I am in Matabeleland where I am complementing Government’s efforts in the goal to attain the Sustainable Development Goals particularly in the area of ensuring that Zimbabwe’s children live in a safe and clean environment, and have a fair chance in life.

The National Schools Feeding Program is an initiative that is part of the targeted social safety nets that provide both educational and health benefits to the most vulnerable children, thereby increasing enrollment rates, reducing absenteeism, and improving food security at the household level.

Beyond improvements in access to food, the school feeding program also has a positive impact on nutritional status, gender equity, and educational status, each of which contributes to improving overall levels of country and human development.

As part of this initiative, I am encouraging schools and parents to include as much cultural food as they can in their children’s diets.

Yesterday and today, I met with parents, children and school authorities from different schools in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo.

It was an opportunity to teach, learn and share ideas on improving nutrition in children and also how to best tackle the fight against Covid19.