Patrick Chibama has been officially crowned as the new senior chief Shakumbila for the Sala people of Mumbwa district of Central Province.
Mr. Chibamba, who had been the acting senior chief Shakumbila for over a year, was
officially appointed as senior chief by the Royal establishment at a ceremony held
at Shakumbila’s palace on Sunday.
The ceremony, which attracted over 500 people, was witnessed by Mumbwa District
Commissioner, Dowell Chilimboyi, Nangoma Member of Parliament, Boyd Hamusonde, and senior government officers.
In his maiden speech, the new senior chief Shakumbila disclosed that his vision was
built around fostering good working relations with government, especially on
developmental projects within his chiefdom.
Chief Shakumbila said that government had earmarked mining and tourism
developmentprojects in the district, and that he pledged to work in tandem with the
state in efforts to reduce poverty in the area.
On mining, the chief pointed out that there was need to observe environment
friendly policies which would not have long term adverse effects on the ecological
balance that agriculture and tourism depend on.
He called for a balance between industrial mining and environmental protection,
adding that none of the two should suffer at the expense of the other.
Senior Chief Shakumbila also implored the other candidates to the throne to forget
about their differences and forge ahead in the spirit of harmony and unity.
A total of five contenders were in eyed the throne, which had been officially
unoccupied for over one year.
Chief Shakumbila’s domain has the largest stretch of land from amongst the seven
chiefs of Mumbwa district.
