31 December 2021
Londiwe Dube
People from Matekenya Village in Gwanda, Ward 22 are appealing for aid as they were left homeless after the violent rains that hit the area on Sunday, the 26th of December.
The village-head, Mr Lot Nkala confirmed that people survived ‘miraculously’ but a lot of damage was done in the fields where crops were swept away, leaving grounds bare.
He also said that people lost their livestocks amongst other valuables.
One elderly man in the area, Raphael Moyo, said he has never seen such violent rains in his whole life.
“I was born in 1956 and it’s my first time experiencing such in Gwanda”
“It is grace that no one died but this is a huge loss, people are homeless now, starving and with this economic situation they are not going to recover anytime soon. We need help. It’s a sad situation.”
So far, the Red Cross, an organization that assist people who are victims mainly of natural disasters Worldwide, has on Monday reached out to the Matekenya people to assist them mostly with food items which included mealie meal, cooking oil, sugar, and tea leaves.
The Red Cross Director for Matebeland South, Siphiwe Nkala has said;
“The aim of our organization is to assist with basic commodities like food items, sanitary pads and blankets in areas where there are such disasters.”
The Councillor for Ward 22, Mr Thulani Moyo encouraged people to preserve vegetation which he said assists in protecting houses against stormy rains.
He also advised everyone in rural areas to build houses that can withstand all weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the Village head is appealing to everyone and all organizations for help on behalf of his people.