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Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
ELDERLY people have been urged to transmit societal and cultural values to the youths to ensure preservation of cultural heritage.
The call was made by the Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at a sports tournament organised by TINMAC Foundation in Wedza over the weekend.
“Let me take this opportunity to beseech all the youths to take advantage of the opportunities being presented by the TINMAC Foundation sporting tournament and urge you to aspire and scale greater heights in sporting, arts and recreational activities.
“To our aged and elderly guests, I implore you to continue transmitting our societal and cultural values to the young generation for the preservation and continuation of our cultural heritage. We are a unique nation with an identity and should shun social ills such as drug and substance abuse, child marriages and domestic violence, to mention just a few.”
“May I commend the organising committee and all stakeholders, for the manner in which you are implementing this programme, particularly the inclusion of traditional games such as Nhodo, Mutsimba (Wrestling), Kusika Moto, Horikotyo, Pada and Dunhu. There is no better way of preserving our identity than this.
“The involvement of community leaders such as councillors, patrons, goes a long way in ensuring community ownership of the programme.”
She called on the nation to continue observing all measures in place to combat the spread of Covid-19, now that sporting activities have been given the greenlight to resume.
“Admittedly, the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged and dampened our ability to participate in sporting entertainment activities, and other social gatherings, resulting in the postponement of sporting events and tournaments. Be that as it may, the Wedza South Constituency waited patiently for this day, and should be applauded for that.
“With the tournament now underway, I urge all our participants, spectators and guests to abide by the Covid-19 protocols in order to avoid transmitting and contracting the virus. Covid-19 is real, and we should always remember to mask up, social distance and sanitise as we continue with the fight against the pandemic.”
She added that the provision of decentralised and accessible sporting, arts and recreation services by foundations and organisations such as the TINMAC Sports Festival, avails platforms for stimulating mass participation in these activities by all people including youth, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
“This also helps address issues of discipline, employment, patriotism, gender and many more, that are critical in preserving our social and moral fabric. The all-encompassing nature of the Tournament, helps to undo the colonial posture of pre-independence sport in Zimbabwe, that was characterised by segregation on unsubstantiated racial lines.”
“TINMAC Foundation is a renowned national trademark that is actively involved in arts, sports and recreation promotion especially in the Southern Region, and has today organised a tournament comprising both traditional games and mainstream sporting activities.
“This gives the event historical flavour, while at the same time enabling us to retrace our origin as a proud nation, Zimbabwe,” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
Online Reporter