The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE late former South African President Nelson Mandela once remarked that there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.
As they grow up, Rukudzo, Runako and Rujeko Maphosa, the triplets whose father rejected them soon after birth will attest that some of the good things that have happened to them would not have occurred had it not been for some of the worst things they have encountered in life.
The triplets’ predicament, together with their mother Ms Olinda Maphosa, has earned the sympathy of people from various spheres of life.
Ms Maphosa was forced to flee from South Africa to Marange after the father of the children, Obey Mucheke, tried to force her to sell one of the girls.
Mucheke’s argument was that they could not keep all three girls. After refusing to sell one child, her husband threatened her with death, thereby forcing her to flee from South Africa.
The words of the late globally acclaimed Catholic nun Mother Theresa quickly come to mind.
“It is the greatest poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”
The family has revealed the strong sense of Ubuntu that binds the Zimbabwean people together. First it was Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, who showed her compassion by providing for the immediate and long term welfare of the triplets.
One of the country’s seed producer, Agriseeds, then answered to the call of social responsibility and donated food and clothing to the three minors.
Wholesale concern, Gain, followed suit with another donation of groceries and clothing.
This week, the Mutare District Development Fund (DDF) completed the installation of a borehole at the family’s homestead in Muchabaiwa Village home, Odzi.
Before the borehole installation, the triplets’ mother was walking two kilometres to the nearest source of water. The development will therefore see her spending more time with her daughters as water is now readily available at the homestead.
The water source will also ensure improved agricultural production at the homestead, thereby guaranteeing the triplets’ food security.
As the “Cinderella” story of the rejected triplets unfolds, one is bound to meditate over how their father could have entertained the thought of selling them.
Culture is dynamic, but it would appear the more things change, the more they remain the same. Children are being killed for strange beliefs and the love of instant riches. The fear of responsibility has also been a major cause of rejection of children.
Mr Ephraim Chikura (77) of Muchabaiwa Village said the triplets have been a blessing to everyone.
“A long time ago, twins or triplets would not survive. Different reasons were proffered to justify their killing. Some claimed their birth was a bad omen but we see these triplets as a beautiful blessing,” said Mr Chikura.
Mr Weston Chikara (73), who is the current Headman Muchabaiwa, said society has evolved.
“We now understand that triplets are a blessing. In this area, we have two sets of triplets and they are all alive and well.
“However, the fact that the Maphosa girls’ father rejected them and wanted to sell one of them shows that we now have a new breed of people who have a disturbing attitude towards twins or triplets,” said Headman Muchabaiwa.
Indeed, the disturbing act of human sacrifice is now rooted in the love of money as evidenced by the spike in ritual murders experienced this year across Manicaland.
Despite several international treaties that protects children’s right, some children remain at the receiving end of bad treatment from their parents or guardians.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), for example, is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.
Manicaland Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector LuxsonChananda said the increase in the number of ritual murder cases is worrisome.
“Innocent children’s lives are being sacrificed. We strongly warn perpetrators of such crimes and pledge our total devotion to thwart such practices,” said Inspector Chananda.
At Kudavana Orphanage in Mutare District, 55 percent of the children there were abandoned at birth or soon after.
Mr Davis Mundirwira, an administrator at the orphanage, expressed concern over the abandonment of children.
“About 55 percent of our children were abandoned at birth. This often happens with psychiatric parents or commercial sex workers who leave very young children alone. Some of the children come from child headed families,” said Mr Mundirwira.
As we spurn these blessings from the heavens, lest we forget, Christians believe that rejection is God’s protection. When someone rejects you, it may be a blessing in disguise. So chin up and live your life.
