BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
In a rare glimmer of hope amidst the devastating drought gripping Zimbabwe, Chief Mahlathini of Tsholotsho has praised the government’s relief efforts, citing improved access to mealie meal as a significant step forward.
In an exclusive interview with VicFallsLive, the chief expressed gratitude for the government’s support, acknowledging that while challenges persist, the current situation is an improvement over previous years.
“Tsholotsho is good, although we have challenges of drought, but we thank the government for giving us something,” he said.
The chief highlighted the availability of mealie meal in supermarkets as a significant positive development.
“But what I am happy for is that the drought of this year is better because the mealie meal is there in supermarkets compared to other years, so those with money can buy in shops,” he explained.
Chief Mahlathini also praised the support from the diaspora community, saying, “We thank our children in the diaspora, they are doing very well supporting the parents back home.”
However, the severity of the crisis cannot be overstated, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently revealed that Matabeleland North province is among the hardest hit by the devastating food insecurity crisis gripping the country.
In his mid-term budget presentation, Ncube disclosed that a staggering 520 524 people in the province are struggling to access basic nutrition and to combat this crisis, the government has distributed 1 839.2 metric tonnes of grain to Matabeleland North, which represents only 16% of the required 11 711.8 metric tonnes needed to sustain the population for three months.
Ncube’s announcement, according to analysts, underscores the urgent need for sustained support and intervention to mitigate the effects of the El Niño-induced drought, which has left a significant portion of the population vulnerable.