Story by Providence Maraneli
THE San community in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, is benefiting from Government food deficit mitigation and education support programmes as the Second Republic steps up efforts to include previously marginalised communities in national development.
The interventions fall under the social development cluster of the National Development Strategy One (NDS1), which prioritises improved quality of life, human capital development and social safety nets for vulnerable groups, including the underprivileged, the elderly and people with disabilities.
Residents of Makhulela, home to one of the country’s San communities, say the food distribution and Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) programmes have significantly improved living conditions.
Traditional leader Gogo Matjena said the assistance had brought tangible change to the community.
“We have never seen this before. Government has given us hope and renewed our lives. We never thought we would ever see ourselves out of the bushes, eating rice and sadza,” she said.
“My people receive food consignments for three months, depending on the number of children. We have been given rice and other grains, and our lives have changed.”
Community members said the education support programme had opened opportunities for children who would otherwise not attend school.
“We never attended school because of the nature of our lives, but we are grateful that our children are now learning for free,” residents said.
“We only buy uniforms and books; the rest is taken care of by the Government. We no longer experience hunger because food is being provided. We now feel that we are part of this country.”
Matabeleland South provincial social development officer Mr Chris Chriswell Nyakudya said Makhulela had been prioritised in line with the Government’s inclusive development policy.
“The concept of leaving no one and no place behind is being applied in Makhulela. President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa directed that this area be fully covered,” Nyakudya said.
“We do not discriminate; all children’s school fees are covered, and food support is also provided.”
President Mnangagwa reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities during his State of the Nation Address last year, reaffirming the provision of social safety nets as a key pillar of national development.
