Blessing Nduku
Ward 17 Councillor Munyaradzi Prosperity Chikwira celebrated his birthday in a meaningful way by donating food hampers and essentials to elderly residents in his community, aiming at showing appreciation and care for the senior citizens.
Twenty-five elderly ward 17 residents benefited from this gesture and expressed deep appreciation, some saying they had not expected such kindness especially from a very young man like Cllr Chikwira.
“I was so happy when I saw him coming into my yard and handing over mealie-meal to me. I was extremely happy I do not want to lie and we just want to thank God for our Councillor because he is doing a lot of things in our ward,” said Hilda Chiramba.
Another elderly resident Gogo Chizema went on to say that Councillors from other wards should learn from all these kind gestures.
“Firstly i would like to thank our ward Councillor with greatfuness within me. Honestly i wish if all the previous Councillors were just like him and if all the surrounding Cllrs should just learn from him. We have never had a problem with him our bins are collected in time, we also have ward security which is doing an awsome job in keeping our ward free from thieves and all the elderly are given food in times of need.”
Speaking to this reporter after the handover Cllr Chikwira emphasized that the donation was not a political gesture, but a personal commitment to community welfare.
“This donation is not a political gesture but rather something that will give the elderly confidence in us their leaders in that we are not only around them when we want votes but we are always remembering them time and again. The community must not neglect its elders because these are the people who made us to what we are today.”
“Smiling of the elderly to me is a blessing. Giving is not a physical exercise, l understand it to be spiritual exercise. the Bible says give and it shall be given unto a good measure pressed down shaken together and rennet over shall men pour unto your bosom for with the same measure to you again,” Chikwira said.
“Every elder is entitled to be treated well and respected by the community. The wisdom that we are looking is bestowed in them hence it has always been my wish to celebrate my birthday with them.”
Chikwira pledged to continue supporting the elderly and vulnerable groups beyond his birthday.
“Giving back to the community is a responsibility of everyone not only us the leaders this should be mandatory even to the companies that are in any areas. We are planning to expand and give the elderly hampers with more groceries so that they can get something tangible from our donation.”
Cllr Chikwira’s gesture stood as a reminder that true celebration lies in uplifting others especially those often forgotten. His birthday may have been the occasion, but it was the community that received the greatest gift from it.
