By Rex Mphisa
MATABELELAND South Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe has highlighted the need for expansion of tertiary institutions in Matabeleland South to equip the secondary school graduates with life skills.
Apart from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic, Guyu Vocational Training School, Gwanda Nurses Training School and a wing of a State University in Filabusi, Matabeleland South has no Tertiary education facilities like other provinces.
He was speaking at a ceremony where 172 Registered General Nurses, 71 Environmental Health Technicians, and 72 Midwives at the Gwanda Multidisciplinary Training School Graduation Friday September 26, 2025.
The function was held at the Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was guest of honour.
Nguluve said there were ongoing collaborative efforts between his office and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, through the Provincial Medical Directorate (PMD) of Matabeleland South, to expand training facilities across the province.
He emphasized the government’s strong commitment to infrastructure development, citing the Presidential Hospital Refurbishment Programme as a key initiative aimed at upgrading healthcare facilities and training institutions.
“This programme is one of many under the government’s broader goal of creating better working conditions and aligning with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which seeks to achieve an Upper Middle-Income Economy,” he said.
This year’s graduation marked a significant milestone being the first at the institution since 2017 when the Second Republic took over but was disturbed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nguluvhe extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates, acknowledging their dedication and hard work.
He personally handed over certificates, as well as book prizes, trophies, and shields to the top-performing students.
Close to 1 000 guests, including several dignitaries and stakeholders attended the event where the Mayor of Gwanda Councillor Thulani Moyo, Matabeleland South director of Environmental Health Services Victor Nyamandi, Mat South director of Nursing Services Nyaradzai Chiwara, provincial medical director Felix Andrew Muza and traditional leader Chief Masuku.
The ceremony was a celebration of achievement, resilience, and the continued investment in the province’s healthcare human resources expansion.