LOCAL Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe has called for collaboration between traditional leaders and councillors to accelerate national development and advance Zimbabwe’s attainment of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Garwe made the remarks during an engagement meeting held in Bulawayo, which brought together chiefs, councillors and young leaders to discuss how to harmonise their roles in governance and community development, recently.
He called on councillors and chiefs to work in harmony and unity, noting that both institutions serve the same people and share the same vision of uplifting communities.
“Whatever we do as municipalities and councils, we must consult traditional leadership, we oversee development at the sub-regional level and ensure that our chiefs and councillors are working together,” Garwe said.
He said traditional leadership plays a vital role in maintaining Zimbabwe's cultural identity, administering local justice and ensuring peace and development at the grassroots level.
Garwe said traditional leaders must be respected and supported as they continue to guide their communities.
He said the government was working to strengthen traditional leadership support services to ensure chiefs are well-equipped to execute their duties.
Garwe said Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which sought to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy, could be achieved with unity and respect among all levels of leadership.
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He said the Constitution recognised the role of traditional leaders as essential in governance and development.
“We cannot wish away the existence of the Constitution; our traditional leaders are key instruments in implementing government policy, ensuring cultural continuity and promoting social cohesion,” he said.
Garwe urged that local authorities and traditional leaders to uphold dignity, respect and mutual understanding as they carry out their duties.
“Only through unity can we build our nation and ensure that no one and no place is left behind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator for Matabeleland North and chairperson of the provincial assembly of chiefs, Chief Siansali, hailed the engagement.
He said it brought together councillors and chiefs as people who fostered development in villages.
“We have often found ourselves in conflict over who is greater, but today's engagement has clarified our roles; we must work together for the good of our people,” Chief Siansali said.
Councillor Fortunate Gundu from Gwanda said the engagement with the minister was enlightening.
“For the first time, we have come to understand how councillors can work with traditional leaders without clashing; it also empowered young women to participate meaningfully under traditional leadership structures as we move towards Vision 2030,” she said.
