Politicised ceremonies worry Lungu
… “I will no longer attend traditional ceremonies”
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he has resolved to no longer attend traditional ceremonies because they are being politicised.
And Chief Chipepo of the Tonga people of Southern Province has called on Zambians to respect people in authority.
President Lungu noted that in the past, traditional ceremonies were uniting people but now they had become a source of disunity.
‘‘I am finding it difficult to attend traditional ceremonies because they are now dividing us. My failure to attend the Kulamba ceremony of the Chewa has raised a lot of issues because in January I attended Ncwala. They are now saying I am inclined to Ngonis when it was just last year that I attended the Kulamba,’’ President Lungu said.
President Lungu made the sentiments in direct response to Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya's request that he attends her traditional ceremony slated for this year.
Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya and four other traditional leaders, Chieftainesses Mwenda, Chiawa and chiefs Sikongo and Chipepo met President Lungu before he visited the Kafue Gorge Lower power hydro project yesterday.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya requested the President to attend her traditional ceremony.
"Your Excellency, I want to make a personal request, I have extended an invitation to you to attend my traditional ceremony," Chieftainess Nkomeshya said.
But, President Lungu indicated that he would no longer attend traditional ceremonies because they were causing confusion.
"Yes, I received that invitation but on Monday I told Cabinet that I will not attend traditional ceremonies because they have become tribal and politicised. If I send my Vice-President, they question. They say come 2021, PF will see. Ceremonies have now become PF or UPND.
And President Lungu said the Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power project would first benefit the local community.
The US$2 billion hydro power project by Sinohydro Corporation Limited is the biggest single investment in electricity generation in 50 years.
Chief Chipepo said leaders were chosen by God, therefore they deserve to be respected.