Charity begins at ZIMRA
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs” Psalms 84: 5-6
The general perception which dates back to Biblical times is that tax collectors reap where they did not sow and care not for those around them. But in today’s world, the nature of Revenue Collectors’ mandate makes them the hill of the nation such that whatever they do is mirrored and echoed by many.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s corporate social responsibility programme is driven by real altruism, selflessness and the realisation that there are some less fortunate members of society who cannot afford a decent meal a day or a roof over their heads.
Although ZIMRA collects revenue on behalf of the State, it cannot use the funds so collected for charity causes since all funds are deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The unwavering quest to support the disadvantaged in the community and the realisation that society has always given to ZIMRA through revenue collection and should also benefit through the little that could be raised, resulted in the need for other initiatives to raise funds for the less fortunate to be found.
This gave birth to the ZIMRA’s Charity Fund, which was started at the Authority’s inception in 2001 with staff being made to pay fines for handling themselves in a manner not worthy of a ZIMRA official. Such misdemeanours which attracted fines for the benefit of the Charity Fund included having one’s mobile phone ringing during a meeting; not properly putting on a ZIMRA uniform or name badge; using a pen not befitting a ZIMRA official during a meeting; starting a meeting before praying; or even disrupting the flow of a meeting through various means.
The corporate world came in to support the ZIMRA Charity Fund by supporting the inaugural ZIMRA Charity Ball which was held in 2004 to raise funds for the underprivileged. Since then, the Authority has been holding the Charity Ball religiously to raise funds for the less fortunate members of society. Proceeds from the Charity Ball are distributed to selected charities throughout the country.
In 2011, the Charity Ball was graced by the presence of the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits who joined other sponsors to donate their services for a worthy cause. Over seventy thousand dollars ($70,000.00) was raised from the sale of tables, auctions and cash donations, for which ZIMRA is very grateful.
Some of the themes that the Authority has adopted for the annual Charity Ball over the years include:
- An act of kindness makes a world of difference
- The purpose of giving is giving for a worthy cause
- To give is to live
- Taking care of one another
- Going beyond the decade through caring and sharing
The ZIMRA Charity Fund has so far assisted homes in the construction of greenhouses, sending less fortunate children to school, drilling of boreholes at deserving institutions, introduction of income generating projects, and affording the less fortunate decent meals and shelter, among a myriad of activities undertaken. This would not have been possible without the support of the corporate world.
As John Bunyan aptly says, “You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”. Together we will subdue the “me, me again, me always” syndrome, which thought lies at the deep root of poverty.
ZIMRA is actively involved in charity work to uplift the lives of the less fortunate in society. Fundraising activities are mainly through the annual Charity Ball which has so far been held under various themes notably "lend a hand to make a difference", "an act of kindness can make a world of difference" and "the purpose of giving is giving for a worthy cause".
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow [countrymen] who are poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15 verse 11
To learn more about ZIMRA community projects, please contact us using the following details:
Ms R Majaja
Board Secretary, Corporate Communications & International Affairs
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
P O Box 4360
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 - 4 - 798878/9
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OR
Mr T Ndoro
Acting Head Corporate Communications
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
P O Box 4360
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 - 4 - 757766
Cell: +263 -712 876 405
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.