Gold panner’s American Dream

Zimbabwean

By Paul Ndlovu

12 July 2011

With inflation spiralling out of control, formal employment and investing in education did not make sense for an ordinary Zimbabwean.

For many youths who had finished their A level education, the next stage for someone wishing to go further up the academic ladder was enrolment at a university or college.

But local college life was unbearable because of the hunger and poverty that students faced at a time when the government had frozen personal grants and loans for students.

In addition, anyone who finished their studies earlier were failing to get formal employment. The unemployment rate was estimated by the UNDP at a staggering 90 percent. Those who did manage to get jobs were hired as temporary teachers – earning peanuts.

Such a scenario made Hope Ndhlovu (19) lose hope in achieving his dream of getting a university education.

But this year his dream came true when he became one of the 31 underprivileged students to receive scholarships worth $70 million to study in the United States, courtesy of the US government.

Ndhlovu’s road has been rocky.

“I wrote my Ordinary level’s in 2008 and as an avid student I knew I had to do something to supplement what my father earned and to pay for my tuition fees as I really wanted to proceed with my education,” he said.

For Ndhlovu to see his dream come true he had to get a job. Not just any job – but a risky one that would give him a decent income to continue schooling at the same time helping his father as a breadwinner.

“I worked as a gold panner in West Nicholson – sleeping underground at Times, or sleeping in the bush waiting for my shift,” he said.

Gold panners make more money a week than some professionals earn per month. But it is risky – some die as rickety shafts collapse, while others are arrested or killed in turf wars.

“One is thrown into an environment where one sees the harsh realities of life. Everyone has heard about the lifestyle of gold panners and I was a child in that situation trying to raise funds for survival. It used to make me think about life seeing different faces from different places,” he said.

Ndhlovu narrated how he and other four young men would arrange to buy some food groceries and send them home to their families.

“Those days we were earning Zimbabwean dollars and the money would lose value every day,” he said.

However he managed to overcome the hurdles and do his A Levels at Mpopoma High after passing his O’ levels.

He did Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Further Mathematics for A level, and scored 20 points.

“I am going to be studying at Harvard University and I am so excited,” he said.

Ndhlovu and other students from diverse backgrounds left for the United States last week at a ceremony graced by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray.

Tsvangirai is his address said: “You must know that as your Prime Minister, I attended a humble primary school in rural Buhera and I did not have the great opportunity afforded to you today. So go and be good students, respect your hosts and work hard. Exhibit the true Zimbabwean spirit, that of hospitality and hard-work. Be vigilant.”

The US ambassador said the scholarship wass part of his country’s positive contribution to Zimbabwe.

“Education is crucial to the success of both our countries. As we share education resources for the benefit of our young citizens, we both grow stronger,” he said.

In his congratulatory message the minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, welcomed US support to education in Zimbabwe.

“This year’s scholarships awards …will enable still more students to pursue their goals and career paths through higher education – something that they might not otherwise have been able to do. Indeed, this generous support is particularly welcome at a time when families are facing increased financial pressures,” he wrote.