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Blessings Chidakwa in Murehwa
The positioning, preservation and promotion of culture will promote moral goodness and sound family, community and national values that lead to combined efforts to champion development.
Mashonaland East Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Aplonia Munzverengwi said this recently while officiating the ‘Mvura Naya Naya cultural festival’ organised by the chairman of the Mashonaland East Chiefs’ Council, Chief Nechombo, Mr Langton Chikukwa.
“It is imperative to note that culture and tradition defines us as a people and the Mvura Naya Naya model is hinged on promoting cultural, socio and economic development.
“Our nation will have civilised, progressive and developed rural communities through fighting social ills such as early child marriages and domestic violence.
This will also entail economic activities that will unlock rural industrial value chains through sustainable exportation of our abundant natural resources,” said Minister Munzverengwi.
It was gratifying that traditional leaders, who were the vanguards of preservation of culture, were taking a huge responsibility in creating spaces for socio-economic development through development initiatives such as Mvura Naya Naya.
Speaking at the same event, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe encouraged the preservation of heritage singling out Murehwa district saying it had some caves which if properly developed and marketed, would attract domestic and foreign tourists.
“Heritage sites such as Murehwa caves and bushman paintings need to be preserved and well taken care of.
“These sites are facing a litany of climate impacts such as structural damage caused by storms, floods as well as vandalism by human beings.
“These heritage sites, if properly preserved, can contribute significantly towards employment creation and as a communication vehicle for climate education, sustainability and preservation,” said Minister Garwe.
Chief Nechombo explained the Mvura Naya Naya concept which he said hinged on fighting cultural and socio-economic ills in the society.
“We are faced with challenges of moral decay in society including theft and lack of respect. This gave birth to the Mvura Naya Naya notion.
“It is a concept of restoring back our norms and values.
“Since time immemorial, when it rains, it signifies peace hence as chiefs, we are praying for peace saying let the rains fall on our customs in line with three themes: culture, economic and social development,” he said.
Chief Nechombo said the social aspect mainly dealt with maintaining peace in the society and fighting child marriages while the economic aspect encouraged people to eat what they killed using economic activities including embracing the successful Pfumvudza concept spearheaded by the Government.
The Mvura Naya Naya no concept was initiated in 2019 by the Mashonaland East provincial chiefs.
Online Reporter