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Hwadalala chieftaincy revived
15 Dec 2023 at 02:23hrs | Views
GOVERNMENT has revived the Hwadalala chieftaincy in Gwanda District which was abolished 71 years ago by the colonial regime by appointing Mr Royal Nare (66) as the new Chief Hwadalala.
The installation of Mr Nare as Chief Hwadalala has been set for next year and he becomes the sixth chief in Gwanda District, Matebeleland South.
The Hwadalala chieftaincy was abolished in 1952 by the Rhodesian government. Addressing delegates during the 2023 National Chiefs Conference in March in Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa said Government will continue resuscitating chieftainships that were abolished by the Rhodesian settler regime.
In 2019, Government under the Second Republic, resuscitated the Bere chieftainship in Mashava in Masvingo which was abolished almost a century ago by the settler regime. During the same year, Government installed Chief Neromwe in Chiredzi district after the chieftainship was abolished over a 100 years ago.
In April, Government installed Mr Christopher Dube as the first chief for the San (Tjwao) community, which did not have leadership structures. President Mnangagwa appointed Mr Dube as the San Chief, after the community forwarded his name for consideration.
Chief Hwadalala has since 1986 been serving as headman of the area.
In an interview, Chief Hwadalala commended Government for reviving the chieftainship, saying it is of great significance to his family and community.
"The chieftaincy used to be within our family but my great-grandfather was demoted in 1952 for denying the White people access to some land in our area. The area which was under our chieftaincy was integrated into Chief Mathe area," he said.
"We have made several calls to the District Development Co-ordinator's office to have our chieftainship revived and I'm glad that our plea has been taken into consideration. It's been many decades of waiting and as a family we are glad that our honour has been restored."
Chief Hwadalala said his 37 years in the office of a headman has helped to prepare him for the chieftainship.
He pledged to spearhead development for the community.
"Traditional leaders play a crucial role in the development of communities, unifying people and promoting and preservation of moral values. As traditional leaders, there is a lot that we have to do especially now where there is moral decay as many people have lost Ubuntu," said Chief Hwadalala.
Gwanda District Development Co-ordinator, Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu said the revival of the chieftaincy will promote cultural preservation in Gwanda District.
"Chiefs play an important role in co-ordinating development and preserving culture and traditions," she said.
The installation of Mr Nare as Chief Hwadalala has been set for next year and he becomes the sixth chief in Gwanda District, Matebeleland South.
The Hwadalala chieftaincy was abolished in 1952 by the Rhodesian government. Addressing delegates during the 2023 National Chiefs Conference in March in Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa said Government will continue resuscitating chieftainships that were abolished by the Rhodesian settler regime.
In 2019, Government under the Second Republic, resuscitated the Bere chieftainship in Mashava in Masvingo which was abolished almost a century ago by the settler regime. During the same year, Government installed Chief Neromwe in Chiredzi district after the chieftainship was abolished over a 100 years ago.
In April, Government installed Mr Christopher Dube as the first chief for the San (Tjwao) community, which did not have leadership structures. President Mnangagwa appointed Mr Dube as the San Chief, after the community forwarded his name for consideration.
Chief Hwadalala has since 1986 been serving as headman of the area.
In an interview, Chief Hwadalala commended Government for reviving the chieftainship, saying it is of great significance to his family and community.
"We have made several calls to the District Development Co-ordinator's office to have our chieftainship revived and I'm glad that our plea has been taken into consideration. It's been many decades of waiting and as a family we are glad that our honour has been restored."
Chief Hwadalala said his 37 years in the office of a headman has helped to prepare him for the chieftainship.
He pledged to spearhead development for the community.
"Traditional leaders play a crucial role in the development of communities, unifying people and promoting and preservation of moral values. As traditional leaders, there is a lot that we have to do especially now where there is moral decay as many people have lost Ubuntu," said Chief Hwadalala.
Gwanda District Development Co-ordinator, Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu said the revival of the chieftaincy will promote cultural preservation in Gwanda District.
"Chiefs play an important role in co-ordinating development and preserving culture and traditions," she said.
Source - The Chronicle
