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Chiefs’ moment with President Mugabe

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NOT even the scorching sun and blazing heat in the ZANU PF Convention Centre could dampen the spirits of chiefs and party supporters who waited for the arrival of President Robert Mugabe in Gweru last week for the Annual Chiefs Conference.
It had been long since he last set foot at the venue.
The last time he was there was in December 2012 for the ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference.
When he eventually arrived shortly after lunch hour, there was an air of overwhelming sense of pride and joy among the chiefs and party faithful.
Yet this was not President Mugabe’s moment.
He has seen and enjoyed many of these.
More are certainly in the offing.
This was not even about the ruling party supporters who had come in their numbers to show solidarity with the chiefs.
It was about the chiefs, owners of the programme.
President Mugabe was paying homage to custodians of culture and tradition in the country.
It was one of those rare occasions where the group get to interact with their leader.
His speech was not just about the issues raised by the chiefs.
It had everything, the fun, the politics, development issues, moral values and ideals, updates on the current state of affairs in the country.
The ceremony started with president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira telling President Mugabe how the social standing of the traditional leaders had been eroded by utter lack of respect by an ill-informed majority.
Citing cases where the chiefs have been ill-treated and disrespected, Chief Charumbira highlighted the need for the upliftment of livelihoods of the chiefs through the provision of vehicles and other related benefits.
In response President Mugabe who took to the podium to a standing ovation told the chiefs that their concerns would be dealt with by the Government.
Government, President Mugabe said, was committed to improving the lives of traditional leaders and said following their meeting on Monday last week; he had pledged that the chiefs would get new cars while their allowances would be reviewed.
The icing was put on the cake when he directed the chiefs to decide on the cars they want and submit their choice to Government.
“Zvamakachemesesa pamusoro pazvo zvaiva zvetransport-mota nema allowances enyu-ndakaona kuti chingava chokwadi kuti chief haanganzi anomira pamugwagwa opinda mucommuter omnibus imo muya vachimanikidzana? Hazviite saka ndofunga kuti tikakupayi promise kuti tonozvitaura zvino mota mopuhwa asi mosarudza kuti munoda yakaita sei,” said President Mugabe.
“Zvimwe chete nemaallowance principle yakaita agree kuti ngaiwedzerwe asi hatisati taita agree kuti inowedzerwa kusvika pafigure ipi saka ndizvo zvatichange tichiwirirana pasvondo rinouya.”
There have been moments where the chiefs have been ridiculed, ill-treated and abused.
However, their relaxed mood with President Mugabe, their smiles, their constant clapping of hands was that of a people who had finally the comfort and confidence that had been eroded by the washing away of the respect they deserve.
President Mugabe did just that.
Not only by way of the promises he gave them, but by his mere presence and how he reminded that he personally wants them to be part of Government programmes and initiatives.
Communicating in the same wavelength with the chiefs, he bemoaned the decadence that has crept into society saying the traditional leaders should join his clarion call for the abolition of such evils like homosexuality.
These vices, he said, needed the support and touch of traditional leaders to instil good moral values on their subjects if the decadence pervading the country is to be discarded.
There was no avoiding of latching on to politics, a subject that has constantly found favour with the MDC-T which accuses chiefs of dabbling in politics.
There was a word on that seemingly ‘thorny’ issue from President Mugabe.
He said chiefs had a right to be involved in politics since they are the custodians of the country’s land and cultural practices.
“Hameno vaCharumbira chinovashupa kana vachinzwa vamwe vachiti machief ngaarege kupinda mupolitics, chingave chii?” said President Mugabe.
“Muri vatorwa?
“Tichitoti ndimi misoro, midzimu mikuru yatinorumbidza pahunhu hwedu, pamatongerwo edu, pakusununguka kwedu mogonzi morega kuona kuti vanhu venyu ndezvipi zvirikuvatambudza.
“Ndidzo politics dzachoka idzodzo?
“Anenge achidaro mubvunzei kuti anobva kupi?
“Zvino imiwo monzi muripamba penyu mobvunzwa kuti sei murikutevedza party iyi asi imi murikuona kuti ndiyo party irikubata vanhu zvakanaka?
“Iye munhu anodaro pasi naye!”
It was without doubt a refreshing moment for chiefs and everyone who had come to witness the Chiefs council in Gweru.
For many long after President Mugabe and his delegation had departed, there was still talk of the country’s leader.
“Akaoma murume uyu,” one chief said as they went for supper.

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