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By Judith Matanire
At 61, Tonderai Madiro walks with the ease of someone half his age, not because he’s never known hardship, but because he’s made wellness a way of life.
For more than 15 years, the retired teacher from Ruwa hasn’t set foot in a clinic. No chronic illness. No prescriptions. Just a steady rhythm of early morning walks, homegrown vegetables, and a mindset rooted in gratitude.
“I move my body every day, I eat what I grow, and I stay away from stress and processed food,” Madiro says with a quiet pride. “Good health doesn’t come in a bottle. It starts with how you live.”
Ruwa pensioner Mr Madiro starts his day with a morning jog, part of his 15-year healthy living routine.
His days begin before sunrise, with light jogging and time in his vegetable garden — a patch of green that feeds both his body and his spirit.
“My garden gives me beans, pumpkins, leafy vegetables. It’s cheaper, fresher, and it keeps me moving,” he says. “I plant what I eat, and I eat what I plant.”
The 61-year-old grows most of his food and credits his good health to eating fresh, organic produce.
Once a teacher in the classroom, Madiro now teaches by example. Neighbours often join him on his walks or stop by for advice on diet and fitness. “I used to teach maths and Shona,” he chuckles. “Now I teach people how to live well and grow old with strength.”
His story is more than personal triumph — it’s a quiet revolution. In a country where non-communicable diseases now account for nearly 40% of all deaths, Madiro’s lifestyle is a reminder that prevention isn’t just a slogan, it’s a daily choice. From diabetes to heart disease, Zimbabwe’s health burden is shifting — and stories like his show that small, consistent habits can make a powerful difference.
“If we all took better care of our bodies, we’d ease the pressure on hospitals and live fuller lives,” he says. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.”
Staying active through gardening, Mr. Madiro believes farming keeps his body fit and his mind calm
Madiro’s philosophy echoes the message behind Cimas Health Group’s national Wellness Campaign, which urges Zimbabweans to take charge of their health through simple, preventive habits — regular exercise, nutritious food, and routine check-ups.
Speaking at the campaign launch in Harare, Cimas CEO Mr. Vuli Ndlovu said the organisation is shifting focus from treatment to transformation. “We want to be known not just for healthcare, but for helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives,” he said.
He added that the real change begins when individuals take small, consistent steps toward wellness — steps that ripple out into families, communities, and the nation at large.
For Madiro, it’s not about trends or gym memberships. It’s about returning to the basics — moving, eating well, and staying grounded. “What Cimas is saying is true,” he nods. “Prevention is better than cure. If we live right, we stay well. And if we stay well, we thrive.”
As Cimas rolls out fitness drives, nutrition workshops, and outreach programmes across the country, Madiro’s story stands as living proof: sometimes, the best medicine is a life well lived.
