Zimta takes over Hlekweni

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THE Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) has taken over the running of Hlekweni Friends Rural Service Centre after the organisation ceased operations citing financial problems.

THE Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) has taken over the running of Hlekweni Friends Rural Service Centre after the organisation ceased operations citing financial problems.

STAFF REPORTER

Hlekweni board chairperson Sipho Nsimbi in April wrote to staff members informing them they would cease operations at the end of June and auction assets to pay outstanding salaries and debts.

Zimta chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday confirmed the takeover, but would not be drawn into revealing details.

“Zimta has taken over Hlekweni, but I cannot give you details on the matter,” he said.

“We will hold a press conference this week where everything will be revealed.”

Hlekweni was founded in 1967 as a rural training centre specialising in bio-intensive agriculture and offering practical training courses on subjects from building and carpentry to garment-making and early childhood education.

It was founded by missionaries Roy and Irene Henson as a partial response to problems bedevilling young primary school leavers in the late 1960s who were unable to proceed to secondary education or find formal employment.