THE LADY BEHIND ‘DUBLIN UNPLUGGED’
THEY say charity begins at home and this probably aptly describes Charity Mukwasani-Emmanuel.
She comes across as an ordinary girl next door because of her striking humility but, after having a coffee chat with her, the down-to-earth and charismatic philanthropist, administrator, mother, and events organiser’s charm and intelligence become apparent.
The Ireland-based qualified social care practitioner and award-winning community champion is all the brains.
A one-on-one engagement reveals she is passionate about what she does.
It is no surprise that she transformed herself from a WhatsApp group admin of initially 20 people, to an events organiser who accommodates scores of Zimbabwean women across Ireland and England in her yearly meet-and-greet parties, popularly known as “Ladies of Ireland.”
Today, she stands to score another first. She is the brains behind Zimbabwean musician, Andy Muridzo’s tour to Ireland for the first time, through her company - Chikandamina Promotions.
She joins the elite league of women music promoters pioneered by Barbra Chikosi (Mama Red Rose) and is currently being kept afloat by Wanisai Mutandwa a.k.a Mahwindo.
However, she revealed, it all started from home and her desire to help the next person to become better.
“It all started from a young age, l have always wanted to help the next person. Even during my high school days in Hwange, l would share the little l have.
“To this day, l have been doing some philanthropic work in Zimbabwe, helping those in need by raising huge amounts of medical bills and school fees.
“I have helped quite a number of people, especially during the Covid19 period, and all out of my pocket.”
After getting a scholarship to study in Ireland, when she was only 18, Charity became a source of advice for many Zimbabweans who later relocated to this country.
She then opened a Facebook page for people to share information and stories, culminating in a huge following which saw her initiating some ladies meet-and-greet indabas.
She always advises her followers to remain focused, assertive, disciplined, and honest.
“I opened a WhatsApp group which remarkably grew from about 20 participants and that later birthed a Facebook page with a whooping over two thousand followers.
“It is then that l started the ‘Ladies of Ireland’ initiative where all women would meet and network.
“The event has been growing in leaps and bounds over the years and bonds have been made and networks have been opened too.
“This year over 280 people met and it was a huge success.”
The backing and support she got from the ladies prompted her to go for the jugular and next month, through her Chikandamina Promotions company, she will be bringing talented contemporary crooner Muridzo to perform in Dublin.
She has also opened a burial and bereavement society group for the Diaspora community and said the recent deaths and struggles to repatriate deceased Zimbabweans back home has been her motivational factor.
“I was touched some time ago when a fellow Zimbabwean had to be buried in the Diaspora after failing to raise repatriation funds.
“I have opened a grouping to start and raise money to fund members in the event of a rainy day,” she said.
For her efforts, Emmanuel was awarded the Community Champions award for the year 2022 at the reputable United Kingdom-based Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, 11th Edition early this year.
“The coming year will be a gamechanger as l look forward to bringing more Zimbabwean musicians to these shores.
“I will be fusing with other African artists as we want to promote cultural diversity.
“The year will also see me scaling up my efforts to help the needy and come up with solutions to those in need obviously based on the availability of resources.”