Chronicle Editor
Peter Matika, [email protected]
SCORES of residents from Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb yesterday received 10kgs of rice each out of a total of 10 000 tonnes donated to the community by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube.
The donation was handed over to beneficiaries mid-morning as part of efforts by Prof Ncube and his partners to alleviate hunger within the city’s biggest suburb.
The consignment was sourced through the Mthuli Ncube Foundation in partnership with Tzu Chi Zimbabwe, a non-governmental organisation.
In his remarks, Prof Ncube promised that as a community member, he was duty-bound to chip in and assist the vulnerable within the community.
He said the vision was to ensure that the suburb remains on track to become a modern settlement in line with the Smart City ideals.
“There has not been much rainfall and we are seeing the effects of the drought induced by El Nino. As a resident and community leader and developer I want to ensure that our mandate of development is not derailed,” said Prof Ncube.
“Therefore, this is just but a gesture to ensure that you do not starve, particularly our elderly and disabled.”
He said his foundation will ensure that development will remain a priority in the suburb.
“All residents must be catered for and we will implement measures to do so. We have vulnerable groups such as our elderly and people with disabilities. No one should be left behind in our development agenda,” said Prof Ncube.
He emphasised the need for vulnerability groups to establish cooperatives that will create employment opportunities.
“Through my ministry, I have wavered various duty fees, especially for the vulnerable and those living with disabilities. All taxation on equipment and treatment for people with disabilities is duty free,” said Prof Ncube.
He went on to emphasise the need for people with disabilities to join the “Noah’s Ark” in national development.
“We have established partnerships with the world and we want to see our country grow and develop. Let us all join and ensure that we achieve the vision. Our President constantly emphasises that the country can only be built by its people, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo,” said Prof Ncube.
As part of his contribution to the development of the suburb, which he hopes of transforming into a modern and vibrant urban centre, Prof Ncube promised to install Wi-Fi at Cowdray Park Secondary School as well as to donate books to its library.
Online Reporter