By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MAPHISA — Last year, 15-year-old Linda Ndlovu wrote her essays by candlelight. When the candle ran out, her homework died.
This year, she has a laptop — and a new dream.
President Mnangagwa announced at Friday’s Independence Children’s Party that he would be handing over laptops to schools across Zimbabwe to bridge the digital divide.
“No matter where you live, be it in rural or urban areas, we want you to have access to quality education, ICTs and other services,” the President told 3,050 young delegates at Mahetshe Primary School.
Linda, who wants to be a nurse, now watches biology videos on her school’s shared laptop.
“Before, if I didn’t understand something, that was the end,” she said. “Now I can learn even when the teacher is not there.”
At Mahetshe, 15 laptops are shared among over 400 learners — not enough, teachers admit, but a start.
“The President said ‘no one left behind,'” Linda said. “I used to think that meant other people. Now I think maybe he meant me too.”
Government says increased internet connectivity is reaching even hard-to-access areas. But challenges remain, including unreliable electricity and slow connections.
Still, for Linda, the change is already real.
“My homework does not die with the sun anymore.”
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