Story by Tawanda Mazhangara
MARONDERA -AS the nation continues to commemorate National Culture Month, the government has reaffirmed its recognition of traditional leaders as vital custodians of Zimbabwean culture, customs, and traditions.
This was underscored during the official installation of 54-year-old Austin Murwira as substantive Chief Chihota at a colourful ceremony held at Materera Secondary School in Marondera this Wednesday.
The position had remained vacant for over a decade following the death of the late Chief Fredrick Mapfumo Chigodora in August 2013.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe, said the installation of Chief Chihota marked not only a return of leadership to the Chihota area but also served as a timely reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
“Our Government recognises traditional leaders as custodians of culture, customs, and traditions. They play an important role in promoting and preserving our cultural values for generations to come. Hence, we all have to respect our traditional leaders,” he said.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, also addressed the gathering, describing the installation as a celebration of Zimbabwe’s cultural identity.
“Today, we celebrate not only the appointment of the new Chief Chihota, but also the rich textile of our culture and traditions that continues to guide us as a people,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Mashonaland East Chiefs Council, Senator Chief Nechombo, congratulated Chief Murwira on his appointment and urged him to embrace his role as a unifier and development agent within the community.
“The installation of Chief Chihota is a great addition to the Mashonaland East traditional leadership. We have no doubt he will actively contribute to community governance and development in Chihota,” he said.
The event, which drew hundreds of people from Chihota and surrounding communities, highlighted the importance of traditional leadership structures in fostering peace, unity, and sustainable development, particularly under the Second Republic’s devolution framework.
The installation of Chief Chihota takes place amid renewed national efforts to elevate cultural identity and pride through programmes such as National Culture Month and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
