ZIMBABWE — National Foods Limited, a leading agri-industrial company in Zimbabwe, has donated crucial food supplies to support the Rekai Tangwena Children’s Home in Nyanga.
The generous contribution includes a range of groceries such as roller meal, beans, porridge, pasta, and salt, reflecting the company’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe.
This initiative is part of National Foods Limited’s broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, which aligns with the global Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
According to Alice Pawarikanda, Group Human Resources Executive at National Foods, the decision to aid Rekai Tangwena Children’s Home was motivated by a heartfelt desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of children who lack consistent support.
“During our donation audit, we discovered that Rekai Tangwena did not have any active donors,” Pawarikanda explained. “This observation led us to prioritize them in our list of monthly contributions.”
The donation comes at a crucial time as it helps combat the pressing issue of food insecurity among children.
By ensuring a steady supply of essential food items, National Foods aims to alleviate the burden on the children and enable them to concentrate on their education and overall development.
“This donation will ensure that the children do not have to worry about their next meal. Our goal is to support them in focusing on their studies and personal growth,” Pawarikanda added.
The children and staff at Rekai Tangwena Children’s Home have expressed their deep appreciation for the donation, particularly highlighting the value of Nutri Active porridge as a nutritious start to their school day.
The home’s director expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized how it will positively impact the children’s nutritional needs as they prepare for the third term of school.
The corporate social responsibility comes after the company announced plans to establish the nation’s first domestic pasta manufacturer, a move expected to significantly cut the country’s annual US$40 million pasta import bill.
In May, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, revealed that the group is taking a critical step towards reducing the nation’s dependency on imported goods and fostering local industrial growth.
Speaking at a workshop for the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce and the Thematic Committee on Indigenization and Empowerment, Ndlovu emphasized the potential economic benefits of this initiative.
“National Foods anticipates reducing pasta import costs by up to US$10 million annually.,” “With the right policy support, they have the capacity to supply the domestic market and even explore export opportunities fully,” he stated.
National Foods’ strategy includes contracting local wheat farmers and processing the wheat into flour, a move that aligns with efforts to enhance value addition and increase profit margins.
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