CommuTalk Reporter
BEITBRIDGE: The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) Masvingo got thumbs up from Beitbridge East constituency MP Albert Ngulube for positively impacting his community through the humanitarian work they do.
Acknowledging, during the ongoing Cultural Exchange Festival being hosted by the humanitarian giant, how sometimes politicians judge civic work, Ngulube said CCJP Masvingo has made him see otherwise.
“I have now for two to three years established good working relationship with CCJP and I wish they can continue. Initially, I did not quite understand what CCJP was standing for. After attending a few of their meetings, that’s when I started to appreciate that CCJP plays a big role.
“You know we as politicians think that you always want to criticize especially the ruling party but I have changed that mind now,” Ngulube said.
Speaking directly to the Cultural Festival being held under the theme, Promoting Cultural Diversity, Values of Ubuntu and Social Inclusion, Ngulube said the event should not be taken lightly highlighting that it was key to cultural and economic development.
“This cultural exchange comes at the right time where Beitbridge and Musina recently twinned. It is thereby not be taken lightly as it is a big step in cultural and economic development of our people in the two neighbouring nations,” he added.
Ngulube also highlighted that the project is key in facilitating for smooth reception of Zimbabwean migrants from South Africa for which government is expecting to receive at least 178 000 people whose permits have expired.
Through the ongoing project, CCJP seeks to create dialogue platforms which support reintegration of the returnees, migrants and their communities and promotion of culture of tolerance and social inclusion within the receiving communities.
“The dialogues will also focus on developing youth leadership skills to shift culture and belief systems, rooted in xenophobia that enable discrimination and marginalization of forcibly displaced persons and migrants,” CCJP said.
