Zim Now Writer
A Lower Sixth student from Zwangendaba High School in Matabeleland North Province, Natalie Ndlovu, emerged as the national winner in an essay writing competition on curbing child marriages in Zimbabwe.
The essays were also aimed at exposing the scourge in the country.
The competition, which was organised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, attracted 1 908 entries from six provinces, namely Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands.
Natalie was representing Matabeleland North Province and was judged as the national winner and was also honoured as the Matabeleland North provincial winner.
In a statement, Chief director for primary and secondary formal and non-formal education in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Olivia Kaira, said child marriages stifle economic development as children won’t develop to reach their potential.
“Child marriages are a form of forced union with under-aged children and are a violation of laid-down regulations that safeguard the interests of children and result in grave human rights violations against children. These rights include the right to education, the right to human dignity, freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, the right to personal security and the right to protect the best interests of the child in all matters as enshrined in the Constitution,” said Kaira.
The other regional winners were Blessed Masunga of Hama High School (Midlands), Charity Mashasha of Gwanda High School (Matabeleland South), Tanatswa Chafesuka of Chifamba High School (Mashonaland Central), Lawrence Moyo of Kutama Day High School (Mashonaland West) and Adelaide Sithole of Sengoda College (Mashonaland East), who all walked away with certificates and prize money.
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