Debra Matabvu in CHIMOIO, Mozambique
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA has called on members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to strengthen cooperation and stand in solidarity in the face of recurring challenges such as climate change-induced disasters, which he said are increasingly threatening development and the welfare of communities Speaking yesterday at the handover ceremony of a consignment of goods for victims of Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique, President Mnangagwa, who is also the SADC chairperson, said the region is now facing new forms of adversity that demand collective action “The world today presents a different enemy in the form of climate change, characterised by floods, droughts and the resultant loss of lives and livelihoods,” said the President “This has seen occurrences such as Tropical Cyclone Chido
“The trail of destruction in the affected provinces of Niassa, Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Tete and Sofala reminds us that climate change-induced disasters are shared calamities, transcending across our region and exposing our people to common vulnerabilities “It is, therefore, essential that we stand in solidarity and strengthen regional cooperation to build greater resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of these recurring adversities.”
President Mnangagwa said the deep-rooted unity and historic bonds between Zimbabwe and Mozambique should continue to shape bilateral relations and guide the two nations towards a shared future “This is a testament that the historic bonds between our two nations are deeply rooted in a shared struggle for freedom, resilience and sacrifice,” he said “Cadres from both Zimbabwe and Mozambique — FRELIMO and ZANLA — stood together, shedding blood on the battlefields for freedom
“Our presence here, on the eve of our national Heroes and Defence Forces Days in Zimbabwe, is equally a tribute to the many fallen heroes, who fought side by side for our independence, and for the freedom we all enjoy “This legacy of unity and comradeship must continue to define our relationship, as we forge a shared destiny “In April this year, Your Excellency (President Daniel Chapo), when you opened the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, you declared that ‘Mozambique is Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is Mozambique, we are one’ “We are indeed bound together, not just geographically as neighbours, but we are one people.”
President Mnangagwa underscored the importance of the African spirit of Ubuntu, especially during times of distress
He recalled the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai in 2019, which struck Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, prompting humanitarian assistance from across the region and beyond “In March 2019, Cyclone Idai caused massive destruction in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi “In the destructive aftermath, we were both recipients of generous humanitarian assistance from sister Republics within SADC, the comity of nations, UN agencies and other partners,” added the President “They say ‘charity begins at home’
Zimbabwe is standing by our brothers and sisters in Mozambique “Further, friendship and support in times of distress is in keeping with our rich African culture “It is in this spirit that we are here today to deliver a modest donation to our Mozambican compatriots “Through this humble mechanism, Zimbabwe aims to render help to friends and allies affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises
“This is informed by the spirit of Ubuntu and our shared destiny.”
The donation, facilitated through the Government’s disaster response arm, ZimAid, is intended to support survivors of the tropical storm that struck central Mozambique in December last year, killing more than 100 people and displacing over 600 000 Mozambican President Chapo expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that it was consistent with the two nations’ shared history “This gesture of solidarity has historical roots which trace back to our liberation struggle,” said President Chapo “We have been together, we are together, and we will always be together
“No one will separate us because we are two people, we are two brothers “Therefore, because of that we speak the same language; we have the same culture.”
He added that Mozambique and Zimbabwe will continue to strengthen their strategic partnership, working together to promote economic growth and development in various sectors “Mozambique and Zimbabwe have a strategic partnership of maintaining and developing a solid relationship in various areas.”
Helping hand
The donation comprised mealie meal, wheat, sugar, seed maize and roofing materials This is not the first time Zimbabwe has stepped in to assist neighbours affected by natural disasters
In 2023, President Mnangagwa led a major relief effort to Malawi following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy The storm left more than 1 000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands, particularly in Blantyre and surrounding districts Zimbabwe was among the first African countries to respond to Malawi’s appeal for help, mobilising goods worth millions of dollars, including 300 tonnes of maize meal Other donations included wooden cabins, cement, clothing bales, medical supplies, disinfectants, gumboots and blankets
At the height of Covid-19 in 2021, Zimbabwe donated a consignment of 20 000 doses of vaccines to Namibia to assist the neighbouring country with its response to the pandemic In 2022, Zimbabwe donated 1 000 tonnes of food items to Mozambique to help people who had been displaced by acts of terrorism and violent extremism in some districts of Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique In Mozambique, President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya and Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba Also in attendance were Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique Victor Matemadanda and Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza, among other senior Government officials
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Originally published on Business Weekly
All Zim News
All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com.
Source: Businessweekly
