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Trust Khosa-Lifestyle Writer
CAPACITY to bring communities together over a shared interest or goal requires credibility and accountability. This calling to positively change somebody’s character, development, or behaviour requires real influencers’ involvement.
In simpler terms, real influencers are people who are changing lives through community-building initiatives. These figures are known for their philanthropic works, settling new trends — milestones and unparalleled humility. Locally, the word influencer is now losing its meaning in social media communities.
Some misguided netizens commanding a huge following have assumed the title of influencers.
Others who have just started small enterprises are desperate to fit in the same league.
In extreme cases, some blokes who hang around with the rich and famous are also masquerading as influencers.
The misuse of this word is now a mockery of the real influencers.
In simpler terms, an influencer is a person who can change lives for the better.
This calling is natural as people should not be coerced or hoodwinked to like them.
In most cases, real influencers prefer keeping a low profile while their work does the talking.
These figures are found in every discipline be it mining, showbiz, farming, entrepreneurship, engineering, medical field and other sectors.
Taking stock of real influencers, The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle spoke to several figures who shared their thoughts on this subject.
Renowned medical practitioner, Dr Johannes Marisa, of Westview Clinics, described an influencer as a figure that impacts people’s lives by providing positive solutions.
Dr Marisa
Known for his philanthropic works, Dr Marisa has been providing free medical services to some creatives.
He has also been ploughing back at his former school, Zimuto High in Masvingo.
“A real influencer is a person who can change other people’s lives, especially the less privileged ones.
“In my case, I have been doing a lot to assist people through the Marisa Foundation. We have drilled boreholes at Zimuto High, teamed up with others and constructed a school block as well as providing tiles among other things,” said Dr Marisa.
The acclaimed academic believes impacting lives positively is a calling that is hard to resist from him.
“I feel proud and happy when people are making testimonies of the good work that we are doing.
“Of course, some of the work that we do is part of our corporate social responsibility programmes but we are glad it has changed many lives.
“I will continue helping others to realise their dreams in life,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Kadoma social worker, businessman and arts promoter, Cosmas Daka aka Cossy Rules.
The astute businessman is known for giving back to the community where he grew up.
He has made it a policy that every November he celebrates his birthday with children at Jairos Jiri Kadoma. “When it comes to giving back to others, God is the only people who use us.
“I have the people of Kadoma at heart because that’s where I was raised over the years.
“I feel it’s now my turn to return the favour because there are people who changed my life at some point,” he said.
Cossy Rules, who made history before he became a Councillor for Kadoma Ward 11 through community projects, believes God is using him uniquely.
“I don’t usually brag about what I do for the community but I just do it from the heart.
“When the Waverly Road was tarred for 800 metres using my resources, I was relieved because that stretch was impassable.
“We have other projects involving refuse collection that we are doing and it makes me happy when the community is clean,” he said.
Cossy Rules, who has done a lot for Kadoma, reckons that real influencers’ works should speak for themselves.
“It’s unfortunate that the term is being abused in some circles but community building should be on top of the priorities of real influencers.
“In my case, I always go out of my way to ensure people of my neighbourhood can connect, engage and collaborate.
“These are some of the initiatives real influencers should always try to achieve to make the society a better place to live,” he said.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Tatenda Mavetera, who has positively impacted the lives of many, has shared her thoughts on influencers’ definition.
Minister Mavetera
“An influencer is an opinion leader in a sector; it is someone who understands the field what they are indulged into and what they then do is to make sure that they contribute to it and influence other people of their age to be able to follow suit to be able to emulate what they are doing,” she said.
The former Studio 263 actress, who has lived in the Midlands and Harare before changing lives in Chikomba as a Member of Parliament, added:
“I would say that my teenage life is a mixture of Harare, Mashonaland East and Midlands.
“All those places are quite important for me to bring positive impact into the people by assisting them, telling them how they are supposed to be patriotic and contribute to national development.
“My piece of advice, that I would give to young girls, is to be focused and determined. If you are consistent in your life, you will never miss anything because people will be able to relate to you.
“Above all, I encourage young people to preserve themselves and be able to be humble.”
In sports development, we have figures like Dr Simba Ndoro who has been doing wonders for his community of Shamva.
A miner, football administrator and real estate developer, Dr Simba has been doing wonders in Shamva. Besides bringing Premier Soccer League football to the mining town, Dr Ndoro has also been playing his role in community development.
His club, Simba Bhora, which is professionally run, has been giving a sense of belief to athletes in Mashonaland Central that dreams can come to pass.
The businessman, who started from humble beginnings, has also played his part in renovating Wadzanai Stadium.
The once derelict stadium was this year homologated to host PSL matches, which has made him a real influencer.
“Dr Simba was raised in Shamva and we are glad that he is giving back to the community where grew up. The good news is that he brought Premier League Soccer to our doorstep and that alone has made him a role model. We are now feeling his influence as a community builder.
Unlike some of his peers who don’t invest in their roots, Dr Simba has changed many lives.
“Talented footballers in Shamva can now afford to dream because they can watch all this action,” said a Shamva resident Joze Kufandiko.
Following in the same footsteps is Mabvuku legislator and miner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya. Scott, who owns Scotland Football Club playing in the Northern Region Division One League, has also been hailed for his philanthropic work in Mabvuku-Tafara.
He has made it a tradition to donate food hampers to the elderly and less privileged members of the community. He has also drilled and rehabilitated community boreholes in the area to ease water woes that had plagued the area for decades.
In literary arts, Chirikure Chirikure has also remembered his kith and kin in Gutu-Masvingo by setting up a community library in Chief Nemashakwe’s area.
These are some of the projects which have made him an influencer.
In academics, Mudiwa Hood has been empowering university students countrywide through his motivational speeches. He has been providing entrepreneurship skills to students to think outside the box. His enthusiasm to empower the students is a step in the right direction for all students who are willing to have a change of mindset.
Mudiwa Hood
These initiatives can only be implemented by real influencers who are determined to change lives.
By changing other people’s lives, Zimbabwe can only progress and realise her potential. Real influencers are needed to make Zimbabwe a better place to live.
Online Reporter