The Sunday Mail
WHAT do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
Although a bit of a cliché, the above remark proved true, especially after being echoed by popular ZTV newscaster, Rumbidzai Takawira, as she took time to celebrate her birthday with the underprivileged in Harare last weekend.
People the world over come from different backgrounds and while some are born with a silver spoon, others have been deprived since their first breath. There are many individuals and corporates that are in a position to help those in need but it only takes a willing heart to undertake such.
ZTV newscaster Rumbidzai Takawira (centre) dishes food at her birthday celebrations at Danai Children’s Home in Sunridge last weekend. The other pictures are scenes at the same function
Last weekend, Takawira aka Rumbie, took a humble path to celebrate her 26th birthday with kids at Danai Children’s Home in Sunridge suburb. The unique birthday bash attracted high profile guests who included businessman Dr Philip Chiyangwa, business executive Dr Nigel Chanakira, television personality Charles Mabika, and musicians Jah Prayzah, Tatenda Mahachi, Sabastian Magacha and Mathias Mhere.
Several artistes who were in attendance also took to the stage to perform some of their hits. The party provided the children with an opportunity to have fun, mingle and even take photos with their favourite celebrities. It also yielded donations valued in the thousands.
Besides the donations, new partnerships were also struck, with Nigel Chanakira offering to tutor the children in his field of expertise, which is money management and business.
All this was achieved because of Takawira’s popularity, which she put to good use by inviting all the individuals who then saw it fit to lend a hand.
Most of the celebrities in Zimbabwe do not earn much but that does not mean they cannot partake in philanthropic initiatives.
Their popularity is the key as it attracts other well-to-do participants who are capable of contributing to various causes.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail Leisure Takawira said that she had decided to spend her birthday with the less privileged as a way of showing God’s love for everyone no matter the circumstances they might be in.
“I could have easily thrown myself a lavish party but that was not going to bring any value to anyone. We easily tend to forget that there are people in society that need assistance, not even through giving millions but giving time.
“We need to realise that helping the underprivileged is not a tall order because the little you have will go a long way,” said Takawira.
Although this was the first time the beauty was celebrating her birthday in such a manner, it was not the first time she had extended her hand to the needy.
“I have been part of a number of activities in the past which included donating clothes and groceries to the needy. I am currently the Ambassador of Celebrate the Children Sports and Arts Festival, which facilitates success coaching, talent scouting, leadership development and skills training for the underprivileged.
“Annually we hold the festival, which brings disadvantaged children from all corners of Zimbabwe to interact in a celebratory atmosphere just to bring out their confidence and give them a new experience of what life has to offer.”
She went on to mention that celebrities had the power to influence society and this influence could be used to encourage others to help the needy.
“Celebrities are the trendsetters in society, so imagine what could happen if celebrities were to take a stand against things like sexual abuse, gender based violence, stereotyping albinism, drug abuse and child abuse, among other things.
“Personally I would not view myself as a celebrity but rather a random citizen who got an opportunity and I want to use that opportunity to change as many lives as possible.”
At the party, Takawira also launched Movement 1101, an initiative that is meant to create various opportunities for the less privileged.
“Movement 1101 derived from my birthday, January 11, hence the name and this initiative is all about bridging the gap in terms of life and entrepreneurial skills as well as creating opportunities.
“There are many children without parents, with heavy burdens on their shoulders and this is where Movement 1101 steps in and we will try our best with the resources we have to ease that burden.”
The news anchor said she wanted to leave a mark on earth by changing other people’s lives.
“I want to be a woman who makes a difference so I would never want to meet anyone and they stay the same.”
Danai Children’s Home principal director Patience Chipaumire said that she was grateful for what Takawira did for her home.
“I am so humbled because we have had a number of locals who come and do something for the kids but there have never been something of this magnitude so I really appreciate what Rumbie has done,” said Chipaumire.
She said that the home depended on the support of the community and things would have been difficult if it was not for people who help out.
“We are a community based home so most of the people that help us out are from this community, so having people coming from elsewhere to help is very much appreciated because without such support we would have sunk.”
There are several other celebrities in the past who have spared their time and resources to celebrate various occasions with the disadvantaged. In December last year, gospel artiste Abraham Mutuka hosted a Christmas party for young offenders at Hwahwa Prison where he also donated clothes, food and other basic commodities.
Zim dancehall star, Seh Calaz, also celebrated Christmas with inmates at Harare Central Prison.
