Gukurahundi hearings begin

PUBLIC hearings to document and resolve civil disturbances that transpired in some parts of the country in the 1980s are set to begin early next year, marking the commencement of a historically significant national healing and reconciliation process.

The hearings, set to be led by over 70 traditional chiefs from Matabeleland North and South provinces, seek to bring closure to the post-independence violent clashes, commonly referred to as Gukurahundi. They also seek to identify those who were directly and indirectly affected by the disturbances, capture their views and establish community-led solutions to their grievances. Additionally, the meetings are aimed at engendering community-led peace-building and reconciliation, while facilitating the development of a national narrative on Gukurahundi.

President Mnangagwa’s administration has made a commitment to confront the country’s ugly past by resolving outstanding issues associated with the disturbances. He has committed to facilitating restorative justice and taking measures to provide healing to communities

THE 56th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for African ministers of finance, planning and economic development conference set to be hosted by Zimbabwe in February next year will have an enormous impact on the continent’s economic growth and development, a top UN official has said.

Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare yesterday, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) executive secretary Ambassador Claver Gatete said the conference was geared towards finding solutions to challenges facing the continent.

The annual conference, which will be held in Victoria Falls from February 24 to March 5, will be attended by African ministers of finance and economic development, trade and investment, as well as central bank governors.

“We came here to brief him about the progress of the event, the conference of ministers of finance and economic development, governors of reserve banks and ministers of trade and industry,” he said.

“This is a continental event, where African countries will be participating.

“This is an annual event and this time Southern Africa will host the event and Zimbabwe was chosen to host.”

He said his office was working with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, to ensure the event is successful.

“It (the conference) is going to discuss a number of issues affecting us, especially financial issues.

“We are also going to look at issues such as climate, development.

“We are also going to look at implementation

FIRST LADY Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on Friday broke new ground by hosting an impactful first-of-its-kind African-themed cultural night during which the national dress was showcased and exclusively Zimbabwean beverages — including the famous Seven Days — and cuisine were served, giving guests a deeper sense of belonging and pride in the country’s traditional norms and values.

The inaugural event, which ran under the theme “My Culture My Pride #Jira Takayenda naAmai”, was well-coordinated.

It brought together Cabinet ministers, traditional leaders, designers, models, musicians, foreign dignitaries and the who is who in Zimbabwean society.

It was a marvel to see guests of various races and creed resplendent in apparel made from the national fabric — which gave them an unmistakable Zimbabwean identity.

The top-drawer event was spiced up by a modelling contest, which gave guests a glimpse into evening, cultural, corporate and casual wear made from the national fabric.

Designers and models drawn from all the country’s provinces, who were given the national fabric by the First Lady to show a range of apparel it can be morphed into, did not disappoint.

Winners of the mother of the nation’s traditional meal cookout competition from all the provinces, led by Amai Mnangagwa, prepared various traditional dishes the way they do back home.

They also prepared the homemade alcoholic brew that is popularly known as Seven Days, which left people crying out for more.

Dishes prepared included mazondo, dried vegetables in peanut butter, matumbu (casings), maguru (tripe), zvinyenze and dried meat in peanut butter.

Pumpkin leaves, green mealies, sweet potatoes, pumpkin in peanut butter (nhopi), samp, mopani worms (madora), traditional rice, sorghum sadza, millet sadza and round nuts completed the array of dishes on offer.

Musicians — who include Mathias Mhere, Sulumani Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo, Diana Samkange, Karingezuva and Gwevedzi traditional groups — performed at the function, where they got everyone onto the dance floor after belting out a collaborative piece called “Jira Takayenda naAmai”.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who was the guest of honour, paid tribute to the First Lady’s contributions to the nation’s cultural and socio-economic development.

“Let me express my heartfelt gratitude to my Amaiguru, the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, for ever thinking of this noble idea, namely, to republicise and promote our national dress in this very special and impactful way.

“Given who she is and what she continues to do for our nation, from assisting disadvantaged individuals, the girl-child, marginalised families, right through to communities, I am the least surprised.

“This latest initiative is very much in character, and expands on her role and personality as a sensitive mother figure who daily administers to the welfare needs of our nation,” he said.

When the national dress project was launched, Dr Chiwenga said, not many affected by the civil disturbances.

On Friday, Zimbabwe commemorates Unity Day, to celebrate the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, a historic agreement that ended political tension and violence that plagued the country after independence.

In an interview, National Council of Chiefs president Chief Mtshane Khumalo said traditional leaders who will lead the process had received high-tech equipment to use during the hearings.

Last week, the Government handed over laptops, recorders and printers to 72 traditional chiefs in the two provinces, who will facilitate the hearings. The chiefs and their rapporteurs have since undergone training on data capturing and reporting ahead of the hearings.

Chief Khumalo said the gadgets will help traditional leaders to operate efficiently and effectively.

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga (wife of Vice President Chiwenga) share a lighter moment, clad in their designer attires made from the national fabric, during the cultural night at State House on Friday night

Zimbabweans grasped what all that meant.

