Story by Courage Bushe
TRADITIONAL leaders have acknowledged their critical role in spearheading development across communities as espoused in the country’s National Development Strategy.
A strategic engagement held in Gweru, on Wednesday, saw the National Chiefs Council leadership pledging to play a developmental role in line with Vision 2030.
“Our communities are benefiting immensely from the development through government support and astute leadership of our President. With your guidance and support, Chiefs have reached remarkable heights, and we are pledging maximum support to government programmes,” said National Chiefs Council president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo.
Government says it will continue to work closely with traditional leaders to boost socio-economic development, aligning with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
“Besides being traditional leaders, Chiefs are also public servants, who are mandated by the Constitution of Zimbabwe to preside over their people, promote sound family values, resolve disputes and more importantly, champion the promotion and preservation of our culture and heritage,” noted the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Albert Mavunga.
“I’m alive to the fact that the National Council of Chiefs presents an opportunity to get to the grassroots of our great nation. You will appreciate that each and every one of us here is defined by a village of origin and a Chieftainship. This shows our sacred heritage as defined by our customs and traditions. It is through these traditional leadership structures, with the National Council of Chiefs as the apex body, that people-centric development is facilitated,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube.
The image and welfare of the traditional leadership have been greatly improved through Corporate Responsibility Investment Programmes such as the provision of vehicles, land, and farming inputs, among several other empowerment programmes.
