MARTIN MAWAYA
SHURUGWI-The newly installed village head, Themba Mliswa, has vowed to transform the Mliswa village in Shurugwi South constituency into a horticulture farming hub.
Mliswa (53) took over as village head from his niece, Maria Dube who has stepped down due to ill health.
Mliswa was installed last Saturday and the ceremony which headlined by Chief Banga was attended by thousands of villagers, friends and relatives.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch, Mliswa pledged to improve the lives of his subjects and hold elected officials to account for the development of the area.
The former Norton legislator had already installed nine solar powered boreholes in the village with fifty households, and has planned to turn the village into a thriving horticultural hub.
“I have drilled nine solar-powered boreholes, and we are going to transform this village into a green belt horticultural hub within the next three months. It will be one of the development model in the country replicating what is usually seen in towns at the village level,” said an ecstatic Mliswa.
He also urged local political leaders to focus on programs that directly impact the lives of the people and cautioned against individuals who seek political positions while overlooking traditional leaders.
“Let’s work together and any development in this village is not a competition with our elected officials, but an effort to empower our people in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision,” he said.
Known as a workhorse in business and political circles, the former legislator affirmed that all his resources would be dedicated to the development of Mliswa Village and Ward 5 in Shurugwi South constituency.
He pledged to work with the government in preserving the national heritage and culture of the area.
Mliswa provided a brief account of his family history, tracing the lineage of the village headmanship back to his grandfather, Peter Mliswa, also known as “Sixpence,” who passed it on to his father, Kripper Peter Mliswa.
“Whilst our father, Kripper Peter Mliswa was out of the country, the position was held in acting capacity by his aunt, Thokozile Zinhoro,” stated Mliswa.
Adding that the Dziva clan remained in care of the village leadership until the time he took over.
Chief Mapanzure who was the guest of honor urged the new village head to “foster unity, peace and development” as well as protecting traditional values.
