News / National
Furore over Mugabe birthday donations
23 Feb 2013 at 14:56hrs | Views
PREPARATIONS for the provincial 21st Movement celebrations, which will incorporate the Miss 21st beauty pageant, were almost thrown into disarray after traditional donors were skeptical to part with their resources fearing abuse.
The intervention of Central Committee member, Isau Mupfumi and provincial secretary for administration, Kenneth Saruchera, saved the day as they had to take time to explain to the business community that everything was above board.
Saruchera had to write a letter and also advise companies only to accept an original letter from him and not a photocopied one.
Mupfumi had to personally phone some of the companies especially the Asian community, which he accused of not playing ball. Only two Asian businesses, Bhadella Wholesalers and Jays Wholesalers supported the programme.
"We are not happy with the lethargic response we got from the business community in regard to donations towards this important event, the 21st Movement. We have a number of businesspeople around, but some were hiding behind the fact that they wanted to channel the money to the national account, which is fine, but we also have provincial preparations which will factor into the main event to be held in Bindura.
"The Asian community should not hide behind Bhadella and Jays wholesalers because they are also enjoying good business opportunities here. They should also join hands with other players when it comes to national issues," said Mupfumi.
However, Jays Wholesalers' director, Mr Khaled Kassim Joosab, said as the Asian community, they would always support national programmes.
"We are involved in a number of national programmes and we know that it is not all of us, but at least we are doing something," he said.
Mupfumi pledged to hire Mutare Hall formerly Queen's Hall as well as meet the cost of the models' camping in Mutare. He pledged to transport them to the main venue in Bindura.
Bhadella Wholesalers have donated a deep freezer to be won by the queen during tomorrow's pageant.
Saruchera confirmed the challenges the fundraising committee faced in winning people's confidence.
"Yes, there were challenges in fundraising for this year's celebrations as people were skeptical, fearing that they were realising their resources into the wrong hands. I had to write an official letter, which was distributed to the business community in Mutare. We are not stressing on money, but donations in kind since money always have challenges in accounting for it.
"The donations we are looking for are for the modeling contest and I insisted that only original letters should be sent to the business communities and not photocopied letters.
"Those with cash donations can bring them forward on the day of the contest and acknowledgment letters of all donations will be given," he said.
The intervention of Central Committee member, Isau Mupfumi and provincial secretary for administration, Kenneth Saruchera, saved the day as they had to take time to explain to the business community that everything was above board.
Saruchera had to write a letter and also advise companies only to accept an original letter from him and not a photocopied one.
Mupfumi had to personally phone some of the companies especially the Asian community, which he accused of not playing ball. Only two Asian businesses, Bhadella Wholesalers and Jays Wholesalers supported the programme.
"We are not happy with the lethargic response we got from the business community in regard to donations towards this important event, the 21st Movement. We have a number of businesspeople around, but some were hiding behind the fact that they wanted to channel the money to the national account, which is fine, but we also have provincial preparations which will factor into the main event to be held in Bindura.
"The Asian community should not hide behind Bhadella and Jays wholesalers because they are also enjoying good business opportunities here. They should also join hands with other players when it comes to national issues," said Mupfumi.
However, Jays Wholesalers' director, Mr Khaled Kassim Joosab, said as the Asian community, they would always support national programmes.
"We are involved in a number of national programmes and we know that it is not all of us, but at least we are doing something," he said.
Mupfumi pledged to hire Mutare Hall formerly Queen's Hall as well as meet the cost of the models' camping in Mutare. He pledged to transport them to the main venue in Bindura.
Bhadella Wholesalers have donated a deep freezer to be won by the queen during tomorrow's pageant.
Saruchera confirmed the challenges the fundraising committee faced in winning people's confidence.
"Yes, there were challenges in fundraising for this year's celebrations as people were skeptical, fearing that they were realising their resources into the wrong hands. I had to write an official letter, which was distributed to the business community in Mutare. We are not stressing on money, but donations in kind since money always have challenges in accounting for it.
"The donations we are looking for are for the modeling contest and I insisted that only original letters should be sent to the business communities and not photocopied letters.
"Those with cash donations can bring them forward on the day of the contest and acknowledgment letters of all donations will be given," he said.
Source - post
