HARARE - Six charities received a boost over the weekend from funds that were raised from a charity golf tournament.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Charity Golf Classic raised money for Chinyaradzo Children’s Home, Mashambanzou Care Trust, Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, Society of the Destitute Aged, Harare Children’s Home and Emthunzini WeThemba — all residential facilities serving abused, abandoned and neglected children and the elderly.

The PM, who has been vilified in the state press for playing golf with Western diplomats, said it was government’s responsibility to look after the vulnerable and that donations by private citizens and organisations should only be complimentary and not be the basis for the vulnerable survival.

Irene Kuradzandima, director of Chinyaradzo’s Children Home, said: “We have 60 children in our care who were either abandoned, orphaned, abused or in difficult circumstances. We would have closed the centre had it not been for the Premier’s intervention and over the past three years we have been benefiting from this charity golf tournament.”

Faith Majome, acting projects coordinator for Mashambanzou, said the PM had embarked on a noble cause especially when donor fatigue had taken its toll on aid-funded organisations.

“It is imperative for Zimbabweans to support charities especially now that donor funds are not coming through. We have been a beneficiary since the charity tournament started three years ago,” she said.

Zed Rusike, one of the organizers of the charity golf day, said the tournament was a resounding success having attracted 141 golfers up from last year’s 120 players. - Staff Writer