EDITORIAL COMMENT: Let’s plough back into communities

MOST influential figures in the world made it to the top through focus, sacrifice and dedication.

In most cases, they got help from benefactors who might have died or still live.

Each time their success stories are told, they touch millions of hearts.

Not only do they inspire those in despair but they give hope to current and future generations.

By inspiring a new generation, they are sowing seeds of success.

These game-changers are never shy to share their trials and tribulations each time they get a platform.

With the advent of technology, their stories are now being captured in documentaries, or motivational books.

To strangers, it’s hard to believe how determined they were to clear the hurdles they faced.

Some would sleep on empty tummies while others walked long distances to school barefoot.

Resentment, embarrassment and ridicule are some of the challenges they tackled head on.

However, there are some who easily forget their roots when they make it to the top.

Some even forget those who made them iconic figures.

There are some who no longer want to be associated with the people who made them heroes/heroines.

This comes when they amass both fame and fortune.

Yesterday, we ran a story of a local entrepreneur who honoured teachers and learners at the schools he attended in the Seke communal lands.

The businessman, despite being known for splashing wads of cash to top artists during Zim dancehall shows, donated stationery to his former school.

He also saluted one of the long-serving teachers at the school.

The businessman’s gesture is all that is expected of influential figures who have made it in life.

By giving back to the community, we are giving a life to the less privileged.

By championing charity work, we are building a better nation.

Being known for throwing lavish parties without helping the poor means nothing.

As they say, life is too short but there is always a need to remember our roots.

Failure to do so will always come to haunt us or our children.

A small token of appreciation to those who paved the way for us, when we were down, comes with blessings.

After all, changing someone’s life, especially the downtrodden, and those in despair, makes the world a better place to live in.

As a nation, we should be remembered for uplifting each other.

However, helping the poor does not only apply to influential figures alone but to all of us.

In some cases, life-changing advice can easily change someone’s life.

In our communities, we have people who are stingy with knowledge which can change someone’s life.

Let’s cherish and embrace each other by ploughing back into our communities.

Charity should begin at home.

By ploughing back into our communities, we are setting good examples of Ubuntu.