President Hakainde Hichilema was the guest of honor at the Kulamba Traditional Ceremony of the Chewa people, held at Mkaika Palace in Katete District. The event, hosted by His Majesty Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi, saw an unprecedented gathering of the Chewa people from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, in a powerful display of unity and shared cultural heritage.
This year’s ceremony, which attracted the largest crowd in its history, underscored the importance of unity and stability in achieving societal progress. The event celebrated the deep cultural bonds among the Chewa people, emphasizing the significance of collective strength in addressing communal challenges.
The ceremony’s theme, “Ensuring Food Security by Adopting Climate Resilient and Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices,” resonated with the Government’s current focus on food security. President Hichilema highlighted the critical importance of this theme, particularly in light of the recent challenges faced by the nation, including drought, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an outbreak of cholera that has strained resources vital for essential social services.
“In response to these challenges, we will ensure the provision of food for our citizens through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and the Food Reserve Agency (FRA),” President Hichilema stated. He further stressed the need to build resilience by embracing innovations in water harvesting, precision irrigation, and the adoption of alternative energy sources such as solar power and clean coal.
President Hichilema also assured the gathering that the Government would carefully review the submissions made by His Majesty Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi concerning the development needs of the Chewa people and the broader Eastern Province. He pledged to take necessary actions to address these needs, reinforcing his commitment to the welfare and progress of all Zambians.
The Kulamba Traditional Ceremony continues to serve as a vital platform for fostering unity among the Chewa people and strengthening the ties between the three neighboring countries. President Hichilema’s presence and his call for sustainable agricultural practices reflect the Government’s dedication to addressing food security challenges and promoting long-term development across Zambia.
How many traditional ceremonies has Bally
Attended in the last three months?
All of them and still counting except the two where he seems not to like the chiefs of these areas.
He has even taken over the speeches that should be made by the chiefs. Who wants to hear government bwata bwatting at every cultural ceremony?
Wish he would visit my area as it would be so nice to have 24 hour ZESCO for a couple of days
Ni ma voti olo ni chani, kansi? The Minister of Culture should be going to these manifestations instead of HH with his entire entourage! Zambians are footing the bill for these shenanigans, please!?!
Traditional ceremony…with changing culture. King’s scouts in musks. Very good.
I’m Tumbuka and the Chewa are our cousins.But culture not withstanding,we have more pressing issues…food insecurity, poverty ,poor housing and lack of jobs for our youths.Let’s focus on that more.
The ceremony served as a prime venue for the President to articulate a vision that encompasses the economic significance of the Chewa region. By addressing the audience on how the local industry and community efforts directly impact the nation’s budget, the government could have reinforced its commitment to transparency and accountability. The choice to focus on promises rather than substantive discussion on economic contributions and regional development signifies a disconnect between governmental intentions and the expectations of the people.
This event was not just a cultural gathering; it was a pivotal moment that could have emphasized the government’s dedication to fostering a relationship grounded in mutual understanding and shared goals. The failure to seize this chance to connect with the people on critical issues is a missed opportunity that could have reinforced public trust and demonstrated a genuine commitment to the welfare of all Zambians.
The failure to seize this chance to connect with the people on critical issues is a missed opportunity that could have reinforced public trust and demonstrated a genuine commitment to the welfare of all Zambians.
One thing his advisors should tell him is that he should stop promising things off the cuff….let his ADC jot down the requests coming from the people and when back home in Lusaka consult experts who will advise. He’s continued promising as he goes around attending traditional ceremonies and commissioning things.