The City of Kadoma on Friday celebrated 37 years of friendship with Stevenage in the United Kingdom, a partnership credited with transforming the lives of hundreds of local students through a school fees bursary programme that has opened doors to education and professional careers.
The anniversary celebrations, held at Cameroon Square, brought together Kadoma City Council officials, members of the Stevenage-Kadoma Link Association, and former bursary beneficiaries to reflect on nearly four decades of cultural exchange, educational support and community cooperation.
The event was attended by a delegation from Stevenage, including association chairperson Margaret Notley, vice-chairperson Jan Addison, John Addison, Charlotte Gregory and Andy Hills, who joined local leaders in commemorating one of Kadoma's longest-standing international partnerships.
Welcoming the visitors, Kadoma mayor Nigel Ruzario praised the resilience and impact of the relationship.
"The friendship between Kadoma City and Stevenage has stood the test of time. It is a shining example of how communities from different parts of the world can work together in the spirit of solidarity, respect and shared humanity," Ruzario said.
He noted that while education has remained the cornerstone of the partnership, its impact has expanded into health, culture, sport, community development and people-to-people exchanges.
"This is not just a link on paper; it is a living partnership that continues to touch lives," he said.
Kadoma-Stevenage Link Association chairperson Francis Lembani traced the evolution of the partnership, which began as a formal twinning agreement in 1989.
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"What started as a formal agreement has grown into something much deeper through shared projects, cultural exchanges and lasting friendships that cross continents," Lembani said.
He said despite the geographical distance and different histories of the two towns, they remain united by common values.
"Stevenage and Kadoma may appear different on a map, but our communities share the same values of compassion, growth and service,” Lembani said.
“As Stevenage's motto says, 'The heart of a town lies in its people,' and over nearly four decades our people have demonstrated exactly that.”
Lembani called for the partnership to evolve further by embracing cooperation in youth empowerment, digital innovation, climate resilience and trade.
The celebrations also highlighted the profound impact of the bursary programme, which has enabled hundreds of disadvantaged children to remain in school and pursue tertiary education.
Among those sharing their stories was Chipo Maphosa, who said the bursary supported her education from primary school through university.
"Without the Stevenage Link, I would never have made it to university,” Maphosa said.
“They paid my school fees from primary school right through law school.
“Today I am an advocate because someone in Stevenage believed in a child they had never met.”
Executive secretary Alleta Mabuto said the bursary restored hope during difficult times.
“The link supported me from Grade One through Advanced Level.
“There were times my family could not afford uniforms or examination fees, but the bursary covered everything. It gave me dignity and a future.”
Tsitsi Marata, a nurse, recalled receiving her first pair of school shoes through the programme before eventually qualifying as a nurse.
"They walked with me from primary school through nursing college,” she said.
“The Link did not simply pay my fees — it invested in my future.
“Today I can care for patients and support my own family because of that opportunity.”
Council officials said the bursary programme has done more than finance education. It has broken cycles of poverty, produced professionals across different sectors and created role models for younger generations.
As Kadoma and Stevenage marked 37 years of partnership, both communities reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the relationship and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from a friendship built on compassion, opportunity and shared purpose.
