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Leaders of Zimbabwe’s different political parties led by the ruling party Zanu-PF’s President Cde Mnangagwa this week demonstrated magnanimity when they came together and visited Cyclone Idai-ravaged districts of Chipinge and Chimanimani as a team to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.
At least 18 leaders of political parties that are taking part in the national dialogue visited almost all the areas that were affected by Cyclone Idai in the two districts and witnessed the work being undertaken by Government to rebuild the damaged infrastructure.
The leaders of political parties demonstrated that they can work together for the common good of their country and it is our fervent hope that this spirit will cascade down to their supporters.
It is a fact that we are Zimbabweans first and as such we should be united when it comes to tackling national issues and challenges despite our different political persuasions.
There should be convergence and shared vision on national agenda if we are to succeed as a nation. What is encouraging and humbling is Zimbabweans’ overwhelming response to calls to assist the cyclone victims. This is as it should be when it comes to challenges facing the nation.
The cyclone has so far claimed more than 300 lives while hundreds others are missing and thousands have been displaced. Goods meant to assist victims have been mobilised locally and from friends of Zimbabwe across the globe. Consignments of goods which include clothes, blankets, food and even household utensils have been mobilised by Zimbabweans across the country and most of them are awaiting delivery to Manicaland.
Countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Britain among others have supported the country with food, blankets, drugs and cash to assist the cyclone victims. China has even offered to assist in rebuilding the infrastructure in Chimanimani which was among the worst affected areas.
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has put up a US$500 000 emergency fund for disaster mitigation to assist Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe which are the three countries affected by Cyclone Idai. Many local companies have also donated food, drugs, clothes, blankets and cash to the victims of the cyclone and most of the donations are also awaiting delivery to Manicaland.
Government has said more than 40 000 people affected by the cyclone are in urgent need of food aid hence it is airlifting food to areas that are not accessible by road as it works on opening the roads rendered impassable after the bridges were washed away by the devastating cyclone which in some cases washed away entire villages.
President Mnangagwa accompanied by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and leaders of different political parties visited the affected areas on Thursday to assess progress in rebuilding the damaged infrastructure. After the Thursday visit, appeals for assistance should not only come from the ruling party Zanu-PF and Government but from all Zimbabweans including the different political parties whose leaders, we want to believe, now have an appreciation of the challenges facing the nation in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai.
Online Reporter