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As a way of fighting gender-based violence, drug and substance abuse, ZANU (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) for Seke Constituency, Cde Munyaradzi Kashambe recently organised a soccer tournament for the youth in the area and took the opportunity to educate them on the social ills.
Hon Kashambe awarded the winning teams with cash prices and holds such kinds of events annually during year-end. The politician sponsored the Maoresa Unit Cup Soccer Final which was held at Jonasi Primary in Seke on Christmas Eve. For gender equality’s sake, women also participated in women’s soccer matches.
The winning teams went away with cash prizes.
“We encourage young women and men to participate in sporting activities because it’s part of health and fitness. More so, such activities reduce the chances of taking drugs because if people are occupied with other important things they will not think of taking drugs. We also support all ages, even those above 40 years of age,” he said.
Some teams that participated include Ramon Rovers vs Madamombe (playing for 3rd and 4th position), and Manchester United vs Wafa Wafa Junior Chiefs who sought to end the latter’s unbeaten run.
“I am grateful for the love and energy that all the participating teams showed hence I donated US$2500 which was shared among all the participants accordingly. I will continue to support communities in Seke because that’s where I was born and bred. I will continue to preach the gospel against drugs and substance abuse and encourage all the youth to focus on their education,” he said.
The soccer tournament was held under the theme: “Solution to drug/ substance abuse and early child marriages” and was attended by several youths in Chitungwiza and other partners such as Friend and Family Environment, local leadership, and the Vachirenda Centre of Hope among others.
Zoey Chirenda-Chimombe a local resident who is based in Texas, America and is the Founder of VaChirenda Centre of Hope Foundation donated food hampers to the elderly and persons with disabilities which added value to their Christmas celebrations.
Shalom Ramunyenyiwa, the secretary for Vachirenda Centre of Hope said they will continue assisting the vulnerable members of the communities in Seke in order to improve their lives and welfare.
“We have orphans and vulnerable children, child-headed families and most of these problems are a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, HIV and gender-based violence. Some children are no longer going to school and are relying on begging hence it is the duty of society to chip in and assist. Zoey Chirenda sends money to buy sanitary ware and stationery and pays school fees for them,” he said.
Patricia Bute, the sales and marketing officer with Vaida Chemicals also supported the children in Seke with stationery and sanitary ware as a way of reducing high incidences of school dropouts.
Cde Kashambe also assisted a family in Seke that lost their three children after they drowned in an open pit whilst fetching firewood with their grandmother.
“I assisted them with coffins and food during this difficult time,” Hon Kashambe added.