Godwin Gumbo

Bulilima, Matebeleland South – Hundreds of people from villages around the Tokwana area in Bulilima District braved the scorching summer heat and thronged the Dube homestead to witness the installation of Ms. Talita Hikwa as Headman Tjitawudzi. She joins a growing but still very short list of female traditional leaders in Zimbabwe.

The ceremony, which was graced by traditional leaders and local government officials, notably the District Development Coordinator for Bulilima District Mr O. Zogara, and representatives from the Bulilima Rural District Council, was punctuated by a rich cultural theme featuring energetic performances from Tokwana Primary and secondary schools.

Speaking during the event on behalf of the Guest of Honour, Chief Masendu, the Chief’s Secretary, Mr. Freeman Dube highlighted the role of the office of the Headman. He indicated that the Headman acts on behalf of the state, district councils, chiefs, and other government departments in pushing developmental agendas together with non-governmental organizations.

He further mentioned the critical role of traditional leadership in implementing national strategies like Vision 2030 and international policies like Africa Agenda 2063. “As we implement NDS 1, the government will move on leaving no one and no place behind and as a Headman you must thus find your place in this blueprint and actively participate in Health and Education in your area.” said Mr Dube.

Born Talita Hikwa , Headman Tjitawudzi joins a long lineage of the previous headman, the most recent being Harris Dube.

Giving a brief background on the Headman Tjitawudzi lineage, Mr. Freeman Dube detailed from Mandulo who was the first to be appointed Headman by King Mzilikazi and later succeeded by Zambu Malikon’wa but was deposed by the then Native Commissioner. In 1964, Chief Mphini assigned Headman Tjitawudzi to oversee developments in the Maitengwe area and was later succeeded by his son Mathanda.

After the demise of Mathanda in 1998, a succession dispute on the proper house to take on the throne ensued spilling over to the courts. After the row, Tabengiwa Dube succeeded in 2004 before his demise in 2005. He was succeeded by his Son Harry Dube in 2007. Since Harry Dube was not married, he was to pass on the Headmanship to his young brother Martin Mahabe, who refused citing personal reasons. The family then agreed to appoint Talita Hikwa, the last daughter of Tabengiwa be the Headman.

According to Edgar Dube, who also spoke on the family’s background, The appointment of a woman to be Headman Tjitawudzi was not much of a surprise as traces into the family history especially during Nikuwana’s tenure after migration from Headman Tjingababili.

Nikuwana’s sister, BakaNtivu was the one who influenced and controlled the Headman’s conduct and would time and again call Nikuwana to order. This account allayed any mumblings of those questioning Talita’s appointment as a woman to assume the position as Headman Tjitawudzi.

Her installation falls hard on the heels of the installation of Mrs Adelaide Tshuma as Chief Hikwa in what can be viewed as a positive stride for women in leadership in Bulilima District. While the installation of Talita Hikwa might have stirred mixed reactions within the patriarchal circles, this has been recorded as a plus for women’s advancement in a male-dominated society.

With more and more women assuming roles in traditional leadership, the titles of the majority of traditional roles like Mlisa/Headman, Induna/Chief might need to be restructured as they still reflect the patriarchal roots of leadership being a reserve for men.

The villagers in attendance had nothing short of joy and jubilation for the newly installed Headman Tjitawudzi, as evidenced in the gifts presented to the Headman.