Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE preservation of Shangwe-Tonga culture and indigenous knowledge has received a major boost in Gokwe-Nembudziya following the commissioning of a dedicated community centre providing a permanent space for traditional leadership, cultural education and the transfer of knowledge between generations.
Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Lieutenant-General (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe recently commissioned the Shangwe-Tonga Community Centre in Lunga Village, Ward 13, as Government takes the national heritage agenda into communities in line with the Second Republic’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”.
The centre, which is one of the legacy projects from the 2025 Independence celebrations, comprises a traditional leaders’ court, offices, nhanga (girls’ bedroom) and gota (boys’ bedroom) facilities.
It is expected to provide a platform for traditional leaders, elders, cultural practitioners and community members to preserve and transmit the customs, languages, history and indigenous
knowledge of the Shangwe and Tonga people to future generations.
Minister Sanyatwe said communities themselves were central to preserving their cultural heritage, while Government’s role was to create an enabling environment for that process.
“Our culture must be preserved by the people themselves. Government’s role is to create an enabling environment where communities can protect and pass on their heritage,” he said.
“I would like to thank President Mnangagwa for ensuring that everyone is involved.”
The Second Republic has also provided permanent personnel to run the centre, ensuring that it remains accessible to community members on a daily basis.
“The dedicated Shangwe-Tonga Community Centre is giving local communities a permanent space to safeguard their culture, traditions and identity,” said Minister Sanyatwe.
Senator Chief Chireya said the facility would help ensure that knowledge passed down by elders was not lost while promoting inclusivity among communities with different languages and cultural traditions.
“This centre belongs to the community. It allows us to preserve what our elders taught us and ensure our children do not lose their identity.
“We have different languages here and President Mnangagwa is ensuring everyone is accommodated,” he said.
Sen Chief Chireya said the nhanga and gota would provide platforms for elders to teach young people about traditional values, responsibilities, customs and ways of life.
“Through the nhanga and gota, our elders can continue teaching young people about our values, responsibilities and traditional ways of life,” he said.
Midlands Provincial director for economic affairs and investment Mr Koshen Mtisi said the centre reflected the Government’s commitment to preserving the country’s cultural and moral fabric.
“This project is a testament to the President’s commitment to preserving the cultural and moral fabric of the nation,” he said.
Mr Mtisi said the project went beyond physical infrastructure by providing a platform to strengthen community identity, document history and keep indigenous knowledge relevant to younger generations.
“The commissioning of the centre brings cultural preservation closer to the people while giving traditional leaders and elders a permanent platform to pass on their knowledge, customs and traditions,” he said.
