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President Hakainde Hichilema has urged traditional leaders in the country to continue upholding the importance of culture and heritage by conducting traditional ceremonies.
Speaking at the Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony in Zambezi Region this year, President Hichilema said this was because the government viewed traditional ceremonies as a tool to promote peace and unity in the country.
He said it was for this reason that Government would continue to support all chiefs, cultural groups and traditional ceremonies across the country as peace and unity were catalysts not only for cultural development but also for economic and social development.
“Thank you to the Wakachiyama people for maintaining this cultural heritage that is recognized worldwide. I always remind our young people that no matter how educated you are, never forget where we come from. Culture and tradition are very important and they reflect our identity,” said President Hichilema.
The Head of State assured that the government is aware of the food shortages faced by some members of the population due to the drought experienced during the last agricultural season, adding that it has taken steps to mitigate the impact through the distribution of food.
He explained that the government also provides subsidies for food production and irrigation for aquaculture to encourage people to engage in off-season crop production to enhance household food security.
He said the move was to strengthen the government’s capacity to deal with the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural production, especially in areas with many water bodies such as the North West Province.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to undertake various infrastructure projects in the North West Province such as the construction of a university, a state-of-the-art hospital in the Zambezi Region, schools, roads and bridges.
“The government is aware that the drought has affected many people, which is why your president was one of the first to declare the drought a state of emergency in the region and has taken steps to feed our people,” he noted.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema expressed concern over disputes in some chiefdoms, adding that such actions were not conducive to development.
He advised traditional leaders to always resolve their differences amicably and not allow them to escalate to the top, stressing that government would not interfere in any succession dispute.
Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia Sam Waldock, who was also present at the ceremony, also reiterated the UK government’s support for Zambian culture and traditions for the benefit of future generations.
Mr Waldock stressed that the British Government established the British Council to demonstrate its commitment to culture and traditions as a means of promoting peace and unity.
He said the Zambia Commission would work with the government to support all cultural and heritage projects to help people understand their identity.
He also congratulated the Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony for being recognized as one of the cultural heritages by UNESCO.
Prime Minister of the Royal House of Luwale, Collins Sandara, has pledged the support of the Royal Institution for government’s efforts towards development across the country.
Mr. Sandara said that in a short period of time under the leadership of President Hichilema, the country had achieved unprecedented development and the living standards of the people had improved.
He cited the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), free education policy, recruitment of civil servants and achieving debt restructuring as some of the positive milestones in improving the welfare of people from diverse backgrounds.
“Your presence here as Head of State is historic and we are proud of the many campaign promises you have delivered in your three years as President. Programmes such as increasing the Community Development Fund to over K30 million, the Free Education Policy and the recruitment of a large number of civil servants are testament to the many good things you have done for the development of the country,” he said
Mr Sandara further called on government to consider creating another constituency called Zambezi Central to facilitate development, adding that the region was too big to have just two constituencies.
Zanis
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