Africa’s richest traditional healer — Dr Sekuru Kamwelo Banda — is up for a prestigious International Humanitarian Award for assisting vulnerable groups and marginalized communities in Zimbabwe.
The prominent traditional healer and herbalist’ who is based in Harare has been named by an international organization called Trumpet which looked at his charity work during 2020 in which he provided food aid to senior citizens and vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Not only did Dr Banda provided food aid, he also ensured the youths were educated about drug and substance abuse as well as building recreational facilities in Harare’s populace cities such as Epworth and Mbare.
“When I started the food aid, the main aim was to inspire individuals and companies to do the same and assist the needy members of our society. It was never about self-agrandisement or publicity stunt, NO!
“Even now, helping the needy is something that all of us should do and I am humbled by the award that at least there are people who recognised the work we do. We did it out on our volition and used our own resources with support from donors but we forked the money out of our pockets,” Dr Banda said.
About the award, Dr Banda said with resources permitting he would double the food aid this year.
“The initial prediction is that 2021 is going to be worse than last year and because of that more people would need food aid. So this year it is proving to be a difficult one because we are starting with lockdown,” he said.
Among other his philanthropic work, Dr Banda travelled across Zimbabwe donating food aid to all 10 provinces.
Families received food hampers worth thousands of dollars as well as Personal Protective Equipment during the lockdown including hand sanitizers and gloves.
Among top celebrities and former legends who got assisted include international boxer Alphonso Zvenyika who got a shot in the arm for his Boxing Academy in Mbare.
Dr Banda supported the boxing academy in its bid to identify train and empower youths from the high density suburbs through the sport.
He also set aside US$500 000 for the construction of drug rehabilitation centre for youths as a way of giving back to community.
The money was sourced through the Kamwelo Banda Trust Fund. Musicians Kapfupi had a new music kit from Dr Banda while actor Marabha secured a stand in Epworth.
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