MARONDERA- The Marondera Rotary Club recently elected a new executive which
is expected to drive forward the organisation’s aspirations.
Mazwi Shamu was elected President while Chenesai Mangoma was given the
mandate to market the organisation after she was handed the secretary and public
and international relations portfolio.
Other members of the executive are Chido Razemba (community services projects),
Tapiwa Chinyadza (treasurer, interact clubs and new generation), Veronica
Chirombe (club functions coordinator), Theresa Covini (creative arts and
entertainment), Bertha Chimusoro (membership) and Presten Nyamangara
(foundation chairperson).
In her speech following her election, Mazwi said the Marondera Rotary Club whose
2023/2024 theme is “People, Action and Colour,” will work closely with other Rotary
clubs in the country and will also be committed to join in the fight against drugs and
substance abuse.
She said: “As people, we are catalysts for hope through our actions and responses
to situations. Hope is a colourful thing as it turns a dreary black and white world into
a radiant world of colour. I am inviting Rotarians and all friends of Rotary to partner
with us in our projects. We will also be partnering with other Rotary clubs in the
country to help our greatest areas of need.
“We are currently in a war against drugs. Our young and old men and women are
getting involved in drugs. As an educator and a parent, this becomes a huge area of
concern, naturally. Our projects will involve the youth. These will be done through fun
activities, outreaches and education.”
It emerged that the Marondera Rotary Club will continue to support Ida Wekwako
Old People’s home and others in need.
The Rotary family has three tiers in which people can be involved and they include
Interact Clubs for high schools, Rotaract Clubs for University students and Rotary for
families.
Marondera Rotary Club was registered as a welfare organisation in 1968. Since
agriculture was big business in the farming town, housewives of farmers and
Borradalle patrons would meet for team at the Farmers’ Hall, now ZESA Pension
Fund Mall.
The Rotary took advantage of such gatherings to collect donations from farmers and
constructed a room to keep them in The Green. With the assistance of a Rotary Club
from Australia, they built a children’s home in Nyameni and also constructed the
Marondera Provincial Hospital main entrance.
Among a host of its charity work, the club donated x-ray machines, water tanks,
washing machines and geysers to B. Trust, supplied blankets and food to Ida
Wekwako and Musha Wevana Children’s Home, carried out water projects at
Chirenje School and Mudzimurema Clinic and donates books every year to
Marondera School of Nursing.
Meanwhile, the newly-elected President of MRC Mazwi Joan Shamu is a dynamic
and versatile leader who excels in various fields of media, education and travel. She
is a news producer and presenter at Star FM Zimbabwe where she covers current
affairs and global issues with passion and professionalism.
A teacher, blogger and traveler who has been to over 20 countries across five
continents, Shamu is a member of several professional organisations such as the
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS), the Southern
African Broadcasting Association and the International Association of Women in
Radio and Television.
She is driven by a heart of service and a vision of positive change in the world. Her
lasting legacy is her ability to inspire, connect and inspire people from diverse
backgrounds and cultures.
