Background

The Polytechnic was established in 1981 as one of the four Zimbabwe Integrated Teacher Education Course (ZINTEC) training colleges whose function was to produce a General Primary School teacher. Originally, the institution’s name was Gwanda ZINTEC before it changed briefly to Gwanda Teachers’ College. In 2003, it became a dual institution, taking on board the training of both teachers and technicians, changing its name to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic. The institution introduced the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme in 2005, which programme then ran concurrently with the General Primary School Teacher Training Programme. In 2018, it evolved into a 3-in-1 institution by taking on board the Secondary School Science Teacher Training Programme.

The Division of Teacher Education is an annex of the University of Zimbabwe, Diploma in Education program. Learners are registered and examined by this standard. On the hand, the Division of Technical Education runs the Higher Education Examinations Council curriculum, HEXCO, producing graduates for industry and commerce.

Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic is located in Gwanda town, Matabeleland South Province. We have two campuses. The Old Site campus, home to some of our Division of Technical Education courses, lies in the heart of Spitzkop Township, reaching learners in the surrounding locations and beyond. The New Site campus occupies the eastern boarder of the town, as you exit towards Beitbridge. It is home to the Administration Offices and the Division of Teacher Education courses, and some Division of Technical Education Courses.