Lubimbi 2 Primary School ‘s future in jeopardy as Gwayi- Shangani Dam looms.
Thembelihle Mhlanga
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Lubimbi 2 Primary School as the impending Gwayi-Shangani dam project threatens to displace the institution along with 400 families in Binga district.
A decade of government silence has left parents, teachers, and school officials in limbo, with critical development funds drying up over fears the school may soon vanish.
“Parents refuse to pay fees for improvements because they believe relocation is coming any day,” says Alias Munsaka, a member of the School Development Committee. “How can we build a future when even the government won’t tell us if we’ll have a school next year?”
The uncertainty has triggered a devastating ripple effect. Development partners have withdrawn support, unwilling to invest in infrastructure that may be demolished. A frustrated staff member revealed: “Our students suffer most – they’re caught in this endless waiting game while their education hangs in the balance.”
Parents like Sylvia Mudenda demand answers: “We’ve waited ten years for clarity. If the school moves, tell us where and when. If it stays, guarantee its safety. Our children deserve better than this neglect.”
As construction on the dam progresses, Lubimbi 2 Primary School stands as a stark reminder of communities left behind in Zimbabwe’s development projects. With no resolution in sight, the school’s 400 students face a future as uncertain as the classrooms they learn in today.
