Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
THE First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Nhanga/Gota programme continues to gain momentum nationwide, with a new cultural hub officially launched in Muzarabani District as Government and traditional leaders intensify efforts to revive indigenous values and strengthen community moral fabric.
The new Nhanga/Gota centre, established at Kahunga Primary School, is part of ongoing initiatives to promote cultural heritage, instil discipline among young people and reinforce traditional systems of guidance within communities.
Chief Hwata said the establishment of the hub reflects the continued expansion of the First Lady’s initiative, which he credited with reviving long-standing cultural practices that had weakened over time.
“The Nhanga/Gota concept has always been there, but our First Lady revived it, and so we are following in her footsteps. She held a meeting at Chiwenga where she showed our spouses and us the way to go so that, as Kore Kore people, we will demonstrate to the youngsters what used to happen in the old days and how it kept young men and women safe,” he said.
Spouses of traditional leaders highlighted that the Nhanga Gota program is key in fighting vices such as teenage pregnancy and child marriage.
Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Chairperson Alderman Catherine Mahachi said the hub will provide a platform for engaging programs, sentiments echoed by junior parliamentarians.
“This is not a one-time thing that happened today. We will continue to use this place in this district so that we can instil character in the boys and Girls,” she said.
The launch, which had a huge turnout of traditional leaders, their spouses, and the community, provided a platform for the elders to impart knowledge to the youth about what used to happen in the nhanga and the gota, drawing on indigenous knowledge to shape good behaviour.
