ZOU Vice Chancellor Leads 18.5KM ‘Walk4aPurpose’ to Fund Epworth ECD Centre of Excellence
The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) demonstrated its commitment to community development and the nation’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy on Friday, 5 December 2025, as Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Henry Gundani, successfully led the Vice Chancellor’s Sponsored Walk.
The 18.5-kilometre trek, aptly themed “Walk4aPurpose: Step in the Name of the Underprivileged!”, began at ZOU Corner House in the Harare city centre and culminated at the construction site in Glenwood Park, Epworth. The sponsored walk was a major fundraising drive to secure the necessary resources for the construction of a state-of-the-art Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre of Excellence in the area.
Addressing participants and community members upon arrival, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Gundani, highlighted the significance of the event beyond a mere physical challenge. “This Sponsored Walk is more than a fundraising activity—it is a reaffirmation of the Zimbabwe Open University’s mandate to serve communities and to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.”
The initiative aligns with the national call to champion Heritage-Based Education 5.0, which mandates universities to move beyond the traditional pillars of Teaching, Research, and Community Service to include Innovation and Industrialisation.
Professor Gundani stressed the direct impact of the funds raised: “Every step of this 18.5-kilometer journey is a direct investment into the construction of this new ECD Centre, ensuring that the most vulnerable children in Epworth have access to a quality foundation for learning and growth.”
The event received a significant governmental seal of approval from the Guest of Honour, Honourable Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa, the Member of Parliament for Hunyani Constituency, who was represented by the District Development Coordinator, Mrs. Shumirai Magungano.
In his address, read by Mrs. Magungano, the Deputy Minister commended ZOU’s vision, noting that the university is acting as an “engine of national development and custodians of community upliftment.” He further assured the university of government support, stating the project “resonates deeply with Zimbabwe’s educational infrastructural developmental aspirations, as it contributes directly to the creation of a more empowered, transformed, and prosperous communities” under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).
The ambitious fundraising target for the comprehensive project is $671,119.40. The completed ECD Centre of Excellence is planned to comprise five key structures:
- The ECD Learning Block
- The Ablution and Septic tank block
- The Multi-purpose Hall
- The Cultural Hut
- The Fowl Run
The Vice Chancellor described the facility as one that “will not only provide high-quality ECD services but will also stand as a living example of Heritage-Based Education 5.0 in practice, bringing innovation to underserved communities.”
The walk attracted a diverse mix of participants, including ZOU staff, students, alumni, community members, and partners like the Herentals Group of Colleges and Schools and Crowe Zimbabwe. The atmosphere at the finishing line was one of collective resolve, reinforced by testimonials from beneficiaries of ZOU’s short course programs.
The event concluded with a powerful shared message from the leadership: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (A nation is built by its owners/people), marking a key milestone in ZOU’s mission to uplift and empower underprivileged communities through inclusive education.
Sponsored walk gallery
