Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau
TRADITIONAL leaders have commended the Second Republic for its inclusivity, which has left no one and no place behind.
This comes after President Mnangagwa yesterday handed over vehicles to chiefs who were yet to receive their allocations, as well as cellphones and US$1 500 to all the 310 chiefs in the country, at the 2025 Annual Chief’s Conference in Harare.
President of the National Chiefs Council, Senator Chief Mtshane Khumalo, said traditional leaders were grateful for the Second Republic’s inclusive approach which had seen everyone benefitting from Government’s developmental efforts.
“We applaud your genuine gesture. Those developments have trickled down as economic dividends. The said dividends have also benefited traditional leaders in various ways,” he said.
Chief Mtshane Khumalo said the chiefs were also grateful for the opportunity to interface with the President.
“We are pleased with your attendance at this year’s conference,” he said.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said since the inception of the Second Republic, chiefs have continued to be well taken care of.
There are 35 000 village heads, 550 headmen and 310 chiefs, all of whom the Local Government Minister said were rallying behind President Mnangagwa.
“You (President Mnangagwa) have brought us more smiles,” he said.
“We must ensure that there is enhanced mobility for our traditional leaders (and) we thank you for providing them with vehicles.”
In his welcome remarks, Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Minister Senator Charles Tavengwa, said yesterday’s gathering facilitated the strengthening of relations between the Government and traditional leaders.
“Today we applaud our chiefs for safeguarding this heritage for generations to come,” he said.
Deputy president of the Council of Chiefs Chief Fortune Charumbira said as traditional leaders, they were behind the Second Republic’s leadership. He expressed gratitude to the President for ensuring that chiefs’ needs were addressed.
Chief Chivi could not hide his joy as he expressed gratitude to Government for catering for traditional leaders’ needs.
“We are grateful for the continued support that we have always received from President Mnangagwa. We are grateful and we are overwhelmed by his support,” he said.
