adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
ECONOMIC Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Simon Khaya Moyo has urged Government departments to desist from turning away potential investors that were coming from other regions as such actions could be detrimental to developing their communities.
Cde Khaya Moyo, who is also the Senator of Bulilima and Mangwe, also said it was proper for professionals from other regions to reside and work in Matabeleland on condition that they adopted the culture.
Speaking during the tombstone unveiling for national hero Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Chilisi Bhuka Ngwenya recently at the Bulilima Mangwe District Heroes Acre, Cde Khaya Moyo said tribalism and regionalism were detrimental to development.
“Selecting people just because of where they come from will not get us anywhere. The liberation heroes fought to liberate all of us as a nation regardless of tribe and if we maintain this selective tendency then we are defeating the cause of the liberation struggle.
“As we celebrate the life of Father Zimbabwe Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo we have to remember how he despised tribalism,” he said.
The Minister said professionals that have been posted in neighbouring districts had a duty to adopt the culture of that area as well as their language.
He said communities had to desist from fuelling violence which was based on tribal issues.
He denounced actions of two men who are from Zuzaphi area in Bulilima District who recently attacked fellow villagers over the employment of Shona-speaking people in their area.
“If jobs open up at a company let the local community benefit first by being given opportunities to apply for the jobs they qualify for. If there are no locals that qualify then let people from other regions who qualify for the jobs fill the posts. Let us not have someone coming hundreds of kilometres away filling a post that can be occupied by a local as we also expect communities to benefit from their own resources. At the same time let those professionals from other areas like the teachers and the police learn the language of that area because they are expected to serve the people. We also do not expect responsible authorities to turn away potential investors because of tribal issues,” he said.
Cde Khaya Moyo said there was no need for people to undermine other cultures and languages.
He said this was causing unnecessary tension which diverted the attention of people from crucial things like pursuing development agendas.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya died in 2011 on Christmas day at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after a short illness.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya, whose liberation name was Elliot Mnyama “Black Swine”, was born on 2 February 1948 in Dombodema area.
War veterans, relatives and friends converged on the district heroes’ acre in large numbers to pay tribute to the liberation hero. He was commended for his tremendous contribution towards liberating the country and bringing development to the community of Bulilima and Mangwe.
Online Reporter