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of other artistes such as Sandra Ndebele, Tryson Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah and Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave who have already joined hands with NBSZ to enhance the visibility of its brand and encourage a culture of donating blood regularly among Zimbabweans.

Speaking during a Press conference in Harare, which ran under the theme “Every blood donor is a hero”, NBSZ public affairs manager Esther Massundah said her organisation was happy to unveil Shumba as their ambassador for the Manicaland Province.
“One of the things we are doing is encouraging our branches to find someone who will carry our message within their provinces. We identified Blessing Shumba, who is a renowned gospel artiste, and he will be doing quite a lot during our commemorations for the World Blood Donor Day at Sakubva 2 High School in Mutare on June 14,” said Massundah.

Contacted for comment, Shumba — who commands a huge following among gospel music lovers in Zimbabwe — said his appointment as brand ambassador for the NBSZ makes him an ambassador for life adding that as a Christian, his appointment would help him influence behavioural change and transform people lives.
“I believe as Christians we have a divine mandate to save our people. Such an appointment, if it can make the world a better place, that is what we are sent to accomplish; it is in fact part of our ministry,” said Blessing.

He added that being a pastor and a musician gave him the advantage of being in touch with society and that will make it easy for him to preach the message of donating blood and the related advantages that come with being a regular blood donor.
Blessing also explained that being a blood donor requires one to be sexually mature in order to ensure that the blood donated is clean and suitable for transfusion.

He said since donating blood was critical in saving lives, behavioural change should be taught in churches in order to benefit youths and couples.
“Being a blood donor dictates that you have the best behaviour sexually, to make sure the much needed blood remains clean. It also means behavioural change should be a major subject in churches for youths and couples.
“Remember there is no machine on earth that can manufacture blood, only God the Creator created blood. If you give it to somebody in need, you have given that person life hence the responsibility is upon us to save those in critical need of blood,” added Blessing.

As the nation prepares for the World Blood Donor Day commemorations on June 14, the message of donating blood among people in Zimbabwe becomes thematic as NBSZ continues to promote regular non-remunerated blood donations among Zimbabweans.

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