A K700,000 donation from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is turning into bricks and mortar in Kazungula District — a new classroom block at the newly formed Sekute High School is already more than halfway built. Here’s exactly what the donation funded, how far construction has come, and why the community needed this school in the first place.
⚡ Quick Answer
President Hakainde Hichilema donated K700,000 that is funding a 1×3 classroom block at the new Sekute High School in Kazungula District, Southern Province. The block is already more than 50% complete, with roofing, window frames, and doors in place. The project committee plans to apply for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) support to finish the remaining work.
📋 TL;DR
- The K700,000 was originally intended to expand Sekute Basic School, but the community redirected it to launch a full secondary school.
- Sekute High School was created because pupils previously had to travel 15km to the nearest school offering Grade 7 and above.
- Sekute High School Construction Project Secretary Bonaventure Michelo confirmed the classroom block is past the halfway mark.
- Senior Chief Sekute credited the local council for sinking a borehole to resolve the site’s water access challenges.
- The committee will seek Constituency Development Fund (CDF) assistance to fully complete the project.
What is the Hakainde Hichilema Donation to Sekute High School?
The donation traces back to funds President Hichilema gave for expanding Sekute Basic School in the palace area of Kazungula District. According to Senior Chief Sekute, the community assessed its most urgent need and decided that, given the difficulty learners faced getting to Form 1, the funds should instead go toward starting a secondary school — now known as Sekute High School.
That decision reflects a broader pattern in President Hichilema’s community development activity: rather than a one-off handout, the donation became the seed funding for a project the community itself is helping steer toward completion.
Why Kazungula Needed a New High School
Before this project, the school in the palace area only went up to Grade 6. That left pupils with a difficult choice once they finished:
- Pupils had to travel roughly 15km to reach the nearest school offering Grade 7 and beyond.
- Classrooms in Makunka Village and surrounding areas had become overcrowded as more families sought secondary education access.
- Water access at the new site was a barrier until the local council sunk a borehole to support construction and future operations.
Sekute High School Construction Project Secretary Bonaventure Michelo said the new school will directly ease that overcrowding and reduce dropout rates linked to the long daily commute.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Donor | President Hakainde Hichilema |
| Amount | K700,000 |
| School | Sekute High School (newly established) |
| Location | Kazungula District, Southern Province, Zambia |
| What It Funds | A 1×3 classroom block |
| Construction Status | More than 50% complete (roofing, windows, doors in place) |
| Next Step | Committee to apply for CDF support to finish the project |
| Local Leadership | Senior Chief Sekute; Project Secretary Bonaventure Michelo |
Construction Progress So Far
Project Secretary Bonaventure Michelo described the classroom block as more than halfway complete, with the following already in place:
- Roofing materials installed
- Window frames fitted
- Doors already in place
Michelo was clear that this is “just the starting point” — once the school is fully operational, he expects it to benefit the wider community by easing overcrowding and cutting dropout rates tied to the long walk to the nearest secondary school.
Before vs. After: What Changes for Sekute Pupils
| Factor | Before Sekute High School | After Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Highest grade locally available | Grade 6 | Form 1 and beyond, on-site |
| Distance to secondary school | ~15km commute | Available within the community |
| Classroom congestion | Overcrowding in Makunka Village area | Expected to decongest nearby schools |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the K700,000 donation always meant for a high school?
No. The funds were originally donated to expand Sekute Basic School. The community, led by Senior Chief Sekute, redirected the project toward building a secondary school after identifying it as the more pressing need.
Is Sekute High School open yet?
Not yet. As of the latest update, the 1×3 classroom block is over 50% complete, with the project committee planning to seek CDF assistance to finish the remaining work before the school becomes operational.
Who is overseeing the construction?
Bonaventure Michelo, Sekute High School Construction Project Secretary, is overseeing progress, alongside Senior Chief Sekute and the local council, which addressed the site’s water access by sinking a borehole.
Where is Sekute High School located?
It is located in the palace area of Kazungula District, Southern Province, Zambia, near Sekute Basic School and Makunka Village.
This project fits a wider pattern of community-directed development across Zambia’s Southern Province. For the original on-the-ground report this article is based on, read Open Zambia’s original report on the Sekute High School donation.
Written by Freddy John, International & Current Affairs Desk, SeminarsOnly News. Freddy covers community development, education funding, and public-interest stories across Africa and South Asia, cross-checking on-the-ground reporting against original sources before publishing.
Last reviewed for accuracy: July 22, 2026. Primary source: Open Zambia. This is a developing project; construction progress and completion timelines may change.
