Chronicle Editor
Chronicle Correspondent
THE John Landa Nkomo Memorial Trust on Sunday donated 16,5 tonnes of mealie-meal to the San community in Tsholotsho District. Distribution took place at Mtshina Primary School in Ward 10 as the trust seeks to alleviate the plight of villagers in the face of drought.
Beneficiaries have paid tribute to the trust for chipping in at a time when the country is going through food shortages due to the El Nino-induced drought.
Ms Sehlulene Ndlovu said they were now going for three days without food. She said the mealie-meal will go a long way in ensuring they have food for the children.
Another beneficiary, Mr Mgcini Sibanda, said they were excited by the donation.
“I am happy we have been assisted because some people resort to stealing to ensure they put food on the table,” he said. Chief Goledema of the San community presided over the distribution of the mealie-meal worth R250 000 saying he was relieved to see his villagers getting food.
“Some villagers go for days without a meal and this is really sad. I have a lot of people coming to tell me about the dire situation they are facing and I am happy the John Landa Nkomo Trust remembered us today with this donation, which will give the villagers some reprieve,” he said.
“Most of them are having one meal a day while some go for days without eating and this is pretty sad. Our area is very dry and it will take time for us to start preparing for the farming season because people struggle to spend a lot of time in the fields.”
Speaking at the handover event, John Landa Nkomo Trust chairman, Mr Jabulani Nkomo, said they were moved to assist the San community following requests from the Tsholotsho South MP, Cde Musa Ncube,and Chief Goledema.
He said it was the first of many acts they would do to uplift the San community in Tsholotsho. “We were approached by your MP, Musa Ncube, who asked us to do something for this community and we obliged,” he said.
“Chief Goledema also requested help and we heard his call. Although it might not be much, we believe it will go a long way in assisting villagers here,” said Mr Nkomo.
He expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa, who he said was behind the injection of funds to the Trust, which they are now using to impact people’s lives in Tsholotsho and other areas.
“The President saw some of the work we are doing and wants us to do more. The President saw the work that my father (John Landa) did, which is the inspiration of the Trust and he has been seeing some of our work and he believes we can do more hence assisting us to get funds for the project,” said Mr Nkomo.
In her remarks, Cde Ncube commended President Mnangagwa for spearheading several development projects for the San community, including creating a chieftainship, building the Garia Dam, a clinic and facilitating that they acquire birth certificates, something that had been a struggle before.
“The President has reiterated that no one should be left behind hence efforts have been made to ensure that youths from the San community are given jobs and some have been absorbed into nursing, the police and Zimparks,” she said.
Trust board members, Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo and Nyararai Sibanda adopted a Grade One pupil, six-year-old Flatah Ndlovu, whom they will pay school fees for until she reaches A-level.
The Trust was created to continue the philanthropic work of the late Vice-President, John Landa Nkomo in Tsholotsho and has spearheaded several projects, including hosting a sports tournament in the district.
Online Reporter