Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
Chief Ngungunyana of Chipinge has been installed, as the government moves in to restore chieftainships abolished by the colonial administration.
Born Happy Nxumalo, Chief Ngungunyana was installed this Friday at a ceremony in Chipinge district following the re-establishment of the Ngungunyana chieftainship recently.
Family representative, Mr Andrew Mupungu Nxumalo said, “As a family, we started to push for the re-establishment of the chieftainship for the past 20 years. We are so happy that what we have been advocating for has been answered. We also unanimously agreed as a family that the new chief be installed.”
“Appointment of chiefs is critical in promoting the preservation of culture. We thank the decision to re-establish chieftainship abolished by the colonial administration. The colonialists targeted traditional leaders who resisted colonisation. The Ngungunyana chieftainship existed in the country before the establishment of some chieftainships,” said Manicaland Chiefs Council chairperson, Chief Mutasa.
Chitepo School of Ideology principal, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha weighed in saying the move to re-establish the abolished chieftainship is one of the successes recorded by the Second Republic.
“Ngungunyana is one of our heroes who fought against the Portuguese and the British. We thank President Mnangagwa for recognising the first Chimurenga heroes. The President has moved in to re-establish the chieftainship abolished by the colonial administration. The government wants to honour the Chiefs who fought against the colonialists.”
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza, represented the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe at the installation ceremony.
“Government recognises traditional leadership as the rallying point of diverse communities in Zimbabwe. Chiefs are the entry point of government to communities and by the same token, they in turn provide advocacy on behalf of their people. Through the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa, the government has seen it fit to align with our cultural heritage by establishing Ngungungana Chieftainship and appointed Happy Nxumalo as Chief with effect from 3 June 2023. Government implores all district Chiefs to work together with the new Chief in executing their duties,” said Honourable Mugadza.
Chief Ngungunyana, who was installed this Friday was born on 08 July 1978 in the Chibonere Area in Chipinge District.
