VP Mohadi Challenges Young Chiefs To Earn People’s Respect
24 May 2019
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By Own Correspondent- Chiefs here have been identified as important players in peace building and conflict resolution in their communities to promote family values and facilitate development.

Addressing chiefs from Matabeleland North during a meeting in Bulawayo recently, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who is responsible for national healing and reconciliation, said the role of traditional leaders is vital and recognised by the Constitution.

Said Mohadi:

“Chiefs should guide us in resolving conflicts in their communities so that their people live in peace and harmony, in accordance with customary law. They should promote and uphold cultural values of their communities and in particular to promote sound family values.

Chiefs also preserve culture, traditions, history and heritage of their communities, including sacred shrines. They also play a role in facilitating development.

This is the second meeting I am holding with chiefs in the provinces, having held the first one in Mashonaland Central last month.

This is a crucial programme that I am engaged in, consulting and involving all chiefs in their areas of jurisdiction on how to build and sustain peace in our country.

By making our cultural approach the foundation of our peace-building architecture, I’m not ignoring or playing down other institutions that are involved in peace building and conflict resolution like the church, civic society and constitutional commissions. “However, these other institutions complement this fundamental cultural approach to peace-building and conflict resolution,” said VP Mohadi.

The VP challenged young chiefs to follow traditional values so that they earn the respect of their people.

“I’m aware that we have a good number of our chiefs who are young. They should realise that they have a challenge of earning the respect of their people. They should also know that wisdom comes with age and experience,” said VP Mohadi.