harare24dmin Nkayi South Member of Parliament Hon. Jabulani Hadebe has been hailed for hands-on leadership after a Grade 6 learner from Tshanke Primary School, Thabani Ncube, secured a prestigious sports scholarship to the Southern Africa International School of Sport (SAISS) in Harare.
Thabani’s scholarship follows an outstanding showing at the 2025 Schools Athletic Competitions in Eswatini, where he represented Zimbabwe and caught the attention of SAISS selectors. For a learner from a remote rural school, the achievement marks a rare breakthrough into elite sports and academic development.
Announcing the milestone, Hadebe said he was “thrilled” by the young athlete’s success.
“I am thrilled to announce that Thabani Ncube, a talented young athlete from Tshanke Primary School, has been awarded a sports scholarship to join the esteemed Southern Africa International School of Sport in Harare,” said Hadebe.
The legislator revealed that his support went beyond congratulations, stepping in to remove practical barriers that often prevent rural learners from accessing international opportunities.
“As his Member of Parliament, I am proud to have supported Thabani Ncube’s participation in the competition by securing a passport and providing R1 000 pocket money to enable him to showcase his talents on the international stage,” Hadebe said.
Thabani, currently in Grade 6, has shown exceptional promise in athletics, with his Eswatini performance standing out among competitors from across the region. According to Hadebe, the scholarship is recognition not only of the learner’s talent but of what rural children can achieve when given timely support.
“Thabani has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in athletics, and his performance representing Zimbabwe drew the attention of SAISS selectors,” he said.
Hadebe described SAISS as an institution that offers more than sports training, noting its holistic approach to child development.
“SAISS is renowned for its world-class facilities and its comprehensive model that combines academic excellence with sports development,” he said.
Community leaders and parents in Nkayi South say the MP’s intervention sends a strong message that rural talent matters and deserves investment. For many families, costs such as travel documents and basic upkeep are often the biggest obstacles to opportunity.
The gesture has strengthened Hadebe’s reputation as a people-centred legislator whose involvement extends beyond parliamentary duties to direct community upliftment. In a constituency where opportunities are scarce, Thabani Ncube’s journey from Tshanke to Harare is now being celebrated as a symbol of hope—and as proof that active political leadership can change lives.
