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‘… I feel defeated, pained’
By Chipo Chabarwa
Businesswoman, socialite and philanthropist Wanisayi “Mahwindo” Mutandwa is a woman in distress.
The second wave of the coronavirus, which has seen Government departments reducing staffing levels to just 10 percent and a stricter Level 4 national lockdown put in place, has hit her hard.
It has left her unable to fulfil her calling – helping the needy in society.
Mahwindo is diabetic and her doctor has given strict instructions to stay indoors as Covid-19 wreaks havoc across the country with a death toll as high as 60 and new infections of over 1000 in 24 hours.
Through her organisation, Mahwindo Foundation, on Thursday she pleaded with her partners and sponsors to help her reach out to people in need during this tough lockdown which has seen many families go for days without food as they are unable to work.
“Yesterday as I opened my charity pantry, I noticed that it is full. But due to my condition, my doctor told me that I can’t go outside as I am a diabetic, therefore, I’m at a higher risk of having complications if I contract Covid-19,” Mahwindo told Nhau over the phone.
“Now so many families have been crying to me as I used to give them some food during the last lockdown. When the lockdown relaxed last year they were able to go to work but now that another lockdown has hit, hunger has struck again.”
Her inability to move around or marshal her team into action saw Mahwindo appealing for well-wishers to send money directly to her list of beneficiaries.
“This led me to broadcast that message about Ecocash. People have been responding to the message saying give us the number so that we can send something. I have food but I can’t go outside and distribute it.
“So far thousands have been sent through and I’m happy about it. There are so many families in need from different places – some as far as Masvingo, facing different challenges as some are sick. Others don’t even have money to buy zumbani. Yet I might have it in my house but I really can’t go outside and give it to them.”
Mahwindo, a controversial character, said while she is depressed that the people she usually helps are on their own during this lockdown, she has become more aware of her own mortality.
“I just pray to God for His Grace so that I survive. Right now I am not sure if tomorrow I will still be alive, or if by the end of the month I will still be here on earth,” she told Nhau.
“I need God to strengthen me like He did on the last lockdown so I can survive this pandemic. I want to be able to go and donate because this is my calling. I’m very depressed right now that I’m in the comfort of my home and my stomach is full, yet there are people who haven’t eaten anything.
“I really am heartbroken. I am feeling the pain as I think about all these families in need. Who is helping them? What about the old aged that I used to help? All the families I used to help feed, who is going to rise up and help them? I could do it but my condition is just limiting me. At the moment I really feel defeated and pained.” Nhau/Indaba
