Senior Chieftainess Nkomenshya Mukamambo II yesterday led hundreds of mourners among them government officials, traditional leaders and others, who braved heavy rains to witness the traditional burial of Chief Mpanshya Kalubangwe II of the Soli speaking people of Rufunsa District in Lusaka Province.
Chieftainess Nkomenshya Mukamambo II observed that succession wrangles if not amicably resolved, have the potential of retarding national development.The traditional leader made the observation during the burial of Chief Mpanshya Kalubangwe II, 56, of the Soli people in Rufunsa District in Lusaka Province.
Senior Chieftainess Nkomenshya Mukamambo II said most of the succession wrangles were caused by greediness and fusion of “alien” cultural practices by some royal family members who have lost their traditional customs and beliefs.“I will not hesitate to intervene in case of any succession dispute and will ensure that sanity returns to the chiefdom”, she warned.
She promised to facilitate a smooth transition period until a new chief takes over and implored the royal family members and Electoral College to agree on a clear roadmap of choosing a suitable replacement.
“My earnest appeal to the Bene Bukalya Royal Establishment, close relatives and Electoral College is to avail me a clear roadmap that we should be followed strictly”, she appealed.
And speaking at the same event, Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Wamunyima Muwana said traditional leaders play a critical role in national development.
Mr. Muwana explained that it was for this reason late president Michael Sata created the ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs to foster peace and development in their various chiefdoms.He said government was greatly saddened with the demise of the traditional leader who was instrumental in the allocation of land to government to setup the district administration and township following its declaration in August, 2012, by president Sata.
“The multitudes here who have braved the heavy rains is a clear testimony of the love and support the late chief enjoyed among his subjects””, he noted.Mr. Muwana said government will continue with ongoing developmental projects despite the demise of the chief in order to better the welfare of his subjects.
Earlier, Bishop John Mambo said the late chief will be remembered for championing the development of the area.Bishop Mambo said when his foundation approached the late chief for a piece of land where Nyamphande Orphanage and Community School is constructed, Chief Mpanshya Kalubangwe II cautioned him against using the orphanage for personal again.
Chief Mpanshya Kalubangwe II, 56, died a fortnight ago in Rufunsa District having served his subjects for 13 years and was buried at the Bukalya Royal Shrine, the burial ground for the chiefs.
The Bene Bukalya Royal family members, Shrine keepers also known as “BASHIKULU”, under the strict guidance of Senior Chieftainess Nkomenshya Mukamambo II of Lusaka Province will meet to agree on the mourning period before a new one is selected.
Before burial, the remains of the Chief Mpanshya Kalubangwe II laid in state at the Bene Bukalya Royal Palace until the traditional burial was conducted the next day as part of the Soli cultural burial rites.
Senior Chief Mburuma of the Nsenga-Luzi and Chief of the Chikunda speaking people of Luangwa District, Chieftainess Shikabeta of Rufunsa District, Chief Chembe of the Lala speaking people of Luano District and other traidional leaders attended the burial.
PF Feira Member of Parliament, Patrick Ngoma, District Commissionsers in Lusaka Province and other senior government were also present.
What is this now?
Iwe chililo ca a very important chief