CHIEFS ADVISED TO PROMOTE INTER - MARRIAGES

TRADITIONAL leaders should promote inter-marriages among young people as a way of encouraging unity in the country, North western Province Permanent Secretary Ephraim Mateyo has suggested Mr Mateyo says promoting inter-marriages would help bridge tribal differences and strengthen the “One Zambia One Nation” unitary slogan. And Mr Mateyo has said traditional leaders have potential to contribute to sustainable peace and national unity due to their influence on their subMects He said traditional leaders have a key role to play in ensuring peace and unity prevails in the country. He said traditional leaders should use this influence to foster peace and positive change not only in their chiefdoms but the country at large. Mr Mateyo was speaking during this year’s Ukupupa traditional ceremony of the Lamba-speaking people of Senior Chief Kalilele in Mushindamo. “As chiefs you are custodians of the people, land and many other things. You should therefore continue with the spirit of working together to maintain peace,” Mr Mateyo said. He disclosed that Government will continue paying attention to matters affecting chiefdoms the country. He also appealed to the subjects to take keen interest in the education of the girl-child and also creating a platform that values local culture and traditions through promoting dialogue among adolescents, young people and adults so that barriers are broken for effective access to HIV and sexual reproductive health information as well as knowledge. Earlier, Ukupupa traditional ceremony organising committee chairperson Mathews Muke commended government for embarking on various infrastructure development projects in the chiefdom.