Mugabe sends son to top Cape Town school

Mugabe sends son to top Cape school

THE FIRST FAMILY: Robert (jnr) is second from left on back row

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S first family are enrolling one of their kids in a top South African school while the country's education system flounders.

We reported Wednesday that Grace, wife of President Robert Mugabe had flown to Cape Town, checking into the luxury Arabella Hotel in what was described as a "private business".

But New Zimbabwe.com can now reveal that she was actually in Cape Town to enroll her son Robert (jnr) at the famous Bishops School -- itself a damning indictment on Zimbabwe's education system once reputed to be the best in the region.

The secret was lost when hundreds of rugby fans were barred from attending a training session by the South African rugby squad at the school despite it being advertised as "open".

Enquiries revealed that the move was a security precaution as the President's wife was at the school.

And among those inexplicably turned away at the gate by Bishops' Noel Greeff was Springbok selector Pieter Jooste and former Bok Cobus Burger, who played for South Africa against the World XV in 1989.

Jake White, the Springboks' coach said: "I was phoned this morning and told that Grace Mugabe was coming to the school to enroll her son. I left it in their hands to handle. I just think it was a miscommunication.

President Mugabe joins a long list of his ministers who stand accused of plundering their country's wealth, but spending fortunes on educating their children abroad.

Some ministers have reportedly paid more than double their annual salaries on tuition and residence fees for children enrolled at Harvard University in the US.

Average Zimbabweans can hardly afford to send their children to local schools, let alone send them to foreign universities where fees is payable in the scarce foreign currency.

Smart sanctions, which prevent Zimbabwe's ruling elite from travelling in Europe, exclude their children.

The Minister in the Vice-President's Office, Tsungirirai Hungwe, has a child, Mutsai Mutambanengwe, who studied at Rhodes University in South Africa. Tuition and residence fees for a bachelor degree start at R20 000 a year.

Finance Minister Simba Makoni's child, Tonderai, was at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Tuition, residence and meals cost in the region of R35 000 a year.

Dumiso Dabengwa, Zanu-PF's secretary for security affairs, has a child, Nombulelo, studying at UCT at present.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa has a child at a college in Michigan, US.

Ministers Sydney Sekeramayi (Defence), Stan Mudenge (Foreign Affairs), Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (Higher Education and Technology), Herbert Murerwa (Industry and Technology), Shuvai Mahofa (Youth, Gender and Employment) and Emmerson Mnangagwa (Speaker) all have or had children at finishing schools or universities in Britain.

Mines and Energy Minister Edward Chindori-Chininga and the provincial governor of the Midlands, Cephas Msipa, enrolled their children at US schools.

Rural Resources and Water Development Minister Joyce Mujuru's offspring were in Switzerland and Britain while Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister David Parirenyatwa had a son at Durham University in Britain.
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