Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma Online Reporter
The San community from Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, has received a short boost in the form of small grains from Government.
The community is located in Ward 9, almost 120 kilometres from Plumtree town. It borders neighbouring Botswana, Hwange National Park, and Tsholotsho District at a point called Point 22.
Human and wildlife conflict has been a yearly challenge, with wildlife destroying the little crops that the community manages to plant.
In a bid to ensure there is no food hunger, Government last Wednesday delivered 15 metric tonnes to Sabasi Village in Makhulela Ward, which was distributed to the entire community.
Matabeleland South Provincial Social Development Officer, Mr Criswell Nyakudya, said the small grains will sustain the community until towards the end of the year.
“399 beneficiaries received small grains from the Government of Zimbabwe. The grains were 37, 50kg bags per person and this will last everyone three and a half months, which means they can use this until mid-November this year.
“Thus, the San community in Sabasi Village are fully protected against hunger this year. We want to thank the Bulilima District Team for a well-managed distribution. We also want to thank the Social Development Directorate for responding positively to our recommendation,” said Mr Nyakudya.
He added that other areas within the province in need are being identified.
“This time of the year we are doing it on a case-by-case basis, depending on distress calls from potential beneficiaries and stakeholders.
“As a department, we are also identifying desperate individuals across the whole of Matabeleland South Province,” said Mr Nyakudya.
Sabasi Village head Ncube hailed Government for the timely intervention.
Zanu PF Bulilima District Secretary for Transport and Welfare, Cde Philasande Ndlovu, said there is a need to assist the community with a tractor during the farming season.
Also present at the event were Bulilima District Development Coordinator Mr Zogara, Bulilima Social Welfare Coordinator Mr Ngwenya, Ward 9 councillor Charles Kulube, Bulilima RDC proportional representation councillor Petronella Masendu, among other officials.
Residents said they wished Government could provide farming inputs in time, as the little they had sown could not survive due to heavy rains. People were now living on ubhuzu.
Cde Malinga indicated that he would engage authorities to ensure the San community is assisted with a tractor for farming, as they do not have any farming equipment or livestock for cultivation.
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