By Kudakwashe Matambo
A big celebration occurred at St Peter’s Kubatana Industrial Technical College, formerly a Vocational Training Center in the high density suburb of Highfields.
147 students were awarded certificates for successfully completing short courses in cosmetology, professional cookery and industrial clothing technology on 5thJuly 2019.
With many small enterprises in Zimbabwe facing a complexity of challenges, capital and skills being some of them, Mrs Marjorie Madamombe, Head of Excellent Services at NMB Bank and guest of honour encouraged the graduates to start small and pursue their vision.
“Think Big and start small. You will go to different places and make a difference,” Mrs Marjorie Madamombe told the graduates. “Opportunities are there in the market, people here are being technically equipped so take up the opportunities and demonstrate what you can do to improve yourselves. Your lives will be changed,” she added.
Impressed by the college’s efforts to impart technical skills to the youth, Mrs Madamombe thanked the Jesuits for the great work of improving the knowledge and skills of students and announced that NMB Bank will pour in a further US$1000.00 to the college, in addition to the serial contributions over the years.
The college, said Mrs Jaure, the Acting Principal, is training youths in practical hands-on skills for entrepreneurship. She said the courses are part of the society’s answer to alleviate poverty and bring economic emancipation to previously disadvantage communities.
Of the graduates, only two were males. Definte Samanynaga, a young lady who graduated with a certificate in cosmetology said, “I am so excited about my course and I want to appreciate my parents and teachers for their support and encouragement.” Standing beside her with a big smile was her mother who could not hide her joy and excitement about her daughter’s achievement.
St Peters Kubatana Industrial Training College was established in 1971 by a Jesuit priest, Fr Anthony Davis SJ, as a school of technology offering young men and women technical skills to help them in life. In recent years, the school was permitted by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education in Zimbabwe to transform into a fully-fledged industrial technical college, a big boost for its curriculum.
English