Vurombo Primary School in Hillside, Masvingo, has achieved a historic milestone by acquiring its first-ever dedicated school transport, nearly four decades after opening its doors in 1988. The purchase of the 76-seater Yutong D14 luxury bus, valued at US$230,000, represents a significant upgrade in infrastructure for the institution, which serves 1,462 pupils.
The bus, sourced from Vordim Trading Company in Bulawayo, was delivered to the school on Monday. It is equipped with modern amenities, including seven television sets, designed to enhance the travel experience for students during sporting activities and educational trips.
A Break from Reliance on Hired Transport
School Head Clive Mutimhairi acknowledged that for 38 years, the institution relied heavily on hired transport for extracurricular activities and school programs. This dependency often led to logistical challenges and delays. The previous attempt to secure independent transport, a minibus acquired in 2017, ended when the vehicle malfunctioned in 2019, leaving the school without a reliable option for nearly five years.
Mutimhairi expressed deep gratitude to the School Development Committee (SDC) and the parent body for their sustained support and faith in the initiative. “This is a 76-seater bus. It will help us in travelling for sports and trips,” Mutimhairi stated, emphasizing the practical benefits the new vehicle brings to the school’s operational capacity.
Parent and Community Reaction
Steady Jakaza, chairperson of the SDC, described the acquisition as a miracle, noting that the committee had originally planned to make such a purchase in October 2025. “Unlike the name of our school, Vurombo [which implies poverty or destitution], we have achieved a new status,” Jakaza said. He highlighted the community’s desire to put Vurombo Primary School “on the map” through further developments.
Fungai Mazorodze, a parent at the school, welcomed the development, stating that the new bus paves the way for more projects to benefit the students. The sentiment was echoed by Grade 7 pupil Mikayla Mawonde, who noted that the bus would address the frequent delays students experienced when traveling for sporting events.
This acquisition not only resolves a long-standing logistical hurdle for the 40 teachers and student body but also symbolizes a broader transformation in resource availability for local educational institutions in Masvingo.
