch a short video showing the needs of the school and highlights of a village celebration event.