The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Saturday, October 17, 1992 — Villagers in the Dula communal lands near Esigodini yesterday threatened to disrupt a traditional, rain-making ceremony organised by former Cabinet Minister Cde Herbert Ushewokunze. The ceremony is due to take place today.

While Cde Ushewokunze and about 100 members of the newly formed Zimbabwe Traditional Healers’ Association were busy putting final touches in preparation for the ceremony, Dula community leaders were meeting a few metres away to discuss how they could stop the ceremony from taking place.

Dula community leaders said holding such a ceremony at this time of the year was sacrilegious. They also said they objected to the way Cde Ushewokunze and a local n’anga Mr Jabulani Moyo, organised the ceremony.

“Who is Ushewokunze and this Moyo to come here and pray for rain? They do not have the authority to do so. Rain-making is not for traditional healers. Only specially chosen people can conduct such a ceremony,” said one community leader.

Esigodini police were called by the organisers of the rain-making ceremony to protect participants from the locals. Cde Ushewokunze said traditional healers from all over the country had arrived for the ceremony.

He said his association would go ahead with the ceremony despite opposition from the local people.

Cde Ushewokunze said they did not hold the ceremony at the national shrine at Njelele because it had been desecrated. He said the shrine at Dula was still sacred.

“Njelele has become silent just because it has been desecrated by selfish individuals,” he said.

Cde Ushewokunze said the rain making ceremony would go on until Monday morning.