RB mourns Chief Kabamba

President Rupiah Banda has said the country has been robbed of a humble, generous, social, approachable and accommodating leader in the death of His Royal Highness Chief Kabamba of the Lala people, who died after a short illness in Serenje at his palace on Saturday.

Conveying his message of condolences today during the burial ceremony in Serenje through Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr. Brian Chituwo, President Banda said his government was deeply touched by the loss of Chief Kabamba who stood for development not only in his chiefdom but also the nation as a whole.

He said the late chief whose names were Kunda Mwape Sayi was a humble, generous, social, approachable and accommodating person who exhibited rare attributes in his leadership which government would want surviving chiefs in the province and beyond to emulate in order to foster development in the country.

The President said the death of Chief Kabamba who died at the age of 69, was a loss not only to the royal family but also to the Royal Establishment in Serenje district.

He said Chief Kabamba’s death brings to five the number of chiefs to pass on in the province from December 2009 having lost Chiefs Shaibila, Muchinda, Chamuka and Chibuluma of Mkushi, Serenje, Chibombo and Mumbwa districts, respectively.

He added that the late chief would be remembered for the land he gave to Serenje District Council for the purpose of extending the district town boundary and that government would forever appreciate this rare gesture.

President Banda reminded mourners that the late chief has left behind a big family that requires the support of every person in the chiefdom and beyond, and further advised them to ensure that the widow and the dependants are accorded every comfort they may require as they pass through this dark moment of mourning.

He further appealed to the Kabamba Royal Establishment to maintain peace and ensure that they handle the transition period with calm and maturity so that succession wrangles are avoided as much as possible.

President Banda said government would be sad to hear of succession wrangles in the chiefdom because the late chief preached peace and respect for the institution of the chieftaincy.

Earlier, His Royal Highness Senior Chief Mboroma of the Lala people said he was deeply saddened at the loss of his friend and colleague Chief Kabamba.

Chief Mboroma said it was sad that Chief Kabamba died shortly after the district lost Senior Chief Muchinda who died in February 2010.

He said he personally knew the late chief as a hardworking, loyal and accommodating chief who ruled his subjects with love and solidarity.

The Senior Chief urged the people of Kabamba chiefdom to look to God and maintain peace by ensuring that they choose a wise leader who will continue with the legacy of Chief Kabamba.

And His Royal Highness Chief Chibale of the Lala people in Serenje has thanked government and all well-wishers who have offered support of any kind from the time of Chief Kabamba’s death to his burial.

Chief Chibale who is also a representative of the House of Chiefs for Central Province said he was however disappointed that as big as the late chief’s kingdom was many of his subjects did not attend his funeral.

He said it was embarrassing that the people of Chief Kabamba’s chiefdom shunned the funeral of a man who led them with wisdom and love throughout his 11 years of reign.

He appealed to the Kabamba Royal Establishment to be guided by the family tree in choosing the successor so as to avoid succession wrangles.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highnesses Chief Mailo and Chieftainess Serenje have called for peace in the Kabamba Chiefdom.

The duo said the subjects should ensure that peace continues to reign in the chiefdom during the mourning and the succession periods.

They said the people must reflect on the leadership skills of the late chief and seek God’s guidance during the succession period because leadership comes from God.

The late Chief Kabamba who was born on 13th November, 1941 ascended to the throne of chieftaincy on 13th November 1999 bringing his total reign to 11 years.

He is survived by a wife, eight children, 32 grandchildren, and three great grand children

[ ZANIS ]