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……as Smart Zambia Initiative and Huawei donate 10 Computers to Lusaka’s Makeni St. Francis Pre-School
By Derrick Sinjela in Makeni, South of Lusaka
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Martine G Mtonga and Huawei Country Director Martin Zhong at Saint Francis Pre-School – Picture by Zambian Children Young People and Women in Development (ZCYPWD)
FORMER First Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda and former Chairman People’s Republic of China, President, the late Mao Zedong for laying a firm Sino-Zambia foundation which President Xi Jinping and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu continue to consolidate politically described as a Siamese twin.
An elated Huawei Country Director Martin Zhong is delighted that Zambia and China continue to collaborate as equal partners in delivering empowerment to citizens in the host country manifested by an elaborate infrastructure development.
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Martine G Mtonga at Saint Francis Pre-School on Smart Zambia Initiative
On his part, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in the Office of the President at Cabinet Office and currently serving as Smart Zambia Institute National Coordinator, Dr. Martine G. Mtonga extolled Huawei for donating 10 computers, 10 tables, ten chairs at Saint Francis Pre-School in Lusaka District, of Lusaka Province on Friday 16th November 2018.
And receiving the computers, Saint Francis Pre-school Head Sister Agness Kaloza Reeds and Sister-in-Charge Patricia Makumpa showered gratitude on both Huawei and Smart Zambia, while Sister Dorothy Lungu implored the two philanthropists to keep their doors open, as the learning institution is contemplating construction of a Girls Boarding School.
“I would like to commend this Sino-Zambia relationship founded by Chairman Mao Zedong and Dr. Kaunda,” recollected Zhong, stressing the imperative need for present day generations to consolidate bilateral relationship.
Former Chairman People’s Republic of China, President Mao Zedong ( Mao Tse-tung) was born December 26, 1893 and died September 9, 1976. Zambia’s founding father, Kaunda, was born on 28th April 1924 and ruled for 27-years through the United National Independence Party (UNIP).
Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who became the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, which he ruled as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976.
Huawei Country Director Martin Zhong at Saint Francis Pre-School Friday 16 Nov 2018
Preaching a Public Private Partnership (PP) approach, Zhong reiterated Huawei’s resolve towards increasing Information Communication and Technological (ICT) services and connectivity beyond the 98 per cent countrywide coverage 2020 threshold.
“We have been in Zambia for 14 years since 2004, and through Smart Zambia Initiative spearheaded by Dr. Martine Mtonga, Huawei is determined to increase ICT coverage to 98 per cent once ongoing erection of infrastructure reaches the 1009 tower figure.
Turning to the learners, Zhong restated a popular adage and aspiration that investment in computer access among children and young pupils in rural and urban areas will build a firm future, as the global village requires ICT knowhow.
Recollecting his formative years as a 1987 Primary School Teacher in Mporokoso, Northern Province, Dr. Mtonga reminisced that as a Born Before Computers (BBC), he is found himself studying mathematics and computer science at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road, after attempting to study engineering.
“This gesture demonstrates the aspiration of smart partnership and collaboration effort that is founded on Smart Zambia Agenda and the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) 2017-2021. I have no doubt that these computers being donated today will be surely put to good use and for their intended purpose. You may wish to note that most schools are facing the change of providing the necessary ICT equipment and as such it is indeed gratifying to collaborate with institutions such as Huawei in bridging this gap,” conceded Dr. Mtonga as he implored corporates to emulate the Huawei gesture to Zambian learners.
Alluding to President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, an optimistic Dr. Mtonga restated the Patriotic Front (PF) Governments resolve to endear a Smart Zambia by 2030, as a land inhabited by increased access to education and a prosperous Zambia among all young people and adults.
A Pre-Scool Learner shows Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Martine G. Mtonga computer skills at Saint Francis Pre-School
“President Lungu’s dream is to have all young people with access to education and a prosperous nation offering equal opportunities to all age groups. This aspiration can only be achieved if we invest in our young ones by providing the necessary tools as these computers donated by Huawei today,” admonished Dr. Mtonga.
Dr. Mtonga acknowledged that support toward President Lungu’s vision is attested by General Education Minister, David Mabumba’s policy guide compelling ICT as a mandatory learning subject and equally examinable module from Early Childhood Education.
“I am glad to see that St. Francis Pre-School is abiding to this Ministry of General education directive. Huawei is demonstrating to be a partner of development of ICT b supporting the education sector through usage of ICT,” said Dr. Mtonga.
A sign of gratitude
Representing the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi, Saint Francis Pre-School, Saint Francis Primary School Board of Management, and Makeni Community, St. Francis School Head Sister Agness Kaloza Reed commended Huawei and Smart Zambia for what she termed a noble gesture.
“We are so grateful for this noble gesture which empowers our young ones at an early or tender age. (We call them as the dot Com Children), as they are born in a world of advanced technology with computers or smart phones unlike us (we call ourselves as BBC-born before Computers!),” said an appreciative Sister Kaloza.
On her part, Sister-in-Charge, Sister Patricia Makumpa narrated that the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi stated Saint Francis Pre-School in January 1982, with only 80 children under the Catholic Church in Makeni, initially providing education to underprivileged children of domestic and farm workers.
After some fundraising, Sister Makumpa said Saint Francis Pre-School expanded to Junior Primary level of education, and as a Catholic School, one of its main objective is to ensure that learners uphold and appreciate the Christian values imparted by teaching staff.
Saint Francis Pre-School showers praise on Huawei and Smart Zambia Initiative – Picture by ZCYPWD
Sister Makumpa says technology once holistically embraced has proved to be a driving force of development beyond Zambia, as future leaders are exposed to computers at a tender age.
“These 10 computers, 10 tables and ten chairs from Smart Zambia and Huawei will go a long way to sharpen the future of the young ones, as we strive to mold and mentor them into Teachers, Priests, Sisters, Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers and Politicians of tomorrow. I equally acknowledge the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for building a modern and high standard Computer Lab,” said Sister Makumpa.
Saint Francis Pre-School welcome Smart Zambia Initiative and Huawei – Picture by Derrick Sinjela ZCYPWD
Turning to Huawei Country Director Martin Zhong, sister Makumpa said: “To you, Huawei, we say thank you very much for this gesture empowering the young learners. Do not be tired of us when we knock at your door, actually, we have already forwarded a letter to request for more learning materials for both Pre-School and Primary school pupils”.
