Story by Tamuka Charakupa
MORE than 5 000 residents in Sanyati received Christmas food hampers as part of a community support initiative led by the area’s legislator, Honourable Polite Kambamura, who is also the Minister of Mines and Mining Development.
The distribution, which targeted elderly and vulnerable members of the community, involved the provision of basic food items aimed at easing food insecurity during the festive season.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the assistance, saying it reflected Government’s commitment to social inclusion and support for disadvantaged groups.
“We want to thank the President, through his Minister Honourable Kambamura, for remembering us here in Sanyati. Truly, no one and no place has been left behind,” a beneficiary, Mrs Dija Hwangwa said.
“This Christmas is unique and special for some of us. I am a widow and have no one to do this for me. We appreciate Honourable Kambamura and the leadership for thinking of the elderly and the vulnerable,” a beneficiary, Mrs Sharai Machingura noted.
“I am 70 years old and I cannot do a lot of things to work, so this is a timely gesture which has come at a time when we needed it the most. This is a different Christmas for me,” a beneficiary, Mr Philimon Mandikisa stated.
Local leadership said the initiative complemented ongoing Government programmes aimed at strengthening food security and livelihoods under the Second Republic, including Pfumvudza inputs, fertiliser and chemical support, as well as Village Business Units.
Sanyati Rural District Council chairperson Mr Stanford Chawombezvi said the programme demonstrated that development initiatives were reaching remote communities.
“As the local leadership, this programme proves that government development is reaching every corner. We are grateful to the Honourable MP and our President for empowering communities. We are receiving all government programmes which include Pfumvudza inputs, fertilisers, chemicals, and most recently Village Business Units, all being efforts to eradicate poverty, especially in hard-to-reach communities like Sanyati,” Sanyati RDC Council Chairperson, Mr Stanford Chawombezvi added.
Addressing residents during the handover, Honourable Kambamura said the distribution was part of efforts to spread festive cheer and support vulnerable households, in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s development philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
He said the initiative was intended to ensure that elderly residents and vulnerable families celebrated Christmas with dignity.
“This is part of spreading Christmas cheer. Our President, Dr Mnangagwa, emphasises a vision of development that leaves no one and no place behind. As Sanyati, we stand guided by that mantra. Today, our elders and the vulnerable go home with food, respect, and dignity,” he said.
