Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Town Council (CTC) chairperson Gibson Hwende has invited well-wishers and business community to extend their hand towards the construction of a high density house to a local man with visual impairment.
The intended beneficiary Vengani Framinga Musendekwa (55) was allocated a stand by CTC in 2011 but has been struggling to mobilize resources towards construction of a property on the stand.
Hwende who once made headlines in late 2018 after he was elected the chairperson of the local authority by declining council offer to buy him a vehicle, after his predecessor Zanu PF’s Francis Moyo walked out with a Toyota D4D Twin Cab as his package, has once again directed the local authority to directly deposit his monthly ZW $60 000 allowance into Musendekwa’s account to cater for the construction of a house in Makondo extension.
Speaking during his visit to Musendekwa’s house, Hwende said he discovered the need to help with resource mobilization towards the construction of a house after his visit to check on their upkeep as he is the administering councilor.
“These are my close relatives whom I have been in touch with since 2013. I was here sometime when they gave me a list of the basic commodities they were highly in need of. So during that time, I learned that Musendekwa has been struggling to construct on her stand in Makondo Extension which she got from the local authority in 2011.
“So I have decided to mobilize resources towards the construction of the house as I have engaged friends from the Diaspora, well-wishers and the business community to give a helping hand.
“I have since directed the local authority to deposit all of my monthly allowances into Musendekwa’s account to help her towards the construction of the house. We have also formulated a coordination committee for transparency and accountability purposes including Pastor Taibu and PWD provincial chairperson Taona Chenjerai,” said Hwende.
Pastor Taibu also praised Hwende for keeping his word towards this noble cause.
“This was supposed to be the work of the church, but you decided to take it upon your shoulders. The word Baba goes beyond wearing of a trousers. In fact it was derived from a Greek word ‘ABA’ which means a man of responsibility. We want you to keep your word and deliver. My joy lies in delivering than just promising,” said Taibu.
Chenjerai also said the helping hand is highly recommendable.
“When I heard of this initiative by chairperson, I was happy to be part of it, but however, PLWD should be prioritized not lip praised. During allocation of stands, they should be given a grace period to pay because much of their earning comes from begging, imagine raising money to pay for a stand through begging, it’s very difficult,” said Chenjerai
Musendekwa also welcomed the aid and insisted that council differentiate herself from most people who come with a helping aid and ended up being empty promises.
“I had nothing else to think off, all that came into my mind is that I had failed to construct that house. I was just praying to God, as God always intervene whenever we had gone out of ideas. Let it not be just empty promises, which many people used to do,” said Musendekwa.
The house is poised to be finished by the end of July as most of the resources required for the construction of the foundation and concrete footing have been put in place.
Hwende left groceries to the three families who are currently housed at one of Nesbit Arms properties in Chiredzi.
