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Mashudu Netsianda in Binga
THE Minister of Local Government, Urban Development and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo, yesterday challenged chiefs to play a pivotal role in supporting Government programmes aimed at spearheading development in their communities.
In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Cde Joe Biggie Matiza during the installation ceremony of Mr Robertson Sibanda as the tenth Chief Siabuwa in Binga District, Dr Chombo urged traditional leaders to ensure that Government programmes were implemented.
“As Government we are committed to speeding up development in our rural communities and chiefs should play a leading role in ensuring that those programmes that we are undertaking to uplift the lives of our rural people are implemented,” said Dr Chombo.
The Minister also noted that Binga was one of the worst affected districts in terms of drought and urged the new chief to revive the Isiphala seNkosi concept to boost food production through the utilisation of farming inputs being distributed under the Presidential Well-Wisher Inputs Scheme.
“The Government is aware that Binga is one of the worst affected districts in terms of food shortages due to drought. I therefore urge the newly installed Chief Siabuwa to revive the Isiphala SeNkosi/Zunde Ramambo through the utilisation of the Presidential Well-Wisher Inputs Scheme, a programme that was initiated by President Mugabe to boost agricultural production having noted that our country’s economy hinges on agriculture,” said Dr Chombo.
He also urged traditional leaders to play a leading role in the fight against HIV and Aids through partnering with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other stakeholders in their programmes.
“Chiefs are the custodians of culture, values and traditions and accordingly they should play a leading role in the anti-HIV and Aids awareness campaigns. We are also worried with the rate at which people, especially in rural areas engage in sexual activities involving a brother and a sister and we therefore implore chiefs to look into such issues,” said Dr Chombo.
The Minister also noted an increase in veld fires, which he said were cause for concern as that also resulted in loss of grazing land.
He implored chiefs to work with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to decisively deal with the culprits.
Dr Chombo also took the opportunity to praise the new Chief Siabuwa’s predecessor, Mr Jack Edward Njaya, Mr Sibanda’s father for spearheading development in his area.
“The late Chief Siabuwa was very popular for spearheading development in this area such as the construction of Siabuwa Clinic and the two secondary schools and four primary schools. He also made great efforts in the rehabilitation of Nabusenga irrigation scheme as well as ensuring transparency in Campfire projects that saw the local communities benefitting from the proceeds,” he said.
Chief Siabuwa was born on 16 April 1966 in Siabuwa. He did his primary education at Siabuwa Primary School between 1973 and 1980 before proceeding with his secondary education at Manjolo until 1985.
He once worked as a temporary teacher at Kalungwizi Primary School between 1986 and 1993 before enrolling at the then Gwanda Zintec where he attained a diploma in primary education.
On completing his studies in 2004, he was deployed to Siabuwa Primary School where he is the deputy headmaster.
He is now pursuing a degree in Media Studies with the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).
Online Reporter