As COVID-19 continues its toll on Zimbabwe, Cangrow Trading Company, the manufacturers of Raha Cooking Oil teamed up with Norton legislator Temba Mliswa and donated towards essentials necessary to end the pandemic.
Mr. Ankit Jain, the Raha Managing Director, in consultation with Hon. Mliswa used the occasion of Zimbabwe’s 40th independence anniversary to reach out to the people of Norton by donating necessities towards the COVID-19 fight.
“This is a once in a lifetime outbreak, usually once in 100 years and since our company is operating in Norton, we saw it fit to give our first donation towards the fight against COVID-19 to the Norton constituency by donating items worth RTGS$1 million targeting 4000 households,” Mr. Jain said.
The donations include 2 fully remote-controlled beds; 750 face masks; 100 litres of hand sanitizer; 250 litres of surface disinfectant; 10 000 pieces of latex gloves; 10 units of 20-litre buckets; 100 pieces adult nasal prongs; 320 boxes of cooking oil; and 4 wheelchairs.
In his speech, while receiving the donation on behalf of the Norton Constituency, Hon. Mliswa paid tribute to Raha Cooking Oil for doing what most companies, blue-chip ones included, fail to do.
“When coming up with such initiatives during national disasters or emergencies, many companies go to the top with their donations but Raha came to Norton first with its generous giving hand.
“While the COVID-19 National Taskforce is in existence, companies and individuals should give first priority to their local area, and for that, I give credit to Raha Cooking Oil. The likes of Innscor should also consider their local communities since they have branches countrywide including Norton. While the government is working to deal with this problem, we need the support of our corporates,” Mliswa said.
The legislator called for compliance among people under quarantine. He said rumours doing the rounds that some people housed at ZIPAM offices who arrived in the country from the United Kingdom were not complying were unfortunate.
“In all this, there is a need for more testing and it’s disturbing that trucks are still coming in from beyond our borders. When we say we have a shut down we should really shut down. In giving out these donations, we shall be considering the frontline workers as well. Leaders should also be tested since they interact with many people,” Mliswa added.
Mr. Tariro Tomo, the Chegututu District Development Coordinator, in his remarks during the donation, said there is a need for multi-stakeholder collaboration in fighting COVID-19.
“Raha has led by example in offering this substantial donation. This donation ensures that our people will have food on the table as well as making sure that our hospitals are equipped to fight the pandemic. Let’s encourage other stakeholders to follow suit. Even if lockdown ends, we encourage social distancing and personal hygiene to continue. Zaha has written a new chapter in the history of Norton and Chegutu District,” Mr. Tomo said.
The event was graced by the province’s top political leadership including two Senators, Sen Bybit Tsomondo and Sen Voice Chinake. Leading professionals from the social welfare, health, and other key government departments were also in attendance.