Traditional leaders invited to Zimbabwe this week came back impressed with the outcome of that country’s land reform programme, they said on Saturday. However, they are not advocating that South Africa follow a similar route.
On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport on Saturday morning, Mpiyezintombi Nzimela, chairman of the National House of Traditional Leaders said his delegation had travelled around the country visiting settlements.
”We were pleased. The land was given back to its rightful owners,” he said.
The group had seen problems, Nzimela said.
He mentioned the drought, the fact that no crops had been planted on some of the farms, and excessive bush clearance.
But the Zimbabwean government was ”doing everything it could to come to the rescue,” he said.
”If land is degraded it is not Government’s fault.”
The six member delegation had been invited to the country by local government minister Ignatius Chombo, and had met personally with President Robert Mugabe.
”He (Mugabe) explained how it came to a point where people were saying they could not wait any more, and pushing government take matter into their own hands,” said Nzimela, speaking of the take-overs of white-owned farms in that country.
This sort of action was not necessary in South Africa, Nzimela said.
”Our programme is going a bit too slowly, but we have not reached a point where we say enough is enough.”
The delegation had also met with Zimbabwean chiefs and traditional leaders.
”Our mission was to discuss the possibility of establishing a continental house of traditional leaders in Africa. They welcomed the idea,” he said.
Traditional leaders could be more influential in matters threatening the continent, like HIV-Aids and conflict, if they had a regional body, he said.
The visit was marred by the death of Malungisa Gobe in a car accident on Thursday.
”Even now we are still struggling to recover from the shock,” Nzimande said.
Gobe was the chief executive officer in the National House of Traditional Leaders. A Zimbabwean and two other South Africans were also injured in the accident which occurred between Bulawayo and Masvingo.
Expressing is condolences, Zimbabwean Ambassador to SA Simon Moyo said he wished Gobe’s family strength and staying power.
”We mourn with the family. Their grief is ours as well,” Moyo said. – Sapa