Plumtree, (New Ziana) – Traditional leaders in Matebeland South Province have expressed alarm at the high prevalence rate of HIV in the region.
This is particularly high in Bulilima and Mangwe districts, with chiefs attributing this to permissive western cultural norms.
In an interview, Chief Sangulube from Mangwe said people, especially youths, were abandoning traditional cultural norms in favour of western culture, resulting in high sexual permissiveness that was causing the fast spread of HIV. “As traditional leaders, we are equally concerned about the rate at which teenagers are getting infected by this deadly pandemic,” he said.
“The infiltration of western culture has destroyed ubuntu bethu. Youths dress codes and their drugs abuse behaviors by both sexes is uncouth.”
He commended a National Aids Council ‘Not In My Village’ programme that seeks to combat the spread of HIV through awareness campaigns.
Among other things, the programme also tackles child marriages and pregnancies.
“We give credit to the Not in my Village concept by Nac. As we implement this we advise both traditional leaders and community members not to spare the rod.
Let us discipline these youths through canning. The government might call it child abuse but we call it disciplining because we don’t beat to injure but to instill respect,” said chief Sangulube.
New Ziana
