Online Reporter
LAST week in this newspaper we featured an advertorial which chronicled the amazing journey of William Mahlunge, also known as General Don Emrys Shumbaz Mhondoro and Muparendi Wigo.
He is a 45-year-old humanitarian who has dedicated his life to helping others.
Born in Zimbabwe, William’s journey has taken him to the UK where he has built a successful career and now gives back to his community in various ways.
William’s story as an adult started when he got a job at Aroma Bakeries where he worked as a truck driver before he moved to the UK, at the age of 20, in search of better opportunities.
He revealed that his early days in the UK were marked by struggles, including working without proper documents and facing challenges in receiving his salary.
The people whose names he would use to find employment would not give him his money after the wages were paid in their accounts.
However, he persevered and eventually found employment at Nandos, where he worked as a Griller (braai meat handler).
A chance encounter with a friend from church led to a cleaning job, which proved to be a turning point in his life.
The cleaning job enabled William to save money, buy his first house and venture into the transport business in Zimbabwe.
He joined the British army in 2006.
The discipline and values he learnt during his time in the army have had a lasting impact on his life.
The values include courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment.
William was inspired by Bob Marley’s philosophy where the late reggae icon emphasised that true wealth lies in being alive, not just in accumulating money and riches.
Today, William is a successful businessman who feels blessed to have achieved his goals. He believes it’s time to give back to his community and help those in need and he has been doing just that.
He celebrated this year’s Mother’s Day at Bumhudzo Old People’s Home.
He wants to provide a safe haven for children in need, just as his mother provided for him.
He plans to organise a campaign to combat drug and substance abuse among the youths.
He faces significant challenges including finding sizable and suitable land big enough for the magnitude of the orphanage home and old people’s and under privileged people homes he wants to build.
We need more people like William who appreciate that they have to help other people who are facing various challenges.
We need more people like William who understand that they can use the riches they would have acquired to change the lives of others, especially the less fortunate members of our society.
We need more successful Zimbabweans, who have struck it rich in the Diaspora, to use their money to change the lives of those who are still home and find themselves at such places like Bumhudzo Old People’s Home.
The authorities should also help him secure the land he needs for his projects where he is helping our people.
