Knowledge Mhlanga
CHIPINGE – In a show of common purpose never experienced in
Chipinge district for years, thousands of people of different statuses poured
at Freedom Farm at Mount Selinda for the official launch of the Friends of
Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole (Forns) Trust and for the celebration of the life
and legacy of the late liberation struggle icon.
Chipinge district for years, thousands of people of different statuses poured
at Freedom Farm at Mount Selinda for the official launch of the Friends of
Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole (Forns) Trust and for the celebration of the life
and legacy of the late liberation struggle icon.
The trust was formed and registered
on February 05 as a non-profit organization under the Zimbabwean Deeds Trust
Act and was officially launched on the 20th of July 2019.
on February 05 as a non-profit organization under the Zimbabwean Deeds Trust
Act and was officially launched on the 20th of July 2019.
It is spearheaded by a board of
seven directors who draw inspiration from the late Rev Sithole (July 21, 1920 –
December 12, 2000) who did a sterling job for the nation as an educationist and
a theological minister.
seven directors who draw inspiration from the late Rev Sithole (July 21, 1920 –
December 12, 2000) who did a sterling job for the nation as an educationist and
a theological minister.
The FORNS Trust, which was attended
by thousands of people including Clerics, Politicians, Teachers, Students,
Churches, Leaders of different Organizations, Chiefs, Media House
representatives, common people as well as other professionals, was officially
endorsed by Dr. Sibangalizwe. M. Nkomo of Joshua Nhomo Legacy and Restoration
Trust who was among the dignitaries at the function.
by thousands of people including Clerics, Politicians, Teachers, Students,
Churches, Leaders of different Organizations, Chiefs, Media House
representatives, common people as well as other professionals, was officially
endorsed by Dr. Sibangalizwe. M. Nkomo of Joshua Nhomo Legacy and Restoration
Trust who was among the dignitaries at the function.
Speaking at the event, Forns field
operations director Silas Chawira said the Sithole name ought to be
immortalised by the work of the people whom he work to uplift.
operations director Silas Chawira said the Sithole name ought to be
immortalised by the work of the people whom he work to uplift.
“We are here to celebrate the life
of Rev Sithole and all that he did for us before his death. We commit to work
to further his vision for a better society with less suffering,” said Chawira.
of Rev Sithole and all that he did for us before his death. We commit to work
to further his vision for a better society with less suffering,” said Chawira.
He said Sithole had laid a strong
foundation for a more compassionate society that looks after the interest of
others.
foundation for a more compassionate society that looks after the interest of
others.
A physically-challenged woman, Rachel
Sibanda was all smiles after she received wheel chair courtesy of Chipinge West
Member of Parliament (MP) Sibonile Nyamudeza.
Sibanda was all smiles after she received wheel chair courtesy of Chipinge West
Member of Parliament (MP) Sibonile Nyamudeza.
Many other people who attended the
event expressed conviction that the thoughts, intentions, ideology and deeds of
Sithole selfless.
event expressed conviction that the thoughts, intentions, ideology and deeds of
Sithole selfless.
Others said his values and
intentions were to attain freedom for all citizens and help create an
enlightened society.
intentions were to attain freedom for all citizens and help create an
enlightened society.
Among the objectives of Forns are
to promote and advance early children development education for orphans and the
less privileged and to empower communities to effectively respond to HIV and Aids.
to promote and advance early children development education for orphans and the
less privileged and to empower communities to effectively respond to HIV and Aids.
The organisation is also aimed at
fighting other social challenges that impact of the day to day lives of the
people of Chipinge.
fighting other social challenges that impact of the day to day lives of the
people of Chipinge.
Forns says it will work alongside
communities to identify needs and solutions and collaborate with local and international
partners, community groups, government and faith-based organisations to respond
to needs in such sectors as livelihoods, health, child protection and community
development.
communities to identify needs and solutions and collaborate with local and international
partners, community groups, government and faith-based organisations to respond
to needs in such sectors as livelihoods, health, child protection and community
development.
It will also work to advance knowledge
and skills in the arts and culture by focusing on such trades as welding, fabrication,
agriculture, cutting and design, construction and sports to all beneficiaries.
and skills in the arts and culture by focusing on such trades as welding, fabrication,
agriculture, cutting and design, construction and sports to all beneficiaries.
The organisation looks forward to setting
up the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole Museum, his statue, the Gogo Canaan Mafu
Clinic (in honour of Sithole’s wife), a university and a polytechnic as well as
to construct a bridge at Chako.
up the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole Museum, his statue, the Gogo Canaan Mafu
Clinic (in honour of Sithole’s wife), a university and a polytechnic as well as
to construct a bridge at Chako.
Other areas of the organisation’s
interest are mobilising aid for Kubatana High School, to help Checheche High
School to transform into a boarding school and to help the less-privileged
people in local communities.
interest are mobilising aid for Kubatana High School, to help Checheche High
School to transform into a boarding school and to help the less-privileged
people in local communities.
The Rev Ndabaningi Sithole Centre
will be located at Freedom Farm at Mount Selinda and will comprise training
rooms, a museum, a library, archives and an education resource centre. There
will also be a community media centre, cultural performance and production
spaces, a lodge, conference facilities, a restaurant, a memorabilia shop and a
commemorative garden.
will be located at Freedom Farm at Mount Selinda and will comprise training
rooms, a museum, a library, archives and an education resource centre. There
will also be a community media centre, cultural performance and production
spaces, a lodge, conference facilities, a restaurant, a memorabilia shop and a
commemorative garden.
The centre aspires to host a national
dialogue series and a Rev Ndabaningi Sithole Memorial Lecture while publishing a
periodic journal featuring contributions by topical experts and lay people.
dialogue series and a Rev Ndabaningi Sithole Memorial Lecture while publishing a
periodic journal featuring contributions by topical experts and lay people.
Other activities that the
organisation expects to set-up are a dynamic internet platform, yearly
festivals or events such as life and legacy celebrations, schools’ competitions,
quiz, sports galas, memorial invitational games, birthday invitational games, cancer
awareness, HIV and Aids awareness, and Women Day celebrations.
organisation expects to set-up are a dynamic internet platform, yearly
festivals or events such as life and legacy celebrations, schools’ competitions,
quiz, sports galas, memorial invitational games, birthday invitational games, cancer
awareness, HIV and Aids awareness, and Women Day celebrations.
