Online Reporter
Nomalisa Gumpo, Zimpapers Writer
FOR 65-year-old Ms Thobile Nkomo, five years of darkness ended with one swift and life-changing procedure.
Thanks to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) medical outreach programme underway in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, Ms Nkomo can now walk unaided and she is seeing the world again.
“I’ve spent five years without seeing. I’m so happy to have my sight restored and now I can walk on my own,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
Ms Nkomo is among the many locals who have benefited from the ZDF’s free medical outreach, which is part of the 2025 Community Assistance Programme, a national initiative designed to uplift communities through healthcare and infrastructure development.
The medical team, led by Dr Mathias Makona, is targeting more than 200 patients with eye conditions, especially cataracts.
“So far, I’ve operated on 50 patients. I can do about two per hour, and we’re on track to reach our target. The gratitude from patients is overwhelming and that alone keeps us going,” said Dr Makona.
The outreach, which includes treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and eye ailments, is being conducted at Maphisa District Hospital, where the ZDF also donated essential medicines for distribution to local clinics.
Officiating at the launch on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Brigadier-General (Retired) Levy Mayihlome said the initiative reflects ZDF’s commitment to community development, especially as Matabeleland South prepares to host the 2026 national Independence Day celebrations.
Matabeleland South will be the fifth province to host the national event following the Government’s decentralisation policy.
“This occasion comes at the backdrop of the announcement that Matabeleland South Province and particularly the Maphisa area, will be hosting the 2026 Independence Day commemorations. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the province and assure you of the Ministry of Defence’s support to ensure that the commemorations will be successful and memorable,” said Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mayihlome.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces have also deployed their medical personnel to conduct the medical outreach programme here in Maphisa. The medical outreach programme, which is being conducted free of charge, has seen patients suffering from chronic illnesses, cataracts and general eye conditions being attended to.”
The medical outreach is targeting vulnerable groups in the community and provides free treatment for chronic conditions, cataracts and general eye care.
Deputy Minister Mayihlome said the programme, which initially focused on short-term clean-ups and renovations, had grown into a robust infrastructure development initiative which aligns with Vision 2030.
“Over the years, the scale and scope of the projects have evolved significantly as a result of growing demand for public facilities due to population growth and expansion of settlements as the nation pursues Vision 2030,” he said.
As part of this year’s assistance programme, ZDF completed and handed over several major projects, which include a girls’ dormitory at Nhowe Mission, Macheke in Mashonaland East, an ECD classroom block at Gillingham Primary School, an eight-roomed double-storey classroom block at Warren Park 6 Primary School and an ECD block at Batanai Primary School in Mabvuku, all in Harare. Other projects include a boys’ hostel block at St Michael’s Secondary School in Mhondoro in Mashonaland West, while a ground-breaking ceremony was also held for the construction of a clinic at Malibeng in Beitbridge, further cementing ZDF’s role in community development.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mayihlome said all these developments were made possible by skilled military personnel with locals providing labour and resources, a model he described as a practical embodiment of President Mnangagwa’s development mantra: Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.
He said this collaboration shows that with the right support, communities are eager to contribute to their development.
He urged young people to take advantage of opportunities offered by the ZDF, calling on them to join the organisation to access skills and careers to steer clear of destructive behaviours such as drug and substance abuse.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day main celebrations will be held at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on August 12, with President Mnangagwa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, presiding over the event, while provincial commemorations will take place across the country.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe commended ZDF for launching the medical outreach programme, saying it comes at a critical moment when there is a global increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases.
“On average, this kind of service would have cost around $400, which is far beyond the reach of most rural people. We want to applaud the ZDF for this service and for selecting Matobo as one of the beneficiaries this year.
Minister Nguluvhe said the programme came at a crucial time when the province is recording an increase in cases of hypertension and diabetes, which are key contributors to the development of cataracts.
“We have about 23 000 clients receiving treatment for hypertension and 4 000 for diabetes, not to mention cataracts related to old age,” he said.
