The Sunday News
Bruce Chimani Sunday Leisure Correspondent
A FEW weeks ago, Bulawayo lost a woman, who many deemed the direct reincarnation of Mother Theresa, perhaps because of the undivided attention and devotion she had for the less privileged members of society. A letter published in the Chronicle in 1995, recounted well of this woman, who devoted her time to not necessarily eliminate but counter problems faced by the less privileged people.
Part of the letter read: “She is a pleasant, efficient, helpful, kind, polite, witty woman to deal with and we feel she is such an example to us the public.”
Born in 1947, Sheila Derks lived the life of a philanthropist and will forever be remembered for her work.
As an active member of the Baptist Church, Sheila was heavily involved in the naissance of a programme called “Soup Kitchen” which is still in existence.
The programme sought and still seeks to feed the less privileged every Tuesday and Friday at the Baptist Church in Bulawayo.
Her involvement in the community was admirable, as she became a darling to the homeless and the elderly, as she showered unconditional love to each and everyone.
Derks was the first mixed-race nurse aide at Bulawayo’s Mater Dei Hospital and with this background, she was able to expressly care for people and meet their needs in any possible way she could.
Days before she died in January this year at the age of 67, she had begun a “Love your Neighbour” club, where she intended to make efforts at reaching out to poor members of her community (Morningside).
In 1987, at the height of child dumping in the city, Sheila worked together with Mohamed Esat, as they embarked on a rigorous “Save the Child Campaign” whose fruits were evident to many.
Her involvement in social initiatives saw her becoming a beloved person among the orphans and the elderly.
In 2008, at the height of the economic challenges, she was instrumental in the distribution of food parcels to old people’s homes.
Auntie Sheila, as she was warmly known, was a friend whom anybody could rely on even when the chips were down.
However, on a fateful Friday afternoon on 30 January this year, Derks succumbed to High Blood Pressure.
She had a send-off comparable to that of royalty.
In the words of Paul the apostle, she had “run her race”.
“She was my best friend and I honestly do not know what I am going to do without her. Only God knows. There is obviously work to be done in trying to continue from where she left and that is what we shall focus on. I am sure that this is exactly what she would like us to focus on now that she is gone,” said John, her husband.
Cartoonist Boyd Maliki, speaking to Sunday Leisure, expressed how much of a community builder she was, not just in the community but in church as well.
“We saw Auntie Sheila coming through to help couples who struggled in their marriages. We saw her being a source of rebuttals that other people were scared to give both in the church and in her community. If you listen to some of the testimonies from her neighbours, it will be evident what kind of gem she was,” noted Maliki.
When she was in school at Founders High School, she was said to be a very athletic young lady.
In 1966, she met the love of her life, John, and the two lovebirds were married in no time. They have three daughters and six grandchildren and a foster child.
