Vapostori advance humanitarian work

Herald Reporter

In a display of philanthropy, Vapostori religion followers led by Madzibaba Moses Gwasarira have extended their charity by giving wheel chairs and food hampers to learners with disability in Mufakose, Harare.

Under the banner Vapostori for ED, the apostolic sect has been pushing for peace building post-election across the country with various programmes currently underway.

Singer Chipo Muchegwa also benefitted as Madzibaba Moses pledged to pay full educational fees for her child up to university level.

Madzibaba Moses who is well known for his philanthropic works also vowed to pay recording fees for Afro-jazz sensation Chipo and Terry Gee whose song ‘Ndezvemoyo’ has been making waves.

It was all fun and pomp last Saturday at Mufakose High 1 as Madzibaba Moses hosted a luncheon for the children with disabilities together with their parents before being enthralled by a live band performance.

He also took time to interact with the children with disabilities as they discussed issues of drug and substance abuse.

Speaking over the donation, Madzibaba Obey Mapuranga who is the national spokesperson and strategist for Vapostori for ED said philanthropic work runs in the blood of Madzibaba Moses.

“Vapostori religion is now advancing humanitarian work, charity programmes and post-election peace building across Zimbabwe through the efforts of Madzibaba Moses at his personal capacity,” he said.

“Learners with disabilities in Mufakose were given wheel chairs and an assortment of food hampers. He also sponsored a school team at Mufakose 1 High that is headed to South Africa next month to represent Zimbabwe,” he said.

Madzibaba Mapuranga said Chipo, who was one of the musicians entertaining guests, is a beneficiary of Madzibaba Moses benevolence.

“He pledged to pay full fees for Chipo’s daughter from the current term up to university. Apart from that, he will also foot bills for Chipo and Terry’s album launches,” he said.

Beneficiary of a wheelchair, Mr Lawrence Semu’s mother, Mrs Beauty Mavamba said it has been a thorn in the flesh for her son without wheel chair.

“I am overwhelmed with joy since the burden of having to carry my child on the back will now be a thing of the past through the donation of the wheelchair.

“My child is nine years old and suffers from fro-cerebral palsy as he is incapable of doing anything including walking, talking and seating,” she said.

Chipo also applauded Madzibaba Moses for the kind gesture.

“l feel happy with what l have received today. All l can say is God should continue blessing Madzibaba Moses and increase his portion.

“Madzibaba Moses said he will assist by paying school fees for my daughter who is turning four in April. He also pledged to assist with our musical recording,” she said.

Accidents in disused mines are common in Zimbabwe, where artisanal or small-scale miners defy authorities by mining in old shafts that are prone to collapse.

The latest incident happened in Chegutu, some 100 km (62 miles) west of the capital Harare on Friday.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga told the local Sunday Mail newspaper 13 had died in the collapse at the site which had not been properly sealed off.

Deputy mines minister Polite Kambamura could not say how many people were still trapped underground after the 700 meter-deep mine collapsed.

“The problem is that there was no proper register to ascertain how many people entered,” Kambamura said. “We are sending another team to assess the situation. We want to account for everyone.”

State broadcaster ZBC on Friday reported that 34 miners were trapped underground out of which 13 had managed to escape.

Dozens of distraught family members waited in tents, hoping for news of relatives.

“The most painful thing for me is not knowing if my son is dead or alive…I can’t take it anymore knowing that he is down there,” said a weeping Memory Gohwe, whose son remain trapped.

Some worried relatives already feared the worst.

“To be honest we have lost any hope of getting any survivors,” said Omega Jonera, nine of whose family members were trapped underground.

(Reporting by Tonderai Gonorenda in Chegutu and Nyasha Chingono in Harare,; Editing by Bhargav Acharya and Alexander Winning)

By Tonderai Gonorenda and Nyasha Chingono