Zimbabwe was known as the food basket of Africa in 1980 when they got their independence from Great Britain. The land was very fertile and this attracted Caucasian farmers who used state power to dispossess the natives of their ancestral lands.

Bad leadership prevented the small country from achieving its immense potential as Robert Mugabe emerged tragically from being a liberation fighter to becoming a sit tight dictator who unleashed a slew of anti-people economic and political policies which left the once promising nation in ruins. So bad was it that a viral joke said that you would need a wheel barrow full of money to purchase a loaf of bread.

I am happy that despite the challenges that Zimbabwe formerly known as Rhodesia faces, the corporate Zimbabwe has shown empathy for the mental health cause which is highly commendable.

ZB Bank and 3K tv were the sponsors of this year’s mental health awareness campaign which is spearheaded by some public-spirited mental health advocates who want a better deal for the mentally challenged in that country.

Young people mental health president Tawanda Murepa said the presence of big business showed the greenlight to the battle against mental health, drug and substance abuse in the country.

He said: “We are pleased with the presence of big businesses like ZB bank, Nyaradzo, National Aids Council (NAC) among other exhibitors…we hope that after this expo, if we approach any of the companies which exhibited today asking for partnership or funds, we will get positive responses.”

A prominent actress, Kessia Masona (Muchaneta) also added her two cents when she opined: “Today’s event is open to everyone from sports, entertainment and business people among all invited guests…we want to spread the word of awareness about mental health so that we create a sense of restoration to those who are at the verge of giving up.”

The war against the stigmatization of the African mentally challenged can only be won if the activists co-opt businesses and ensure that the latter enshrine policies that will be favourable to the patients.

The patients should be able to comfortably discuss their plight with the human resources department without the fear of being fired or stigmatized and the HR personnel should be well trained to be able to effectively manage them as they still have something to offer despite their health challenge.

The stress of living in most African countries with the bad governance, poverty, corruption, hostile economic policies etc contribute to mental health disorders and so activists must step up their game to not only demand for good leadership but to hold the leaders accountable as well.

It is a right step that Zimbabwe is emerging from the ashes of the post Mugabe era and leaving the ugly past behind them to forge into a better state where the interests of the mentally challenged are highly protected.

Activists in the Southern African country mustn’t rest on their oars and there is also the need to influence public policy to ensure a better deal for the mentally challenged as politics and the economy have an unholy alliance in Africa. There is the need to get the government to enact legislations that will compel the businesses not to discriminate or stigmatize the mentally challenged. While we commend the businesses in Zimbabwe for standing up for the patients, the advocates must not ignore the role that the government plays as the polity largely influences the economy or business in Africa and so there is the need to hold the government accountable so that the patients can smile.

Other businesses should follow in Zimbabwe and the public policy thrust must be so sturdy that even foreign investors would take into consideration the interests of the patients when setting up shop in Zimbabwe which is blessed with one of the finest African weathers.

Activists should also get the support of celebrities like footballers, thespians and musicians to back the cause and use their wide influence and contacts to ensure that the mentally challenged’s interests are well protected.

If Zimbabwe is to build an all-inclusive society and key into the current mantra of diversity and inclusiveness, then the mentally challenged need to be adequately treated with harsh laws on stigmatization.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step goes the ancient Chinese cliché and that the support by the two aforementioned businesses in Zimbabwe for the mentally challenged is a step in the right direction as it will cause a ripple effect for other businesses to follow suit.

Well Done Corporate Zimbabwe!

SOURCE: https://africavoiceshq.com/2022/04/26/corporate-zimbabwe-commendation-for-support-for-mental-health-by-tony-ademiluyi/