By Elijah Chihota

A consortium of Zimbabwean businesses has teamed up to embark on the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by Cyclone Idai in Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East Provinces under the project “The Reboot Fund”.

“The damage done is more than what is accounted for.…The extent is dire and the need overwhelming, but what is impossible for one can be made possible when many rise to the call,” read an advertorial placed by the businesspeople in daily papers this week.

The estimated cost of the reconstruction exercise amounts to RTGS $63.9 million and US$800 000 covering schools, water supply, sanitation facilities, power, houses, road network, agricultural infrastructure, economic activity and buildings.

“Let us all come together, each one bringing what they have to the table towards our RTGS $100 million Reboot Fund goal,” the interim board of trustees appealed.

The trustees assured would be donors to the initiative that they would ensure accountability.

“All funds will be accountable to a board of trustees consisting of reputable individuals drawn from Enterprise,” they said.

The proposed interim board of trustees for the fund include respected business people in this country who lead listed blue chip companies. The members are Jonas Mushosho (Old Mutual group CEO), Douglas Mboweni (Econet Wireless CEO), Shingi Munyeza (Vinal Investments), Busisa Moyo (United Refineries CEO) and Jaqueline Anderson (Trustee-Miracle Missions).

Zimbabwe experienced a devastating cyclone Idai in mid March 2019 which affected mainly Chimanimani and Chipinge Districts in Manicaland Province. Other provinces which were also affected were Masvingo and Mashonaland East.

Following the cyclone, Zimbabwe received assistance from other countries such as United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Britain and Switzerland, among others at the behest of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.