I strive to influence transformation in people’s l...

I strive to influence transformation in people’s lives: Dr Johannes Marisa

Zim Now Writer

“I am naturally a fanatic of sungura great, Leornard Dembo. When he died in 1996, I was pained to the bone. Since then, I have liked sungura music and I do not want to see it die as a genre.”

These were the words of Dr Johannes Marisa, Harare-based private medical practitioner, educationist and philanthropist, openly declaring his natural admiration for the sungura genre.

In an interview with Zim Now, Dr Marisa said he has extended his love for sungura into being a sungura music promoter. He works with artistes such as Mark Ngwazi, Tendai Dembo and First Farai among others.

“My natural liking of sungura led me to sponsor some of these sungura musicians. The new generation does not like sungura, they have their own likings, which is fine.

“I also assist artistes at our clinics, including widows of late music legends such as Mai Dembo, Mai Biggie Tembo, Mai Tazvida, Mai Mashakada and their families.

“My biggest inspiration is my background. I grew up in a big, impoverished family with very little financial capabilities. I am the seventh child in a family of nine. I walked barefoot to school until about Grade 6 because my father could not afford since he was a mere cook in Chiredzi in the lowveld. I get pained when I see learners walking barefooted to school. I do not want people to suffer the way I did. I do not like these bad memories and I just want children out of trouble. Of course, I cannot do it alone but I assist where I can,” Dr Marisa told Zim Now.

“Then of course, there was Dr. Emmanuel Magoche, an area-mate who would come down to Masvingo South. Each time he came down to Masvingo South, he would buy us drinks when we were young and told myself that I wanted to be a doctor like him,” said Dr Marisa.

Dr Marisa is involved in several philanthropic activities as an individual and as Westview Clinic.

“There are over 40 kids that I send to school, who are at different levels, from secondary to university level. I strive to transform people’s lives and their circumstances and that would positively impact the communities and transform them as well.

Dr Marisa, now 43, was born in rural Masvingo South and attended remote primary schools in Masvingo South. He went to Zimuto High for Form 1 up to 4, later moving to Moleli High School for A Level before enrolling with the University of Zimbabwe to study Medicine.

After completing his studies at the UZ, Dr Marisa worked at Parirenyatwa Hospital. He rose to become Senior Resident Medical Officer at the national referral centre before moving to Mzarondera as Government Medical Officer from 2008 to 2009.

“I left Marondera and government employ to join a Shamva-headquartered non-governmental organisation, Humana From People to People as medical officer responsible for African countries Later became chief medical officer before leaving the NGO for full-time private medical practice,” Dr Marisa said.

Today, Dr Marisa runs Westview Medical clinics in Ruwa, Zimre Park, Kuwadzana and Norton.

He is the current president of the Dental and Medical Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe – amalgamation of all private health practices – physiotherapists, laboratory scientists and dentists among others. He is also a part-time lecturer the Great Zimbabwe University’s Simon Mazorodze School of Medicine.

Dr Marisa, who has just ventured into education – running Westview Group of Schools in Reinham, near Glaudina - is a Health Correspondent for the Newsday and the Standard, Radio Zimbabwe, ZTv and 3KTv.

Dr Marisa sits on the Board of the Zimbabwe Community Trailblazers Awards.

He graduated seven times and holds two PhDs, four Masters degrees as well as one undergraduate degree and is currently studying law with the University of Zambia.

Dr Marisa, who attends the Bishop Chatendeuka-led Pentecostal Holiness Church in Waterfalls, is married to Lovert Chiweshe-Marisa and the couple has three children two girls and one boy, namely Prince, Princess and Peace and they are in Form 4, Form Three, and ECD respectively.

The medical doctor, philanthropist as well as educationist is also a patron of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe-run Zimuto High School in Masvingo Province. His natural love for sungura music has glued him to the genre.

“My number one drive is the desire to influence transformation in the way people live in communities.”