The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
STAKEHOLDERS in Manicaland have welcomed the appointment of Chimanimani West legislator, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyere, as the new Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, saying she will spur the growth of the provincial economy and push Vision 2030.
President Mnangagwa appointed Minister Matsikenyere to the new office on Monday.
She is coming in to replace national heroine, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, who succumbed to Covid-19 last month.
Before her appointment, Minister Matsikenyere — a holder of a Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Development from the University of Zimbabwe — was enjoying her second term as legislator for Chimanimani West.
During her first tenure, she managed to wrestle the seat from MDC Alliance vice president, Ms Lynette Karenyi.
Chief’s council provincial chair, Chief Makumbe welcomed Minister Matsikenyere’s appointment and described her as a development-oriented person.
“Minister Matsikenyere is not a new person to me as I have worked closely with her in Parliament. She is development-oriented as evidenced by the work she has been doing in her Chimanimani West constituency. Like her predecessor the late Dr Gwaradzimba, we
hope she will continue pursuing the provincial development agenda with the same vigour.
“She is an approachable person who understands the people’s needs. She also has motherly love and l’m sure that love will be used to change Manicaland people’s lives. She is also meticulous and smart,” said Chief Makumbe.
The traditional leader urged Minister Matsikenyere to immediately bring all stakeholders together and get a feel of their expectations from her.
“Manicaland is endowed with a lot of natural resources and some of the best brains in the country. Minister Matsikenyere should leverage on them to ensure that the majority benefit from the natural resources. If it was not for the Covid-19 pandemic which is restricting people’ movement, as the chiefs’ council we were prepared to meet her and introduce our members and also table our expectations and concerns to her.
“We have a lot of minerals which are not benefitting the province. There is a lot of mineral leakages through illegal mining activities. This should be addressed urgently. We need proper mining for all these activities to contribute to the provincial and national Gross Domestic Product.”
Chief Makumbe added: “Land issues should be resolved urgently because we have so many people out there with the potential to contribute to the national food security through farming.”
The chief also thanked President Mnangagwa for his vote of confidence on women’s leadership.
“Since the Matsikenyeres are also part of the Muusha chieftainship, her appointment is a blessing to us as she is well versed with all traditional rites. We want to say welcome Nkosikazi, Mai Muusha, Mai Chirandu,” said Chief Makumbe.
Zanu PF provincial secretary for administration, Cde Kenneth Saruchera said the ruling party welcomes Minister Matsikenyere’s appointment.
“We are very confident that she will discharge her duties diligently and that she will get all the necessary support from all stakeholders in the province. She is an experienced leader and has a proven track record of hard work.
“She is a unifier and a peace-loving person. She knows the party ideology very well and this will help in fulfilling the party’s 2018 election manifesto as well as pushing the Vision 2030 agenda.
“Her appointment also shows President Mnangagwa’s commitment in empowering women by seconding them to higher leadership positions,” said Cde Saruchera.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries regional president, Mrs Victoria Jakazi, said Minister Matsikenyere should continue with Dr Gwaradzimba’s vision of pursuing a developed Manicaland through the full utilisation of devolution funds.
“We are in the process of finding ways of revamping ailing companies. We are also saddled with the issue of water availability in the industrial area as we at times only get water up to 10am. This is badly affecting our operations.
“The road infrastructure is also poor and we hope Minister Matsikenyere will assist us in engaging the local authority to address these challenges.
“As the business community, we welcome her appointment and we are open for dialogue in everything. The issues of illegal mining and settlements should also be her top priority as they are disturbing the smooth running of industries,” said Mrs Jakazi.
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