Published: 28 December 2014 | by Esau Ncube and Dumile Mpofu

ULUNTU–CIISI TRUST
Suite 1. Stand 7238 Chinotimba Road. Victoria Falls.
e-mail: uluntu-cisi@hotmail.com. Tel 00 263 772 369 262 / 00 263 712 337 108
Local Benefit of Resources & Protection of Rights &Cultures of Minority Groups
                                           
Uluntu - Ciisi Trust

1.    Introduction

Uluntu-Ciisi Trust is the brain child of members of the members of the Victoria falls, community in Zimbabwe. It was founded in September 2003 by some of the trustees and eventually registered as a trust with the department of social welfare in November 2004. The name “Uluntu” is derived from the Ndebele language meaning “humanity” while “Ciisi” is from the Tonga language, meaning “locality”. These two are some of the languages spoken widely in the Hwange District of Matebeleland North Province, Zimbabwe.

The founders of the trust were concerned with the extent of marginalization and deprivation of the minority communities in the western districts of the country by the centralist government, government departments and private entities and individuals. This maltreatment is hugely manifested in employment opportunities, infrastructural development, human development, access to economic resources / opportunities, cultural ideation and identification and socio political activism in general. As a consequence of the above, the people of Matebeleland have been reduced to appalling conditions of abject poverty and economic stagnation.

The founders decided to play a role by bringing awareness of the plight of these minorities to all stakeholders including both central and local governments, civic organizations and the communities themselves. Uluntu-Ciisi Trust (UCT) was then formed in the spirit of engaging all stakeholders in promoting the economic, cultural and socio-political interests of the  local communities without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, colour, creed, disability, sexual  orientation, political affiliation and social status.

2.    VISION

To see a society in which local communities benefit from local resources and where the rights and cultures of minority groups are protected and preserved.

3.    MISSION STATEMENT OF ULUNTU-CIISI TRUST

Ulunti-Ciisi Trust is a non-partisan organization that propagates the economic, socio-political and cultural rights of the marginalized and or poor in society through advocacy and networking.

4.    OBJECTIVES

The broad objectives of UCT include the following:

a)    To hold public and private meetings on social, economic, and cultural issue that have a bearing on the interests of the community regularly.

b)    To economically empower residents by:
•    Advocating for and demanding the employment of locals by all companies operating in Matebeleland.
•    Proving a forum for the residents to meet, mingle and share information on entrepreneurship and current issues of economic, social and cultural value.
c)    To encourage individual and institutional development in education.
This encompasses provision of funds for locals who wish to pursue education at any level but lack financial resources.
d)    To identify problems affecting the local people for example lack of housing, employment, capital finance and assist in coming up with workable solutions.
e)    To create an environment of equal opportunities and equal access to resource including information for individuals and organizations.
f)    To encourage the identification and grooming of future community, business and political leaders by way of training and exposure.
g)    To promote community participation in all major events and processes, be they business, cultural, social or political.
h)    To create awareness of and educate the community on their fundamental rightdoms.
i)    To safeguard the interests of the local people and organization including the promotion of each individual’s culture, tradition and language.

5.    ACTIVITIES

UCT on a monthly basis holds an INHLOKO meeting whereby abantu meet and share or debate on issues affecting them. This an informal consultative set up whereby over a drink and meet the organization is advised and kept to speed on any issues that people deem critical.

UCT conducts public meetings, seminars, focus group discussions and workshops on socio - political, economic and cultural issues.

UCT in 2015 envisages to host an UMUNTU ACHIEVERS AWARD whereby any person from Matabeleland that has excelled in service to the Matebeleland region and interest is honored with an award at an annual function.

UCT in 2015 also envisages to commission a research that will confirm the hypothesis that employment opportunities in Matabeleland are only available to people of Shona origin while local ethnic groups wallow in unemployment and under employment.

Esau Ncube (secretary), esauncu@hotmail.com, 0772 369 262 / 0713 899 888
Dumile Mpofu (programming), 0712 337 108

 
- Uluntu Trust

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