FORMER Regional Intergration minister Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga says the recent appointment of the Lupane State University (LSU) vice-chancellor was proof that some regions in Zimbabwe are marginalised.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Mushonga, who represents Matabeleland South in the National Assembly on an MDC ticket, said Matabeleland, Masvingo and Manicaland were getting a raw deal from central government.
She said she was surprised by the continued deployment of Shona speaking people to head government institutions in Matabeleland.
Mushonga told the National Assembly on Thursday that tribalism had led to people from some parts of the country feeling alienated.
“The first issue that I want to deal with is the issue around the politics of ethnicity,” she said.
“You can only push a country if everybody feels they are part of that nation.
“We have gotten to a point in this country where we do not feel bad about calling each other a minority group.
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“There is no minority group, but there are marginalised communities.
The outspoken legislator said she did not understand why professor Pardon Kuipa was appointed LSU vice-chancellor ahead of academics from the region.
“There are marginalised communities because we continue to refuse to put them at the centre of where things are happening,” she said.
“Unfortunately, each time you raise this issue, it is turned around to be a case of tribalism.
“I brought a motion here that was speaking about the issue around representation in parastatals and the problem that arises with that representation.
“Before the week was over, what happened? In Lupane, we were now appointing a Vice Chancellor – and who do we pick?
“We pick somebody who is coming from Mashonaland to become the Vice Chancellor of Matebeleland.”
Kuipa was picked by President Robert Mugabe to succeed the late McLean Bhala who died last year. Bhala from Matabeleland South was part of the university’s founding committee in 2004.
