By Christopher Makaza
While addressing people at Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Annual Traditional Leaders` Day Commemorations at ZNA 4 Infantry Brigade in Masvingo recently, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira hailed the good relations between the Army and the traditional leaders which he said dated back to the days of the liberation struggle where the two parties fought side by side against colonialism.
Minister Chadzamira said President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s vision 2030 was only achievable through cordial relations between the Army, traditional leaders and the community. He urged the traditional leaders to embrace the devolution concept which he said afforded them the opportunity to participate in developmental issues in their areas of jurisdictions.
The Minister thanked the military for playing their party through infrastructure development in the province.
ZNA played a critical role in rehabilitating damaged roads, clinics and schools following the destruction caused by tropical Cyclone Idai, which hit Zimbabwe’s mountainous Manicaland province on the night of 15 March 2019. The cyclone caused flooding and deadly landslides, particularly in Chimanimani district.
Minister Chadzamira highlighted that government was very much aware of challenges being faced by traditional leaders saying the province resolved to give the traditional leaders sugar cane plots to improve their livelihoods.
Guest of honour at the commemorations, Major General Kazivai Tazira commended the good relations between the traditional leaders and the Army saying the former played a pivotal role in defending territorial integrity of the country. Same encouraged the traditional leaders to initiate income generating projects to be self-reliant.
Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Exsebious Tshuma noted that the commemorations was aimed at promoting mutual relations between the Army, traditional leaders and the community through social interactions revealing that the day was a brainchild of President Mnangagwa when he was the Minister of Defence.
