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selfishness and always put people’s interests first. VP Nkomo, who officially closed the three-day conference at the Large City Hall, said chiefs should lead by example in seeking to uplift the communities they live in as opposed to personal gain.
He challenged chiefs to be champions of national healing, preservation of national identity and unity.
“The chiefs, lina zinduna, must live up to what people expect of you.
“You may have personal challenges but you must put people’s welfare first because there is no chief, headman or village head withou tpeople,” said VP Nkomo.
“With empowerment programmes coming to our communities some chiefs will be grabbing the shares and leaving people behind. Go there as people’s representatives and their messengers.
“As a Government we work with you in sharing the responsibility of governing the country and we need guidance from you. You are answerable to the people for the positions you are holding and as you lead us akelisibuse kuhle (lead us nicely).”
VP Nkomo expressed concern over the debasement of moral values, which is evidenced by the increase in criminal activities and divisions in communities.
He said the chiefs should be at the forefront of condemning such vices.
“You have a duty as chiefs. Lilomlandu zinduna. We must preserve the legacy of what our fallen and living heroes and heroines fought for.
“We must ensure that people do not fight each other over things that happened in the past.
“Some may say Shonas killed Ndebeles and others say Ndebeles took Shona cattle.
“We know a lot of things went wrong in the past but we need to move ahead and heal the wounds. We are in the process of reconciliation and chiefs must play their role,” said VP Nkomo.
“Let us not have people fighting each other in our communities.
“Let us work together towards nation building and restore sanity in our communities. We should shun things that divide us and focus on those that shape our nation.”
He added: “Let us bring peace and oneness of our people.
“If there is a problem in the community, call meetings and counsel the people to do the right thing.
“Do not isolate yourselves from the community and where you do not have knowledge seek advice from those who know and do not be ashamed.”
VP Nkomo buttressed President Mugabe’s stance in condemning homosexuality, saying the practice was opposed to Biblical values and God’s command with regard to reproduction.
Turning to the governance issues, VP Nkomo said the Government operates through a decentralised system where governors, districts, councils and traditional leaders participate in decision-making.
He said regular elections were held as a mechanism of evaluating the performance of those who have been given the opportunity to rule.
“In most cases you fail yourselves as chiefs because you shun participating in Government issues.
“You find some of us blaming President Mugabe for the problems affecting the country we forget to assess our own roles.
“We need to work harder to develop ourselves than crying foul.
“Indigenisation will be meaningless if we do not ensure that it benefits ordinary indigenous people,” said VP Nkomo.
Chiefs’ Council president Fortune Charumbira said VP Nkomo’s address contained wise counsel.
“We have heard your words VP Nkomo and we accept them. Thank you for taking time to give us such valuable counsel,” he said.
A total of 257 chiefs and their spouses attended the conference.
They are expected to depart for their respective provinces today.
Online Reporter