Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT has intensified efforts to safeguard Zimbabwe’s intangible cultural heritage through the establishment of a dedicated department that will focus on raising awareness of the UNESCO 2003 Convention among traditional leaders and local communities.
The awareness campaigns, currently rolling out across provinces including Mashonaland West, seek to strengthen the protection of cultural practices, languages and traditions in line with the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted in 2003.
Zimbabwe became a signatory to the Convention in 2010, reaffirming its commitment to preserving the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Intangible cultural heritage refers to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills, together with instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them, that communities and groups recognise as part of their cultural identity.
Passed down from generation to generation, such heritage is constantly recreated in response to communities’ interaction with nature and history, providing a sense of identity and continuity, while promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.
Speaking during the provincial engagement, Provincial Chiefs’ Assembly chairperson, Senator Chief Ngezi, (Peter Pasipamire) expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for prioritising culture and heritage preservation.
“We are grateful to President Mnangagwa for his role in ensuring that our culture and heritage is protected. As traditional leaders, we remain committed to safeguarding our customs and values for future generations,” said Chief Ngezi.
Chief Nebiri welcomed the establishment of a dedicated department focusing on culture, saying it aligns with the constitutional roles of traditional leaders.
“The newly set-up department is well aligned with the chiefs’ roles and duties of preserving culture, tradition and community values,” he said.
Chief Chanetsa (Godwin Katsvere) raised concern over the misuse of social media, warning that while technology can be beneficial, it must not erode cultural norms.
“We must guard against the abuse of social media. It should be used to promote our culture and educate our communities rather than destroy our cultural values including promoting nudity,” he said.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said globalisation and technological advancement had exposed communities to external influences that often eroded traditional values.
“Social media abuse is affecting and eroding our culture. We must ensure that our languages are inclusive and tolerant. All the 16 officially recognised languages in Zimbabwe are equal and must be respected,” she said.
Minister Chombo commended the Kariba community for standing firm in preserving its cultural identity despite the pressures of globalisation.
Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesaya, said Zimbabwe’s accession to the Convention demonstrated Government’s long-standing commitment to cultural preservation.
“Zimbabwe signed and became a member in 2010, although the treaty has been in existence since 2003,” she said.
“As we safeguard our heritage, we must also confront challenges such as drug abuse and the negative effects of social media, which threaten our cultural fabric. Social media should be used for good purposes and national development. We should also use our intangible cultural beliefs to help address drug and substance abuse.”
Government officials said strengthening community participation in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage will not only preserve Zimbabwe’s identity, but also promote sustainable development anchored in local knowledge systems.
