President Hakainde Hichilema has described the late Inkosi Ya Makosi Ngwenyama Mpezeni IV as a great son of Zambia and a traditional leader who served the nation with distinction and wisdom for over 40 years.
The President said the late Ngwenyama served Zambia, not just the Ngoni people or Eastern Province.
He said the late chief carried the authority of a king but possessed the heart of a servant.
“Today we give farewell to a great son of Zambia, our traditional leader, our paramount chief Nkosi Ya Makosi Ngwenyama. He served the Ngoni people with distinction and wisdom for over 40 years. He served with six presidents before me,” President Hichilema said.
“Nkosi Ya Makosi was a true patriot who championed unity in our country. He worked with and served this country not just for the Ngoni people or Eastern Province but the country at large,” he said.
President Hichilema said the late traditional leader attended traditional ceremonies across the country without fail and respected all chiefs regardless of status.
“He did not look at the status of a chiefs, he looked at the status of the people. He understood that there are different traditional leaders that the country has been endowed with. He understood that other chiefs’ matters,” he said.
The President noted that Ngwenyama Mphezeni greatly promoted the Ncwala Ceremony, turning it into the major cultural event it is today.
“We shared this understanding: God created us not to be lazy but to work hard. Ngwenyama produced food for his family and encouraged Ngoni communities to produce food for themselves through hard work and dedication,” President Hichilema said.
He added that the late king advocated for agriculture, food security, and improving people’s quality of life.
He also partnered with government to advance education, especially after the reintroduction of free education.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Mphezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has been put to rest with hundreds of mourners from walks of life turning to witness his burial at the resting place near his Ependukeni palace.
President Hakainde Hichilema attended his burial alongside other government dignitaries and Ngoni chiefs from Malawi, Tanzania, Eswatini and South Africa.
