Chronicle Editor
Whinsley Masara recently in Harare
THE media has been challenged to report on peace and development rather than promote conflict.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Cde Energy Mutodi, said the media plays a critical role in information dissemination and has a duty to contribute to peace building by reporting factually.
Speaking during a media sensitisation workshop organised by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – Zimbabwe (FFWPUZ), that was held in Harare last Monday, Cde Mutodi said a vibrant media promotes peace.
The workshop is a build up to the Peace Family Festival that will be held on November 17 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
“It is of paramount importance to have a free professional and plural media with an obligation to contribute to peace building and co-existence among developing nations. For any country to have feasible transformation and development, peace is the foundation.
“As government’s efforts to realise development under the new dispensation, we are determined to support the programme. Thus the peace and family festival-Harare 2018 will help in uniting different sections of our society in realising government’s initiative for unity and development,” Cde Mutodi said.
The role of the media in conflict and post conflict situations came under the spotlight at the workshop.
FFWPUZ chairperson, Archbishop Johannes Ndanga, said during the Peace Family Festival more than 40 000 people are expected to attend a marriage re-dedication holy blessing festival to be held under the motto; “Strong and healthy families make a healthy and prosperous nation”.
“Here couples will receive a blessing prayer and commit to renewing their marriage vows in an endeavour to create God centred families. Spouses should respect each other in their marriages and encourage their children to behave well in order to have a nation with disciplined people.
“Research shows that children raised from peaceful family backgrounds are better integrated in society while those raised from a conflict prone background are more associated with alienation,” he said.
“Children raised in peaceful, God fearing families are more likely to be assets for the country’s development in terms of accountability and dedication to peace.”
Chief Njelele from Gokwe urged married people to desist from cheating saying it was the biggest driver of increased cases of murder and assault.
He said he has led by example in his community by staying married to one woman even though polygamy is the norm in their community.
“This is the best way to maintain peace in a home. Also spouses should stay faithful to their partners. I severely punish wife beaters as a way to instil fear in would be offenders,” he said.
The founder of FFWPUZ, Dr Hak Jah Han Moon, an advocate for peace and reconciliation, is set to embark on an Africa “Peace starts with me” tour and Zimbabwe is the first stop on the continent.
The event is intended to bring people from all walks of life including political leaders, religious leaders, chiefs, civil society, families, together for the sake of peace and reconciliation. — @winnie_ masara.
derick.khumalo