Residents of Mukore Community have been given an opportunity to secure their identity documents courtesy of a donation by UNICEF, towards aiding citizens to access their identity documents. The registration process, went for three days from 18 to 20 September 2021, targeting those residents whose identity documents were destroyed due to Cyclone Idai disaster. The natural disaster ripped residents of all their possessions including identification particulars, a situation that saw many children failing to secure identification documents as their parents had lost everything.

Amongst those who benefited are youths who secured their initial registration identity pass documents. To many, it heralded a sign of adulthood. “Zvinongofadzawo kuti ndave nechitupa. Ndatokuraka ini!” said one Annamaria Matange.

One other young men, George Muchokore exclaimed:

“2023 tave kutozovhotawo, kkkkk. Aiwazve zvatoita izvi, we can now vote.”

Some parents felt relieved:

Taizoiwanepi mari yekutakura vana ava vose vari 4? Uye rwendo runo mitemo yavo mishoma. KuBikita uko waidzoserwa kanhu kadikidiki apa unenge watutana nevana. Wodazve kundogadzirisa wondosvika wodzoserwazve zvimwe. Saka nhasi zvatinyorekera.” Mavis Chinounye, a resident was quoted as saying.

The Registrar’s officers were very friendly. Many people felt a difference. They could now allow even maternal grandmothers and grandfathers to secure birth certificates for their daughters’ children. Relatives could assist in the securing of identity documents for those in South Africa, Botswana and other countries having gone to seek employment.

The whole provincial registry were down here. The Provincial Registrar, District Registrars for Bikita and Zaka were all on the ground to assist residents. Alongside these was the Department of Social Welfare that helped with supporting documents, advice and transport.

“We are here to transport all the necessary stakeholders from different angles of the ward. If, for instance, one stakeholder ideal for the securing of a document is ill, can’t walk probably because is wheelchair bound, we go and collect the person and then facilitate the collection of the document, then transport him or her back,” said the official.

By end of day on Saturday at least 120 youths aged 16 years and older had secured their national registration certificates. Around 50 babies got their birth certificates.