By Desire Tshuma
Harare – The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Show 2026 is not just about agriculture this year. For first-time exhibitor Lord Brighton College, it is about planting a different kind of seed — one rooted in hope, heritage and excellence.
Speaking during the college’s debut at the Show today, Lord Brighton College Chief Executive Officer Douglas Mashiri said the institution’s participation was aimed at increasing its visibility and ensuring that its educational philosophy reaches communities beyond its immediate location.
Mashiri said the college had adopted “hope” as its theme for the year, with a deliberate focus on giving learners confidence and opportunities to realise their potential.
“Everything starts with education. We want to have a global view and a national view. Everyone must know about Lord Brighton College,” Mashiri said.
He added that the college had embraced the community around its campus and was determined to give back through civic responsibilities and community engagement.
“Our theme for this year is hope. We want to give hope to all the students that pass through our gates. The students do not have much exposure. That’s where we come in,” he said.
Resilience is another key pillar of the institution’s philosophy, symbolised by the fox, which serves as the school’s emblem.
“We are the foxes. A fox is resilient and patient. It uses its tenacity to get its share of the food chain,” Mashiri said.
The institution also places strong emphasis on excellence and individual talent. Mashiri argued that learners develop their abilities at different stages of their education and that motivation from teachers is critical.
“We believe that every child is talented, but they open their gifts at different times. A child can be talented and a child can work hard, but where we come in is motivation. If the teacher is motivating, the child can reach their potential,” he said.
He explained that the college seeks to identify and nurture individual talents rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
“We identify the talent, measure their talent, and then they will achieve their potential,” he said.
Lord Brighton College caters for learners from early childhood up to Upper Sixth, giving students an opportunity to grow within the institution while being exposed to its values from a young age.
“We enrol from three years up to Upper Sixth,” Mashiri said, adding that manners and discipline were regarded as fundamental aspects of the school’s culture.
The college uses English as its main medium of expression, while encouraging learners to appreciate their backgrounds and understand the values they carry into the wider world. A major component of the college’s educational philosophy is the heritage-based curriculum, which Mashiri described as an important tool for preserving identity and ensuring that learners remain connected to their Zimbabwean roots.
“The heritage-based curriculum is about identity. We are proud that our students must know where they come from,” he said.
To support this, the school has incorporated traditional musical instruments, including the mbira and drums, into its learning environment, allowing learners to engage directly with Zimbabwean cultural traditions.
“They must be able to play that and appreciate that it is part of our culture. It’s our identity. Wherever they go, they will never lose their values as Zimbabweans,” Mashiri said.
The college is also broadening its language programme. Chinese and French are currently being offered as foreign languages, with plans in place to incorporate local languages. Mashiri said the institution wants its learners to develop a strong multilingual foundation, including Shona and Ndebele, alongside English, Chinese and French.
“Ultimately, a student from Lord Brighton College should know at least four languages,” he said.
Mashiri’s remarks underline the college’s broader ambition of combining academic achievement with character development, cultural identity, resilience and exposure. The goal is to prepare learners for an increasingly competitive global environment while keeping them firmly connected to their Zimbabwean heritage.
The college’s participation at the ZAS Harare Show 2026 marks part of its drive to engage with the wider public, showcase its educational model and strengthen its relationship with the community.