By Nobert Rwodzi SJ
Chishawasha valley houses some rich history for the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe
and the Jesuits of Southern Africa in particular.
One institution that adds to this history is St Ignatius College founded by the Jesuits in
1962 to address the racial imbalances that had been created by the colonial
government.
The system barred local children from mixing with their white counterparts in already
existing white only schools such as St George’s College in Harare.
Sixty years later, St Ignatius College celebrates its diamond jubilee.
Several people gathered for these celebrations held at the college on the 31 st of July
2022, the Feast of its patron, St Ignatius of Loyola.
The event also marked the closure of the yearlong celebration of the Ignatian Year on
the 500 th anniversary of the conversion of St Ignatius of Loyola.
Among many things that the college is known for which include its academic and
sporting vibrancy, it is important to celebrate it as a place where young men and
eventually women, were given confidence to face a world that was dominated by
largely European peers who had the chance to get best education there was in the
country.
St Ignatius College prompted young local men to start thinking on how to serve and
save the people who, by the time of its opening, were under oppression.
Former teacher and Rector Fr Roland von Nidda SJ, led the eucharist celebrations and
stressed the importance of the four pillars of Jesuit education, commitment,
conscience, competence and compassion.
Present at this ceremony were some notable alumni who included Dr Adolf Chikasha
who was one of the pioneer boys in 1962, Mr Bernard Manyenyeni, former Mayor of
the City of Harare, Fr Brian Porter SJ former master of the sailing club and Fr Patrick
Makaka SJ who, exactly 47 years before, was ordained to priesthood at the college and
went on to teach there in the field of Geography and Civics.
Fr Makaka is back as teacher and assistant chaplain.
The attendees ended the day with sports and music at the sports fields.
English