Statement by Senator David Coltart
15 March 2011
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture. I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Japan following the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck parts of Japan last week.
The Ministry of  Education, Sport, Arts and Culture has a long history of friendship with Japan and numerous artists , students and sportsmen and women of Zimbabwe have had various opportunities supported by the people of Japan. Japan is also one of the few countries which has supported the Education Transition Fund, which in turn has funded the textbook programme for all primary schools in Zimbabwe. This act of generosity towards our children makes the suffering of Japanese children and their families all the more distressing for us. The Ministry of  Education, Sport, Arts and Culture and indeed our entire nation Zimbabwe, stands with the people of Japan and we are ready to assist in whatever way we can.
Senator David Coltart
Harare
15 March 2011