Caroline Mashingaidze-Tapfumaneyi: The brains behi...

Caroline Mashingaidze-Tapfumaneyi: The brains behind Mandipa Hope Rehab Centre

Patricia Mashiri

Drug abuse has been on the increase due to a number of factors, including economic challenges, frustration and lack of good parenting skills among other factors.

Covid-19-induced idleness is also one big challenge which brought the drug problem.

Seeing these challenges, Caroline Mashingaidze-Tapfumaneyi, as an entrepreneur, saw it as a huge gap which wanted to be filled and it saw Mandipa Hope Rehabilitation Centre born.

Tapfumaneyi is married with three biological children and three adopted.

“I have been an entrepreneur for the past 27 years. I have run businesses in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

“I have only been in the Mental Health business for three years. I was inspired to start Mandipa Hope Rehabilitation by my business and financial situation when I came back to Zimbabwe after 15 years in Botswana. As a businessperson, I’m always looking for opportunities. I was then motivated to get into this field when I found out there was a gap,” Tapfumaneyi said.

With no medical background she was determined to help and walk the path of restoration with addicts. As one may interpret “Mandipa Hope” to mean “You have given me hope” the needy.

“When I started Mandipa Hope, I did not have any medical background. Because of that, I sort out to put together a group of highly qualified, skilled and experienced personnel in the Mental health field without compromise. All I did was coordinate the process.

“God put the best team to help me, the likes of, Occupational therapist, Psychiatrists and Psychologists. I was ready to learn. They held my hand. They ran with me. The Mandipa Hope team I started with is still the same team three years later. They are my pillar. Together we can, together we are doing it. With God guiding us. I have a diploma in mental health which I did way after I started Mandipa Hope,” she said.

Mandipa Hope plays a huge role in employment creation. It has a total of sixty employees, including nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, cooks, cleaners and security among others. It also works hand in glove with about six local universities in providing internships to students.

Mandipa Hope was recognised with a prestigious outstanding Medical Rehabilitation Services Gold for Excellence in Rehabilitation Services at Zimbabwe CEO’s Network Awards.

It was recognised for its outstanding commitment in providing exceptional rehabilitation services in the country.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. This award serves as motivation for us to continue our mission of providing exceptional services and helping individuals overcome their challenges.

“The first month at the rehab is all about detoxification after that we work together with the patient providing therapy and a way forward of what they may need in life. We usually do this with the patient’s family because we do not want them to go back to the world and find nothing to do. So, we try to bring solutions such as projects so that they will have something to do after rehab,” said Tapfumaneyi.

Caroline highlighted that the most common drugs being abused in Zimbabwe are Crystal Methamphetamine, Guka makafela or mutoriro, Cannabis /Marijuana referred to as mbanje or skunk, Bron Cleer referred to as Bronco, cocaine and heroine.

She also stressed that it would really help if organisations could channel their Corporate Social Responsibility towards rehabilitation of drug and alcohol-affected individuals. Due to the economic situation in the country most affected people cannot afford rehabilitation. Out of about 70 enquiries they get per week, they only get to help about 5 or less which is quite worrying.

31 Pringle Rd, Mandara, Harare

info@mandipahope.co.zw

+263 776 991 153/5