Maravi

(HERALD) Chiefs to rotate Mhondoro Ngezi Trust chairmanship

Chiefs to rotate Mhondoro Ngezi Trust chairmanship
Saturday, 08 October 2011 22:42
By Kuda Bwititi

CHIEFS in Mhondoro will now rotate the chairmanship of the landmark US$120 million Royal Mhondoro-Ngezi Community Trust annually, effectively laying to rest a dispute over the running of the scheme.

Last week, Chief Nyika was bitter after Government recognised the trust chaired by Chief Murambwa, instead of his separate initiative known as Mhondoro Community Development Trust. However, the Government resolved that all chiefs in the district must support the Mhondoro-Ngezi scheme which President Mugabe is expected to launch on Thursday.

In an interview last week, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said Government backed the Royal Mhondoro-Ngezi Trust.

“We have recognised the trust that was facilitated by (Mhondoro-Ngezi House of Assembly Member) Cde Bright Matonga because he was the brains behind the idea when he travelled to South Africa to analyse the Royal Bafokeng Trust,” he said.
Cde Matonga weighed in, saying all chiefs in the area will get an opportunity to superintend the trust.

“Disputes have arisen over the chairmanship of the trust, but we have decided that the chairmanship should be rotated.
“All the chiefs in the area — Murambwa, Mashava, Benhura and Nyika — will be able to lead the development initiative. Chief Murambwa will be the first chair as he is a paramount chief. He is also a member of the Chiefs’ Council of Zimbabwe.”

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Cde Matonga said the Ministry of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development had recognised the Royal Mhondoro-Ngezi Trust.
“The ministry oversees the role of chiefs. So it has said we should come up with a model that ensures all chiefs in the area play their role in the community.

“We hope the benefits will start to pour into the community as early as December. We have already come up with the constituency-based plans for the needs of the community. One of the projects is a women’s sewing plant where all the school uniforms for pupils in the area will be manufactured.”

In an interview last week, Chief Nyika, who is visually challenged, said he felt alienated by his counterparts because of his condition and threatened to protest.
“The other chiefs in Mhondoro are sidelining me from their projects because I am blind. They do not recognise me and they carry out projects in my area without consulting me,” he said.

“I have realised that the only thing I may be forced to do is protest. I was the first chief in Mhondoro and all the others were all headmen who reported to me. It is sad that they are now neglecting me, yet I should be their overseer.” - The Sunday Mail

Labels: CHIEFS

posted by MrK @ 2:02 PM