September 2023
Meet Rotarian Gilbert Chiminya
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: I joined Interact in 2007 and then Rotaract in 2015, which I have served on various committees. I was elected President of Rotaract Club of Harare Central for the 2017-2018 Rotary year. I am currently serving in Rotaract as Assistant District Rotaract Representative. On 14 February 2019 I became a Rotarian meaning I now serve in both Rotaract and Rotary.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself.
Rtn: I am a young entrepreneur who is into mining, infrastructure development and farming. I am serving in the Service Projects and Foundation. These committees give me an opportunity to breathe hope to our communities.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you.
Rtn: While it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
Rtn: I have been involved in the wheelchair handover and Larche Children home visits (Rotaract) and when recipients express their joy it gives me self-fulfilment.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
Rtn: I highly recommend Rotary to any young person who is looking to develop a deeper connection to the community as it provides an opportunity of spreading love to the whole world. Also to mention contacts within the Rotary, everyone needs to network.
Meet Rotarian Tariro Nyakujara
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: I came to know about Rotary through a colleague and joined on invitation from the Past President Theresa.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself.
Rtn: I am a lawyer by profession and work for an insurance company as an internal counsel and company secretary. In addition I am an upcoming farmer. I started my career with the Attorney General’s office as a prosecutor. I am a mother of one daughter. I am in the Foundation committee. I joined the committee by invitation from the committee chair whom I hope to learn a lot from.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you.
Rtn: I enjoy helping others be it at work or home that motivates me. I feel good to see the seeds I plant germinate and grow and that drives me to carry on.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
Rtn: I have been involved in the wheelchair distribution mostly and what an overwhelming experience it has been.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
Rtn: Yes I would recommend Rotary because of its objectives and its traceable works.
Meet Rotarian Juliet Mujuru
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: I came to know about Rotary through my brother Chorus Nyamakunda who is a Rotarian in Burnham Beeches, UK in District 1090. I was inducted on 27 February 2020 and proud to be a Rotarian at Harare Central Club.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself.
Rtn: I am a mother of two and a Private Secretary at SIRDC. I serve as a Secretary for the Borrowdale Circuit Methodist Church. I have joined Fellowship & Fundraising Committee for I love to fundraise and help the less privileged in our society.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you.
Rtn: What motivates me is the love that I have been shown by fellow Rotarians and to me this shows that I found another family whom I will work with whole heartedly.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
Rtn: I have attended wheelchair handovers which are always so touching as I see lives change for the better.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
Rtn: I would recommend and have already started doing so because of the togetherness in the Club. I am excited to learn how we can do more for the under privileged in our society
Meet Past President Sevias Mujere
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member. PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself.
PP: I was introduced to Rotary by the late DG Eric Marques over breakfast in Nyanga. After one meeting I became hooked-line and sinker to Rotary. I am glad that I am into my 17th year in Rotary and have enjoyed every minute of it.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself.
PP: I am Head of the biggest Trust school in terms of enrolment. 700 learners in all coming from all over Africa-Nigeria, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, Namibia etc. That diversity of my students has been culturally enriching for me. I also consult for South African book publisher and this involves training of teachers and school administrators in the Sadc region. I am married and we are blessed with two boys and one girl. I currently serve on the New Generations committee but over the years I Dealing with the youth has always been a passion and over the years I have come to realise that the tables have been turned. We have so much to learn from the young people of today as opposed to them learning from us. I am not just a Liverpool supporter but a card carrying member and we are going to set a new record this year on most points in a single season. I also enjoy spending time in my rural home where its peaceful and relaxing.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you.
PP: I am an avid reader and greatly interested in sports and politics. My models are Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Mahatma Gandi and Mother Theresa. The common thread in all these people is service which is what Rotary is all about.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
PP: The highlight of my Rotary life was when RI President Ravi visited Makumbe Hospital during my Presidency. It is not everyday that you get the RI President visiting your country, let alone your club and that was an experience I will take to my grave.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
PP: I have met some truly wonderful people through Rotary and they have become personal friends. I have had the privilege of travelling around the world and I have been warmly welcomed in each of those clubs I have visited. All because of Rotary. So if you want regional and international contacts and you want to be part of one big family you simply become a Rotarian. When I leave this planet I hope they have a Rotary club in the next world for me to join.
Meet Rotarian Yvonne
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: During my varsity holidays, I was invited to help out for a Rotary project (Operation of Hope cleft lip mission) and I instantly connected with the service and fellowship experience. I wanted to join Rotary immediately – konapo konapo that very day! I also met a lot of Rotarians that day including PP Tember. The process was then explained to me, and I then joined Rotaract. So all in all I have been acquainted with Rotary for a little over a decade now ….
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself.
Rtn: I enjoy the process of planning and ensuring things fall into place hence I was drawn to the Admin committee. I’m an easy going person and I pursue unselfish happiness always.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you.
Rtn: The need for a better tomorrow – so every day is a challenge to advance, forge ahead.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
Rtn: So far I have been involved in the Chinhoyi Avicenna library refurbishment. The value of the project was not in the transformation through painting , tiling etc – the real impact was in leaving a community with a place where they can have a guaranteed quiet time , a place to read , to be informed and most of all to wonder as you travel through the books
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
Rtn: It’s the only organisation where people are so diverse in every aspect yet so united in their cause – what an opportunity to be in it!
