Gifford High School
Gifford High School is a government-owned boys-only high school in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The school was founded in 1927 as Bulawayo Technical School led by Mr P.H. Gifford and four teachers, with an enrolment of 39 pupils.[1]
High school status was achieved in 1931. Since 1953 it has been located on Matopos Road, just adjacent to Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Show grounds. In 1962, it was renamed in honour of its founder. The school's major rival is Milton High School.
Gifford logo
The school's motto is Hinc Orior which is Latin meaning "From Here I Arise" or specifically "from these beginnings my formed mind springs".
Gifford High School on the internet
Gifford Technical High School Old Boy's Contact List
Clubs
Gifford Junior Debate Club has won debates and public speaking competitions.
- Chess Club
The Chess Club has won the national schools championship and the regional league. Among the chess players who have been produced are Savvas Kyriakides (former Zimbabwe olympiad chess player), Siza Masuku, Ronald Chikwava, Genius Runyowa, Brian Mudhara and Thabang Moyo. Gifford High enjoyed a 10-year unbeaten run in the interschools chess league from 1976 to 1986.
The 21st century saw a rise of a new generation in the Gifford Chess Era. The 1st team which enjoyed an unbeaten run from the year 2004 and 2005 consisted of Nigel Mabhiza, Farai Muguti, Bhekinkosi Silenje, Nqobile Sibindi, Conrad Mpofu and Alphas Chad.
In 2006 a 'dream team' according to the club's coach and mentor Mr J Mpofu emerged, this consisted of the 4A boys Decide Mupande, Thubelihle Ngwenya and Fortune Ndebele and the subtle Brian Mudhara also included in this team was the highly gifted Talent Manyani.
Trevor Sibanda (4a 2011) wrote "After they received theory books the chess team of 2011 became almost unbeatable but this new found skill was not fully exploited. Despite that fact a mere Form two boy has managed to find himself a place in the top six of the team. The 2011 top six are Archford matiringe, Matthew Nyati, Jefferson Metha, Wayne Gazi, Victor Muchemwa and Tatenda Simoyi."
Dino Ndlovu of the Debate Club and Alexander Bent, have become JNR Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and JNR Governor of Zimbabwe respectively. Victor Muchemwa has been awarded a diploma in chess.
Alumni
Notable alumni include
- Oscar Bonginkosi Mdlongw, music producer, performer, radio presenter and entrepreneur
- Ntokozo L Ndhlovu (Webmaster, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) BSc (Hons),Computer Science, NUST
- Brian Kagoro (lawyer, civil activist);
- Dr. Norman Mutangadura, MD and entrepreneur; entertainment and radio personalities
- Brian Davison,[1] cricketer
- Dr. Nzimanyana Mpofu, BSc (Hons), MB BS, MRCGP, FRACGP medical doctor, London, UK ; Perth, Australia (School years: January 1982 – December 1987?
- Simukai Machangu, former SRC president-Solusi President (2002–2003)
- Siza Masuku Real estate and facilities management practitioner, Partner, Knight Frank Zimbabwe
- Davies Mugadza, DJ and radio personality
- Rev Bright Samundombe of ZAOGA FIF
- Shepherd Erick kekani, MD and entrepreneur in printing and graphic arts
- Navigator Ndhlovu, BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Sociology, Politics and Economics) Ruskin College, Oxford; Deputy Manager of Evening Events at Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum and Front of house staff at Oxford University's Museum of Natural History together with the Pitt Rivers Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. .
- Mzingaye Mpoko, BSc (Hons) Pharmacology, University of Zimbabwe, Rosi Pharmacy Pvt Lmt.
References
- 1 2 I.P. Maclaren, ed. (1981), Some Renowned Rhodesian Senior Schools 1892 - 1979, Bulawayo: Books of Zimbabwe, pp. 145–155