Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
BULAWAYO Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Judith Ncube, has hailed the spirit of unity being demonstrated by individuals, churches and organisations supporting Zimbabwean returnees at the United
Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) transit centre in Njube.
Speaking during the handover of 107 blankets donated by Divine Healing Prophetic Ministries yesterday, Minister
Ncube likened the prevailing spirit of solidarity to that witnessed in the aftermath of the 1979 ceasefire that marked the end of Zimbabwe’s liberation war.
“This reminds us of the oneness we witnessed when the ceasefire was declared. People volunteered to offer accommodation and all manner of assistance to those who were returning from outside the country. This is the same spirit of oneness we are experiencing here,” she said.
The Cowdray Park-based church, led by Prophet Ndumiso Tshuma, donated the blankets to support returnees temporarily housed at the transit centre. Prophet Tshuma was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Mandy Tshuma, and other congregants.
Minister Ncube commended the church for complementing Government efforts to ensure that returning Zimbabweans receive dignified care.
“We are truly humbled by this kind gesture from the church. It demonstrates unity of purpose, which is exactly what we need as a province and indeed as a country. If we do not unite, we will all fail, but if we unite, we shall all succeed and Vision 2030 will be easier to achieve,” she said.
Minister Ncube appealed to the business community to support the ongoing repatriation programme by donating fuel to facilitate the transportation of returnees from the transit centre to their respective destinations across the country.
“Our churches and other volunteers are transporting these returnees to their various destinations after they arrive at the centre, and they require fuel. I, therefore, appeal to the business community to come on board and assist in this regard,” she said.
President Mnangagwa has directed that all returning Zimbabweans should be accorded a soft landing upon their return, adding that Government remained committed to ensuring their welfare.
Minister Ncube said, beyond providing immediate humanitarian assistance, Government was working on sustainable reintegration programmes that include establishing income-generating projects for returnees, while those with specialist skills would be assisted in securing employment.
Prophet Tshuma said that upon hearing the distress call that there was a repatriation programme, they met as a church to deliberate on what they could do in order to assist and heed Government’s call for Zimbabweans to provide a soft landing for the returnees.
“We agreed to purchase some blankets and today we are here to deliver our small gesture and show love,” he said.
Meanwhile, household goods that had been left behind in South Africa by some Zimbabweans returning home have finally arrived at the transit centre, bringing relief to dozens of returnees rebuilding their lives.
The consignment, delivered through a Government-facilitated programme, includes beds, refrigerators, wardrobes, cupboards and bags of clothing.
Government met the full cost of transporting the goods and coordinated the logistics to ensure the belongings were safely delivered to their owners at the transit centre.
The development is expected to ease the burden on many returnees, who had been forced to leave their possessions behind as they fled escalating xenophobic attacks and other challenges in South Africa before returning home.
Authorities have said the initiative forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to support the reintegration of returning Zimbabweans by ensuring they recover their personal belongings and begin rebuilding their lives with dignity.
In an interview, a 66-year-old returnee expressed gratitude to the Government for facilitating the transportation of his goods.
Mr Alvin Ncube was all smiles as he received his belongings yesterday, which included an upright refrigerator, a kitchen cupboard and several household utensils.
Mr Ncube said he had almost given up hope of ever seeing his possessions again.
“I am so excited to have my items. I had lost hope that I would ever see my things again, but thanks to our Government they are here now. Some displaced fellow Africans were not able to receive this kind of assistance that our Government has rendered to us,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the assistance had eased the burden of starting life afresh in Zimbabwe, adding that the recovered household goods would go a long way in helping him settle back home.