Meet Rotarian Michelle
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: I came to know about Rotary through my mentor who is currently a President Elect in a club in the USA. I came to know about Rotary Club of Harare Central in particular from social media.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself (cover family, profession, committee you are in, why you joined that committee).
Rtn: I am a business owner currently managing a trading company (Signature Holdings) which I Co-founded. We currently supply pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and tools and hardware products to public and private organizations. I am studying towards a Master of Commerce in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance at MSU Harare Campus. I’m the first born in a family of two girls and two boys. My hobbies include karate, tennis and traveling. I am an exceptional writer and I have a keen eye and attention to detail especially when it comes to image and perception management. I also have great interpersonal skills so naturally I decided to join the Public Relations committee.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you.
Rtn: I am motivated by the need to get things done. I believe in taking action, I believe in carrying out projects that are life-changing for the people receiving assistance. My background in social sciences opened my eyes to the immense problems in society that need people with initiative to find solutions and to implement them effectively and with urgency. I can say that in essence I’m motivated by the idea of helping people.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
I have taken part in a few projects so far as I am fairly new to the club. The first one was the revamping of the Avicenna Public Library in Gadzema high density suburb in Chinhoyi. The amount of work that needed to be done there was unthinkable but amazingly the RCHC team worked together to completely transform the library and restock it with new books. It was an great way to socialise and built rapport with other club members. The second project I took part in was the “Happy Readers” Literacy project at Mutumba Primary school. Teachers were being imparted with skills on how to improve the literacy and fluency of their pupils. I interacted with the facilitators, some teachers and the pupils. I learned so much about the importance of early reading skills and their impact on the overall performance of pupils in all their classes.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
I would recommend Rotary to anyone with a humanitarian spirit and anyone who loves meeting people of all age groups and from different professions. It is a wonderful way to give back to the community through committing time and resources and equally rewarding in terms of relationships and opportunities to learn through the different programs.
Meet Rotarian Tendai
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: I was in interact club in High School. When I got to college (HIT) we revived the Rotaract club so that’s how I got to know of Rotary. PE Plax then invited me to join RCHC and I was chattered in January.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself (cover family, profession, committee you are in, why you joined that committee).
Rtn: I am the second born in a family of 3. Turning 30 and still staying with my mum. I studied B Tech Honours in Financial Engineering at HIT and currently working as the HR manager at Global Risk Underwriting Managers. Recently completed my diploma in HR and completing another diploma in Payroll Management in September. I am a Vice President for Zimbabwe East District at our church, Church of Nazarene, and Secretary for the national board. (Both youth boards). I can say I love to serve so I easily get nominated or appointed as a leader since l was a child. I joined New Generation committee, as I love working with young people, influencing them to do good and achieve great things. I understand people and can work with different characters, so it makes it easy. Also joined Service projects. I love achievements hence my interest in being involved in hands on stuff. Due to school and work have not been able to serve much but hoping to get fully involved once I complete my studies.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you?
Rtn: I am a goal getter, grew to fear less and I believe sky is not even the limit. Growing up life was a bit difficult, lost one parent at a tender age so I started setting goals from those situations. And each experience made me stronger and needing to work harder for a better life and to help those around me. So that drives me to do more.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
Rtn: Unfortunately, I have Saturday classes and sometimes have work on Saturday, so I have not been able to attend much. But from August I will be fully available I only did the Polio fun run.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
Rtn: Yes, I would recommend Rotary. There are lots of people my age who have idle time they could channel towards serving the community. It’s also a place where you get to learn and network and have fun. So the more the merrier.
Meet Rotarian Wadzi
PR: Tell us how you came to know about Rotary and how many years have you been a member.
Rtn: My very first encounter with rotary when I first moved moved to Harare was the rotary centre, but I did not inquire what it was all about because it said senior citizens club and I’d see older men drive in and I was scared for the life of me. It did not occur to me then that I could google. One of my friends’ mom happens to be a Rotarian, she invited me to lunch meetings in 2015 but my schedule then was somewhat hectic, I was not mobile then. Then I made friends with a guy who introduced me to Rotaract and then I found my tribe. I have been in the Rotary/ Rotaract circle for 6 years now since 2016.
PR: Can you tell us briefly about yourself (cover family, profession, committee you are in, why you joined that committee)?
Rtn: I come from a family of 2 and I am the last child although in our Zimbabwean home we are more than that. I am an accountant and seasoned administrator. I do have a new interest in governance where I’d like to offer participation literacy classes, perhaps through writing and podcasting as entry level. I have currently joined treasury, which is not far off from my main profession. I amm happy to put my existing skill to use.
PR: Can you share with us what motivates you?
Rtn: Often, it’s the end goal or success, impact. I am driven to do something by the impact it will bring. I also enjoy learning new things and putting myself to task on what I am otherwise scared to do.
PR: Which projects have you attended and been involved in and how were you impacted?
Rtn: I have mostly been through the wheelchair project and done book sorting. I am always inspired to want to do more to change lives and see that people are empowered.
PR: Would you recommend Rotary and why?
I will always recommend rotary. It’s a lifestyle, life changing, family and the friendship oh! I see this as a passport to the world also.