By Problem Masau| As dusk dawns, 88-year-old Paulina Mapako sits on a bench outside her home preparing her evening meal in Katsande Village, Mutoko. Frail but still strong with a memory of an elephant, she narrates how her life have been transformed by Mathias and Mildred Madziyanzira who set up their gold milling company called MilMath Milling at Makosi Shops in 2012.

“They are God-sent”- said Gogo Mapako with a chuckle exposing her toothless mouth, “Ever since my husband died, they have been assisting me,”.

“As you can see I am preparing my evening dinner and the mealie meal and the cooking oil actually came from them,” she said.

Gogo Mapako revealed that the company was also constructing her house.

“They are constructing a new house for me,” she said.
Gogo Mapako’s case is not in isolation.

Mathias and Mildred who rose to prominence through preaching the gospel know too well that helping orphans, widows and the needy is part of the Jesus’ great commission.

“The company has identified the vulnerable in the community and is assisting with groceries. We have also identified children with school fees needs,” said the company’s general manager Nago.

“We are grateful to MilMath for sinking the boreholes in our area. Unlike in other areas, water is readily available here,” said Eureka Katsande as she fetches water in Katsande Village.

“As part of our social corporate responsibility we have sunk a total of 16 boreholes,” said Mathias Madziyanzira.
Many youths who could have followed the great trek of going to South Africa or Harare have found themselves employed at the mill.
“ Our policy is that for general labour, we employ the locals. Most youths have been employed here. We only hire outside if it’s skilled labour,” said Madziyanzira.

While most rural stores are developing into white elephants and ghost shops, Makosi shopping area deep down in Mutoko is flourishing and blossoming.

“This area is starting to enjoy the ripple effects of our investment here. When we first set up here, the area was deserted with no meaningful activities. Today it’s like a town and there is a beehive of activities,” said Mildred Madziyanzira.

A modern settlement is developing in the area as people troop for the gold rush found in the area.