Online Reporter
Youth Interactive Writer
In a remarkable achievement, three academically gifted girls from Munashe Private High School in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, outperformed their male counterparts by each scoring 20 points in the 2024 ZIMSEC Examinations.
The trio of Omega Gambara, Rutendo Nyakabao, and Betty Gurupira — all aged 18 — shared their experiences and the pride of making a significant impression at their school, which was established during the Second Republic.
Gurupira studied Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Business Studies and Accounts, while her counterpart specialised in History, Family and Religious Studies, Shona and Heritage Studies.
Nyakabao studied History, Family and Religious Studies, English Literature and Shona.
The closest to the trio was a male student, Tapiwanashe Nyamundayo, who studied Statistics, Economics, Business Studies and Accounts.
Three students scored 15 points each, while the lowest were two learners who scored eight points apiece.
However, all the attention is now on the trio of Gambara, Nyakabao and Gurupira, who also hailed the school director, Archiford Gwangwadze, for giving them exposure to study at the new school.
Gambara, who cannot wait to start university, said determination and focus were key to her success.
“I scored 20 points at A-Level because I used to study hard and during weird hours. For your information, I used to study between 2 and 5am when the rest of the guys were sleeping. It became my routine, which I thoroughly enjoyed as a student,” she said.
The ambitious whizkid said she had time for her friends despite a demanding schedule.
“I did other chores expected of children from the school and followed every routine, but I made sure that I had my own private time to study on my own. This made my studies easier because I could easily cover much ground and catch up with others,” she said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Nyakabao, who owes her triumph to God.
“To be honest, it can only be God who was behind all this because I always prayed for this to happen. My dream job is to become a lawyer, and I will enrol for the programme. I cannot wait to start university and enjoy it with others,” she said.
The third girl, Gurupira, was said to be a bookworm who enjoyed her studies. The trio’s male counterpart, Tapiwanashe, shared a similar story of studying during odd hours.
“I used to play with my friend Tanaka, and we gave ourselves extra hours to study. We knew it was demanding doing four subjects when only three were recommended at A Level. In his case, he scored 15 points in the three subjects he was studying, and it did not come as a surprise to me,” he said.
Tapiwanashe added, “My dream is to study Accounting Science, and I heard I can get a better programme in South Africa.
“The major challenge that I am facing at the moment is lack of sponsorship. I would be glad if I got a scholarship to further my studies in South Africa, where my dream lies.”
The successful students concurred that various factors played a critical role in their success.
One of the factors that contributed to their success was the commitment of their teaching staff, the school’s partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Corrections Services, which has instilled discipline at the school, and a well-constituted advisory board led by Mr Gwangwadze.
Meanwhile, the best student at Ordinary Level, Trephania Chishapura, scored 11 As and one B, while the second-best, Tawananyasha Nyamundaya, got nine As and three Bs.
The third-highest student, Nicole Garwe, got eight As and four Bs.
Nestled in the heart of Mutoko, Munashe High School has made a significant impact in the province as it continues to churn out geniuses.
