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George Maponga in Masvingo
Villagers in Chivi have mobilised nearly 100 tonnes of maize and sugar beans to help feed Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims who were recently relocated from the district to Nuanetsi ranch in Mwenezi.
Over 2 700 families displaced by the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam in Chivi have been surviving on donated food since their relocation from the flooded basin in March this year.
The families stayed at Chingwizi Camp for almost six months before they were recently moved to permanent plots in Nuanetsi.

Chivi rural district council chairman Councillor Killer Zivhu last week handed over the maize and beans to district administrator Mr Bernard Hadzirabwi for onward transmission to the flood victims.

Cde Zivhu said the grain was mobilised under a new initiative code-named “Wezhira Ndionewo”. Wezhira is a street lingo that refers to people from Masvingo province under which Chivi district falls.

Cde Zivhu said the people of Chivi, together with their councillors, were also in the process of mobilising clothes to assist the families at Nuanetsi.
“Under ‘Wezhira Ndionewo’ we hope to inculcate a spirit of assisting each other in times of need, be it food shortages, outbreak of diseases, road accidents and other disasters,” he said. “We are saying it’s high time the people of Masvingo became the first line of defence in easing the suffering of fellow citizens from this province whenever they are in trouble.

“The grain was mobilised from all parts of Chivi district after people here realised that most of the displaced families left their homes before harvesting their crops.’’
Cde Zivhu urged communities to shun the dependence syndrome, saying Zimbabweans should always strive to look for local solutions to their problems.

“We are not saying let us do away with donors and non-governmental organisations, but let us also do something for ourselves no matter how small the contribution is,” said Cde Zivhu.