TellZim reporter
MASHAVA- Recently resuscitated Chief Bere has promised to place at least 5 hectares (ha)of land in his area for the current 2022-2023 farming season which is meant to provide food to be stored at the Bere Royal Granary, clan spokesperson Adnos Chikomo has said.
Chikomo said the first area saw maize being planted on November 19, 2022.
“Saturday 19, was diarised as Chief Bere’s Zunde RaMambo planting day for the first crops that were supported by the State in form of Pfumvudza programme. Villagers from the 12 administrative blocks of the chiefdom gathered at Bere farm near Bhuka to plant 4 ha of maize.
“We started preparations this year but have since realized little progress from our intended target of at least 8 ha because of reasons beyond our control and the Zunde programme was a bit delayed as people had to focus on the Bhati incident that led to the death of one of our clan members (late Taurai Lovemore Takawira),” said Chikomo.
He said Chief Bere believes in even surpassing the traditional notion of the Zunde by even going to the extent of supplying food to the needy members of society housed at various shelters in Masvingo while using the project to bring unity of purpose among villagers.
“Our concept of Zunde RaMambo envisages a vision that goes beyond disaster preparedness. We have inside Bere territory Alpha Cottages children’s home, Mucheke Old People’s HOME, Masvingo Provincial Hospital, Masvingo Remand Centre, Alfred Walter Hostel and ZIMCARE Trust among other institutions whom we can feed with proceeds from the project in case of good harvests.
“To us peace is not simply normalization of relations between and among communities but more importantly the active promulgation of those common place customary practices that put our people together,” he added.
