peterFairness Moyana in Hwange, Sunday News Reporter
GOVERNMENT has been called to continue developing strategies that seek to ensure inclusion of indigenous communities in the national development discourse in line with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of not leaving no one and no place behind.
Officiating at the inaugural Women’s Cultural Festival in Hwange yesterday organised by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) in partnership with Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Chief Whange said the empowerment of indigenous communities which were marginalised was everyone’s responsibility.
“Rural indigenous communities in Zimbabwe and the world over remain adversely marginalised and are regarded as peripheral to the world that counts. In Zimbabwe, there are a number of indigenous communities that are incessantly facing exclusion, invisibility from the national development discourse and women’s rights interventions.
These communities include the Tonga, Nambya and San, largely found in the Matebeleland North Province. It is therefore, critical to develop and implement strategies for reminding and holding to account duty-bearers and the nation at large, of their obligation towards leaving no one behind in all national and global development processes,” said Chief Whange.
He applauded the hosting of the festival arguing that it was an ideal platform for amplifying marginalised voices particularly those of women through music, art, dance and cultural showcase.
“The Women’s Cultural Festival’s overall purpose is aimed at amplifying the voice of indigenous and women from rural communities, providing a platform for the women living in rural areas to interface with relevant duty bearers and service providers as well as showcase their culture, work and achievements through music, dance, art and conversations.”
Online Reporter