In responding to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy (TCF), Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC (MMWFC) on Wednesday donated assorted relief items to survivors of TCF at Mambala Primary School in Phalombe.
Speaking during the donation ceremony, MMWFC Commercialization Chairperson; Clement Stambuli said the Club felt indebted to take action in responding to the calamity because what has happened is a national disaster that has affected the majority of Malawians including Wanderers supporters. “There is no Wanderers without the people. We have majority of Wanderers supporters residing in rural areas including Phalombe which has been heavily hit. We found it appropriate to come and support the victims which includes our supporters.”
Stambuli also highlighted that their partners (Mukuru and Ekhaya Farm Foods ) also rely on people to do their business as such it was necessary to help the victims who also support Mukuru and Ekhaya Farm Foods in their businesses.
Speaking after receiving the donation, District Commissioner for Phalombe; Douglas Moffat was grateful to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC and it’s sponsors for the donation, describing it as timely as the Council is still struggling in it’s response efforts. “We are in a crisis. We have lost 61 people, 78 are missing and 58,000 households have been displaced here in Phalombe. We have many people in camps in need for food, water and various other necessities. What Wanderers FC has done is so commendable and I am making an appeal to other sporting stakeholders to emulate this gesture” said Moffat.
David Baduya Mwale, Mukuru’s Operations Supervisor for Southern Region said Mukuru as a business entity that works with people, it was deeply saddened with the disaster that has rocked Malawi. According to Mwale, Mukuru thrives on building a better relationship with its Customers and as a Company they felt compelled to support the survivors as they are struggling to build back their lives.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC became the first super league outfit to donate relief items to victims of Cyclone Freddy. Malawi was declared to be in a state of disaster after it was hit by TCF mid-March. According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), as of 21st March 2023; the number of displaced people was at 553,614 with 543 camps set to accommodate the displaced. The death toll rose from 499 to 507 with 1,332 injuries. The number of reported missing persons was at 537 from 427.
MMWFC donated assorted items including flour, salt, beans and soya pieces valued at around MK 2,000,000. Mukuru’s officials, Club’s board members, technical panel, selected players and supporters witnessed the donation event.
