ZANU PF -Aligned Organisation Donates to Elderly and Disabled in Chegutu

The event, held in Chegutu, forms part of NODE’s ongoing efforts to assist vulnerable communities as part of what the group calls its contribution to “nation-building” under the development philosophy championed by ZANU PF Leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

NODE comprises young entrepreneurs, artisanal miners, and small-scale business operators who say they have benefited from the economic space opened under the so-called Second Republic. Its leadership maintains that giving back to disadvantaged communities is a moral duty, especially in challenging economic times.

ZANU PF -Affiliated Group Reaches Out to Vulnerable Chegutu Residents with Donations

“We are beneficiaries of ZANU PF’s progressive leadership,” said NODE national president Cde Office Blant. “The Second Republic has given us opportunities to grow our businesses, and we believe it’s only right to share our success with those less fortunate.”

According to Blant, the organisation mobilised donations from its members’ income-generating projects, which range from small-scale mining operations to various informal enterprises.

“This donation is our way of saying thank you and showing solidarity with the elderly and disabled who are often overlooked. As NODE, we are committed to being a community-driven movement, and today’s event is just one of many we plan across the country,” he added.

The donations were warmly received by grateful beneficiaries, many of whom are struggling to meet their daily needs amid Zimbabwe’s deepening economic challenges. For elderly residents and those caring for family members with disabilities, the support came as a lifeline.

Clara Tarakinyu, a caregiver to her brother’s disabled child, said she had been finding it increasingly difficult to provide for the family due to her caregiving responsibilities, which prevent her from working full-time.

“I really appreciate this help,” she said. “With a disabled child at home, my hands are full, and there are days when I don’t know what we’ll eat. This donation brings some relief.”

Another recipient, Gogo Concilia Motsi, an elderly woman caring for orphaned grandchildren, described the gesture as life-changing.

“These blankets and food mean the world to us. We’ve been surviving on very little, and now my grandchildren can sleep warm and eat something decent,” she said with visible emotion.

This initiative follows another recent outreach by NODE in Norton, where similar donations were made to vulnerable residents. In addition to food and clothing, the group also facilitated the handover of small-scale mine claims to some community members. These claims were presented by NODE executive member and local miner, Cde Guy Musviki, who said the aim was to empower residents economically.

“As small-scale miners, we believe in empowerment through action,” Musviki said. “We’re not just here to hand out aid — we want to give people tools and opportunities that can help them become self-sufficient.”

Saturday’s event also served as a platform for political statements, as several opposition figures used the occasion to publicly pledge their support to ZANU PF. Among them was Gift Konjana, a founding member of both the MDC and CCC, who praised President Mnangagwa’s development agenda.

“Zimbabwe is on the right path under ZANU PF Leader President Mnangagwa,” said Konjana. “The vision to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 is realistic if we all play our part. That’s why I’ve returned home — to contribute meaningfully.”

While some critics view such donation drives as politically motivated, particularly when tied to ruling party affiliates, beneficiaries on the ground expressed appreciation for the tangible support in a time of growing need.

Local government and social welfare officials present at the event encouraged NODE to continue its outreach and called on other private and community-based organisations to replicate such efforts.

Chegutu remains one of many urban and peri-urban centres in Zimbabwe battling economic hardship, unemployment, and service delivery breakdowns. In this context, community-based support initiatives—regardless of political affiliation—are welcomed by many as crucial stopgaps.

NODE pledged to continue rolling out similar donation campaigns in other provinces as part of its nationwide strategy to “uplift vulnerable communities and promote inclusive development.”