Parly comes to Entembeni’s aid

Angela Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
Parliament has a constitutional obligation to help the elderly, deputy president of the Senate, Lieutenant-General (Retired) Michael Nyambuya has said.

Sen Nymabuya was speaking during a donation to Entembeni Old People’s Home which benefitted from part of over $1 million raised by Parliament for charity.

“The elderly are a particular demographic group that is singled out for particular attention, so, in carrying out its duty of protecting the Constitution, Parliament has to ensure that the elderly are well taken care of,” he said.

Parliament donated household goods courtesy of the Fourth Annual Golf Tournament played in Harare in October as a way of fundraising for the needy.

Section 82 of the Constitution defines the elderly or senior citizens as individuals aged 70 years and above.
It states that all elderly people have “the right to receive reasonable care and assistance from their families and the state”.

This year, the Annual Charity Golf tournament raised over $1,17 million and US$1 932 for charity.

Goods donated to Entembeni by Parliament include two 50-inch LG smart televisions, a solar system and installation, two washing machines, bed sheets and pillow cases, a desktop computer and 340kg of sugar.
Entembeni is home to 75 inmates – 42 female and 32 male.

Sen Nyambuya encouraged sponsors to continue giving to the needy.

“My rallying call to our sponsors today is that, no-matter how small and inconsequential you may think your contribution is, use it to bless the lives of others like Entembeni, that, in itself, is its own reward,” he said.

Entembeni Old People’s Home board chairperson Mr Newman Sibanda said Parliament’s gesture comes as a relief and the solar system will lessen their challenges in the face of loadshedding.

“The donation will go a long way as we have also been having challenges of load shedding, but now that we have a solar system, we are grateful,” said Mr Sibanda.