The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sunday News Correspondent
TEN war veterans have benefitted from the benevolence of Bulawayo businessman, Dr Nicholas Masuku when he donated foodstuffs worth $80 000 to the ex-fighters.
Through his entity, N and S Properties, Masuku spent last Saturday criss-crossing the city as he made deliveries of the packages in the company of the provincial war veterans’ leadership.
As part of a programme to assist struggling war vets that began last year, Dr Masuku visited Aaron Ndlovu in Kensington, David “Sharpshoot” Moyo in Emganwini, Makhethi Ndebele who is better known by his pseudo name Jack Mpofu in Cowdray Park, John “Maluzu” Ndlovu in Entumbane and Moffat Hadebe in Magwegwe North on 29 May.
Cdes Cornelius Nyathi and Ectwell Siwela, who were part of the entourage were also honoured with groceries along with Anya Anya and Jane Ngwenya.
Speaking during a handover to Cde Ndebele in Cowdray Park, Dr Masuku reaffirmed his commitment to assisting war veterans saying business people should be at the forefront of ensuring former liberation fighters are not struggling economically due to advanced age.
He said most of the opportunities being exploited by business people are a result of the sacrifices and efforts made by the former freedom fighters.
“When I started this programme, it came to my attention that many war vets are struggling due to old age and some do not have any meaningful income. I felt it was my duty as a businessman to lend a hand in this small way that I could because I appreciate the role freedom fighters played in ensuring we are able to operate businesses in a free Zimbabwe.
“We had a monthly programme but it had been put on hold due to the Covid-19 lockdown and we decided to resume it in a big way,” said Dr Masuku.
The grocery pack included six bath soap tablets, a pack of tissues, two 100ml toothpaste, two 2litre bottles of cooking oil, four 500gm of beans and 60kg bag of maize.
Dr Masuku appealed to other business people to come on board and lend a hand to the struggling war veterans.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association Bulawayo Provincial chairperson Cde Cephas Ncube thanked Dr Masuku for the gesture adding they appreciate the work he has been doing.
“We have many war vets who are struggling as you know some are in old age and are no longer working.
“We appreciate the donations from Masuku and we hope to get more businessmen coming in to assist,” he said.
Three war veterans who have been spearheading the programme together with Dr Masuku, Cdes Jabulani Sibasa, Nkosilamandla Mkhwananzi and Savious Moyo also received groceries for their efforts.
