Garwe Challenges Chief Nemanwa to Unite People, Drive Development

MASVINGO — The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe, has challenged newly installed Chief Nemanwa to unite his people, uphold traditional values and spearhead development in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.

Speaking at the installation ceremony of Chief Nemanwa, born Fungai Manjiva, in Nemamwa, Masvingo, Minister Garwe said the occasion marked a historic milestone for the Nemanwa people following years of displacement and the degradation of their traditional leadership during the colonial era.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Masvingo, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, senior Government officials, traditional leaders from Masvingo District and neighbouring districts, as well as members of the Nemanwa community.

Chief Nemanwa becomes the second substantive chief following the resuscitation of the Nemanwa chieftainship. He is drawn from the Chirichoga House, one of two houses eligible to provide chiefs under the traditional rotational succession system.

Minister Garwe said the restoration of the chieftainship represented an important step in reclaiming the Nemanwa people’s traditional identity and heritage.

“It gives me great pleasure to be here today to witness together with you all this historic moment to mark the installation of the Nemanwa Chieftainship and indeed the official installation of Fungai Manjiva as substantive Chief Nemanwa,” he said.

The minister said the Nemanwa people historically occupied land around the Great Zimbabwe monuments before colonial policies led to their displacement and the downgrading of their traditional leadership to headmanship.

He said the Vamanwa traced their origins to Nemanwa, who was described as a high priest, shrine custodian and political leader who lived around Great Zimbabwe.

Minister Garwe said colonial land policies resulted in Nemanwa land being taken by white settlers, scattering the community, with some people remaining around Muzero Farm and Bingura while others were displaced.

He said the experience reflected a broader colonial pattern in which communities and traditional leaders were displaced or degraded to accommodate settler interests.

The minister challenged Chief Nemanwa to use his position to promote development while ensuring that all members of the community were treated equally and fairly.

He said the chief had an important role to play in supporting Government’s efforts to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“You are expected to spearhead the development of your area as the nation seeks to achieve the Vision of His Excellency, President Cde E.D. Mnangagwa, of leaving no place and no one behind,” Minister Garwe said.

Minister Garwe urged the chief to protect the environment and public infrastructure, maintain peace and assist law-enforcement agencies by providing information on criminal activities within his jurisdiction.

He said traditional leaders also had an important judicial responsibility as the first court in the traditional leadership system and should therefore administer justice fairly and without discrimination.

The minister further called on Chief Nemanwa to maintain good relations with neighbouring traditional leaders and unite Nemanwa communities in different areas by promoting shared values, beliefs, norms and cultural systems.

Government, he said, remained committed to developing the Nemanwa area through investment in mining, water, health, sanitation and agriculture.

Minister Garwe noted that Masvingo District had benefited from significant Government investment since Independence, including two universities, four tertiary institutions, 151 primary schools, 61 secondary schools, 54 health facilities, 152 dip tanks, 950 boreholes, 174 piped-water schemes, about 2 400 kilometres of roads, 208 deep wells and 17 irrigation schemes.

He said Government would continue funding additional projects to accelerate development in the district.

Minister Garwe also highlighted the area’s tourism potential, given its proximity to the Great Zimbabwe monuments and the Great Zimbabwe Hotel.

He urged the Nemanwa community to rally behind their new traditional leader and provide him with the support and advice necessary for him to execute his duties effectively.

“To the Nemanwa people I wish to say congratulations, while at the same time urging you to remain united and to respect and stand behind your Chief at all times,” he said.

Chief Nemanwa, Fungai Manjiva, 46, was born in Masvingo on 20 April 1980. He is married to Mrs Isabel Fadzai Manjiva, and they have three sons.

He attended Vurombo Primary School, Ndarama Secondary School and Victoria High School, completing his Advanced Level studies in 2000.

Chief Nemanwa was among the pioneers of the National Youth Service programme and later joined the Grain Marketing Board in 2001. He subsequently joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe, where he underwent air intelligence training in Chegutu in 2005, before leaving the service in 2010.

The Nemanwa chieftainship follows a collateral rotation system between two eligible houses, Zangariko and Chirichoga, beginning with the eldest house and rotating to the younger house.

Minister Garwe said the installation should not only be viewed as a celebration of traditional leadership, but also as the beginning of a new chapter in the community’s development and the restoration of its cultural identity.

He called on traditional leaders, Government officials, political leaders and the community to work together to accelerate development in Masvingo District and the province at large.