ZIMUTO Mission is among local missionary establishments that have stood the test of time, thanks to the institution’s Christian philosophy that underpins all its aspects.
The mission was established in 1904 by the Berlin Missionary Society before control was transferred to the Dutch Reformed Church (now Reformed Church in Zimbabwe) in 1907 is located 17km north of Masvingo town.
It has a conventional primary school, a primary school for the blind, a high school, a secondary school for the blind, a clinic and workshops for basketry and chalk making.
The high school just like other aspects of the mission has over the years carved out a niche for itself both on the academic and extracurricular front anchored on the mission’s Christian ethos.
Harris Mashava, the high school head told Standard Style that the school’s achievements were a result of the institution’s values, which are distinctly Christian.
“Our strength as a school is that we have a strong Christian background that has enabled us to instill discipline in our learners as we seek to enrich them morally and spiritually,” he said.
“Every Sunday we have compulsory church services and on Monday morning, we have our assembly in the church.
“I think this Christian discipline is critical in shaping the behaviour of our learners.”
Mashava said apart from the Christian milieu, Zimuto High School had a dedicated team that steer the ship.
“Here at Zimuto High School we have dedicated staff that work as a team despite them getting poor remuneration,” he said.
“As such, we have delivered good results over the years that have put the school on the map.”
Zimuto High School has produced prominent personalities including medical doctors Johannes Marisa, CEO of Westview Medical Group, Cimas chief medical director Nyasha Masuka and Godfrey Chagonda. Attorney general Virginia Mabhiza, the late retired general Solomon Mujuru and Zanu PF national commissar Mike Bimha are some of the notable people to have passed through the school.
The school has also produced the likes of pilot Tawanda Fushai, senior vice-president in charge of Continental Africa Region at AngloGold Ashanti Jasper Musadaidzwa, human rights lawyer Tapiwa Muchineripi, Amnesty International executive director in Zimbabwe Lucia Masuka and NMB chief risk officer Ashley Fushai, among others.
“These are only a few notable people that were produced by this school, but we continue to carve a niche for ourselves,” Mashava said.
“Most of these former students have been mobilised by the likes of Marisa and are now supporting the school in a number of ways.
“The former students have grouped under Old Students Association and they have helped in the drilling of a borehole, which has helped the school in addressing the water challenges.
“The parents through the school development committee have come in handy many ways to support us as well.”
Mashava said Zimuto High School fosters a competency-based curriculum that embraces a holistic approach and extends well beyond academics.
“If you can realise that at our recent prize giving day ceremony, we rewarded excelling students in academics, extracurricular activities and even behaviour as we try to inculcate ubuntu/hunhu into our learners,” he said.
The school head said he was happy that students kept putting the school on the map.
“Our school’s public speaking team excelled at national level and will represent the country in Togo at a regional event in December,” he said.
“One of our students, Beans Theophilus, who was in the public speaking team made it into the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe before he was appointed the vice-president.”
Over the years, Zimuto High school has recorded remarkable achievements at O’ and A’ Levels in the country.
“Our results are pleasing and our passrate for our A’ Level hovers around 75% and our O’ Level averages 96%,” he said.