The Zimbabwean Renaissancestep by step

The villagers gathered in two different wards under Chief Makumbe where they carried out 10 weeding ceremonies traditionally known as Ilima or Humwe meaning oneness (nhimbes) targeting the communitys elderly and victims of political violence. The project which was initiated by Chief Makumbe as a response to the call by Government for traditional leaders to lead in the national healing process, was rolled out in two stages.

The program started with an estimated 500 people congregating at Chief Makumbes home in Marenga where local communities weeded in the chiefs fields or the Zunde raMambo. The second stage saw the project being decentralized to two wards with villagers in each village from different political and religious working together in the fields of the aged and those disabled through political violence.

The Humwe Ilima is a traditional communal African practice in which communities come together to collectively work on the fields of the vulnerable people in the community. The practice realizes the need for ensuring food security and the communitys collective responsibility for each others well being. Targeting the elderly reinforced the long held values of communal parenting where the young people in the community are compelled to be respectful of all elders in their community, a value so violently trodden upon during election campaigns when the youth, at the behest of politicians, assault, rape and murder the elderly in their communities.

By reintroducing the humwe, the traditional leaders are reviving their traditional roles and responsibilities of custodianship of the community. In other areas, for example Zaka, Heal Zimbabwe started by carrying out memorial services for the victims of political violence which were later followed by cleansing ceremonies which were first steps towards acknowledging the ills of violence against innocent civilians.

The emphasis to bring people together and try to break the polarization has been informed by the research Heal Zimbabwe is currently conducting in Buhera on the Nature of political violence in that area. Preliminary research findings reveal that 69% of the reported cases of politicians violence involved a member or members of the same community. This has torn and destroyed decades long family ties and relations thus polarizing communities. Since 2000, Buhera has been hard hit by politically motivated violence. This is regrettable and should be avoided at all cost in the as people should continuously be reminded that community relations supersede political party affiliations.

Two weeks ago, the village heads and their respective communities met at Chief Makumbes homestead where the Chief introduced the programme to the whole community. The villagers were encouraged to take part in this initiative as it brings different people together and open up avenues for discussions for those people who feel they need to restore their torn relationships as a result of political violence. The Chief spoke of the need for communities to engage in acts that unite people like the Nhimbe and shun away from divisive behaviors that destroy rather than build the community.

1st beneficiary

Mbuya Manondo An elderly woman who does not remember her age but is believed to be over 100 years .Around 90 people attended.

2nd beneficiary

Marimira Village

Mbuya Makazho, an elderly woman who has lived alone for the past decade.

3rd Beneficiary

Rusipambi village.

Rusipambi Nongerai ,an elderly ,widowed man who stays alone and does not have any helper

4th Beneficiary

Fere Homestead

An elderly woman who stays with her two grandchildren who are under 5 years old. A victim of 2008 political violence lost her property to arson.

5th Beneficiary

Hwata village

Amos Matimbe- an elderly aged 79 and all his children migrated to South Africa leaving him to take care of 15 grandchildren. Matimbe was constantly harassed by youths in the run up to the presidential election run off. All his produce were looted during the violence, he also lost his cattle and goats during the disturbancies.

6th Beneficiary

Mutsindikwa Village

Beneficiary- Claudius Katandi, a victim whose wife cannot walk due to injuries she sustained during the 2008 election violence.

7th Beneficiary

Mbuya Chingarande (Vimbai Ruzengo )

Chipadaza village she is over 100 year old, cannot see and cannot walk

8th beneficiary

Mukwasi homestead

Ellen Mupini aged 98

This old woman stays with her disabled son, she no longer sees let alone work

9th beneficiary

Joram Makuwe aged 73

Manjengwa village

Disabled and widowed, Vajongwe due to injuries sustained years back while at work where he lost his arm. With his advanced age, he weeds with one hand while sitting on a stool. Mr Makuwe is father in-law to police spokesperson Oliver Mandipaka.

105 people attended

10th beneficiary

Tinei Maunganidze

Tsodzo village

A victim of political violence aged 68

The gathering managed to gather people from various churches, political parties and ages. During breaks, people would openly discuss about politics and political violence reliving the past atrocities. They would start by labeling each other some would shout at each other but the presence of community leaders controlled emotions and tempers. With the help of traditional leaders, the villagers managed to openly castigate violence and pledged to uphold peace in their respective areas.