Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday urged African nations to assist and protect each other during this period of Covid-19 pandemic, following Zimbabwe’s donation of 20 000 Covid-19 vaccines to Namibia which is currently mired in its third wave of the pandemic.

“Only when all citizens of our region are protected, will Zimbabwe be able to return to normality. I am delighted to announce that Zimbabwe has donated 20 000 Covid-19 vaccines to Namibia. Let’s protect all Africans,” tweeted President Mnangagwa.

On top of the 20 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines, Zimbabwe also donated 20 000 syringes. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, David Musabayana, who was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Health and Child care, Dr John Mangwiro handed over the consignment to Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations Honourable Netumbo Nanditwa.

Among the donated consignment was also Personal Protective equipment which includes sanitizers, masks and face shields as well as medical supplies manufactured by local companies and Universities.

Honourable Musabayana highlighted that Zimbabwe’s local PPEs manufacturing companies have grown in strength and are now ready for the export market.

The Government of Namibia has set a target of inoculating 1.5 million eligible Namibians, or 60 percent of the population by March 31 2022.

Zimbabwe is leading Sub-Sahara Africa in vaccination and remains committed in putting in place necessary measures to fight the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and its donation to Namibia will not affect local supplies as Government has secured enough doses to cover all eligible citizens.

To date 2 530 481 Zimbabweans have received their first dose while 1 606 751 have received their second doses.

Meanwhile, as at 30 August 2011 Zimbabwe had 124 437 confirmed cases, including 111 534 recoveries, 8 502 active cases and 4 401 deaths.