First Lady Christine Kaseba has called upon traditional leaders in the country to do anything within their powers to put to end harmful practices such as early marriages that retard the development of the girl child.
And Dr Kaseba says she will act as a mosquito to remind President Micheal Sata of the developmental programmes he has promised the people of Livingstone and Southern province at large.
Officiating at the Bene Mukuni traditional ceremony held at Simukale Nakamba Shrine in Chief Mukuni’s area yesterday, Dr Kaseba noted that a lot of traditional practices continue to retard and dent the future of young girls rendering them helpless and vulnerable.
She said Chiefs have a huge role to play to ensure that the future of the girl child was safe guarded against any harmful practices.
“As I acknowledge that culture plays a pivotal role in regulating the behaviour of people and keeps social relationships intact, I wish to call upon all Royal Highnesses in Zambia and beyond to put to a stop practices that harm our women, practices that put women at risk of harm and practices that will retard development in their areas,” said Dr Kaseba.
“I appeal to you to do anything within your powers to ban child marriages and encourage children to go to school, help our women to be health conscious and encourage them to be screened for cervical cancer and other feminine ailments,” she added.
Dr Kaseba a observed that the future of any society depends on women adding that as such society must make it a priority to safe guard their existence.
Dr Kaseba also urged all traditional leaders in the country to invest in the documentation of their traditions so that is was preserved for future generations.
She pointed out that cultural heritage continues to play a cardinal role in the evolution of society and as such should be preserved.
The First Lady commended the Mukuni Royal Establishment for taking time to invest in the preservation of its cultural through documentation.
“I want to take this opportunity to urge all our Royal Highnesses in the country to invest in the documentation of their traditions for future generations and I’m happy to hear that the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs is up to this task,” Dr Kaseba said.
“And therefore, I urge the officers in the ministry to effectively coordinate with traditional authorities for the production of the best written records of our history,” she added.
Over 33 traditional rulers all from the Bene Mukuni Royal Dynasty and other dignitaries including Chinese Ambassador to Zambia and other senior government officials attended the event.
And Dr Kaseba who witnessed the launch of the Mukuni Royal Establishment Strategic Plan for 2013 to 2017 hailed the chiefdom for the initiative which she noted will enhance development in the area.
Meanwhile, Dr Kaseba said the development dream of the country was a key component that should be on every citizen’s agenda adding that the country was in dire need of development and sustainability in all areas across the socio-economic and political spectrum.
She called on all the people of Livingstone and Southern province to rally behind President Sata in his quest to bring the much desired development but added that this can only be achieved with full support from every Zambian.
Dr Kaseba said on her part she will be like a ‘mosquito’ to remind President Sata of the development promises he made to the people in Livingstone.
“Over the past two years, progress has been made in many sectors including roads, health communication, retention of workforce through improved working conditions but all complexities that come with pursuance for a better society cannot be overcome by government alone,” said Dr Kaseba.
“On My part I will be his Mosquito (President Sata) to remind him of the good things he promised people of Livingstone,” said added.
Speaking earlier during the launch of the Mukuni Royal Establishment Strategic Plan, Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkandu Luo said plans are in the pipeline to ensure that all chiefdoms develop strategic plans saying this was a vehicle to development.
Prof Luo noted that the 2013 to 2017 Mukuini Royal Establishment strategic plan should address critical issues including HIV/AIDS, Child defilement, early marriages and other social ills that retard development.
She also noted with happiness that the plan had included key issues such as the preservation of natural resources like heritage sites and land.
Prof Luo however, observed that it was sad that most chiefdoms give out land to investors at a song while majority of their subjects were wallowing in poverty.
“I think we need to change the way we do things, natural resources like land should not be given away to investor at a song while our people are wallowing in poverty,” said Prof Luo.
So far the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through (Support to HIV/AIDS Response In Zambia(SHARe II) project is supporting and financing the development of about 35 strategic plans in chiefdoms in the country.
And USAID Mission Director Susan Brems said the launch of the plan demonstrate how communities can take ownership and improve their living standard and health without waiting for government.
Dr Brems said during the projects’ five year implementation, USAID will invest a total ofUS$30 million to promote the sustainability of HIV prevention by integrating local development goals into broader strategic plans.
ZANIS
she will act like a moquito to remind the cobra the venom he is spiting
If that is what it takes ‘to remind the president of the things he has promised’ then the mosquito will have to bite and sting him every night considering the numerous unfulfilled promises made to Zambians.
Mrs. Charlotte Scott may not agree with most of the above.
Early marriage is not a traditional practice, and chiefs has nothing to be blamed for.
The Main problem is Electrification of Villages. Sitting in the dark for extended periods is very detrimental to the human brain. no matter what you advise the human mind is very dangerous. light up the houses and you don’t need to continue talking about early marriages. Thanks
Yes!
Does she a ministerial position in government?
Does she have ministerial position in government?
But you yourself you were bonking a married man-Sata old enough to be your father when you were at UNZA. You even grabbed him from the rightful wife. Isn’t unprotected trans-generational sex and wife grabbing harmful practices? Remove the log from your eye before removing a speck from the eyes of our traditional leaders!
This time my lips are sealed.