Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
WIVES of chiefs in Manicaland have adopted a provincial strategic plan to support the First Lady’s programmes and Vision 2030 by transforming homesteads and communities into economic and cultural hubs focused on agro-tourism, gastronomy, mechanised agriculture and mining.
About 12 wives of chiefs attended the inaugural meeting at Chief Senator Makoni’s court in Rusape last Saturday, and constituted a provincial forum to drive the initiative.
Forum chairperson, Mrs Redempter Gwasira said the plan prioritises agro-cultural tourism and gastronomy, food security, value addition and beneficiation, and mechanised mining.
“We met as wives of chiefs to find common ground in embracing the First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa’s programmes across Manicaland. So far 12 out of 34 chieftainships have come on board, and we are expecting others to join in. The First Lady first grounded us as chiefs’ wives so that we know who we are, and our responsibilities as custodians of our heritage and drivers of rural prosperity. She took us through the concept of Nhanga and Gota. The broader picture is to transform our homesteads into nationally recognised centres of agro-cultural tourism, gastronomy, food security, and women and youth empowerment hubs,” she said.
“We came up with a provincial committee, and the people are happy. We need to encourage each other so that we can tap into the First Lady’s vision – leaving no one and no place behind. The 12 who attended the conception meeting constituted the provincial structure, and as we speak, some who were not part of it have reached out with their apologies,” she added.
Traditional leaders whose wives attended include chiefs Saurombe, Gwenzi, Marange, Hata, Zimunya, Katerere, Chikukwa, Tangwena, Chitsunge, Saunyama, Chikore, Tandi, and the host, Makoni.
“As spouses of chiefs we are regarded as custodians of culture and respected elder figures who set moral standards. We need to mobilise women’s clubs, savings groups and agricultural projects, campaign against child marriage and school dropouts, and support Government on health and nutrition. While our roles remain supportive of our husbands, we need to promote the First Lady’s initiative at the grassroots,” she said.
Mrs Tangwena, of Nyanga said the programme will strengthen the role of traditional leaders’ wives. “We are grateful for the projects that we are being tasked to do by the First Lady, as they will ensure that, as wives, we become virtuous women, uplifting our communities and districts. I would like to thank the First Lady for these projects, and we would like to assure her of our unwavering support,” said Mrs Tangwena.
In a solidarity message, Chief Senator Makoni said traditional leaders in Manicaland fully support the First Lady’s vision to have their wives involved in meaningful projects.
“Chiefs’ wives must come together because a single finger cannot crush lice. We need collectivism and cross-pollination of ideas, focusing on our strengths, to ensure sustainable development of our areas. We have subjects who have money and can partner us to develop our areas, and we can only mobilise meaningful resources from our subjects if we are united,” said Chief Makoni.
