Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike, [email protected]
PHILANTHROPY is not limited to financial contributions, but is about investing in the future growth of communities, Acting President Dr Kembo Mohadi has said.
Acting President Dr Mohadi made the remarks yesterday in Harare while handing over buses to Highlanders Football Club, Dudley Primary School and John Landa Nkomo High School on behalf of the Government.
The buses were donated as part of the philanthropic works of businessman, Mr Wicknell Chivayo.
He said Mr Chivayo’s gesture demonstrated the profound impact philanthropy can have on society and served as a reminder that every citizen has a role to play in uplifting communities.
Dr Mohadi added that the benefactor’s commitment to giving back set an inspiring example for others to follow.
The Acting President said the buses, handed over to the two schools and the football club, were more than a means of transport, but symbolised a collective commitment to the development of sport and education within communities.
“Highlanders Football Club, a name synonymous with excellence and pride, will now have enhanced mobility, allowing it to reach new heights in football and engage in broader community activities.
“Landa John Nkomo High School and Dudley Primary School serve as pillars of educational development in our society.
“With these buses, we are not just facilitating transport; we are creating opportunities for our students to participate in extracurricular activities, attend educational trips and ultimately, broaden their horizons.
“This generous contribution reflects a profound impact that philanthropy can have on our society. It is a reminder that each of us has a role to play in uplifting our communities.
“This commitment to giving back sets an inspiring example for others to follow. Philanthropy is not just about financial contributions; it is about investing in the future of our youth and the growth of our communities,” he said.
Dr Mohadi told the benefactor that his investment was for the benefit of future generations and showed that corporate entities could play a pivotal role in nation-building.
“To Mr Wicknell Chivayo, I say, on behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, please continue with your philanthropic work, leaving no one and no place behind.
“Your investments in our sports and education systems are an investment in the future of Zimbabwe. Through your initiatives, you have demonstrated that corporate entities can play a pivotal role in nation-building.
“As we look to the future, let us all commit to nurturing our talents, supporting our institutions and working together for the common good.
“I urge other members of the business community to join Mr Chivayo in this noble cause, recognising that together, we can achieve far more than we can alone,” he said.
The Vice President expressed his gratitude to Mr Chivayo for his generosity, saying:
“May the Lord bless you, as you bless others.”
He also thanked Faramatsi Motors for hosting the handover ceremony.
“Let us move forward with renewed energy and commitment to our communities. Together, we can build a brighter future for our children and our nation.”
On his part, Mr Chivayo said he was deeply humbled, as a young business person, to respond to President Mnangagwa’s call for development under the philosophy, Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo.
“I am among many young Zimbabwean entrepreneurs and philanthropists, who have utilised the vast opportunities created by the Second Republic to conduct business in a manner that contributes to the development of our country towards an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“I am profoundly grateful to the Government for creating a conducive environment where young business people are able to develop our country and give back to the communities and institutions that inspired and shaped us into who we are today,” he said.
Mr Chivayo said Dudley Primary School and John Landa Nkomo High School played a pivotal role in his upbringing.
“I had the privilege of receiving my primary education from Grade One to grade Seven at Dudley Hall School.
“The principles of discipline, calmness, under pressure, hard work and determination were instilled in me at a very young age and those principles remain with me to this very day.
“It is in this regard that I applaud Government and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, in particular, for consistently setting a high standard in public education.
“I, therefore, extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dudley Hall Primary School for laying such a strong foundation in my life.
“Honourable Acting President, John Landa Nkomo’s school also stands as a testament to the vision of the late Vice President of Zimbabwe, Comrade John Landa Nkomo’s dedication to education and national development, which was unquestionable.
“He was an educationist par excellence who represented Government’s long-standing drive to maintain Zimbabwe’s high literacy rate and to ensure that our education system ranks among the best not only in Africa but globally.
“Today that vision continues through national policies such as the Education 5.0 that promotes science, technology, innovation and industrialisation, which have equipped learners to meet Zimbabwe’s digital future,” he said.
Mr Chivayo said he was a devout supporter of Highlanders Football Club and believed in the power of sports to unite communities and create opportunities for young people.
He added that the Second Republic had elevated sport as a platform for social cohesion and youth empowerment.
“As young business people, we are called upon to play our part in national development and today’s ceremony is a reflection of the partnership between Government and the private sector.
“On behalf of the business community, I extend our sincere gratitude to Government for enabling an environment that allows us to conduct our business responsibly and give back to our communities through meaningful corporate social responsibility, such as what we are witnessing today,” he said.
Mr Chivayo expressed appreciation to President Mnangagwa and the Government for embracing the private sector in national development.
“This occasion sends a powerful message that Government values the role of the private sector in complementing national socio-economic development efforts.
“To the recipients of the buses, I congratulate you and honour your contributions to education and sport in our country, as well as personal inspirations, which are inculcated within me and many others.
“As the private sector, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Government’s vision for education, sport, and socio-economic transformation in line with Education 5.0 and Vision 2030,” he said.
Recipients of the buses thanked the Government and Mr Chivayo for the gesture, saying it would enhance their daily operations.
derick.khumalo