It is not easy to survive for the majority of people in Zimbabwe who live from hand to mouth in this highly informal market but prominent and wealthy traditional healer Sekuru Banda has come to the rescue of citizens by extending his philanthropy to senior citizens during the tough time of a government-imposed 21-day lockdown to keep out coronavirus.
Spiked Online Media witnessed the traditional healer’s kindheartedness when he reached out to senior citizens who joined the rest of other citizens in staying at home during the 21-day COVID-19 lockdown in Zimbabwe by extending to them groceries and ZWL$1000 cash packages.
Sekuru Banda told this publication that he dipped into his deep pockets and forked out millions of Zimbabwean dollars to buy senior citizens some food, masks, and gloves to distribute to those above 60 years of age throughout Zimbabwe.
The Harare-based millionaire herbalist and philanthropist has also urged other citizens to assist the neediest and vulnerable members of the society during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Following the announcement of the 21-day lockdown period to prevent the spread of Coronavirus we realised that most people would face food challenges particularly the elderly.
“So together with my team we set out to provide food, masks, and gloves to the neediest and vulnerable members of our society and that is the elderly people,” Sekuru Banda said.
He said the initiative which commenced 10 days before the lockdown targetted senior citizens across Zimbabwe as the country enters day 2 under home quarantine.
“The groceries include maize meal, cooking oil, bathing soaps, and medical masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Most of the beneficiaries are unemployed and hopefully, the groceries will go a long way in mitigating hunger during the lockdown period,” he said.
Sekuru Banda also applauded the Government for the stop-gap measures taken to combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
He said he was in full support of the initiatives taken by the Government to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
At present Government is working within the World Health Organisation guidelines in handling and treating guests from other countries as they come to Zimbabwe.
While all our major ports into the country will remain operation, screening, testing, and other WHO-recommended measures will be enforced vigorously.
President Mnangagwa said Government had put all hospitals and health facilities on high alert for COVID-19 consequently declared the virus a National Disaster.
The government also postponed, curtailed or cancelled public events, gatherings and activities.
Sekuru Banda is one of the few individuals so far who have taken it upon themselves to curb the spread of COVID-19 through various interventions joining big corporates such as Econet, African Medallion Group and African Sun Limited.