ZAMBIA – Integrated cold chain food products and agribusiness company Zambeef has issued its support to Zambia’s education sector by donating hand washing stations, hand sanitisers, temperature guns and facemasks to a number of schools, to aid their efforts of fighting the spread of COVID-19.

Beneficiaries include Mupama Pamo Primary, Liteta Primary and Mwayasunka Secondary School, as well as the Zambeef-sponsored Nampamba Private School in Mpongwe.

The donations are timely as they will ensure the safety of learners and teachers as they start the 2021 academic year, giving them a peace of mind as they undertake their learnings.

“We believe that strict adherence to safety guidelines from the Ministry of Health is key to keeping our teachers and learners safe as they return to school.”

Zambeef Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager – Chishala Malekano

“Schools are an integral part of our society; therefore, they represent an important front in the country’s war against COVID-19,” said Zambeef Chief Executive Officer Walter Roodt.

“The benefits and spill-over effects of education to our communities are enormous in that they increase a child’s prospects, giving them a fighting chance against poverty. It is therefore imperative that we plough on with deliberate and cautious action to ensure learning continues despite the pandemic,” added Mr Roodt.

Zambeef is of the firm belief that concerted and sustained efforts from all will prove critical in ensuring a safe environment for Zambia’s learners.

“We believe that strict adherence to safety guidelines from the Ministry of Health is key to keeping our teachers and learners safe as they return to school,” added Zambeef Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Chishala Malekano.

School head teacher Boas Wasuka thanked Zambeef for its continued support, saying that the company had demonstrated the value it places on children through its actions.

“Zambeef appreciates the Zambian child, and is adding value not only in terms of crop production but also in educating our children,” said Mr Wasuka.

The school has gone further to incorporate COVID-19 awareness programmes into its daily lesson plans, with teachers starting and ending their classes with virus-related activities such as poems and songs.

He urged pupils to strictly follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines, saying it was the only way the fight against the virus could be won.

Zambeef has always demonstrated unwavering commitment in its support for rural education – particularly in areas in which it operates.

Its investment over the years includes construction of classroom blocks and teachers’ houses as well as donation of educational materials to schools in remote areas.

Working with the Ministry of General Education, the company has also helped provide qualified teaching personnel to several schools as a way of improving the quality of education in far-flung areas.

In its year ended September 2020, the meat processor reported a rise in revenue by 23.6% in Kwacha terms and a 5.8% decline in US dollar terms to ZMW3.9 billion (US$239.6 million).

The company earned gross profit of ZMW1.22 billion (US$75.2 million) which was up in Kwacha terms by 12.4% but down by 14.4% in US dollar terms.

According to the LSE listed company, the revenue and profit growth was achieved in the face of a challenging operating environment, characterised by the onset of a global Coronavirus pandemic and macro-economic headwinds.

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