Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, [email protected]
THE Botswana delegation, which concluded its visit to Bulawayo on Saturday, expressed admiration for Zimbabwe’s self-sustaining investment initiatives aimed at bolstering occupational health and safety for its citizens.
During their five-day business trip, the delegation conducted a tour of the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) investment projects in Bulawayo, seeking to understand their operational model and the transformative influence they have on local communities.
Last Tuesday, the team toured Ekusileni Medical Centre, which was built by Nssa for US$4 million in 2000 and is a brainchild of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo and the Woodlands Town Houses along Old Esigodini Road, initially built to accommodate the medical centre’s senior staff.
On Wednesday, the delegation visited the Nssa rehabilitation centre in Mzilikazi, built in 1971 to provide clinical rehabilitation services to the insured.
The only one of its kind facility in Zimbabwe comprises several departments — Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Industrial clinic, Paraplegic Unit, Social work, Vocational Training, Maintenance, Kitchen and Laundry.
Head of the Botswana delegation Ms Veronica Moloko said the team would plan a second trip so that they spend time learning how to set up facilities like the Nssa rehabilitation.
“We appreciate what Nssa is doing for its people, we have toured the Ekusileni Hospital and the rehabilitation. Culturally it’s not acceptable to just dump one of your own after an accident and Nssa has a good practice on how we should take care of our workers who get injured,” she said. “We have been wowed by this investment and this is something that we want to implement for our people back home.
“In the future, we are going to make another visit and set aside more time to get to know about these projects and how they were implemented so that we also copy as Botswana. This is excellent.”
Director of labour administration in the Ministry of Public Service and Social Welfare Mr Clemence Vusani said it was the Government’s vision to ensure the safety of employers across the divide.
He said the ministry was conducting inspections, especially at mines following accidents that have been recorded during the past weeks.
“To us what is important after responsible mining is a health and safety culture must be installed all the time by employers.
“Tragically, we continue hearing of incidents and we endeavor to do more inspections,” said Mr Vusani.
“As Nssa we are not doing independent inspections but joint inspections so that we safeguard the health of our workers. Nssa helps us as they have trainers and inspectors. This is a wonderful place where people are rehabilitated to be self-sufficient and be able to live with their disabilities.”
Officially opening the meeting earlier, Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Judith Ncube who was represented by her permanent secretary Mr Paul Nyoni said a safer working environment is a critical component for the bolstering of both Zimbabwe and Botswana’s economies.
“It is imperative to underscore the interconnectivity between occupational safety and health, productivity and the broader labour market dynamics,” she said.
“We recognise the inherent value of safeguarding our human resources in the workplaces and securing social security as part of post-employment benefits.
“Our collaboration today underscores the shared commitment between Botswana and Zimbabwe towards fortifying our labour sectors, fostering a culture of safety and implementing robust mechanisms to mitigate occupational hazards.”
Online Reporter