Tinaye Agere
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of the 2025 Annual Chief’s Conference taking place in Harare.
Today, President Emmerson Mnangagwa will preside over this significant event, themed “Accelerated Attainment of Vision 2030 For An Upper-Middle Income Economy Anchored on Vibrant Traditional Leadership Institutions and Systems.”
This conference brings together our country’s esteemed traditional leaders, alongside Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and various Cabinet and provincial ministers.
As we explore the pivotal role of traditional leadership in achieving our national goals, stay with us for live updates.
President Mnangagwa arrives
President Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga have arrived at the Harare Showgrounds for the Chiefs’ Annual Conference, where traditional leaders from across the country have gathered for their yearly indaba.
The event brings together chiefs to discuss issues affecting their communities, including governance, development and cultural preservation.
Also on display at the venue were some of the vehicles set to be given to the country’s chiefs, part of ongoing efforts to enhance their mobility and support them in carrying out traditional and administrative duties.
The conference continues with various sessions dedicated to strengthening traditional leadership.
Minister Tavengwa applauds Chiefs for safeguarding heritage
In his welcome remarks, Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Charles Tavengwa, said today’s gathering would facilitate the strengthening of relations between Government and the country’s traditional leaders.
“Today we applaud our chiefs for safeguarding this heritage for generations to come,” he said.
Minister Tavengwa said the hosting of the conference in Harare was a clear demonstration of inclusivity by Government.
Harare Province, he added, stands behind Vision 2030.
Chiefs hail Second Republic’s inclusive governance
President of the National Chiefs Council, Senator Chief Mtshane Khumalo, says traditional leaders are grateful for the Second Republic’s inclusive approach to national governance.
Chief Khumalo said the country’s chiefs “had indeed not been left behind as the Second Republic ushers a new dawn for Zimbabwe,” noting that developments across sectors had begun to yield tangible benefits.
“Those developments have trickled down as economic dividends,” he said.
“The said dividends have also benefited traditional leaders in various ways.
“We are pleased with your attendance at this year’s conference.”
The traditional leaders will today receive cellphones and vehicles, which Chief Khumalo said will go a long way in capacitating them.
Traditional Chiefs fully behind President Mnangagwa
Traditional leaders across the country are firmly rallying behind President Mnangagwa, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said in his remarks while introducing the President.
He highlighted that since the advent of the Second Republic, chiefs and other traditional leaders have continued to be well supported.
“You (President Mnangagwa) have brought us more smiles,” he said.
According to Minister Garwe, the nation currently has 35 000 village heads, 550 headmen and 310 chiefs — all of whom, he said, are fully behind President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa acknowledges Chiefs’ role in economic development
President Mnangagwa has praised traditional Chiefs for their role in nation-building and economic development.
He made the remarks at 2025 Annual Chiefs’ Conference in Harare today.
The President said both Government and traditional leaders have a duty to take stock of the country’s successes in addressing the aspirations and concerns of the communities that Chiefs preside over.
“Hatikanganwe kuti kuzvitonga zvizere kwatinako kwakauya nehondo yerusununguko,” he said.
“Imi madzimambo murivaridzi vevhu, hurumende yandotungamira icharamba ichitsigira.”
He said that under a free and independent Zimbabwe, relations between Government and traditional leaders will continue on an upward trajectory.
The President commended the Chiefs for their role in the successes the country continues to witness across all economic sectors.
He added that it was encouraging to note that “vene venyika” were utilising the country’s vast land for their benefit.
The conference was held under the theme: “Accelerated Attainment of Vision 2030 For An Upper-Middle Income Economy Anchored on Vibrant Traditional Leadership Institutions and Systems”.
President Mnangagwa has handed over brand new cars to Chiefs
Online Reporter
What a great way to honour the custodians of our culture.The only fly in the ointment is when one compares with Ian Smith’s love for Chiefs to keep “blacks on line”.I hope Chiefs are not encouraged to keep blacks supporting one party,after all ED fought for freedom of association