…business people scramble with life changing pledges
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, A British statesman, soldier and writer who served as the British Prime Minister twice once wrote, ‘We make a living by what we get, But we make a life by what we give’ which resonates well with what the Lowveld Business Development Association (LOBDA) recently exhibited towards People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) by opening more opportunities for the former.
The initiative included provision of funds towards getting drivers licenses.
In late November 2022, LOBDA, a grouping of business organizations operating in the Lowveld sought donations from various organizations and well-wishers towards its Christmas cheer fund which was set to benefit People Living with Disabilities, the underprivileged as well as child headed families before later on handing over hampers to 200 beneficiaries at a colourful Christmas party held at Tshovani Stadium this week.
Over 200 beneficiaries received food hampers worth US$ 3500 consisting of one bar washing soap, 2 kg flour, 2 kg rice, 2 litres cooking oil, 10 kg mealie meal, 1 kg pasta and 2 kg sugar in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Lovemore Matuke.
Speaking during the ceremony, one beneficiary Yubi Mtunzana appreciated the gesture from the business community and narrated how difficult it is to be living with a disability in the community.
“It seems to be a curse to be a person living with a disability. Women are usually being divorced for conceiving disabled children. I just want to appreciate the gesture by LOBDA for remembering us this festive season. These people are into business, where they incur both profits and losses but they chose to remember us with the little they got. I just want to emphasize the need for government to enable an environment conducive for those living with disabilities by ensuring all infrastructures to be easily accessible by PLWDs,” said Mtunzana.
Matuke also praised LOBDA for remembering the underprivileged, saying the organization has done a great job which men of the cloth are failing to.
“These people came here to do business and if you have seen them making such contributions as plough back to the community, it is highly commendable. Most church goers don’t know who to support, rather in order for God to bless them more, they should be helping those in need in our communities,” said Matuke.
Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu praised LOBDA for leading by example.
“Ever since I was one of the Directors in Tongaat, we had a number of associations by businesspeople here in Chiredzi but they never reached this far, remembering the needy people in our community. Being disabled is very difficult, so we need to cherish them and applaud the women for the sacrifices they give to their children,” said Musikavanhu.
Business people Baldwin Magumbe Director for Safeways Driving School pledged to facilitate licenses for 20 PLWDs while LOBDA Chairperson Venancio Kurauone also pledged to pay school fees for 10 children with parents living with disabilities at Chiredzi Christian College.
