Old Mutual Spreads Warmth Across Zimbabwe with Blanket Drive

By Shingirai Vambe

In the face of biting winter temperatures and rising vulnerability across Zimbabwe’s social care institutions, Old Mutual Zimbabwe has launched a far-reaching initiative to provide warmth and restore dignity to those in need. Through its nationwide #WinterWarmer Campaign, the company has distributed 2,000 blankets to public hospitals, children’s homes, and elderly care facilities in all ten provinces, reaffirming its commitment to community welfare and inclusive corporate responsibility.

From urban referral hospitals to remote care centres, the impact of the initiative has been immediate and heartfelt. Among the institutions supported were Mpilo and Ingutsheni hospitals in Bulawayo, Ngomahuru Hospital in Masvingo, Plumtree and Gwanda district hospitals in Matabeleland South, and Chipinge Hospital in Manicaland. In Harare, support went to Jairos Jiri Association and Bumhudzo Old People’s Home, while Domboshava Children’s Home, Mutemwa Leprosy Catholic Centre in Mutoko, Vimbainesu Children’s Home in Zvimba, and Ponesai Vanhu in Bindura were among other key beneficiaries.

The donations came at a critical time, as healthcare and social institutions continue to face mounting challenges due to limited funding, overcrowding, and the harsh realities of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis. For many, a second blanket in winter is the difference between warmth and suffering.

“This campaign is about more than just blankets, it’s about dignity, unity, and the message that Old Mutual stands with the people of Zimbabwe,” said Sam Matsekete, Group CEO of Old Mutual Zimbabwe. “Our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals is not abstract. We are promoting good health, reducing inequality, and building resilient communities.”

What set the campaign apart was its community-led approach. Beneficiary institutions were selected based on input from local communities and nominations from Old Mutual staff, reinforcing a model of shared responsibility and empathy. Employees from various branches personally visited each of the 14 institutions, listening to administrators, engaging with caregivers, and connecting with patients and children under care.

In many places, the donation was nothing short of vital. At Gwanda Provincial Hospital, Health Services Administrator Thabani Makiwa expressed gratitude for the timely intervention.

“Before this, we could only offer one blanket per patient. Now we can provide two, which makes a huge difference. Patients are more comfortable and less prone to cold-related complications,” he said.

At Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo, the scale of need was more sobering. With more than 700 mental health patients under care, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mawere described a stark gap in supply.

“Ideally, each patient should have six blankets to ensure proper warmth and therapeutic care,” he explained. “We only have between 1,500 and 2,000 blankets, and that number falls even further when many are sent for laundry. This donation couldn’t have come at a better time.”

For Lillian Mbayiwa, Head of Group Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Old Mutual Zimbabwe, the campaign was also about the human connections it fostered.

“This isn’t just about charity; it’s about listening and learning,” she said. “When our staff visited these institutions, they didn’t just drop off donations. They sat with caregivers, played with children, and heard directly from administrators about what’s needed most. That level of engagement reminded us all what it means to be Mutualites, people driven by empathy, unity, and the responsibility to uplift others.”

According to Mbayiwa, the #WinterWarmer Campaign is one of several initiatives aimed at building long-term, people-centered development. Other programmes under Old Mutual’s sustainability and corporate social investment umbrella include financial literacy workshops, support for education, and entrepreneurship training.

As winter deepens and the economic pressures on public institutions mount, the #WinterWarmer Campaign serves as a shining example of how meaningful change can emerge from collaborative action. By combining resources, listening to communities, and showing up with sincerity, Old Mutual Zimbabwe has helped thousands stay warm this winter—and reminded a nation that compassion still has power.

In a country where too many citizens are forced to choose between survival and dignity, such acts of corporate leadership are not only welcome, they are essential.

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