Maitengwe Trending Weekend Stories: Headmaster appoints his Form 2 son as senior prefect

By Yours Truly
It’s another week and we are in Domboodema!

Last week, it was reported that the headmaster was still awaiting a response from the district offices regarding his extension request. Word on the ground suggested that the answer could come sometime in May. Local businessmen, Mathambo and Paul, have been eagerly hoping for a favorable outcome- perhaps with plans of their own quietly tied to that extension. Because, as many are now saying, the intention behind the extension may not be about continuing to teach, but rather to block the deputy headmaster from stepping up.
But this week… something happened at the school that left even villagers completely stunned.
The headmaster appointed his own son, a Form 2 student, as the Senior Prefect.
Yes, you read that right.
Sources say this decision has sparked serious tension within the school. More deserving, more senior students were sidelined without explanation. Frustration is boiling beneath the surface.
And that’s not all.
Your correspondent has learned of an A-Level student - a talented and promising young girl — who was widely expected to rise further in leadership. She had already been a prefect since Form 3 and was seen as a strong candidate for head girl. Instead, she was stripped of her position as school captain and reduced to an ordinary student. Why? Allegedly because of her connection to the deputy headmaster.
Meanwhile, back in the village, businessman Mathambo has taken his campaign beyond the school gates. He has reportedly been moving from church to church in Dombodema, trying to win over parents and build support for his ambitions of becoming headmaster - despite lacking teaching experience.
What’s raising eyebrows, however, is not just the ambition… but the delivery.
Those who have seen him speak describe him as a struggling orator - unable to clearly articulate his ideas in public. Once he holds the microphone, he reportedly loses direction, mumbling through praise for the current headmaster, insisting that the school is performing well.
But on the ground, the story is very different.
The school is said to be underperforming, with students allegedly going hungry. There are also murmurs - serious ones-— that certain businessmen may be siphoning school funds in collaboration with the headmaster.
These are heavy claims.
We will continue to follow developments in Dombodema closely, especially as the district’s decision on the headmaster’s extension looms.
Now, we shift to South Africa.
Your correspondent is pleased to report that “icinathunjana lelizwe” — the so-called last-born of the nation — Bellarmine is back home after spending more than 70 days in a South African prison.
He received a hero’s welcome upon his release on Wednesday.
But the story has a bitter twist.
His cousin, Tobia, was left behind — now serving a three-year sentence.
It leaves many wondering: how did one walk free while the other remained behind? Some are already speculating about possible deals… or sacrifices made behind closed doors. Playing with the “rich kids,” as they say, can come at a cost.
But as always — hmmm… mina zwiiii.

Still in South Africa, the anti-foreigner marches continued throughout the week.
But your correspondent has one simple question for the marchers:
After all the marching…
How many foreigners actually left?
And how many South Africans got jobs?
Just asking.
That’s all for this week’s Maitengwe Trending Stories.
Until next week , stay informed, stay sharp.
Asante.