ZVISHAVANE – The Zvishavane Lions Club last week Saturday extended a helping hand to the needy by donating food and other basics to inmates at the local Jairos Jiri home.
Speaking at the event, Lions Club district 412A governor, David Saunyama said social responsibility in the form of giving back to the community was part of the club’s core objectives.
“We as Lions Club know that our duty is to serve the community. We have identified areas and groups of people who are in need and Jairos Jiri was identified as one such institution that requires a helping hand,” said Saunyama.
Jairos Jiri Zvishavane acting director, Nomatter Chagwinya expressed gratitude for the generous gesture, saying what the club had done should inspire others to help.
“We struggle to find enough food for the people we look after. There is also a severe lack of medication and other basics due to lack of money. I would like to thank the Lions Club for coming to our rescue. With the staff they have donated, we can go for days,” said Chagwinya.
She later told TellZim News that the Zvishavane Jairos Jiri home was running poultry projects that were helping to meet some of the institution’s dietary needs as well as to raise money for other necessities.
The institution, which was opened in 1977, has Nyarayi Mashavidze (105) as the oldest female inmate while James Romani (70) is the oldest male inmate.
Another female inmate, Rebecca Jakata (95), said as an elderly person, there were few things that were as critical to her wellbeing as medication.
“Medication is what we need every day so we thank Lions Club for bringing that to us. Our days will be better this time around,” said Jakata.
Lions Club Zvishavane promised to drill a borehole and install a water storage tank to help the institution start a small irrigation project.local

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday officially opened the first session of the ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe amid pomp and fanfare in Harare.
The event was, however, dented by opposition MDC Alliance MPs who heckled Mnangagwa and walked out on him as he began to read his speech in the parliament building.
The event started with a long, winding procession of sleek cars and outriders from State House to parliament building, with Mnagangwa later inspecting a guard of honour mounted by soldiers from Presidential Guard 1 Battalion.
In his State of the Nation (Sona) speech, Mnangagwa touched on many areas affecting the country and urged MPs to fully participate in efforts to revive the economy.
“We carry our people’s hopes, dreams and aspirations and trust has been placed on each and every one of us. It is therefore encouraged of us to work tirelessly as servant leaders in love unity and harmony,” Mnangagwa said.
He said his administration was committed to depart from the past by prioritising the economy over political posturing.
The opposition MPs who booed and walked out on Mnangagwa, however, said they did not recognise him as the legitimate President as he ‘stole’ their leader Nelson Chamisa’s victory.
“Vhoti yangu vhoti yangu, ndikafunga vhoti yangu, ndinorara ndigere (My vote my vote, it’s painful when I think of my stolen vote,” they sang in unison.
Opposition leader in the house, Thabitha Khumalo later told iTell News that they were making a statement against Mnangagwa’s ‘illegitimate’ leadership.
“We are sending a message to Mnangagwa that he should respect the will of the people not to decorate this country with soldiers and horses for the 9th session when people are dying of cholera,” she said.
Newly-appointed MDC Alliance vice president and senator, Morgen Komichi indicated the opposition coalition will make similar protests in the future.politics

Masvingo – Prison Ministries International Zimbabwe (PMIZ) chapter founder and president, Noah Masimba Pashapa has said it is the duty of all people to work for the rehabilitation of prisoners so as to prevent repeat offending and create a safer society.
Speaking during the 18th graduation and 6th ordination ceremonies on Saturday, September 08 at AFM New life Centre Assembly in Pangolin, Masvingo, Pashapa said his organisation would continue doing its part for the kind of Zimbabwe that all people wish to see.
He outlined PMIZ’s focus areas as rehabilitation of inmates and victims of crime, sustainable reintegration of ex-inmates as well as reducing recidivism and crime.
Graduands were drawn from stations namely Chitungwiza, Masvingo, Gweru while ordinands were from such places as Rusape, Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Redclif, Zvishavane, Masvingo and Whawha.
“We are currently looking at improving conditions in prisons by drilling boreholes, building clinics, and starting small industries for example shoe manufacturing, confectioneries as well as cutting and designing. Businesses such as supermarkets should look at the possibility of getting their stock from prisons. The revenue would then be deposited to inmates’ accounts so that they would get start-up capital after leaving prison,” Pashapa said.
He said PMIZ was committed to partner government in crime reduction efforts by helping to rehabilitate convicted criminals.
One ex-inmate testified that he had stopped committing crime and was now focusing on keeping rabbits and chickens courtesy of an empowerment programme by PMIZ.
“I have since found a new lifestyle for myself after discovering that I can begin all over again. The rehabilitation programme by PMIZ has helped me to turn a page,” said the ex-convict.
The occasion was also graced by Mutimirefu Prison Choir, with graduands being challenged to seek God if they want the strength to turn a corner.crime