The fight against drug and substance abuse in Mashonaland Central has received a major boost after the President of the International Preachers Council of Churches (IPCC), Rev Dr David Phiri, donated a consignment of sports equipment to youths in the remote Mutemakungu Community in Muzarabani District.
The donation, which included full football and netball kits, balls and training bibs, was handed over at a colourful ceremony held at Mutemakungu Primary School on Saturday. The kits were officially received by Ward Councillor, Hon. Chipo Samson on behalf of the community.
The ceremony was attended by senior church and traditional leaders including Bishop Bomba, Pastor Muchara, Pastor Chorumara, Headman Mafendu, school heads and hundreds of villagers.
Speaking during the handover, Rev Dr Phiri said his intervention was a direct response to the call by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa for all citizens to play a role in eradicating drug abuse, which has become a national disaster.
He said the church cannot afford to preach only in the pulpit while the youths are being destroyed by drugs and immoral behaviour.
“I was deeply touched and driven by the powerful speech delivered by His Excellency, President Dr E.D Mnangagwa, where he declared drug and substance abuse as an enemy of the nation and called upon every Zimbabwean, including the church, to take part in this fight.”
” As IPCC, we have a duty to save the next generation. We are urging our youths to study the Word of God diligently, to fear the Lord, and to use their God-given talents positively through sports rather than wasting their lives on drugs, alcohol and promiscuity which is destroying our communities,” said Rev Dr Phiri.
Rev Dr Phiri added that sports is a proven tool to keep youths occupied and to discover talent in marginalized areas like Muzarabani.
Ward Councillor Hon. Chipo Samson, who received the donation, hailed Rev Dr Phiri for remembering a forgotten community.
“We are overjoyed as the leadership of Mutemakungu. This is the first time our youths have received such a huge donation of brand new sports kits. For a long time our children have been playing barefoot and using torn balls.”
“Muzarabani is a hot area and many of our youths, due to idleness and lack of opportunities, end up crossing into Mozambique or engaging in drug abuse and early marriages. This donation will keep our boys and girls busy on the sports field and away from all social ills. We thank Rev Dr Phiri and the IPCC family for this timely intervention which has brought hope to our ward,” said Hon. Samson”.
Headman Mafendu also weighed in, saying traditional leadership is struggling to control drug abuse.
“As traditional leaders we are deeply concerned. Dagga, musombodia and other drugs are now found even in our primary schools. Our young people no longer respect our culture because of drugs. We have tried to advise them but without alternatives like sports and jobs, they do not listen. So what Rev Dr Phiri has done today is to give us a weapon to fight this menace. When the youths are busy playing football and netball, they will have no time for drugs. We appeal for more such programmes to be brought to Muzarabani,” said Headman Mafendu.
Bishop Bomba, who was part of the entourage, said the IPCC will continue to roll out similar programmes across the country in line with Vision 2030 and the National Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign.
The Mutemakungu community is one of the most remote areas in Muzarabani, situated near the border with Mozambique, where youths are vulnerable to drug trafficking and cross-border crimes.
