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Several popular musicians will descend on Masvingo on Saturday next week for a concert to raise funds to benefit a patient who is due to travel to India for a kidney transplant. The musical gala, being organised by the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association, will be headlined by dendera musician Suluman Chimbetu and will include gospel musicians Mathias Mhere and Sabatian Magacha.
Other performers to entertain the crowd at the show to be held at the Caravan Park will be veteran sungura singer Somandla Ndebele and gifted dancer Zoey Sifelani.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, ZAHA director general Killer Zivhu, who is also the Chivi Rural District Council chairman, said they were touched by Mollen Makoni (27)’s plight and roped in the musicians to assist in raising at least $25 000 for the trip to India.
Mollen will be accompanied by her mother Locardia and sister Tendai (20) who will donate a kidney to her.
Mollen and her mother will spend three months in India, while Tendai will be back after a month.
Zivhu through ZAHA, has provided $4300 for tickets to India for the three. Zivhu called on Zimbabweans to come forward to help Mollen regain her health and live her normal life to continue with her studies at Great Zimbabwe University where she is studying for a degree in marketing.
“As Zimbabweans, we need to love and assist each other during difficult times for the betterment of our country,” he said.
“We cannot let the poor die because they do not have money and as a leader I thought I should engage these artists to assist her with money.
“Zimbabweans must always come together in times like these and I am very confident that will be able to save Mollen’s life.”
Zivhu said Zimbabweans must emulate First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe’s philanthropic work that has benefited a lot of the underprivileged in society.
“I admire the First Lady for the good job she is doing for orphans at Mazowe, may the Lord grant the First Family their wishes in life so that they can continue to help the poor people,” he said.
Speaking while nearly shedding tears, Mollen thanked Zivhu and the musicians for coming up with a programme to help save her life.
She said she had stopped attending lessons at Great Zimbabwe University because of the adverse effects of her condition.
“I need to go for dialysis at least twice a week, I vomit each morning and my body is generally weak,” she said. “Sometimes my whole body becomes swollen and I am no longer able to walk for more than 15 minutes.”
Speaking at the press conference, Suluman, Mathias and Sabatian said they were ready to help Mollen out of her difficult situation. They called on other musicians and Zimbabweans in general to spare their time to help the suffering in their communities.
“As artists we are taking this stance on Mollen to show Zimbabweans that we also got a heart for other people,” said Suluman.
“Lets take this programme to other provinces because it will help others to know there are some who care for them.”
The musical show will run under the theme: “A dollar can save life” and under the banner of “Wezhira Ndionewo”, a programme pioneered by Zivhu to encourage those privileged to help their communities.
Those interested in helping Mollen can deposit funds in her Standard Chartered Bank account number 8700271942400 Rusape Branch under the name Mollen Ndanatsei Makoni. Funds can also be deposited into her Ecocash number 0773026314.
Online Reporter