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Ivan Zhakata in BULAWAYO
TRADITIONAL leaders play a critical role in tackling pandemics and disasters bedevilling the country, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo has said.
Addressing guests at the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme sensitive meeting in Bulawayo on Thursday, Minister Moyo said chiefs represented Government in their communities.
He said chiefs had a direct link with their ancestors and they had the power to end natural disasters and pandemics such as Cyclone Idai, hunger and Covid-19.
Minister Moyo said people should treat chiefs with the utmost respect and obey their commands as they were the custodians of the country’s cultural heritage and sacred places. “We are a country that recognises the supremacy of our traditional chiefs,” he said.
“Whenever we are faced with disaster, our President makes sure that he calls the chiefs and consults them on how the disasters can be tackled.
“Disasters or pandemics need the intervention of traditional leaders to send them back to where they came from through interceding for the nation.
“Chieftainships in this country unites the country and that is why chiefs are key in facing disasters in the country. They are the ones qualified to call for village assembly meetings and that is statutory.”
The meeting, which was focused on mitigating food deficit across the country, was attended by traditional leaders, ministers from ministries which make contributions towards food security, as well as ministers of state from all provinces.
It was aimed at giving insight into the Food Deficit programme.
Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, Chief Chundu, real name Abel Mbasera, urged people to work with their chiefs in developing their communities, as well as tackling natural disasters.
“We want people in rural communities to work with their chiefs as they are the custodians of the cultural heritage including sacred places,” he said.
“They know the history of their communities and have a direct link with our ancestors which is very important in preserving our country.”
Online Reporter