Villagers, senior citizens get food aid

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
MOBILE telecommunications company NetOne has donated mealie meal to nearly 2,000 households in Insiza South, one of the areas hardest hit by drought.

Each household in Wards 6 and 7 received a 10kg packet of the staple food, a gesture described by the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Malachi Nkomo, as commendable.

“Poverty alleviation is the responsibility of us all as a nation. Villagers of this constituency harvested virtually nothing this year.

It requires concerted efforts from anyone who can assist and friends like NetOne have definitely chipped in at the right time.

Our loyalty to this brand has become unquestionable,” said Nkomo.

NetOne Acting Chief Executive Officer Brian Mutandiro said his organisation would continue assisting communities in dire need whenever possible.

“As NetOne we do not just milk our customers and abandon them in their hour of need.

We are cognisant of the devastating effects of this drought and also more importantly to us, the loyalty of the people of this constituency to our brand,” he said.

Meanwhile, ZB Bank donated groceries and blankets worth $1,500 to Entembeni Old people’s home in Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb.
Jesica Matavire, Entembeni’s acting Matron, said they were grateful for the donation as they were struggling to make ends meet.

“It makes me cry with joy to see these elderly people smile and show happiness on their faces as they eat and socialise with our visitors.

These people are lonely and they feel greatly honoured when remembered. With the hardships we are encountering, we can no longer afford to feed them with proper nutritious food and today they are delighted with the treat,” she said.

ZB Financial Holdings’ District Manager (Southern Region) Sikhangele Chipomho said they were recognising the senior citizens’ past contributions to society.

“Many times when people come of age they tend to be neglected, but as ZB we understand that this is where our heritage comes from and it’s important for them to be comfortable and well looked after,” she said.