MINISTER of Finance Alexander Chikwanda says since the Patriotic Front (PF) formed government in 2011, it has worked to restore the dignity of traditional leaders.
And Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni-speaking people of Eastern Province has commended Government for the various development projects that are under-way country-wide.
Speaking at the N’cwala cultural night and dinner dance on Friday at Government Complex in Lusaka, Mr Chikwanda said that in the past, traditional leaders did not receive due recognition.
“PF, under the leadership of presidents Sata and Lungu, has restored the dignity of chiefs. You don’t see chiefs going to the airport…,” he said at the event, which was spiced by typical Ngoni tradition.
The guests at the event were in an exuberant mood, perhaps best epitomised by National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) chairperson Mwamba Kalenga, who joined musician Angela Nyirenda on stage and attempted to outdo her dancing.
But he was not the only one as PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri did, too, while Finance deputy minister Christopher Mvunga was not far, although for him, he opted to join the Ngoni warriors on stage, where he managed to drag along Chief Mpezeni, his first cousin.
He promised a spin dance at the N’cwala.
In his short speech, in which he talked about the great root of the Ngoni people and the special relationship that exists between the Ngonis and Bembas, Mr Chikwanda called for support to traditional initiatives like N’cwala, saying they help in uniting the country.
“We [Bembas] have built a cousinship which is unique although other tribes in Eastern Province have come to regard us as their brothers. But the cousinship is only with the Ngonis and Tumbukas,” Mr Chikwanda said.
He said the Ngoni are remarkable people with a rich history on the African continent.
“The N’cwala is significant. It is a ceremony for the great people of Kwa Zulu, Natal, descendants of Shaka Zulu, who was one of the most influential leaders. The Ngonis settled in the mountains after moving from Kwa Zulu. But there is no water where they settled; most of the lakes are located in our area,” he said as he played the usual cousinship banter.
And Paramount Chief Mpezeni praised Government for constructing and rehabilitating roads, health facilities and schools in all parts of the country.
He said road infrastructure is the driving force toward economic development because they connect productive areas to markets.
“I would like to thank Government for the development projects it has given us, it has given a lot to the people than any previous Government,” he said.
The event saw various individuals and institutions honoured for their contribution in promoting the Ngoni culture.
Those honoured included corporate executive Amon Jere, late politician and diplomat Amock Phiri, late corporate chief executive David Phiri, late Foreign Affairs minister Siteke Mwale and Indo-Zambia Bank.
Various individuals and institutions pledged their financial assistance towards the holding of this year’s ceremony, which is set to take place at the end of next month.
Among those who made pledges were the PF (K20,000), Zesco Limited (K50,000), Stanbic Bank (K50,000) and Indo-Zambia (K10,000).
“Apart from UNIP, we’re the only political party with our very own building. So, on Wednesday, come to the secretariat and collect K20,000,” Ms Phiri said in announcing the pledge on behalf of the ruling party.
Coerced into making a pledge, Mr Chikwanda, who was the guest-of-honour, said as Finance Minister, he is ethically not allowed to do so but he will make a significant contribution.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Stephen Kampyongo, jocularly, said January being the month for schools, he was unable to pledge much. But in appreciation of his wife, who is from Eastern Province, he pledged K2,000.
The great Nkosi Yams Koswe. Keep up. I will again be attending your ceremony but please stop drinking raw blood my cousin, it’s nt hygienic, lol
Very interesting. People have short memory. Is it not PF govt that for years harassed the Chitimukulu and when Edgar Lungu was Minister of Home Affairs even sent a battalion of Paramilitary for that purpose?Truth be told- the Ba Shilubemba refused to be intimidated by PF. Only when PF wanted votes for Edgar did they go there to beg for forgiveness. We shall not forget that
PF restoring dignity to chiefs? What about what was done to Henry Kanyata Sosala? ? You call that restoring dignity?
Yes, we will not forget that humiliation of Kanyanta and by extension all of us Bembas. Kalakolola. I want all Bemba voters to teach these den of punks! a lesson by voting them out.
These are the same crooks who humiliated Mr Kanyanta and when HH protested, Sata sarcastically told HH to make him his own Chitimukulu. These are the same thugs who wire tapped the Litunga’s office and Sata boasted that he knew what was happening in his bedroom. Chikwanda must assume that all Zambians are PFools!
And there came Lungu (PF) who corrected the mistake by Sata on the Chitimukulu. So it still remains PF and Chikwanda is right