Matabeleland North headmen receive smartphones

MATABELELAND North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, today handed over 22 smartphones to headmen drawn from three districts in the province in a move aimed at strengthening communication between traditional leaders and Government structures.

Addressing the traditional leaders at the brief handover ceremony at the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex, Minister Moyo said the gesture by President Mnangagwa was a living testimony to his philosophy and conviction of leaving no one and no place behind.

Minister Moyo said the President had previously given Chiefs cellphones during the annual Chiefs’ Conference at the Harare Agricultural Showgrounds last year, where he also committed to extending the same gesture to headmen.
“This is President Mnangagwa’s vision and commitment of working with our traditional leaders, to show that as headmen he has not forgotten about you. As headmen, you coordinate people between Chiefs and Government structures, so communication gadgets such as these smartphones are crucial,” said Minister Moyo.

He said it will now be easier for headmen to quickly alert officials to important developments in their jurisdictions, while organising community meetings will also become more efficient.

The Minister added that now that the headmen have communication gadgets, and the country is receiving normal to above-normal rains — which are good for farming but may also result in infrastructure damage and human fatalities — they must ensure information reaches Civil

Protection Unit officials promptly in the event of disasters.

Headman Mazibiza from Tsholotsho District hailed the President for the gadgets, saying it was clear that the First Citizen was committed to leaving no one and no place behind.
“We are indebted to the President for this gesture and we promise that we shall use the phones effectively as we execute our duties. Accessing Government offices, articulating and relaying Government programmes to villagers is now easier,” said Headman Mazibiza.

The smartphones will enable the headmen to relay and receive real-time information, particularly during emergencies within their jurisdictions, improving response times and coordination on issues such as disasters, security concerns and community needs.

The gadgets form part of a wider batch of 51 smartphones earmarked for traditional leaders across the province. The initiative is being rolled out with support from President Mnangagwa as part of efforts to capacitate grassroots leadership with modern communication tools and enhance service delivery at community level.