Zimplats rebuilds school

Mhondoro’s development area.
Speaking at the official handover of Nyangwene Primary School, built by Zimplats in Mubaira, VP Mujuru said companies should not just profiteer from the country’s resources.
Zimplats rebuilt Nyangwene Primary School after it was destroyed by a hailstorm last year.
“This is an example of a company that takes social responsibility seriously and an example of business positively responding to Government’s call for community investment programmes – particularly in communities adjacent to mining operations.
“This shows that businesses do not only exist to make profits but also to become active participants in the development of the areas in which they are operating.
“We are also witnessing the positive benefits of a sound rapport between business and communities,” she said.
Over the years, VP Mujuru said, Zimplats had voluntarily invested in a number of projects at both national and community level.
She said the company was repairing the Selous-Ngezi Highway at a cost of US$10 million and engaging in varying forms of assistance to several other schools in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
She said such assistance included donations of textbooks worth more than US$60 000 to five schools.
VP Mujuru said: “I am also aware that in the health sector, Zimplats supplied a new ambulance to St Michael’s Hospital, assisted Chegutu Hospital with X-ray equipment and rehabilitated Turf Clinic by enhancing its facilities and ensuring the provision of running water and electricity for the benefit of the communities that uses the clinic.”
Zimplats chief executive Mr Alex Mhembere said they had budgeted US$1, 8 million for social responsibility programmes. He added that the company was happy with the levels of co-operation from Government and the community.
Minister of State in VP Mujuru’s Office Sylvester Nguni said Zimplats had set a good example for other companies.
“I want to express my gratitude to the work that has been done at Nyangwene School because the future of children and parents was almost doomed,” he said.