admin
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
DISTRIBUTION of maize meal valued at 60 million rand has began with 224 households that were left homeless by Cyclone Idai benefitting from the donation made by the South African government.
The donation handover, which is a fulfilment of a pledge made by the South African Government during Africa Day commemorations in May, was made at Runyararo Village (formerly West End Farm) near Nhedziwa Business Centre in Chimanimani District by South Africa Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Rejoice Mabudafhasi on Wednesday.
South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor officially announced in May that South Africa would avail the maize meal to Cyclone Idai survivors.
Speaking in Chimanimani, Ambassador Mabudafhasi said the donation is evidence of a long standing relationship between the two Southern African nations.
“On behalf of Honourable Naledi Pandor, government and the Republic of South Africa, we are here today to handover the donation as pledged earlier on.
“In 2015, Zimbabwe and South Africa decided to elevate their Joint Commission for Cooperation into a Bi-national Commission. The elevation meant upgrading the bilateral engagement from Ministerial to Presidential level. To South Africa, this was a clear depiction of the value we attach to Zimbabwe as a neighbour and friend.
“We are all weather friends and these are friends who stick together through raging storms. It doesn’t matter how bad it is, we are with you. We will climb the hills, we will climb the rocks together. Zimbabwe and South Africa stood together through colonialism and apartheid. As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
“During those tough times when we were hunted likes animals, when all was done to destroy us, you were there for us. We came, we would jump the fences. We would jump to get through the rivers and you would always welcome us. We thank you very much,” said Ambassador Mabudafhasi.
Speaking during the same occasion, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the donation to Cyclone Idai survivors is a practical expression of Ubuntu.
“We are here to witness the outward expression of the concept of Ubuntu and true neighbourliness. The South African government, in honouring their pledge, has shown us that we are all part of that one big African family that still poses that deep sense of community, particularly in times of need.
“On behalf of the people of Chimanimani and indeed on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, let me express my sincere gratitude to the South African government for this helping hand that has been extended to relieve the burden of our people.
“It is a great gesture of shared welfare emanating from our shared bonds of history, culture, language and day-to-day interaction at work, at play, in marriage, and even in sport,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
In March 2019, South Africa responded to an appeal from Zimbabwe for humanitarian assistance in response to infrastructure destruction and loss of human life caused by Cyclone Idai.
South Africa, through the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF), pledged R60million in humanitarian support to assist those affected by the cyclone in Zimbabwe.
The assistance consists of 450 000 bags of 12,5kg maize-meal, to be distributed to all the affected families in Chimanimani and Chipinge as well as some parts of Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns delayed the distribution of the donation, which is now expected to be completed by end of next month.
Cabinet Ministers, Cde July Moyo (Local Government and Public Works) and Professor Paul Mavima (Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare) as well as Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister, Cde Mike Madiro graced the event.
Online Reporter