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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter

CHIEFS from the Matabeleland region have hailed the historic installation of the inaugural San chief, Chief Goledema, saying it speaks to Zimbabwe’s diversity as it will help advance the interest of the formerly marginalised community which had lagged behind.

Government last Thursday installed Mr Christopher Dube as the first chief for the San (Tjwao) community, which did not have leadership structures.

To fully integrate into modern systems of governance, the San community lobbied Government to install a chief for them.

President Mnangagwa appointed Mr Dube as the San chief, after the community forwarded his name for consideration.

The installation of the chief is part of Government’s concerted efforts to transform the previously marginalised groups in line with the President’s policy of not leaving any community behind in advancing the development trajectory.

Government has also introduced a quota system in the recruitment of members of the San community in the country’s security services to ensure that they participate in economic activities.

The San chief’s jurisdiction covers some wards in Tsholotsho District and Government will soon deploy teams to demarcate boundaries for chiefs in the area.

In an interview, Senator Chief Mathuphula from Tsholotsho said traditional leaders from Tsholotsho support the installation of Chief Goledema to spearhead development in the San community.

Chief Mathuphula

He said the interest of the San community will be able to articulate their concerns through their chief.

“This is an important exercise and even all the chiefs from Tsholotsho support Chief Goledema’s installation. The Tjwao people are going to benefit and this means going forward, they will have a father such that when other men are meeting to discuss development issues, economic, job opportunities and hunger issues in times of drought, they will be represented,” said Chief Mathuphula

He said it was going to create challenges for those who do not come from the San community to understand issues affecting them.

“When you don’t have a father, it is a bit difficult to have your concerns heard because sent messages are sometimes lost in transmission. However, if you have your father representing you and participating in meetings, he is going to understand better issues that affect his community,” said Chief Mathuphula.

“So, going forward it will be easy to articulate his position. The new chief is expected to advance the concerns and aspirations of the San community.”

National Council of Chiefs deputy president Chief Mtshana said the installation of a San chief among the Ndebele and Kalanga communities, speaks to the diversity of the country’s communities.

Chief Mtshane

He said even Ndebele communities have chieftaincies in areas dominated by Shona speaking groupings.

“There is nothing amiss that the San are living within other tribes in Tsholotsho where there are Ndebele and Kalanga tribes. So, it is not surprising to have a Tjwao chief being installed within a community of a different tribe,” said Chief Mtshana.

“We have Chief Gwebu who is resident in Manicaland. The chief and his subjects follow Nguni/Ndebele customs while in Manicaland. We also have Chief Ngungumbane in Midlands, Mberengwa, they follow Nguni customs while they live among a Shona community.”

Chief Mtshana said Tsholotsho communities should accept the new normal of having the San being led by one of their own.

He said the San should however, come up with a clear succession formula to avoid conflicts in the event of death of the incumbent.

“What we have observed as the National Council of Chiefs is that we have so many succession disputes in chieftainships. You should come up with a consistent way of installing chiefs and this will address the succession wrangles,” said Chief Mtshana. —  @nqotshili