ON a sweltering Friday afternoon as the scorching sun beat down on Mukwada village, Sophia Mukwada’s weary eyes now had a ray of hope as she received a precious gift, a food hamper.
For a long period, hunger had knocked on Mukwada's door and laid siege in her house, threatening to consume her family.
But on Friday, thanks to the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company’s (ZCDC) corporate social responsibility programme, Mukwada’s struggle to put food on the table had finally found a temporary reprieve.
As she cradled the food hamper that was, filled with essential basics including mealie-meal, rice, flour, sugar, salt, beans and cooking oil, among others, Mukwada’s face reflected a mixture of emotions gratitude and relief.
The EI Nino-induced drought hunger has taken its toll on her family, but in this moment, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders.
There are hundreds of villagers in Marange where diamond mining is taking place, a village where the El Niño-induced drought ravaged crops and livelihoods.
Mukwada is not alone.
In the heart of Marange, a community domiciled in the diamond-rich area in Manicaland province which is grappling with the devastating impacts of the El Niño-induced drought, hope has emerged in the form of food hampers donated by the ZCDC through the Chiadzwa Community Share Ownership Trust.
This initiative, in collaboration with relevant government structures, aims to alleviate hunger and support vulnerable families facing dire circumstances.
Hundreds of villagers in Marange area including areas like Chiadzwa, Mukwada and Arda Transau recently received the food hampers.
For the villagers who are facing hunger amid diamond riches, their story is not unique.
Their resilience, hope and determination make them an inspiration.
“I had not seen my children smile in weeks,” Mukwada said, her voice trembling.
“Today and onwards, I can give them a decent meal. ZCDC has brought life back to our table.”
ZCDC’s corporate affairs executive, Sugar Chagonda spoke passionately about the company’s commitment to its surrounding communities.
“We are a responsible State miner, and we cannot ignore the plight of our communities,” he said and emphasised the importance of social responsibility.
“We are committed to working with them as we produce diamonds for the long-term benefit of Zimbabweans.”
Chagonda highlighted that the importance of his company programme is to enhance food security in the community.
“We are working closely with the community in spurring such initiatives aimed at uplifting the community livelihoods,” he said.
“These are community empowerment initiatives being funded by ZCDC beyond other initiatives in other clusters like infrastructure development, health, water and sanitation, education, sport and recreation in the communities across Manicaland and beyond.
For many families in Marange, the food hampers are more than just a temporary relief.
They represent a lifeline during a season of uncertainty.
With crops withering in the fields and food prices soaring, the assistance provided by ZCDC has been met with immense gratitude by the beneficiaries.
Villagers gathered to express their appreciation, their faces lighting up with joy as they received the much-needed supplies.
“I never thought I would see food come our way during such a tough time,” remarked Mary Marange, a mother of three.
“This help means we can eat at least for some months. Thank you, ZCDC, for thinking of us,” she added.
Another villager, Tendai Padera, echoed similar sentiments, saying: “We are grateful for this support. It shows that we are not alone in our struggles.”
Padera’s words resonated with many as they shared stories of how the drought has impacted their lives, leaving them with little to nothing to feed their families.
The ZCDC’s initiative comes at a crucial time, as communities across the region are grappling with escalating food insecurity.
The El Niño phenomenon has wreaked havoc on agricultural productivity, leaving many families vulnerable and in need of immediate assistance.
Chagonda reassured the community that this effort is just the beginning.
“We understand the challenges the community face, and we are here to stand with them. Our partnership with the Chiadzwa Community Share Ownership Trust and local government will continue to ensure that we address the needs of our communities,” he affirmed.
As the villagers began to distribute the hampers among themselves, laughter and expressions of relief filled the air.
The sight of families, once worried about their next meal, now sharing food together, illustrated the profound impact of ZCDC’s support.
In a world where corporate responsibility can sometimes feel like a distant promise, the actions of ZCDC serve as a reminder that meaningful change begins at the community level.
For residents of Marange, this assistance is not just about food; it’s about hope, resilience, and the belief that they are not alone in their struggles.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a severe El Niño-induced drought, which has led to massive crop failure, depletion of water resources and pastures.
The drought has resulted in food insecurity, with over 60% of crops planted last season being lost
This has put a significant strain on the country’s agricultural sector, which is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy.
The drought has affected vulnerable communities, particularly in rural areas, where people rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture.