PRESIDENT Sata has urged traditional leaders to forget the differences they had with the Patriotic Front (PF) when it was in the opposition and make a fresh start.
Mr Sata says chiefs are an important component of development and they should forget what transpired in the past, especially during election campaigns.
The President said this at State House yesterday when he met three chiefs and five indunas from Petauke in Eastern Province.
This is according to a statement released by the President’s special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
The traditional rulers, who held a closed-door meeting with the head of State, are Chieftainess Mwanjabantu and chiefs Mumbi and Sandwe.
Mr Sata, who was flanked by Minister of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu, who is also acting as Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, and Energy permanent secretary George Zulu, assured the chiefs of his Government’s commitment to ensuring equitable distribution of resources in developing the country.
“We are greatly humbled that you requested to pay us a visit. This is how it should be. We must forget what transpired during the campaigns and make a fresh start,” President Sata said.
The President said Government is keen to learn from traditional leaders, the specific areas of developmental needs, now that preparations for the 2013 budget have reached an advanced stage.
“I will instruct Eastern Province Minister Charles Banda to take time and visit all chiefdoms in the region, so that we can have first-hand information on the problems you are experiencing.
“We are Africans and we need to respect and uphold this dignified institution of chieftaincy,” President Sata said.
He urged traditional leaders to continue safeguarding and promoting the interests of their subjects.
Mr Sata said chiefs are an essential component in governance, adding that they (traditional leaders) should represent the interests of their subjects.
During the same meeting, the traditional leaders commended the President for granting them an opportunity to engage him on various matters relating to their chiefdoms.
The chiefs assured President Sata that they will continue to pray for his administration to enable him preside over the affairs of this country in peace and harmony.
They also expressed happiness with President Sata’s decision to establish the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, which they said underscores his commitment and desire to work with traditional leaders in national development.
The traditional leaders also thanked the President for the road works carried out in some chiefdoms such as Chief Sandwe’s area and requested him to ensure Government constructs more schools, hospitals and provides electricity.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Kekeke. Are those chief (in the picture) from Zed East? Thot they were from Nigeria. Forgive me.
So this man hasn`t learn`t how these conmen in the name of chiefs misled bwezani with fake solidarity messages.diarrhoea time is coming wait.
So there are Indunas in the east(kekekeke)?Thought Indunas are only found in the organised Barotseland
Why are they dressed like Nigerian crooks except amayi?
Nigerian chiefs now in Zambia?
If these chiefs don’t have any traditional attire, they shouldn’t wear anything at all!
A naked chief is be better than a copying chief:)))
Zed in trouble chiefs from Nigeria? Any Sata’s evil past is haunting him.
Lungu acting minister of Chiefs? where is Nkandu Luo, has she left Patriot Fools already,!!
Never heard of them.
Hello colleagues, let us post constructive comments instead of these useless critics
ATI CHIMUKALIPE BAROTSE Type of politics. The litunga is just like any other chief.
Arguing with yourself in the toilet, I presume!
THOSE ARE THE BIG WIZARDS OF ZAMBIA…ATI CHIEF¡???KE KE KE
Ba LT this heading is really misleading, it was supposed to READ Sata calls for fresh/EARLY elections!
zambians are sick of this man, he has to go to jail
DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!
A NEW SPIRIT THAT WILL LEAD TO PROSPERITY.
FIRST FORGIVE ALL YOUR OPPONENTS AND IT WILL BE EASY FOR YOU TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THIS GREAT NATION.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU WANT TO ANTAGONIZE AND FINISH YOUR OPPONENTS.
THIS IS NOT A GOOD SPIRIT. PLEASE UNITE EVERYONE. ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION!!!!
Bwafya, atleast Lozis dress in skirts when they want to show their traditional attire. Only Mama looked like a leader, not those 2 poachers of Mbeba.
These eastern chiefs would be fools to believe the drivel out of Ukwa’s mouth. The man has proved himself untrustworthy and devious. The chiefs must be honest and tell him that his popularity is on the wane even at the grass root. The writing is on the wall for PF and the likes of GBM and Sakeni are not helping the situation.
He is feeling the heat and running to chiefs. It wont work. It is donchi kubeba also for us. To our chiefs demand for houses and 4x4s and more allowances. When he gives you enjoy them but you know how to put a real government with a plan into office with your subjects.
Edgar Lungu is acting chiefs and traditional affairs, where is Tasintha AKA Nkandu LOU? May be I need to ask Zambianwatch dog, The online paper that digs deeper?
Your excellency, Mr. President,
The late strongman Gaddafi attempted to confuse handpicked village representatives and fed them with his blueprint of demands designed to strengthen his grip on villagers but his rhetoric turned out as a paradox. He was a political commissar and spend too money hoping that his demands would be reflected among villagers. However, villagers realized that his desperation was a money generating scheme for them. From to time to time they reassured him of the so called strong support, yet in reality his opponents were consolidating their support base. Learn from the so called famous fallen heroes. Villagers are also sensitive to calls of change and they want nothing that impedes change. Reinforced villagers are pleased as long as favours kept on coming.
i think we have fashion designers in zambia. please come up with attire thats insired hundred percent by the zambian culture.too much watching these nigerian movies,now aour chiefs are dressed like nigerians. mafi sana. musicians,actors in zambia start wearing our local attire and inspire the young generations who look up to you. in the US,Jay Z,P.Diddy set the trend for what people wear on the streets especially black people. why cant our artists do the same. bu yobali ifyabupuba,when you can come up with designs that are zambian. XYZ,Mampi try to emulate a bit what the sakala brothers were doing. noti being rappers trying to wear rocawear,whats wrong with us. zambian renaissance. infact,from the president,he should not wear anything on him thats not zambian. starting from shoes.
#19 SPOT ON
Have we appointed Nigerian chiefs together with a Malawian judge?
igweeeeeeeee. Sata only talks of the simple obvious..economy and job creation nothing…..Thought we had minister of chiefs now…why should they go to State house….