admin
Columbus Mabika
Chiefs have welcomed Government’s initiatives in provision of services and utilities that have uplifted their livelihoods and transformed the execution of their duties as custodians of national values.
This follows a commitment by President Mnangagwa to continue improving on the conditions of service of traditional leaders who are not only custodians of the country’s moral and cultural fabric but also accelerators of economic development through rural modernisation and industrialisation.
Government initiatives to improve the lives of traditional leaders and their subjects include the construction and maintenance of access roads to chiefs’ homesteads, electrification of their homes, provision of water and sanitation facilities, provision of cars as well as the tillage programme.
During the Mashonaland East Chiefs Day organised by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in Uzumba over the weekend, several Chiefs expressed satisfaction with what the Government has done to improve their lives.
Mashonaland East Chiefs Chairman, Chief Nechombo, Mr Langton Chikukwa said the Government had greatly enhanced the work of traditional leaders in recent times.
“We would like to thank the Government under the astute leadership of His Excellence President Mnangagwa for looking into the welfare of traditional leaders. This has improved our work greatly. Transport used to be a big challenge but now we can perform our duties in time,” he said.
He said the provision of information communication technologies to traditional leaders had greatly improved case management systems, and enhanced case archives and records during traditional court sessions.
The host, Chief Nyajina, Mr Tonderai Nyajina said traditional leaders remain committed to supporting Government programmes and initiatives for the development of their areas of jurisdiction.
“We are very happy and excited about what the Government is doing for its people. We have all witnessed major projects that have changed the face of this country which have benefited all of us.
“Let us all support Government programmes for the betterment of our country,” he said.
Chief Seke, Mr Stanley Chimanikire said traditional leaders have in various ways come up with initiatives to complement Government efforts to alleviate hunger in the rural communities following successive droughts that have hit the country in recent times.
ZNA Chief of Staff, Administration Staff, Major-General Emmanuel Matatu, who was the guest of honour said traditional leaders play a vital role in the country’s development and safeguarding the gains of independence adding the army will continue to work with traditional leaders in the country’s development agenda.
“As traditional leadership, you have a bigger role in safeguarding what we fought for during the liberation struggle in the quest to move our nation forward. As a people’s force, we will continue to engage and work with chiefs and traditional leaders in the quest to develop our God-given motherland,” he said.
Chiefs, Major General Matatu said chiefs facilitate development by ensuring the implementation of service delivery and development strategies earmarked for communities by the Government.
The army, he added, remains grateful to traditional leaders for availing their areas of jurisdiction for training purposes.
He said the ZNA, through its Constitutional mandate of aiding civil communities during peacetime, will not hesitate to provide skilled manpower and construction artisans for any duties that chiefs might want to undertake.
The ZNA engages chiefs throughout the country’s provinces annually to deliberate on various issues, particularly development-oriented matters.
This week, the ZNA engages chiefs in Mashonaland West Province, a chief’s day will be held at Chief Ngezi’s homestead before touring various projects which chiefs are leading in the province.
Online Reporter