THE Joshua Nkomo Cultural Movement (JNCM) has expanded its tentacles to Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North in a bid to revive, restore and rebuild the lost cultural values among Zimbabweans. LUYANDUHLOBO MAKWATI OWN CORRESPONDENT
JNCM visited the Chitachawa community on Saturday where more than eight villages gathered at the famous Baobab tree where the traditional ceremony was held.
The event saw the masses taking part in the revival of their culture on how rain making ceremonies are conducted, among other cultural practices.
Speaking at the event, Sibangilizwe Nkomo, the son of the late Vice-President, encouraged the Tsholotsho communities to take their culture seriously as no one would teach them how to practice and preserve it.
“It is important as the Tsholotsho community to put your culture at the centre of everything you do,” he said.
“People in this area must be serious in what they do as this culture is yours and no one should tell you how to practice it.
“All you are doing here is enshrined in the country’s Constitution.”
Sibangilizwe also said people should do some self-introspection and embark on a national healing so that all Zimbabweans could come together and champion the interests of his late father that people live as one and guided by values enshrined in their cultures.
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“National healing is very important for people to live in peace. They must uphold their values in everything they do so that we could heal the nation properly and not use politics,” he said.
Dokotela Gumbo, one of the organisers of the event based in Gariya in the Tsholotsho district, said as a community they valued life and practiced their culture openly and were happy that even those who go to church stood up to join them in the event.
“We respect even those who go to church; we are happy that you have joined to see that what we are doing is not sinister, but it’s our way of life we were taught by our forefathers,” Gumbo said.
Mehluli Moyo, organising secretary of JNCM, said they were working hard to reach most parts of the country so that Zimbabweans go back to their roots and correct the imbalances that currently characterise society.
“This organisation is apolitical and our wish is to grow our culture countrywide. We want all Zimbabweans to practise their cultures without fear as there is nothing sinister about people gathering and celebrating their life the way their forefathers did,” Moyo said.
The JNCM has been touring the country encouraging people to value their culture and practice it. It is working closely with Ematojeni Cultural Society.
