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By Staff Writer
The strengthening of cordial relations between the people of the Republic of Turkey and Zimbabwe has allowed for the inclusion of local traditional leaders in the development programmes.
This augurs well with the government of Zimbabwe’s target to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030, with efforts being made to ensure that no one or no place is left behind.
The relations between Zimbabwe and Turkey have changed the situation whereby traditional leaders have in the past been relegated to duties of being custodians of culture only whilst being excluded from economic activities.
Diyanet Foundation, a local organization through the Turkish Embassy is empowering traditional leaders to be at the forefront of community economic emancipation programs.
The foundation is supporting various business projects in Zvimba North Constituency with traditional leaders identifying beneficiaries for their communities.
The projects that include goat rearing projects, piggery, poultry, farming retail, and many others have seen traditional leaders such as chiefs and village heads being at the forefront of coordinating communities in various projects being supported by Diyanet Foundation.
Working closely with Zvimba North Constituency Legislator, Marian Chombo, the Foundation also provides water provision by installing solar-powered boreholes.
Adam Wadi, a representative of the Diyanet Foundation, said their objective is to ensure that marginalized communities are supported to participate in economic emancipation at local levels.
“Our goal is to ensure that marginalized communities have the necessary support that creates opportunities for them to effectively participate in economic activities at a local level to aid community development,” he said.
Zvimba North Constituency Member of Parliament Marian Chombo said no person or place should be left behind in economic inclusion.
“We are grateful for the support we are getting from Diyanet Foundation. I am happy that traditional leaders are not left out in economic projects in their communities,” she said.
Hon Chombo thanked the Foundation for complementing the government through things like the provision of safe water in areas where there are water challenges.
She said the country is open for business and progressive countries that want to support development initiatives with cordial relations are welcome as evidenced by the partnership with Diyanet Foundation.
Chief Katizagonbo, born Gibson Jenani said as the chiefs, they are humbled to be roped into economic decision processes in their communities.
“In the past, we were viewed as only the people responsible for safeguarding our culture and resources only and we used to be excluded from economic decisions but through this initiative, we are now active participants in economic activities in our communities, a development which we really appreciate,” he said.