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    The role of traditional leaders in development

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    By Thabisani Dube

    In the heart of Zimbabwe’s rural communities, a quiet revolution is taking place. Traditional leaders, long seen as the custodians of culture and heritage, are now being empowered to lead local governance and drive community development.

    Traditional leaders in Zimbabwe, such as chiefs and headmen, play a significant role in the governance and cultural preservation of rural communities. These leaders are not elected by popular vote but are appointed through lineage, and they hold their positions for life. They help promote and uphold cultural values, facilitate development, and resolve disputes within their communities.

    Zimbabwe has a substantial number of traditional leaders. The Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council (ZCC) is an assembly of these leaders, and it includes chiefs from various provinces. The ZCC appoints 10 chiefs to the Senate, and there are additional chiefs elected to the National Council of Chiefs. The exact number of traditional leaders can vary, but it includes hundreds of chiefs and headmen across the country.

    The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, believes that traditional leaders are integral to the country’s progress. Garwe elaborated on how traditional leaders, including headmen and village heads, are integral to local governance and community development.

    “The Government has made traditional leaders chair and direct all village and ward development structures,” explained Garwe. “This includes the village assembly, which consists of all villagers aged 18 and above and is chaired by the village head, as well as the village development committee (Vidco) elected and chaired by the village head.”

    At the ward level, the structure is equally participatory. Chairpersons and village secretaries form a ward assembly chaired by a headman or chief, supported by a ward development committee (Wadco), elected at the ward level and chaired by a ward councillor. The ward assembly evaluates village plans and produces prioritised ward plans, refined by Wadco, and then sent to the Rural District Council (RDC), once approved.

    Garwe emphasised that the projects funded by the Government’s Devolution Funds aim to align with these bottom-up development plans, ensuring that the priorities reflect those of the local communities. He highlighted the Government’s announcement of new measures, including increased funding for community projects and training programmes on modern governance practices, to support traditional chiefs in these development efforts.

    Through these initiatives, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, in partnership with traditional chiefs, remains committed to fostering resilient and prosperous communities across Zimbabwe.

    However, the journey to effective governance is not without its challenges. Chief Bornface Musara from Masvingo Province, voiced concerns regarding the current capacity of traditional leaders to co-ordinate Government programmes.

    “Apart from cultural preservation. Traditional leaders play a critical role in co-ordinating Government programmes in our areas of jurisdiction. We, however, feel that apart from the provisions of section 283 of the Zimbabwe Constitution and The Traditional Leaders’ Act and other related acts that premise the role of Traditional leaders, our capacity to co-ordinate Government programmes remains cosmetic since we articulate most of our daily issues from a ceremonial point of view,” said Musara.

    Chief Musara believes that for traditional leaders to be more effective, there needs to be a provision in government laws for traditional leaders to be involved in government structures at every level.

    “For traditional leaders to be more effective, there is a need for an inclusive provision through government statutes for traditional leaders to be involved in government structures inclusively having executive say in respective rural district councils, district, provincial and national government. On a legislative level, we feel that traditional leaders should have an inclusive third chamber with more defined provisions that will assist the executive to deal with material issues on the ground.”

    Chief Matuvede Mudavanhu affectionately known as Chief Mugabe, from Zvimba District in Mashonaland West Province, echoed similar sentiments and highlighted the importance of traditional ceremonies in fostering community values. “Traditional ceremonies conducted by us as traditional leaders have impacted positively on our people since time immemorial. I will start with the rain appeasement ceremony ‘mukwerera’. Without water, there is no life…so when we conduct this ceremony, we encourage our people to relate to one another in a manner that pleases the almighty. So, in essence, such ceremonies inculcate the spirit of peace, harmony, love, and holiness among others. These values are pillars of development in a society.”

    He continued: “Ceremonies like kurova guva and biras enhance family values because family members get time to interact among themselves and with the departed. Such functions facilitate learning of one’s family history…the ceremonies give people their identity.”

     

    Chief Mugabe also pointed out the challenges faced by traditional leaders, including the dominance of foreign religions, especially Christianity. “The challenges we face include the dominance of foreign religions, especially Christianity. Our very own constitution alludes that Zimbabwe is a Christian country; hence Christianity supersedes other religions, including the religion of our forebears. Another challenge is the lack of authority on our part. The authority traditional leaders had before colonisation has been taken away by the central government.”

    Chief Nkatazo Siatabwa affectionately known as Chief Siansali from Binga in Matabeleland North Province, added emphasising the importance of collaboration between traditional leaders and the Government. “As traditional leaders, we are committed to fostering development and preserving our cultural heritage.

    By working closely with the Government, we can ensure that the needs and priorities of our communities are effectively addressed. Regular consultations and inclusive decision-making processes are essential for strengthening our partnership and achieving meaningful progress in rural development.”

    Empowering traditional leaders is essential for Zimbabwe’s inclusive and participatory governance model. The Government’s initiatives, along with the insights of leaders like Chief Musara, Chief Mugabe, and Chief Siansali, highlight their vital role in rural development.

    By addressing challenges and enhancing the authority of traditional leaders, Zimbabwe can build resilient communities that honour their heritage while embracing modern practices. The partnership between the Government and traditional chiefs promises a harmonious and prosperous future.

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