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Admore Mbonda and Sharon Chikowore

MR JOHN Chirozva has been installed as Chief Kazangarare in Hurungwe at a colourful ceremony, nearly five years after the death of his predecessor.

Mr Chirozva, from the Chimuchembere family, succeeds the late Hobri Maurukira from the Nyore family.

In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Jennifer Mhlanga, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo implored the new Chief Kazangarare to ensure that the culture and heritage of Zimbabwe was preserved.

This, said Minister Moyo, was best done through the institution of traditional leaders.

“It is imperative for your chieftainship to ensure that there is an outright preservation of the extended family and the promotion of the traditional family life regardless of these modern Western tendencies and technological advancements taking centre stage of late,” he said.

“Let the people understand that the unhu/ubuntu principles will continue guiding the Zimbabwean people and our culture and heritage remain our reserve of the true identity of the people of Zimbabwe, therefore, we should work hard in guarding it from possible dilutions and distortions.”

Minister Moyo said it was Government’s ambition to promote national culture and heritage regardless of the media and cultural imperialism riding on technological advancements.

“It is Government’s ambition to promote the restoration of the national culture and heritage and it is through the institution of traditional leadership that this goal is achieved,” he said.

Deputy Minister Mhlanga said Chief Kazangarare had been tasked with the responsibility of making sure that his subjects enjoyed their basic rights to shelter, food and education, as enshrined in the Constitution.

“It will be your responsibility to ensure orphans within your jurisdiction are enrolled in schools and registered under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), as well as receive food through all interventions,” she said.

“Through your office, we implore adherence to the fundamental rights enshrined in the supreme law of the land which will enable the country to reach positive indicators on the Human Development Index.”