JOURNALISM has always intrigued many people, with the major question from relatives and friends being the source of inspiration and energy.
Is it malice, rumours or excitement?
As a professional, journalism offers an opportunity to discover true hidden gems in the world’s hidden human resources waiting to be explored and promoted.
This should sum up the story of Farai Kachidza Jr (pictured), a Form 3 learner at Barnies College, a private school in Marondera, Mashonaland East province.
At Form 3, Kachidza Jr epitomises the essence of a future leader, a resource that needs nurturing as Zimbabwe protects and cultivates a rare leader for the future.
Part of the Marondera Municipality junior council, Kachidza Jr exudes a certain confidence that makes a mockery of his young age.
Confident, mature and naturally intelligent, a simple conversation with the spritely junior councillor, reassures all who have met and engaged the teenager.
Barnies College head Esnath Elizabeth Zenda describes KachidzaJr in words beyond the descriptions used by folklore writers of the then Pacesetters, books that competed with writers such as James Hardley Chase in inspiring youngsters pursuing English comprehension in the 1980s and 1990s.
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“A fellow, tall and slim walks into my office at Barnies College, apparently excited to have been accepted into our Form 1 classes. A short interview with him reveals he is well read for his age,” Zenda revels in her description of the young leader.
“Then in class, his participation reveals his talent in public speaking. His creativity with English Language is amazing.
“He is picked to create and present speeches at school gatherings. He is brilliant. He always drives the point home confidently.”
She also describes a young lad who always leaves impressed audiences giving standing ovations when Kachidza Jr addresses any gathering.
“From Form 1, Form 2, he has scooped several awards on speech and prize-giving day and commands respect from fellow learners and staff.
“On discipline, he is one found not wanting, but has become a role model who other students emulate. The selection of prefects comes and his name is among the nominees. There is no doubt, he is a leader.
“Assign him any duty, consider it done. If you want a presentation done within seconds, just give any topic, and an amazing impromptu delivery is made.”
Adds Zenda: “Now in Form 3, he has made us proud to be selected into Marondera Junior Council through a brilliant presentation that demonstrated thorough knowledge of what the youth understand about themselves and their role in building the future of their generation and generations beyond.”
She also sees a bright future for the young learner.
“We have identified the talents in him and he has allowed us to groom him,” Zenda says.
“Where criticism is necessary, he has always taken it without being offended but objectively. His maturity is amazing.
“Together, we are confident, we will make a great citizen out of him.”
And it is quite an honour to engage the young councillor in a conversation while probing his thoughts and feelings especially the source of his inspiration.
“The thing that inspired me to be a leader was mostly when I went to my little sister’s primary school last year and all the kids got in line to greet me and one of them said ‘I won’t my wash my hand because Farai shook it’. That comment alone was my call, indicating that I was born to be a leader of the youth.
“I am leading a programme against drugs and substance abuse called; “No to Substance Abuse” and I could not have done this without my fellow junior councillors,” he purrs.
Kachidza wants to help the less fortunate children in Marondera with extra lessons.
“I want to accommodate the children who cannot afford these extra lessons as I believe that education gives instead of taking,” he tells us in a late night interview.
“In 10 years, I see myself owning my own tech company in Zimbabwe and opening homeless shelters and community centres all around the country.
“I am such an ambitious person and I love playing football in my spare time. On March 10, I was elected junior councillor for Marondera and right now, I’m campaigning to be Junior Mayor of Marondera.”
He credits his exploits to the inspiration of his father and brother, Sean, who run an IT company with his partners.
“Personally, I’d lean on the latter, even though I am an advent believer in one’s hard work and experiences contributing to leadership skills. I, on the other hand, have been dealt a hand full of leaders at home , from my father to my heroic older brother Sean.
“My elder brother, Sean, has always been a unique force—often described by those around him as the ‘voice of the voiceless’.
“Having walked the same path as I have, he emerged as a natural leader from a young age. Growing up, I was constantly guided by his strong leadership, yet I never felt as though I was living in his shadow.
“Instead, I felt placed under his deliberate guidance, gaining the tools to find my own way. Sean taught me that true leadership isn’t measured by honorifics or valour, but by an amalgamation of merit and the respect earned from subordinates and superiors alike.
“Guided by these precepts, he co-founded NSM-Devs, an information, communications, and technology company. As one of three founders, his visionary skills are now on full display as the firm continues to grow and innovate.”
Kachidza could benefit immensely from the National Junior Councils Associations of Zimbabwe programmes, which have groomed young leaders of the year.
The association is responsible for the co-ordination and networking of all junior councils in Zimbabwe with civil society organisations, the government and development partners.
It also lobbies and advocates for the rights and welfare of children, and enhances youth skills by conducting capacity building.
