By Gift Mashoko

Government and Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) are to work together to return normalcy in the lives of the Cyclone Idai victims and businesses.

Speaking at the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe Milling Industry Extra-ordinary meeting on grain supply strategy for year 2019 to 2020 today, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndhlovu said that Government and the Private sector had to work together to help rebuild business in areas affected by Cyclone Idai.

“I believe there is need for us all Government and the private sector to come together and help to rebuild businesses in the affected areas, so that livelihoods are speedily restored,” he said.

He went on to encourage manufacturers of primary products and the users of those products to work together so as to ensure and achieve self-sustenance.

He highlighted how Government is honoured by the spirit of unity exhibited in response to the calls of help for the cyclone Idai victims.

“As Government, we continue to be humbled by the spirit of “Ubuntu” that Zimbabweans have demonstrated in response to the calamity that befell us as a nation, along with our neighbours in Mozambique and Malawi,” he said.

Minister Ndhlovu said there was need to plan and he urged GMAZ and other stakeholders to think around the way forward.

“The food needs in the affected areas may span well over a year, especially against the backdrop of limited supply of grain products other than maize. There is therefore need to plan on how to mitigate against those needs within a very short window period and I would like to urge GMAZ and indeed other players to exercise their minds around this imperative,” he said.

Minister Ndhlovu highlighted that Cyclone Idai caught Zimbabwe inadequately prepared for the magnitude the country experienced as it was noted by experts to be the worst cyclone in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He also said that he was encouraged by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s guarantee that no one would go hungry.

“I am at the same time encouraged by his Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assurance that no one will go hungry, as Government is putting the necessary measures to ensure adequate grain supply. As GMAZ and indeed all Zimbabweans, we can all play a part in this just as we are demonstrating in this initiative today,” he said.

Minister Ndhlovu highlighted that the country is currently producing 25 to 35% of annual domestic needs in soya and wheat and there was also adequate supplies of potatoes, milk and other products. He went on to say that Zimbabwe has the capacity to produce enough for the whole country and he commended the initiative by millers to support farmers.

Minister Ndhlovu went on to say that the Government in conjunction with development partners, the corporate world, churches and some individuals are working to restore normalcy in the affected areas. To date, he said Government has managed to avail RTGS$100million on top of the other interventions to assist Cyclone Idai victims.