Story by Cordelia Ngara
ZIMBABWE and China relations continue to grow from strength to strength, with the Asian giant donating more than 1 000 tonnes of rice and wheat flour to Zimbabwe this Wednesday.
Existing sound relations between Zimbabwe and China have resulted in massive infrastructure development in the country and the focus is snow-shifting to providing safety nets for vulnerable groups.
This has seen the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare receiving the donation from China in Harare this Wednesday.
Organisations taking care of the beneficiaries welcomed the kind gesture, saying the consignment will go a long way in helping the elderly, persons with disabilities and children.
“We were here to receive some goodies on behalf of the elderly. The goodies that have been donated by the government of China to the government of Zimbabwe. We are so happy that we have received a tonne of rice and a tonne of flour. To then have the government stepping in and remembering vulnerable institutions which such important foodstuffs make us happy,” noted Society of destitute aged Home manager, Emilia Mukaratirwa.
“I am very happy to be assisted. The work has been made easier for me because we are supposed to meet several objectives, like the provision of basic needs, so rice and flour will provide those basic needs. The three meals we are supposed to give to children have been covered up for,” added Hupenyu Hutsva Children’s Home Superintendent, Mike Mukwaiwa.
Chinyaradzo Children’s Home Home Manager, Mrs Veniah Mudhara weighed in, “I am very happy because when you are taking care of children, especially teens they need to eat a balanced diet. I am very happy that from now on I am no longer stressed about what the children are going to it.”
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the donation will complement government efforts of alleviating hunger as it responds to distress calls for food assistance across the country.
“As evidenced by this gathering, we strive to have an inclusive society where all basic services and needs are accessible to all, from children to the elderly and preciously marginalised vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities, women and girls,” Minister Mavima said.
“As the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, it is our constitutional duty to mobilise resources for the poor and vulnerable citizens. It is, therefore my Ministry’s duty to ensure that the distribution of the donated rice and flour will mainly target vulnerable groups, who include the Elderly, Chronically ill, Persons with Disabilities, Child Headed Households, and victims of disasters,” he added.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Zhou Ding noted the gesture is testimony to the strong bilateral ties between Zimbabwe and China.
“This demonstrates the strong relations between the two countries. The tonnes of rice and wheat will go to the most vulnerable people including those affected by natural disasters. So this is another example of our relations,” Ambassador Zhou said.
Bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and China have manifested in various infrastructure development projects, including the construction of the New Parliament Building and the expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as well as the Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8.
