Online Reporter
Sikhanyisiwe Ncube
Herald Correspondent
THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development has begun rolling out provincial family cohesion dialogues across the country, with the pilot session held in the Midlands Province at Chief Ntabeni Primary Court.
The dialogues are being conducted under the theme, “Strengthening families for social cohesion, safety, economic empowerment and sustainable development”.
They seek to provide communities with a platform to discuss issues affecting family well-being, identify challenges and develop locally driven solutions.
The initiative was pronounced by Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa last Friday.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Deputy Minister Kiven Mutimbanyoka, the Minister said strong families were the foundation of a resilient and prosperous nation.
“When families stand together through the seasons of life, they cultivate the values upon which a nation depends — responsibility, resilience, compassion, enterprise and camaraderie,” she said.
“These are the forces that enable communities to withstand adversity, families to build sustainable livelihoods, and a nation to transform its human potential into lasting economic prosperity.”
She added that Government recognised the family as more than a social institution but the first place where a nation teaches its values, protects its people and prepares its future.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted that Section 25 of the Constitution places a responsibility on the State to protect and foster the family and prevent domestic violence.
She commended the work of First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, through initiatives such as the Nhanga/ Gota/Ixhiba programme and others, saying they help preserve values, identity and traditions across generations.
“The Ministry’s ‘Family Cohesion Dialogues’ complement these efforts by bringing communities into the conversation and, importantly, into the solution,” she said.
She also called for the reintegration of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa and other countries.
“We must also make room for those coming home. Zimbabweans returning from South Africa and elsewhere should find not rejection, but a pathway back into family, community and opportunity.
“They return not only with needs, but with skills, experience and ideas that can enrich the communities to which they return,” she said.
Representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Owen Ncube, deputy director for provincial coordination, Mr Masimba Mkondo commended Government’s Whole-of-Government approach for addressing social challenges, particularly drug and substance abuse and gender-based violence.
Director for Community Empowerment, Ms Tariro Chipepera, said the programme would be rolled out to all provinces and districts.
“This programme is being rolled out in all provinces and districts. We want to protect and strengthen the family unit,” she said.
Representatives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Victim Friendly Unit addressed the gathering on domestic violence and community safety, identifying infidelity, disputes over conjugal rights, limited financial support and drug abuse as contributing factors.
The officers encouraged the public to avoid carrying weapons such as spears, axes, machetes and knives and encouraged community members to testify in court when they witness serious offences.
Chief Ntabeni thanked the Ministry for organising the dialogue, describing it as the first engagement of its kind involving Government ministries in the area and called for more such dialogues.
The dialogue was attended by community members from Chief Ntabeni, Chief Malisa and Chief Gwesela areas, headmen, Government officials and district leadership.
