The ManicaPost
THE high powered government delegation that visited The Manica Post-Diamond FM media house to receive donations mobilised by Zimpapers three days ago came and went.
This was open and clear testimony that the victims of tropical Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Chipinge and parts Masvingo are not alone in their plight.
The high profile visit follows the trail of destruction caused by what many people describe as the worst storm to hit Southern Africa in living memory.
In a colourful hand-over ceremony of donations for the victims, the Zimpapers CEO, Pikirayi Deketeke, Board member Bishop Manhanga and General Manager-Radio Division, Comfort Mbofana, expressed joy at the palpable work done by Zimpapers staff, both radio and newspaper, not only in collecting so much food and clothing for the cyclone victims, but for handling the news dissemination of the advent, the destructive arrival and catastrophic aftermath of the tropical cyclone.
Never before has radio and newspaper converged so effectively and efficiently to timeously serve the community by providing accurate news about a natural disaster of such a magnitude.
The Manica Post and Diamond FM Radio made their bosses, the relevant ministry headed by Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and the whole nation proud.
Echoing the sentiments of the Zimpapers’ top officials, relevant and parent Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, also Senator for Chimanimani, Honourable Mutsvangwa, emphasised the pole position of communication networking like the one done by The Manica Post and Diamond FM.
She stressed the critical importance of Information dissemination and Communication for sustainable development.
In the case of Cyclone Idai and its trail of destruction of lives and infrastructure, Minister Mutsvangwa said she was proud to be part of the humanitarian relief aid needed in various affected parts of Zimbabwe.
All government officials at the hand-over ceremony including Inter-Ministerial Committee chairman and Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Honourable July Moyo, and Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Lovemore Matutu, took turns to acknowledge and thank the international community for donating generously to the cause at hand.
Elsewhere, in this paper, we carry a unique story about an independent college whose director, one Mr Mtsongodza, adopted six students from Chimanimani High School, St Charles Luangwa and Biriiri High School.
We believe this is the way to go.
Mr Mtsongodza has pioneered one way in which established schools and colleges, both government and privately owned, could and can assist Government to rehabilitate school going victims of Cyclone Idai. The Provincial Education Director’s office in Mutare is there to assist in the way it did the First Class Academy adoption of pupil victims.
The protocol is simple and straightforward. Pupils, their parents or guardians can and may register their interest in Mr Mtsongodza’s humanitarian and philanthropic idea with the PED’s office from where they can be ‘repatriated’ into the willing adopting schools and private colleges.
On our part, we will find more schools willing to adopt pupil victims and use the familiar education page of The Manica Post for the same cause. This is part of our service to the community, especially in this special way in this special hour of need for the school going victims of Chimanimani and Chipinge.
