Mthwakazi Republic Party petitions Education ministry over Shona teachers

Mthwakazi Republic Party has petitioned the Primary and Secondary education ministry over the deployment of Shona teachers in Matabeleland North.

 "We Mthwakazi Republic Party leadership in partnership with our respective supporters, which reflect a large section of our indigenous community do present this petition to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to demand an end to the violation of Child related crucial rights which entails the right to freedom of Worship and Basic Education," reads the petition. "The United Nations conventions on the rights of a child on which Zimbabwe is a signatory, on article 2 convention notes that all rights apply to all children without exception and the state must protect children from any form of discrimination."

The party said the state must not violet any right, and must take positive action to promote the rights of the child.

"Article 3 notes that all actions concerning children should take full account of their interests. The state is to provide adequate care when parents or others responsible individuals fail to do so. Articles 6 articulate that every child has the inherent right to life and the state has an obligation to ensure the child's survival and development," reads the petition. "Article 7 also indicates that, the child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents."

The party said  Article 18 further elucidates that parents have joint primary responsibility for raising the child and the state shall support them in this.

"Article 19 clearly notes that, children should be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment. Maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse," reads the petition which will be submitted to Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director. "Zimbabwe which is the administrative body in a colonized Mthwakazi nation have violated the above mentioned rights predominately through the state instruments in this case being the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education."

The party said with the community members of Mthwakazi it demands the unconditional putting aside of the so-called National Pledge, which is being officialised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on the 3rd of May 2016 as directed by Ministry Lazarus Dokora.

"We demand this as it violates firstly the rights of Children and their parents as enshrined in the latest constitution of Zimbabwe, and the articles of the African Union and the Unites Nations of which Zimbabwe is a signatory. Secondly, this petition demands an end to the deployment of teachers who cannot communicate with indigenous languages in our Mthwakazi nation," reads the petition.

"This Zimbabwean government policy towards Mthwakazi is consistent with the contents of the 1979 grand plan, which clearly outlines that, the Zimbabwean government is after destroying the rich heritage and culture of Mthwakazi, which violates the rights of both parents and their children. To us Mthwakazi Republic Party and our supporters, education is serious basic human right which has the power to produce a meaningful future to our pursuit of self-determination and a favourable future."

The party said in summation the above concerns necessitated this demonstration and the presentation of this petition, hoping that its demands as a party, community and parents would be heard by the oppressive government of Zimbabwe.

"Attached are our signatories which are a portrayal of unity towards putting aside the above mentioned concerns fueled by the government," reads the petition.