Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
The latest beneficiaries of the ED-UNZA scholarship programme met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare this Friday before leaving to pursue their studies at institutions of higher learning.
The ED-UNZA scholarship programme was established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to give students from disadvantaged backgrounds, an opportunity to further their studies and improve their lives.
Of the latest group of 15 students, 10 are heading to the University of Zambia to study law and medicine.
President Mnangagwa has strong ties with the University of Zambia where he graduated with a law degree.
The other five will pursue degrees in agricultural sciences at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
Among the beneficiaries is Talita Dube from Tsholotsho whose dreams are to improve her mother’s life, given the sacrifice she made for her to go through primary and secondary school.
On some days, she was turned back home for non-payment of fees, but now provided with a chance to study for a degree, she hopes to re-write her family’s story.
Said Talita, ‘‘I faced a lot of challenges. My father went to South Africa when I was young and so my mother had to bear the burden of taking care of us. I am grateful for this opportunity and one day I want to buy my mother everything she’s ever wanted.’’
They come from diverse backgrounds and their stories are all different but for now, the common factor binding them together is their hope for a new lease of life, thanks to the President.
Linrose Mativenga said, ‘‘I will be studying at the University of Zambia, this is a privilege and I’m thankful.’’
Godknows Moyo noted, ‘‘I thank the President for giving me this opportunity to learn and develop the country.’’
The chairperson of the ED-UNZA Scholarship Trust, Mr Herbert Nkala said the programme is meant to ensure equal representation of the country’s provinces as well as gender balance.
‘‘This is a manifestation of the second phase of what His Excellency created as the ED UNZA Scholarship Trust in 2019. We are picking up the dreams of the young students who are highly talented but had no opportunity to study due to lack of resources. Part of His Excellency’s wish is that the students must be picked from all the ten provinces.’’
The ED-UNZA scholarship continues to provide hope to the disadvantaged.
