Socialite and actor David Mubaiwa reckons celebrities can fully utilise their influence and champion community development during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Sabhuku Vharazipi – as the revered actor is fondly known – said it was high time real celebrities stand up and change people’s lives during such trying times.
Yesterday, the 47-year-old was among hordes of Zvamuhande villagers in Mashava’s Ward 33 area working on a road site destroyed by the heavy rains, which pounded the area.
“Right now I am busy together with other villagers working on the road site that was damaged by the rains.
“The damage is so severe that the road network had become impassable hence the need to repair it.
“In this community where I stay, I treat myself like any other villager and that is the reason why you are seeing me here working with other villagers.
“I have to take a leading role when it comes to community development and with all the fame I have, I must utilise it for the good of the community where I stay.
“In life, heroes are known by what they do for their communities and that’s why I decided to team up with fellow villagers here,” said the Ziya Cultural Theatre Club founding member.
Although Sabhuku Vharazipi could not furnish H-Metro on the progress they have made, he lamented on the lack of commitment by other villagers.
“At the moment, I can safely say we are simply working with those who are committed in this cause since others are not forth-coming.
“As you know, villagers need to be pushed a lot and some want to come on board when there are returns for the work.
“Many people here don’t want voluntary work but we will continue doing the best we can to help member of the community.
“Our road network is poor and we can’t afford to fold our hands with the status quo,” he said.
Sabhuku Vharazipi, a champion advocate against gender based violence, urged couple to resort to dialogue during such challenging times.
“We have noted a sharp increase in cases of gender based violence in most homes due to poverty and hunger but there is always need for couples to resort to dialogue.
“Since are at the height of fighting this pandemic, we can’t afford to worsen the situation as we need to pull our hands together in one direction.
“I have also noted that there is need for people to share their problems and even share the little they have so that we avoid quarrelling in most homes,” he said.
Sabhuku Vharazipi also raised his concern following a spike in the case of infidelity as some people are now taking advantage of the pandemic to exploit the vulnerable.
“I am also one person who has never defended infidelity and we urge couple to be faithful to each other and void being lured to engage into prostitution.
“If one thinks of polygamy, it has to be made clear and open to the other party so that we avoid these fights.
“We don’t want a situation where people will end up fighting as a result of concealing such marriages.
“Once the polygamous affair is not clear, we are bound to see problems such as violence, which is a manifestation of promiscuity,” he said.
Sabhuku Vharazipi urged people to devise other survival means on lockdown to keep themselves busy and avoid selling their bodies for a day’s meal.
“Like I said earlier on, we need to respect each other as well as our morals so that we avoid cases of infidelity wrecking most homes out there.
“Couples must learn to stick together and be open to each other when they face challenges in their marriages,” he added.
Sabhuku Vharazipi, who is known for his distinct Karanga tone, remains one of the influential figures for his advocacy.
Over the years, Sabhuku Vharazipi has used his influence in major campaigns like the fight against new HIV infections, gender based violence, fight against the spread of the Covid-19 the pandemic among other awareness campaigns.
Sabhuku Vharazipi has also worked with a number of corporates, individuals and the vulnerable in addressing some of the issues hurting society.
-State Media