VICE-President George Kunda has assured that the MMD government will continue to give due respect to traditional leaders in Zambia.
He said institutional chieftainship is part of the cultural heritage which Government will continue to safeguard and preserve.
Mr Kunda was speaking during the Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people at Mutenguleni in Chipata yesterday.
“As Government, we value the role that chiefs and other traditional rulers play in safeguarding our cultural heritage, customs and values. It is these cultural norms and practices which define our identity as a people,” he said.
Mr Kunda said the Nc’wala ceremony plays an important role in preserving the country’s heritage and identity.
“The ceremony offers an opportunity for all of us to appreciate the values, origins and the way of life of our people. Cultural events such as this one are also occasions for teaching our children and youths about our traditions,” he said.
Mr Kunda observed that languages and oral traditions are under threat because parents are failing to teach them to their children, especially in light of new technologies such as television and the internet.
“As parents, we must ensure that television, the internet and other media teach our children our traditions, culture and heritage. If we fail to do so, we may be producing a nation of alienated citizens,” he said.
Mr Kunda said Government is ready to support efforts aimed at strengthening avenues that grow the economy and help to reduce poverty and suffering among the people.
He said Government is determined to work with traditional leaders and the people in addressing the economic and social challenges that they face.
Mr Kunda said small-scale farmers will continue to benefit from Government fertiliser subsidies and improved agricultural extension services.
He said Government recognises that the agricultural sector offers the greatest opportunity for improving food security, employment and increased earnings, especially for people in rural areas.
Mr Kunda said it is one of the key sectors through which Government will diversify the economy.
He said the Minister of Community Development and Social Services has embarked on the implementation of a food security programme in the province.
He said the programme will further help reduce poverty.
Mr Kunda said the Food Reserve Agency will this year continue to play a role in the marketing of agricultural produce.
Mr Kunda, however, said the marketing of agricultural produce will continue to be streamlined so as to bring the market closer to the small-scale farmers.
Mr Kunda said he was pleased that maize and other crops in Eastern Province are growing well.
“If this weather continues up to mid-March, the province is expected to have a bumper harvest,” he said.
Mr Kunda also said the government will develop the livestock and fisheries sector because there is potential for the country to export beef and fish products.
He said Government will continue to promote increased access to hydro-power in Eastern Province under the Rural Electrification Programme because energy is an important catalyst and incentive for promoting socio-economic activities in rural areas.
Mr Kunda said Government will also continue with the facilitation of art and cultural activities so that tradition and customs continue to flourish.
He said Government has started working on feeder and township roads using the earth-moving equipment acquired from China.
He said the Chipata-Mchinji railway line is complete and will soon be commissioned.
Mr Kunda said Government is committed to the development of road infrastructure not only in Eastern Province but countrywide.
He said Government is also building high schools, basic schools, health centres, hospitals and support infrastructure for tourism and agriculture countrywide.
Meanwhile, Mr Kunda has said Government will soon open more farm blocks in Eastern Province to boost the agricultural sector.
Mr Kunda said this yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people at Laweni traditional dormitory in Kampala village in Mutenguleni.
This was shortly before the N’cwala ceremony of the Ngoni people.
Mr Kunda said he is happy with the number of development projects taking place in the province.
“Eastern Province is an agro-based province and one of the fastest-growing provinces in Zambia,” he said.
He said Government is happy with the opening of ginneries in the province.
Mr Kunda said Zambia’s economy is bright under the leadership of President Banda.
He also said traditional ceremonies play an important role in unifying the country.
“I am happy that both former presidents are attending the N’cwala ceremony,” he said.
The Vice-President was accompanied by Community Development and Social Services Minister Michael Kaingu and his Home Affairs counterpart Lameck Mangani.
Former presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba also separately paid courtesy calls on the chief.
