Online Reporter
Christopher Nyika [email protected]
FOR Brigadier-General Dr Million Ndlovu, returning to Lupane is more than a homecoming — it is an opportunity to inspire young people from the community that shaped him to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams and stay away from drugs and substance abuse.
Coming from the Gatsheni area, Dr Ndlovu has turned his personal achievements in the military, academia and agriculture into a platform for giving back to his community and creating opportunities for young people.
His vision came to the fore during the three-day ‘Gatsheniville Extravaganza’ held at St Paul’s Mission in Lupane, which brought together the community through sport, entertainment and a medical outreach programme.
The initiative is providing young people with positive activities while demonstrating that their rural background does not have to limit their aspirations.
Gatsheniville secretary-general Miss Princess Sibanda said the extravaganza was an opportunity to showcase the village while giving young people constructive activities to occupy themselves.
She said the sporting and social activities were particularly important in helping secondary school pupils and other young people stay away from drugs and substances such as ‘Njengu’.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity to put Gatsheniville on the map while giving our young people something positive to engage in. We want our youths and secondary school pupils to stay away from drugs and substances such as Njengu,” she said.
The initiative comes at a time when communities are increasingly looking for practical ways of protecting young people from drug and substance abuse, with organisers believing that sport, skills development, education and positive role models can help provide alternatives.
Dr Ndlovu’s own journey provides that example. By returning to his roots and investing his time, resources and influence in the community, he is showing young people that success can be used not only for personal advancement but also to uplift others.
The event was attended by Commander 1 Infantry Brigade Brigadier-General Ernest Shamu, Brigadier-General Mpoeng Siziba, general officers, senior officers, members of the business community and other stakeholders.
Discovery Ambulance Services chief executive officer and founder Dr David Munowenyu, who was the guest of honour, said Brig-Gen Dr Ndlovu was his friend and commended him for using his influence and achievements to uplift his community.
Dr Munowenyu said leadership should be measured by the difference leaders make in the lives of people around them.
“I want to recognise Brigadier-General Dr Ndlovu for bringing us together through this important initiative. He has shown beyond doubt that he is a true patriot who shares his achievements with his community,” he said.
Dr Munowenyu also praised Brig-Gen Dr Ndlovu for combining his military career, academic achievements and passion for agriculture with initiatives aimed at benefitting the Gatsheni community.
He said he was particularly impressed by Dr Ndlovu’s farming initiatives, which he said were helping provide fresh produce to the community.
The extravaganza also featured a medical outreach by Discovery Ambulance Services, which provided health consultations, screenings, treatment, health education and first-aid training to members of the public.
Dr Munowenyu said the outreach demonstrated the importance of taking healthcare services directly to communities.
“Every community deserves access to quality healthcare, health information and the skills needed to respond when an emergency occurs,” he said.
The event also created a skills-development opportunity for young people, with Dr Munowenyu announcing that Discovery Ambulance Services would sponsor one person from the St Paul’s community for a National Certificate in Paramedics.
He urged young people to acquire skills and use them to serve their communities.
The gesture adds another dimension to Brig-Gen Dr Ndlovu’s vision of a community where young people can look beyond drugs and other social ills and pursue productive opportunities.
For Dr Ndlovu, the message from his home area is bigger than a three-day celebration as the young people of Lupane can draw inspiration from someone who came from among them, pursued his ambitions and returned home determined to open doors for the next generation.
