By Prince Chese
Beitbridge District will host this year’s Provincial Annual Science, Sport and Arts Festival (PASSAF) for the first time under the rotational hosting system in Matabeleland South Province.
The festival will be held at Oakleyhouse School and is expected to attract learners, teachers and officials from across the province.
In a WhatsApp group called PASSAF Media and Communications Committee, PASSAF Co-Chairperson Sithokozile Sibanda said preparations were underway to ensure the event is well promoted so that the Beitbridge community and visitors are aware of the festival.
She said entry to the festival will be free, just like the district’s annual Business Expo.
Sibanda said Beitbridge would only host the provincial festival again after seven years because hosting rotates among districts in Matabeleland South.
The festival presents an opportunity to promote Beitbridge as a tourism and business destination.
Learners from all seven districts in Matabeleland South will compete in science, sport and arts before winners progress to the national festival.
The camping villages for participants will be St Joseph’s Secondary School for Umzingwane District, St Mary’s for Mangwe, St Joseph’s Primary School for Matobo, Beitbridge Government School for Insiza, Vhembe for Bulilima, Beitbridge Mission for Gwanda South, Oakleyhouse for Gwanda North and Dulibadzimo for Beitbridge District.
PASSAF is organised annually by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to identify and nurture learners’ talents in science, sport and the arts under Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Curriculum.