Mwene weBhawa: Clarifying The Role Of Chief Garahw...

Mwene weBhawa: Clarifying The Role Of Chief Garahwa In Upholding The Moral Fiber Of Ndau Culture

By Claris Madhuku

Early this week, a video from Chief Tobias Garahwa’s traditional court went viral, showing the Chief’s Secretary reading out a new set of community rules for the Garahwa kingdom.

Among the resolutions was a directive, barring children from watching television inside beerhalls, as well as guidelines on women’s dress code, alongside other cultural expectations.

While the rules sparked mixed reactions, what truly caught fire on social media was the birth of a new street lingo — “Mwene weBhawa” — a phrase that quickly inspired countless memes and comic skits.

Beyond the humor, however, the viral moment underscores a deeper issue. Traditional leaders like Chief Garahwa continue to play a vital role in safeguarding the moral fabric and cultural identity of their people, particularly the Ndau community. In an era shaped by modern influences and increasingly radical feminist debates, their authority is often contested. Yet, their interventions reflect an enduring struggle to balance cultural preservation with the pressures of social change.

The resolutions announced by Chief Garahwa during his traditional court held in August 2025, has ignited social media frenzy in the process missing the target, which is how we should attend to the challenging issues like child marriage and teen pregnancies in rural areas.

By contextualizing these resolutions within the jurisdiction of traditional leaders, we can appreciate their importance in promoting a healthier and more equitable society.

The viral video emerged from a community workshop organized by the National AIDS Council (NAC) under the theme “Not in My Village-HaiwaMumugangaMwangu” campaign.

During the gathering, village heads collaborated to formulate rules that speaks to the issue of child marriages, teen pregnancies and teen prostitution within the framework of preserving the collective identity of Ndau people.

These community rules are deemed vital in countering the negative influences of cultural invasion in order to promote a healthy social environment.

One of the most topical aspect of these resolutions is the responsibility placed on "Bar Owners" (Muridzi weBhawa) to protect minors, particularly teenage girls, from being defiled by strangers and paedophiles. While the prescribed dress code has drawn criticism, it is essential to recognize that these regulations aim to combat the root causes of child marriages and teen pregnancies, and are within the statutes of the Liquor Act.

This Act provides restrictions on age of patrons and serving or selling to minors. Thus, bar owners are business people who are compelled to run their businesses within prescribed ethical principles and law. The target on bar owners is therefore spot on, especially after realising their contribution to the challenges being addressed.

Chief Garahwa's resolutions include significant fines such as hens, goats, and cattle used to punish offenders within the community.A hen( huku kana jongwe), goats ( mbudzi kana phongo) and cattle( Mombe nemwana wayo) are the identified and acceptable currencies at the courts.

This approach reflects the traditional leadership's commitment to reinforcing cultural values and maintaining social order. By announcing these penalties, Chief Garahwa is not imposing, he is safeguarding the community's moral integrity against the encroachment of excessive liberalization.He is therefore a wise traditional leader, who is brave and firm.

Factors such as the proliferation of guest lodges and bars, have evidently contributed to the rise of 'ungovernable sexual activities' in these deep rural areas. The issue of indecent attire among teenage girls (mitodo nezvimbambamba) has been linked to these ungovernable behaviors, making the dress code regulation a necessary intervention within context.

Chief Garahwa’s jurisdiction has historically been one of the most conservative areas, and these measures aim to protect this cultural identity.

Traditional leaders in Zimbabwe, including Chief Garahwa, are recognized under customary law as custodians of cultural values. They play a crucial role in shaping social norms and addressing community issues.

Chief Garahwa’s actions reflect a commitment to upholding the moral fiber of the Ndau community, which is essential for collective identity and social cohesion.

The Platform for Youth and Community Development (PYCD) has been linked to the role of traditional leaders in mediating the clash between law and culture. This programming with traditional leaders for over a decade, introduced the concept of “Progressive Ndau Culture.”

The Progressive Ndau Culture has hatched a contemporary movement within the vaNdau people that seeks to address and eliminate harmful practices while promoting positive cultural evolution.

By leveraging indigenous knowledge systems, the movement has helped to tackle issues like Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) effectively.

The geographical space under the jurisdiction of Chief Garahwa, is now invaded by concerning behaviors stemming from acculturation, including high rates of teenage pregnancies and early child marriages. These vices necessitate a robust response from community stakeholders. It is under these considerations, that i find the resolutions from Chief Garahwa representative of a proactive approach to safeguarding vulnerable groups of the community.

The concept of Progressive Ndau Culture emphasizes the empowerment of women and youth, creating a safer and more equitable environment. This initiative is defended for promoting women’s leadership within the community by recognizing the vital roles of grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and traditional leaders in fostering positive cultural shifts.

In conclusion, the resolutions announced by Chief Garahwa must be understood within the cultural context of the Ndau community. They reflect a progressive rather than retrogressive approach aimed at curbing issues like child marriages and teen pregnancies while reinforcing traditional values.

For advocates working on SGBV, this represents an opportunity to develop strategies that align with these cultural resolutions, ultimately fostering a safer and more empowered community.

*Claris Madhuku is a social and political commentator and Director of the Platform for Youth and Community Development Trust (PYCDT). He can be contacted on clarismadhuku78@gmail.com*