Maravi

Munkombwe urges Tongas to change 'isolationist attitudes'

Munkombwe urges Tongas to change 'isolationist attitudes'
By Mutale Kapekele in Livingstone
Friday April 04, 2008 [04:00]

SOUTHERN Province minister Daniel Munko-mbwe has called on the Tonga Traditional Association (TTA) to change the ‘isolationist attitudes’ of Tongas in the province. And National Constitution Conference (NCC) vice chairperson Leonard Hikaumba has said the biggest challenge the conference faces was reaching consensus on issues.

Speaking when Hikaumba and TTA president Dickson Namwanza paid a courtesy call on him yesterday, Munkombwe said there was need to change the nature of Tongas in the province.

“Help us to unlock the isolative nature of our people in the province,” Munkombwe said. “Isolation is retrogressive to development. I am glad that I have been given total commitment by all the members of parliament in the province.”

Munkombwe said he would work with anyone who recognised the government in the province.

“I am the government here and anyone who wants development should come through me just like you have to go through Jesus to get to God,” he said. “I am not comparing myself to Jesus; I just want to illustrate a point. For instance here in Livingstone I will use Sakwiba Sikota for developmental programs, he will have to cooperate with me because I am the government.”

Munkombwe also said leaders who wanted recognition must show love and commitment and described Hikaumba as one such leader.

“You (Hikaumba) fight with charm and love. You don’t grab people by the neck when bargaining and that has made you a great young man,” he said. “Some trade union leaders have become extremists and can’t get anything for their members. If one is not lovable as a leader then they are part of chaff.”

And Hikaumba said the diverse nature of the NCC composition would make it difficult for delegates to reach consensus on various issues.

“We have 492 members at the moment and all of these have unique backgrounds and the biggest challenge we will face is reaching consensus at every point of the conference,” he said.

Hikaumba also said opposers of the NCC were misleading the nation when they said that some sections of the Constitution would not be reviewed.

“There has been talk that the bill of rights will not be changed, some people even stayed away from the NCC for that reason but I can assure you that no part of the constitution will be over looked,” he said.

Hikaumba is on a tour of the Southern Province to sensitise people on the NCC and its progress so far. The NCC resumes sittings on the 22nd of this month.

Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, LEONARD HIKAUMBA, SEPARATISM, TONGA TRADITIONAL ASSOCIATION, TRIBALISM

posted by MrK @ 9:58 AM