By Flata Kavinga
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube has commended the province’s business community for its support of the 2026 Midlands Independence Ball, which raised more than US$60,000 for charitable causes.
Speaking during the handover of groceries and goats to patients and nursing students at Kwekwe General Hospital, Ncube said contributions from the business sector had enabled the province to continue assisting vulnerable groups.
“Allow me at the onset to commend the Midlands business community for its overwhelming support this year as we raised more than US$60,000 that will traditionally be channelled towards vulnerable members of our communities,” said Ncube.
The donated items included goats for slaughter, mealie meal, sugar, rice, salt, cooking oil and tea leaves.
The goods were sourced from proceeds of the 2026 Midlands Provincial Independence Ball.
Ncube said the province had maintained a tradition of using funds raised during Independence celebrations to support hospitals, clinics, prisons, children’s homes and old people’s homes.
“As you are aware, in the past calendar years, I have regularly handed over groceries to hospitals, clinics, prisons, old people’s homes and children’s homes among others,” he said.
He said the initiative was aimed at supporting vulnerable members of society and aligned with government efforts to strengthen social protection programmes.
Ncube noted that the donations complemented broader social welfare interventions targeting disadvantaged communities, including healthcare support and food assistance programmes.
During his address, he also highlighted a number of government health-related social safety measures, including medical exemptions for vulnerable groups, social cash transfer programmes, healthcare infrastructure development and emergency medical services.
The minister further acknowledged programmes spearheaded by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, which he said were contributing to improved nutrition, food security and women’s empowerment.
The handover ceremony was attended by government officials, health personnel, nursing students and representatives from the business community.
