MPEZENI counsels politicians
By Brian Mwale
Paramount Chief MPEZENI of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has counselled politicians to uphold the desire and dream of Zambia’s founding fathers.
The Paramount Chief has advised politicians to uphold the love, peace and unity of the nation and not allow politics to divide them.
He says Zambians should always remember to remain united as a people if they are to develop individually and collectively.
The traditional leader says he is always saddened when he sees divisions and hurt among politicians whom he advised to be slow to anger, learn to reconcile and move in the spirit of One Zambia, One Nation.
The Ngoni traditional leader says he has offered advice and counsel to politicians the last 40 years he has been on the throne serving all seven Presidents.
He also called for the renaming of the Great East Road which extends from Lusaka all the way to Malawi to Umodzi Highway to show the desire of love and unity.
In a speech read for him by Nc’wala Organising Committee Chairman BETSY NKHOMA, Paramount Chief MPEZENI also urged Ngonis to pursue education as it is an equaliser for all.
He urged parents to stop sending their children into early marriages as a source of income.
Paramount Chief MPEZENI also urged Ngonis to resume the restocking of the Angoni breed which was lost to Colonialists.
He said this year’s Nc’wala is special as it marks his 40 year reign and 41 years of the resumption of the ceremony which had been banned by colonial masters.
And President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA congratulated Paramount Chief MPEZENI for clocking 40 years on the throne.
President HICHILEMA said government always treasures the Ngoni leader’s wise counsel.
He said this in a message delivered to the gathering by Nc’wala Organising Committee Chairman General JOSHUA JERE.
Meanwhile, Local Government and Rural Development Minister GARY NKOMBO said he will raise the call for renaming the Great East Road at the next Cabinet meeting.
He said government agrees that Umodzi means a lot to the nation.
Mr. NKOMBO added that government agrees with Chief MPEZENI on education being a key to success and the fight against early marriages.
And South Africa’s Zulu King ZWELETINI in a speech read for him by Former Zambia’s Ambassador to Australia GEORGE ZULU said Ngonis should reflect deeply on their origins as Zulus during this year’s Nc’wala ceremony.
The King also called for more strengthened ties between the Zulus and Ngonis.
And Zambezi Seed Chief Executive Officer KELVIN HAMBWEZYA appealed to government to broaden FISP and include Sorghum, millet and rice with new varieties being developed by his company.
Mr. HAMBWEZYA who is also FRA Board Chairperson, further expressed concern on the rampant smuggling of maize supplied by the Agency to neighbouring countries.
He urged the security wings to tighten border controls as the maize is being supplied by the FRA at a lower price.
This year’s Nc’wala ceremony has been celebrated under the theme “40 years of Peace, Love and Unity.”
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