This morning, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa will officially open the annual chiefs’ conference in Harare, a gathering that brings together traditional leaders from across the country.
The event will see participation from chiefs, headmen, and village heads — who are constitutionally recognized traditional leaders under customary law.
The traditional leadership institution plays a central role in community governance in Zimbabwe. Their responsibilities include presiding over their communities, promoting cultural values, resolving disputes under customary law, and facilitating local development efforts.
Under the country’s legal framework (the Traditional Leaders Act), chiefs, headmen, and village heads are formally appointed to exercise authority over communal lands, oversee community affairs, and act as custodians of culture and heritage.
For his part, President Mnangagwa has repeatedly affirmed the government’s commitment to restoring the dignity and welfare of traditional leaders. In previous years, his administration has provided vehicles to chiefs and pledged support for their welfare, citing their important role in maintaining peace, unity, and rural development.
At today’s conference, participants expect debates and discussions on improving cooperation between traditional leadership structures and government institutions, aligning customary governance with national development objectives, and enhancing the legal framework to reflect changing dynamics in rural communities.
