…No community will go hungry
By Lungile Siziba
Traditional Chiefs are important in the government of the country and for that reason, their welfare should be well-taken care of, President Mnangagwa has said.
He was speaking during the hand-over of 100 Isuzu double cab vehicles to Chiefs in Harare on February 29.
President Mnangagwa said traditional leaders, as custodians of Zimbabwean culture, traditions, history and heritage, among other responsibilities, deserve to live in dignity.
“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,” said the President.
“They are a critical cog in the national governance architecture. Our traditional leaders are indeed the collective embodiment of who we are as Zimbabweans and the descendants of the Great Munhumutapa. Â
“This gesture, thus, attests to my Government’s commitment to improving their conditions and the efficiency with which our traditional leaders undertake their duties.”
The 100 Isuzu double-cab vehicles that were handed over to Chiefs were the first batch of replacement vehicles for the traditional leaders, in line with the Government policy of vehicle replacement.
President Mnangagwa said his administration further recognises that the multi-faceted functions, roles and responsibilities of Chiefs directly and indirectly, contribute to unity, peace and development in communities as well as rural development, modernisation, industrialisation and ultimately the attainment of Vision 2030 of an empowered upper-middle income society.
“We shall, therefore, continuously pursue such interventions to improve the welfare and general conditions of service for our esteemed Chiefs.
“Further, my Government will continue to provide medical insurance to our Chiefs, headmen and village heads from all communal areas.
“At the same time, Government has put in place a funeral assistance package for Chiefs. Various ministries, departments and agencies have been commissioned to provide additional services and utilities that uplift the livelihoods and standing of traditional leaders in general. “These include the construction and maintenance of access roads to the homesteads of Chiefs so that our people have access to the various services provided by chiefs,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa said the electrification of the homes of Chiefs, provision of water and sanitation facilities as well as the tillage programme, among other services, are equally designed to benefit communities.
Despite the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West, mainly the United States, the President said his Government will, through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion as well as the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, continue to address matters related to the institution of the traditional leaders.
No community will go hungry
President Mnangagwa said in view of the dire effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon, measures have been put in place to guarantee adequate food for everyone across the country.
He appealed to traditional leaders to go and re-assure the people that “no communities will starve”.
“As Chiefs, you are all-embracive in the manner you deal with your people and I urge this spirit to continue, while the identification of vulnerable households, in particular, widows and child-headed families, should be undertaken timely.
“Let us continue to preach peace, love, unity and hard work among our people,” he said.
President Mnangagwa’s reassurance on food provision comes as the dry spell continues to affect crops.
Since mid-January, some areas have not received decent rains and crops, which are at different stages, are now giving in to moisture stress.
The crops that are expected to easily pull through are those under irrigation, with some communities already declaring a write-off.
