Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu – [email protected]
CHIEFS from Matabeleland South have appealed for draught power support to complement the inputs they have received from the Government.
Chief Masuku from Gwanda District said as traditional leaders they were expected to be highly productive to fulfil their mandate of providing for the needy.
“One of our mandates as chiefs is to cater for the needs of the unprivileged such as widows, people with disabilities and orphaned and vulnerable children, among others,” he said.
“We are grateful for the inputs we have received as they have given us a head-start for this summer cropping season. We now appeal for farming equipment such as tractors so that we can put a lot of land under production.
“We lost a lot of animals due to the El Nino-induced drought, which could have been our source of draught power,” he said.
Chief Masuku said the need for tillage assistance in communities is higher this year because of the drought. Chief Sitaudze said they appreciate measures being put by the Government through its various departments to empower chiefs to execute their duties.
“All these efforts being done by the Government through its different arms, like the one we see today play a crucial role in restoring our status as chiefs. If we don’t have resources to fulfil our mandate or to help and support our communities then people will lose respect for us,” he said.
“Restoring our authority will help to strengthen the country’s traditional systems, which have been eroded by colonial systems. We thank Government for all its efforts and we know that more is yet to be done to strengthen our institutions as traditional leaders.”
The 32 chiefs from Matabeleland South recently received farming inputs and grocery hampers during the Traditional Leaders’ Day held at Chief Masuku’s homestead.
Each year, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) holds the Traditional Leader’s Day where chiefs receive inputs. The event is part of efforts to strengthen relations between chiefs and the army.
Speaking at the handover of the inputs, ZNA Chief of Staff Administration, Major General Emmanuel Matatu, said improving the livelihoods and welfare of chiefs is crucial in restoring the role of chiefs in society, which has been compromised by modernity.
He said the institution of traditional leaders is a key component of the African culture as they are custodians of tradition.
Maj Gen Matatu said traditional leaders have a crucial role in shaping cultural values, ethics, customs, traditions and the well-being of societies.
He said the army values its cordial relations with traditional leaders.
“We have given chiefs inputs because they are the ones responsible for Isiphala Senkosi/Zunde raMambo. They are responsible for keeping granaries, which will enable them to feed the food insecure in their communities,” said Maj Gen Matatu.
“For the chiefs to meet this mandate, they have to be supported with inputs. When the time has come for villagers to start benefitting from this food, I urge the chiefs to put thorough consideration in selecting the beneficiaries working with their headmen and village heads.”— @DubeMatutu
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