Peter Matika, Zimpapers Writer
RIDING on the momentum of Zanu-PF’s victory in the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election, where Cde Freedom Murechu was declared the winner, the party’s Bulawayo Province has announced plans to deploy representatives fluent in isiNdebele to all community engagements.
The move is aimed at enhancing effective communication, promoting inclusivity and deepening grassroots participation in governance, particularly in a province where language has often been cited as a barrier to meaningful engagement between leaders and communities.
The initiative will allow residents to freely express their needs, concerns and aspirations in a language they fully understand, while ensuring that leaders receive clear, unfiltered feedback from the people they serve.
Speaking on the sidelines of victory celebrations following the Nkulumane by-election, Zanu-PF District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) Area 5 chairperson, Cde Mnothisi Nsingo, said the party recognised that language plays a critical role in participatory development and responsive governance.
Cde Nsingo said the consistent use of isiNdebele at community meetings, consultative forums and outreach programmes would help bridge communication gaps that have historically limited citizen participation in some areas.
“Language should never be a barrier between leaders and the people. As Zanu-PF in Bulawayo Province, we have resolved that our representatives must be fluent in isiNdebele so that communities can speak freely, confidently and without fear of being misunderstood,” he said.
Cde Nsingo said when residents articulate issues in their mother tongue, leaders are better placed to fully appreciate the depth and context of challenges being faced at grassroots level.
The initiative, he added, forms part of far-reaching efforts by the ruling party to promote inclusivity, national unity and citizen-centred development in line with the Second Republic’s devolution thrust.
“This initiative is about inclusivity. We want every resident, young or old, to feel comfortable participating in discussions that affect their lives. When people speak in a language they fully understand, they are more open, honest and constructive,” said Cde Nsingo.
He noted that the approach would encourage wider participation, particularly among the elderly and those who may feel marginalised or intimidated when discussions are conducted in languages they are less familiar with.
Cde Nsingo said deploying isiNdebele-speaking representatives would also strengthen grassroots governance by ensuring that community needs are accurately captured and relayed to higher decision-making structures.
“Our role as leaders is to listen first. By engaging communities in isiNdebele, we are strengthening the link between the grassroots and leadership, ensuring that development initiatives are informed by real issues raised by the people,” he said.
Cde Nsingo said feedback gathered through such engagements would help shape responsive policies and targeted development programmes in Bulawayo.
The move is also expected to foster trust between citizens and political leaders, as residents would feel respected and valued when addressed in their preferred language.
“When leaders take time to communicate in the people’s language, it builds confidence and trust. It shows respect for culture, identity and the lived realities of our communities,” said Cde Nsingo.
Zanu-PF said the deployment of isiNdebele-speaking representatives would be rolled out across all districts in Bulawayo as part of ongoing and future community engagement programmes.
The post Speaking the people’s language: Zanu-PF courts Bulawayo communities appeared first on herald.
The post Speaking the people’s language: Zanu-PF courts Bulawayo communities appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.