Machako (centre) receives the donation from Nyangwe while Mbetsa looks on
Upenyu Chaota
CHIREDZI – Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe recently donated goods worth US$121 800 to assist victims of Cyclone Dineo which pounded Masvingo province and most parts of the country earlier this year.
The sugar giant’s donation was made at Chevron Hotel through the office of the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa who was represented by her office director, Kudakwashe Machako and Provincial Administrator (PA) Fungai Mbeta.
The donation was presided over by Tongaat Hulett corporate affairs and communications executive Adelaide Chikunguru and another company representative, Fred Nyangwe.
They handed over food hampers worth US$6 905, blankets worth US$3 100 and roofing materials worth US$111 877 meant for affected schools.
“Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe continues to participate in the development of its surrounding communities by contributing to those economies through a robust socio-economic development programme,” said Nyangwe.
…as govt hails company for fortifying sugar
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Mike Bimha has praised Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe (THZ) for responding to government calls for the fortification of table sugar.
Dr Bimha’s remarks come after it was revealed that the sugar company has now completed installing infrastructure required to produce sugar fortified with vitamin A.
In a speech read on his behalf during the second edition of the Lowveld Community Development Awards dinner by the deputy director of Enterprises Development Sphiwe Nyamatore at Palm Tree Place Lodge, Dr Bimha praised the company for its efforts.
“On the health front, I am pleased to note that the fortification of table sugar with vitamin A became mandatory as from 1 July 2017. The Two Tongaat Hullet mills, Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Limited completed installing the infrastructure required to produce sugar fortified with vitamin A,” he said.
It was also revealed that the two mills had been cleared to produce vitamin A fortified sugar by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in December last year and all dispatched table sugar was now vitamin A fortified.
“The two mills were subsequently certified to produce Vitamin A fortified sugar by the Ministry of Health and Child care in December 2016. Production of vitamin A fortified sugar commenced at both Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle limited on Monday, 26 June 2017.
“All table sugar being dispatched into the market is vitamin A fortified. This is an essential health and nutrition milestone; confirmation of how the sugar industry is playing a part towards fostering a vibrant, healthy Zimbabwe,” said Bimha.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is present in many foods. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, the immune system, and reproduction and it also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs to work properly.
Some 175 food hampers each with items such as 40 kg Roller Meal, 5 kg sugar beans, 1 kg fine salt, 2 kg green bar laundry soap, 1 pack matches, 2 litres cooking oil and a 2 kg Huletts Sunsweet sugar were made.
The company also donated a total of 350 blankets and roofing materials including timber, ridging and roofing sheets for the 16 schools whose roofs were blown away by harsh winds and rains.
Speaking on behalf of Mahofa, Machako thanked Tongaat Hullet for the social responsibility gesture which he said was critical in strengthening the working relationship between government and its corporate stakeholders.
“The response by Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe goes a long way in strengthening the relationship between the corporate world and government in matters that require holistic, multi-stakeholder and inter-sectoral approach.
“It is indeed a humbling honour bestowed on my incumbency and office to receive food and non-food items from Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe,” said Machako.business, topnews
