News / Local
Prayer commotion in Parliament
24 Jul 2016 at 11:43hrs | Views
A legislator has queried why Parliament's opening prayer is only said in English claiming it was the source of chaos in the house.
Tapiwanashe Matangira said the prayer should be made on local languages starting with Ndebele.
"We have been listening to this Prayer being said from the time we got into Parliament and we realised that the chaos and confusion that happens here in Parliament here in terms of representing the people comes from the fact that the prayer is in English not in vernacular.
"Hence, we do not understand the prayer not translate the values of Member of Parliament.
"My request is, the prayer be made in vernacular, firstly, in Ndebele, Shona and Tonga. I say so because people do not understand the meaning of the prayer and what it says".
In response, Mabel Chinomona, the deputy speaker of Parliament said it was not possible to pray five times.
"I have heard your request. For us to pray five times for the same thing, I do not think it is proper but we pray using a language that everyone understands in this House.
"Parliament mostly conducts its procedures in English. We do not use all the languages, mainly English, Ndebele and Shona. If you want this practice to change, you can raise a motion in the House on the issue".
Tapiwanashe Matangira said the prayer should be made on local languages starting with Ndebele.
"We have been listening to this Prayer being said from the time we got into Parliament and we realised that the chaos and confusion that happens here in Parliament here in terms of representing the people comes from the fact that the prayer is in English not in vernacular.
"Hence, we do not understand the prayer not translate the values of Member of Parliament.
"My request is, the prayer be made in vernacular, firstly, in Ndebele, Shona and Tonga. I say so because people do not understand the meaning of the prayer and what it says".
In response, Mabel Chinomona, the deputy speaker of Parliament said it was not possible to pray five times.
"I have heard your request. For us to pray five times for the same thing, I do not think it is proper but we pray using a language that everyone understands in this House.
"Parliament mostly conducts its procedures in English. We do not use all the languages, mainly English, Ndebele and Shona. If you want this practice to change, you can raise a motion in the House on the issue".
Source - Byo24News
