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Ambassador S.K Moyo Special Correspondent
At the back of these devastating situations, the European Union Block has announced $5,5m aid earmarked for the local Civil Society Organisations who are known mediums of the regime change agenda and, that is found to be most unfortunate.
We are more than two weeks since the onslaught of Cyclone Idai and Zimbabwe, together with neighbours Mozambique and Malawi continue to count the losses. While the quantum may require a bit more time to collate, the fact remains that the ravaging effects of this destructive phenomenon, the worst so far recorded in the Southern hemisphere has left indelible scars in our minds as a nation, through mass loss of human life and destruction of property.
It has been heartening as well as emotionally touching however that over the past fortnight since the eastern part of the country and a few other districts were plunged into this calamity, mankind has seen the logic of substituting racial, political and other differences with compassion and unity of purpose, all for the sake of humanity.
Financial and material aid has poured in from Zimbabwe’s local, regional and international friends and all relevant arms of government are on the ground to ensure that relief cascades down to the deserving beneficiaries.
Special mention extends to the Zimbabwean people in their various structures; churches, the corporate sector, political organisations, students and individuals alike, for their immeasurable contributions towards the cause.
That Cyclone Idai visited us at a time when we have drought on our hands to deal with as a nation, indeed worsened our situation. It is however pleasing to note that Government has assured that the nation will not rest on its laurels in the face of these challenges and it is all-out to ensure no one succumbs to starvation.
It is against this background that the department of Social Welfare is distributing food through designated state institutions. This development, to a greater extent, speaks to the international engagement and re-engagement efforts which are now bearing fruit. It is from most of the countries previously visited by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde E.D Mnangagwa that gestures of a helping nature were directed towards Zimbabwe’s way.
Who would have ever imagined that still fresh from having renewed sanctions against this country, even the US government would double its US$100 000 aid, with Ambassador Brian Nichols handing over a cheque of US$2,498m to President Mnangagwa this week. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and, Namibia are some of the countries that have come in handy during this time of need.
Of note is also the contributions by International Organisations which include the United Nations. Concerted efforts escalate to ensure the bodies of missing individuals are eventually accounted for and afforded a decent burial and, through the Civil Protection Unit and the relevant government arms, the restoration of social, infrastructural and other services are being given top priority to ensure life returns to normalcy in the cyclone epicentre and other affected areas.
That Cyclone Idai visited us at a time when we had a drought on our hands to deal with as a nation, worsened the situation. It is pleasing to note that, Government has assured the nation that it will not rest on its laurels in the face of these challenges and all-out efforts are ongoing to ensure that no one succumbs to starvation. It is against this background that the department of Social Welfare is distributing food to the needy through designated state institutions.
At the back of these devastating situations, the European Union Block has announced $5,5m aid earmarked for the local Civil Society Organisations who are known mediums of the regime change agenda and, that is found to be most unfortunate. However, that the country is currently grappling with the aftermath of the calamity has not made the leadership shift its focus from the main ball. The long term objective as annunciated in Vision 2030 is to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle Income economy.
The strategy is being undertaken through the diplomatic engagement and re-engagement exercise which has witnessed the signing of numerous mega deals, a number of which are now at the level of implementation.
State and working visits by His Excellency, President E.D Mnangagwa to countries within the SADC region, Europe and other continents, selling the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra have attracted multiple investments.
Meanwhile, on the domestic political arena, the ruling ZANU PF Party continues to strengthen its structures, a process that began with the dissolution of Provincial Executives for both Harare and Bulawayo and is still ongoing.
It is no wonder that hardly a month after the restructuring took off, the immediate impact was felt in the cruising to a landslide victory of the Party’s candidate, Cde Kidwell Mujuru, in the Bulawayo Ward 28 by-elections.
The fact that he becomes the first and sole ZANU PF Councilor to occupy a seat in the chambers traditionally dominated by the opposition MDC, mirrors the radical shift in the mindset of the electorate.
The writing is there on the wall, bold and in black and white that the MDC in its various mutations has lost relevance.
Ambassador S.K Moyo is the Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity and spokesperson
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