Ngoni Dapira

YOUTHS from Sakubva, Mutare’s oldest ghetto, were left inspired last Saturday during the Discovery Ambulance Services Presidential Medical outreach held at Sakubva Beithall.

The Presidential medical outreach programme being carried out countrywide is giving free medical tests and medication for Blood Pressure (BP)and sugar diabetes as well as conducting free basic first aid training and certification.

David Munowenyu, the chief executive officer of the new ambulance service, Discovery Ambulance Services, which is conducting the outreaches left youths spellbound after they heard he hails from Mutare with his roots tracing from Sakubva.

He encouraged Sakubva youths that the future is not determined by where you come from but how determined you are for success, as well as asking for God’s grace in everything.

“I hail from this city and Sakubva is home. I love this city and want to see it grow. I heard some say mbinga yekuHarare (laughing), No I am a product of Mutare and now I am giving back to Mutare my home,” said Munowenyu.

As a precursor of the medical outreach, Munowenyu took time to visit social centres in Sakubva and mingle with the children. He said his heart is with the city of Mutare and intends to grow with it, especially Sakubva where his parents started off from, which remains the cradle of their family businesses such as the Munowenyu Shopping Centre.

Below are pictures of David Munowenyu visiting social centres and interacting with the children in Sakubva before the medical outreach event:

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Advocate Misheck Mugadza who presided over the event said in line with vision 2030 to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy,  the government is working hand in glove with everyone and thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for setting the tone.

“We are working with NGOs, private partners, government departments, councils as we look forward to vision 2030. But vision 2030 can only be realized  if our people are healthy. We applause this medical outreach programme by the President which is being spearheaded by our own child David Munowenyu, who hails from Mutare and Sakubva,” said Minister Mugadza.

He added that government is prioritizing the urban renewal programme and the people of Sakubva should brace for a major face lift, starting with the popular industrial hub, Murahwa Market (Green Market), then they will move onto renovating and rebuilding council houses and flats so that they conform to the modern world of smart cities.

David Munowenyu (second from right) with some colleagues from Zanu-PF shares a moment with Tindo ‘GP’ Muzuru (wheelchair) during the Presidential medical outreach.

A popular youth in Sakubva, Tendai ‘GP’ Muzuru who is wheelchair bound but known for his positive attitude towards life said he was humbled by Munowenyu’s humility.

“I was really humbled by the humility by David Munowenyu. I would hear about him and the charity work he does but I am happy for this opportunity to talk to him in person and was encouraged by his kind and wise words. Seeing a youth like him having a big heart for helping the less privileged gives us hope for a brighter future,” said Muzuru.

Munowenyu who had since relocated to South Africa where he has other business interests said he was inspired to invest back home by prophet Eubert Angel who is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large since being appointed in March 2021. The ambassadorial role came with the responsibility for prophet Angel to seek trade and investment opportunities for the country.

He thanked President Mnangagwa for his open policies encouraging enterprising youths like him who were abroad but now contributing meaningfully to the growth of Zimbabwe.

The emergency ambulance service launched early last year, a brainchild of David and his wife Chantelle has entered the sector with a vision of providing affordable emergency medical services in every corner of Zimbabwe, setting a new health paradigm.

Munowenyu says their decision to invest in the emergency medical services sector was guided by the widening gap to the affordability and accessibility of ambulances by the public.

Through its affordable monthly subscriptions package like the US$5 Smart Save Plus package, it offers 24hours immediate ambulance service response. The package also offers immediate medical attention for stabilization before evacuation, unlimited 24hr medical advice and assistance, unlimited free BP checks, evacuation calls within a 40km radius, three evacuations per year, hospital Cash Plan at US$1500 for adults and US$900 for children per year, a pay out of US$100 for adults and US$60 for children per day spent in hospital on admission with a maximum of US$500 and US$300 respectively per event (T&C) as well as a funeral cash back of US$500 for both adults and children.

There are also subscription packages for US$10 and US$20. The services also extend coverage to additional dependents, including parents.

The event was well supported by the provincial leadership of the party through its provincial chairman Tawanda Mukodza, with notable elites present such as Central committee member Esau Mupfumi who is also the Zanu-PF shadow Member of Parliament for Mutare Central constituency, after losing the 2023 elections, as well as the shadow MP for Dangamvura constituency Clide Jani amongst others.

Below are pictures of some of the free medical aid training receipients receiving their certificates from the guest of honour Minister Mugadza as well as some of the major highlights during the outreach: