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| Part of the donation made by PPC |
Felix Matasva
MUTARE- A
promise for better living conditions for families from the Cyclone Idai ravaged
Chimanimani district, who have been living in tents after their homes were
destroyed, has been guaranteed after one of the largest cement manufacturer
Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) last week donated 36 tonnes of cement towards
the rebuilding of the destroyed homes.
The cement valued
at US$15 000 is, according to PPC, part of the company’s corporate social
responsibility.
PPC head of sales
and marketing, Nkosana Mapuma, said the cement producer is committed to helping
the people of Zimbabwe and they have targeted the Chimanimani area as it is
still struggling to rebuild from the Cyclone Idai disaster.
“We learnt with a
lot of disappointment that a lot of people who had pledged to contribute in the
rehabilitation failed to keep their promises. We had to provide the basic human
need for the Cyclone Idai affected people which is housing.
“After interactions
with the local government ministry and certain esteemed government officials,
we were advised that housing was a matter of urgency hence the donation of 1 800
bags of cement to kick start the rehabilitation process.
“This is the first
phase of donations and more are coming after we make an assessment of the first
phase,” said Mapuma.
Mapuma encouraged
more players to come on board and join hands with PPC to play an active role in
the rehabilitation programmes saying it was a matter of urgency in the face of
the ravaging pandemic.
“We felt that
rehabilitation must be conducted now with urgency. It really pains us that
during this Covid-19 pandemic, there are people who do not have a roof over
their heads,” said Mapuma.
Manicaland
Provincial Development Coordinator, Edgars Seenza, expressed gratitude to PPC’s
donation saying many failed to walk the talk in their bid to donate.
“I’m grateful that
PPC have lived up to their promise after making arrangements with the ministry
of local government. We have a number of well wishers who had promised to
assist the displaced people however they have not fulfilled their promises,”
said Seenza.
Cyclone Idai, one
of Southern Africa’s worst nightmares, displaced thousands in Zimbabwe, Malawi
and Mozambique in March of 2018.
The calamity
devastated infrastructure and claimed the lives of many people and animals.
According to the
Department of Civil Protection, there are about 30 000 people from Cyclone Idai
affected areas, who are staying in tents.
PPC has also
rehabilitated a number of Hospitals in Bulawayo, Gwanda and recently
Chitungwiza Hospital.
