Wenslus Murape
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
IT has been nearly three weeks since Mr Passmore Jeke’s life-changing encounter with President Mnangagwa, but the Mberengwa teacher still cannot believe his luck.
The unforgettable moment when he received a surprise US$2 000 gift from the President during the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) graduation ceremony still feels like a dream.
Mr Jeke (30) had been awarded the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award of US$1 000 for being the best graduating male student.
But in a surprise move, President Mnangagwa doubled the award to US$2 000, leaving Mr Jeke stunned and grateful.
“Actually, I feel like I have been born again,” said Mr Jeke.
“The moment when the President said, ‘Mira ndikuwedzere imwe pamusoro,’ (Let me give you more) he transformed my life.”
Mr Jeke said words alone were not enough to express his gratitude, and as a result, he has resolved to pray to God to bless the President with more years.
“I want to thank His Excellency for such generosity, for such a blessing to me. He blessed my day; he blessed my life from that day. I got more recognition from that moment. May God bless him for such generosity.”
In addition to receiving the esteemed Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Award, he also received the Vice Chancellor’s Award, the NUST Book Prize, and the Professor Nduduzo Phuthi Prize for the most consistent top-performing student in the faculty.
Mr Jeke enrolled at NUST through President Mnangagwa’s Teacher Capacity Development Programme, which aims to enhance the educational qualifications of teachers, enabling them to effectively teach subjects such as science and vernacular languages.
Given his humble background, Mr Jeke never imagined that he would one day have the opportunity to attend university.
After graduating with a diploma from Hillside Teacher’s College, Mr Jeke took up a Mathematics teaching position at Chizungu High School in Mberengwa, becoming the breadwinner for his family.
However, Mr Jeke’s new responsibilities made it challenging for him to pursue further education, as he had to support a large number of dependants.
“With such a poor background and a huge load, I never imagined that I would one day set foot at university.
“Many thanks to His Excellency’s Teacher Capacity Development programme, I am now a degree holder and I am now known in every corner of the country,” he added.
Mr Jeke said he was still eager to continue serving under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which sponsored his education.
“With this educational milestone, I believe that I will contribute more to national development.
“Of course, I will aim for higher posts in the near future, in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education or other higher positions in other Government ministries.”
His award, he said, should serve as an inspiration to the younger generation.
“Nothing is impossible as long as you are working hard. Of course, university life is not easy. If you want to be the best, then you have to work hard each and every semester, on all modules.”
Mr Jeke began his educational journey at Zvishava Primary School in Mberengwa district, before advancing to Funye High School in the same district for his secondary education.
Online Reporter