“To many, it was just one of those wasteful things. To others, it was yet another instance of the ZANU PF prescribing what the citizen must wear, indeed yet another case of ‘command’ politics for which we are undeservedly derided by our detractors.

“But a few who saw and see far, saw beyond cloth, dress, wrapper and shirt. They saw the personality and character of a people being reinvented for an independent Zimbabwe.”

He went on to say that a person’s identity can be inferred a lot from their attire.

“We are what we dress! When I say so, I am going deeper than mere individual personality, what I am alluding to is at the heart of national identity. Our identity as a free and sovereign people.

“Our identity as an African nation. Yes, our identity as Zimbabweans. It is not by mere coincidence that more than four decades after our independence, our sense of dressing

“It was not possible to start the programme without the necessary equipment,” he said.

“We want to thank our President for facilitating these laptops and other equipment to use during this exercise because we need to record all proceedings when we conduct the hearings.

“The significance of this is that, as we go out for the hearings early next year, we will be able to engage with people and hear their concerns, which will be captured using some of the equipment we received.”

Upon completion of the hearings, they will compile a report that will be presented to the President.

“We are going to commence the public hearings early next year, and we will start with Matabeleland North and South before moving to Midlands province. As soon as we finish the hearings, we will compile a document that we will present to President Mnangagwa, who will

is exclusively Caucasian, British to be specific.

“We have to ask ourselves why this is so. How we feel covered and dressed coincides with our historical association and experience with our former colonisers, the British.

“We never sought to dress like Russians. We never sought to dress like the Chinese or like Arabs, like Indians or the Aborigines. Most of all, we cast away the apparel of our forefathers — an African apparel — to dress ourselves anew with made-in-England garments or material,” he said.

That choice and exercise, he said, was much more than a decision to protect ourselves from the elements — the cold, the wind, the sun, the rain and dust.

“In fact, in a variety of ways, and to ridiculous levels, we often dressed against the requirements of our weather. Imagine an African gentlemen wearing a three-piece suit, a tie and a hat against the sweltering September heat in the heart of the Savannah! advise on the next step,” he said.

A manual on community engagement, developed to guide the hearings, was presented to the President in October last year.

It states: “The chiefs must take cognisant of the special groups in order for them to participate fully.

“The following is a list of some of the groups: alleged rape victims; alleged victims of sodomy; alleged victims of torture; lobby groups and activists; ex-combatants such as ZANU and ZIPRA members; people with disabilities; and the elderly.”

The manual states that meetings should be led by a chief ’s panel comprising the local headman, village heads, religious leaders, Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association representatives, counsellors (to provide counselling and psychosocial support); women representatives, local elders and youths.

Models and their designers display their national fabric attire at the cultural night that was organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa at State House on Friday

Asi taishingirira as we baked black, consoling ourselves using the British saying ‘a gentleman has no weather’! Who was the model gentleman? From which nationality? Of course, the model gentleman was British, and imitating this imported model became the measure of civilisation and modernity! Therein coincides dressing and identity. We swapped our pre-colonial national dressing habits for that of the conqueror!” he said.

Dr Chiwenga gave a reverting example of what happened during the colonial era.

“A small history, dear First Lady! The biggest frustration of early white hunters, gold seekers, missionaries and, much later, empire builders, with the successive Ndebele monarchs was that neither King Mzilikazi nor his son, Lobengula, ever wanted to wear gifts of Western clothing that were given to them.”

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It reads: “It is recommended that the chief must reassure the people that the process is non-partisan and is for the benefit of the victims.

“It is recommended that the chief must encourage the people to discuss the matter openly as this will guide the remedial interventions to be taken for the benefit of the victims and the community at large.”

The process to bring closure to the Gukurahundi period kicked off in 2019, when Government met with the Matabeleland Collective, a grouping of local civic organisations, to find solutions to ensure healing among the victims of Gukurahundi.

Political analyst Dr Hamadziripi Dube commended Government for facilitating the healing process.

“The formation of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission was a major step taken by Government to promote peace in the country. It is also a significant move in terms of promoting national healing and closure,” said Dr Dube.

He said the hearings will allow the affected communities to air their grievances.

“It is really important to engage with these people and hear from them what they want and desire.

“A lot needs to be done in these communities such as getting identification documents and developing their communities,” he said.

Attorney-General Mrs Virginia Mabhiza described the hearings as historic.

She said: “I can confirm that there will be public consultations in the affected communities.

“This is meant to establish the real needs of the affected people

“This is historic and demonstrates the commitment of the Second Republic in fostering a culture of peace and harmony no matter what challenges may exist.

“It also gives the people the right to decide their own destiny as they participate in activities that concern them.”

Chinese children clad in the Zimbabwean national fabric model at the cultural night that was organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa at State House on Friday

Models display their designer national fabric attire at the cultural night that was organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa at State House on Friday. Pictures: John Manzongo