adminSenior Reporter
ACUTE food shortages have hit the San community in Tsholotsho District and Bakers Inn has pledged to donate 300 loaves of bread every week to the villagers.
Speaking during a meeting with Bakers Inn management in Bulawayo yesterday, representatives from the San community said they were starving and appealed for assistance from well-wishers.
The villagers’ plight was captured in a passionate plea by Mr Jabulani Nkomo, son to the late Vice President Landa John Nkomo, who said the leadership from the San community approached him seeking his intervention.
“I approached Bakers Inn management after receiving a letter from the district administrator’s office in Tsholotsho informing me about the dire food situation in the San community,” said Mr Nkomo.
“I am aware that my father used to assist the San people with food when he was still alive but I told the district administrator that I had limited capacity to address the situation.”
Mr Nkomo said the bakery management immediately agreed to donate bread to the starving families as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
“We are happy with what Bakers Inn management has done. They were quick to respond but the community should not relax and wait for handouts.
“Drought is there and the villagers are facing many challenges. More assistance is needed to make them productive and self reliant,” said Mr Nkomo.
The assistant village head for Mtshina village, Mr Siwatshi Moyo, who led the delegation from Tsholotsho, said families in the area were struggling to put food on the table.
“Asilalutho lokudla (we have nothing to eat) and we need assistance. We welcome with both hands the pledge by Bakers Inn to give us bread. It will surely go a long way in assisting us,” said Mr Moyo.
Bakers Inn general manager Mr Felix Vazhure said his company was committed to working with the community in addressing its challenges.
“Charity is our second nature and we are always keen to assist the less privileged. Mr Nkomo approached me about the drought situation facing the San community.
“He explained how his father used to help the community when he was still alive. We understood the situation and resolved to donate 100 loaves of bread to the community three times per week,” said Mr Vazhure.
“We will deliver the consignment to Tsholotsho starting from today and the community will decide how to share it. We will continue to honour our pledge up to the next harvest as and when there is a need.”
Part of the donation will be given to seven pupils from Landa J High School in Tsholotsho, who were adopted by the late VP Nkomo last year.
Mr Nkomo urged people from Tsholotsho to take education seriously as a way of achieving long term development.
Online Reporter