The Sunday News
Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent
TRADITIONAL leaders have been challenged to inculcate the values of peace, unity and harmony which are essential ingredients of development in the communities they preside over as the country moves into the election season often characterised by political conflicts.
Addressing delegates on the occasion to mark the International Peace Day in Gweru on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Midlands, Senator Larry Mavima challenged traditional leaders to harness their custodian positions to promote peace and urge their subjects to embrace the spirit of tolerance.
Trees of Peace
The commemorations were running under the international theme; End Racism and Build Peace which the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) localising the theme to, “Promote Inclusivity and Build Peace”.
Minister Mavima said NRPC must work with traditional leaders as they play a crucial role in promoting unity and peace in the country’s communities.
“I am glad to see that traditional leaders are part of this event. They are critical stakeholders in promoting unity and harmony in communities.
“The scourge of community level conflicts calls for the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission to work in harmony with traditional authorities and create synergies that entrench our deeply held traditional values of peace building,” he said.
Minister Mavima highlighted that, peace and unity are part of National Development Strategy (NDS1) which also seeks to tackle possible conflicts from all ends within the Zimbabwean societies.
“As the Government of Zimbabwe, we are excited that the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is putting into practice the spirit of devolution as popularised by President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa
“These commemorations rekindle national interest in that for the development of the country to take place in line with our national vision, our communities must be inclusive, tolerant and peaceful.
“NDS1 is clear about the direction that we intend to take in order to promote national social cohesion as we address past, present and future potential conflicts,” said Minister Mavima.
He said the New Dispensation democratised the deliberation of conflict discourses within and across all sectors and regions to mate all thoughts which could unite Zimbabweans.
“Under the Second Republic there has been open discussions about past conflicts, robust engagement with Civic Society Organizations and traditional leaders in this region and in Matabeleland. This is a clear demonstration and desire to unite, heal and reconcile Zimbabweans,” he said.
Politics, he added, should not trigger conflicts as the country moves towards the 2023 general election.
He mentioned that election pomposity promotes polarisation which causes disunity and violence within and across all groups of people in the country’s communities.
“This year’s commemorations come high on the heels of electioneering season for 2023, where political rhetoric is on the increase and polarisation can be a source of disunity, conflict and violence.
“We can go beyond our political differences and build peace for the good of all our people so that our children, women, people with disabilities and other minority groups feel secure in the country,” he added.
The NPRC chairperson Rtd Justice Selo Masole Nare said his commission was poised to foster unity, peace and tolerance in the country.
“The commission remains committed to fostering a harmonious and peaceful society for all generations as well as building inclusive and peaceful societies which shuns intolerance, discrimination and any other perceptual differences,” he said.
