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RESIDENTS of Hokonya Village in Chivhu got an early Christmas present when superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, high-flying Jah Prayzah and dendera crooner Suluman Chimbetu delivered free pulsating performances last Sunday.
The superstars were performing at the launch of the Alfred Dondo Foundation.
The foundation adopted 35 children on the day, 10 of them disabled, while the rest are orphans from the different parts of Chivhu district.
This foundation will see more school children being adopted by the group of companies.
Although many companies spoil their workers with Christmas parties during this time of the year, this particular one was spectacular as it featured the country’s top acts on the entertainment scene.
The musicians were at their usual best and the community enjoyed their Christmas present. In addition to that, there was food and drinks for everyone.
During the event, 22 employees from the Impala Group were honoured for their outstanding work throughout the year.
The event was graced by several business executives, traditional leaders, celebrities and thousands of villagers from the area who had come to celebrate with the company.
In an interview, Impala Group’s chief executive officer Thompson Dondo said the foundation had been set-up in honour of his late brother, Alfred who was a co-founder of the group of companies.
“My brother is not here to see his dream come true but we remembered and honoured his wish today. We used to help the underprivileged kids from our area using funds from our companies and the trend will continue, this time on an official platform,” said Dondo.
At the event, Mtukudzi planted three trees symbolising the three companies founded by the Dondo brothers — Panacea 24, Swine Company and Impala Car Hire.
“Mtukudzi is an icon. We saw it fit that he plants these trees because he is a living legend who has had a long successful life, the kind we wish for this foundation.”
“We will be buying uniforms, clothes, groceries and paying school fees for the kids’ until they reach whatever level of education that their mental capacities will have allowed them to.
“We have also adopted children with special needs with some of them in need of wheelchairs, some need hearing aids, others are deaf and dumb and others are blind,” added Dondo.
The Impala group head added that more partners need to be brought in to grow the foundation so as to help more children.
“We decided to take in these 35 children because this is what our resources permit for now, but as our pockets get fatter we will definitely be taking in more kids.”
Every year, the company throws a Christmas party for its employees in Chivhu where the Swine Company, one of the leading subsidiaries of the group is head-quartered.
Online Reporter