Maravi

Resolve problems with dignity

Resolve problems with dignity
By Editor
Friday June 20, 2008 [04:00]

The Swahili people say that the hoes that dig together often knock each other just like people who live or work together sometimes quarrel. But whenever differences occur, there is need for level headedness because it is said that anger is death. Anger can lead to disastrous situations. That is why it is important for one to keep anger under control whenever provoked by any situation because in time, tempers cool down. In time a heated argument eventually subsides.

And whenever one decides to speak under whatever circumstances, it is better to remember that words resemble bullets, if they escape, one cannot retrieve them. Words are not easily retracted. Words can hurt, words can build, words can destroy just as they can console.

We are saying this in the context of the apology tendered yesterday by senior chief Shakumbila of the Sala people to chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli people, among others, following his derogatory language against her. It is good that chief Shakumbila took the first step in apologising without being prompted.

Like we stated the other day, traditional leaders are no ordinary citizens in our society. They are highly respected and are held in very high esteem; they are revered. Therefore, traditional leaders are supposed to be role models or exemplary in every aspect of life.

That is why more is expected from them when differences among them occur. It is for this reason that we advised chief Shakumbila and chieftainess Nkomeshya, together with others embroiled in similar disputes, to resolve these problems with the decorum befitting their status.

It was shocking that chief Shakumbila intentionally resorted to insulting his fellow traditional leader. We say intentionally because chief Shakumbila insisted that chieftainess Nkomeshya must be informed that he had insulted her and that she should be told the insults that he pronounced against her.

This is regrettable because this conduct from his royal highness had nothing to benefit the young generation and all those who look up to traditional leaders for guidance in times of disputes or problems. If this is the calibre of our traditional leaders, then we are lost as a nation.

For all we know, traditional leaders are supposed to be useful tools for promoting unity and peace in our communities and the country in general. But if such leaders begin to insult each other like children, we do not know where we are going as a nation.

We need peace in the country; we need peace in our communities and we need peace everywhere. It is said that peace fattens more than food. Peace is more beneficial than food. When there is peace, the people are at ease.

Without doubt, there is no peace between the Salas and Solis because their leaders are quarreling. But there is no problem that is insurmountable. What is required is tact in resolving problems. Parties to a dispute must always know that there is a tactful or correct way to handle things just like the hand is for what is cold and the spoon for what is hot. They should know what to avoid in resolving disputes and what to touch.

We now hope that chief Shakumbila, chieftainess Nkomeshya and the government will use tact in resolving this land dispute between our royal highnesses. We hope that each party has learnt valuable lessons from the activities of the past week on this matter.

We also hope that all those who were offended by chief Shakumbila’s remarks or indeed chieftainess Nkomeshya will find favour in forgiving them as they labour to find a way forward. It is good that chief Shakumbila has quickly realised the tension his derogatory statements could have caused between the two peoples and indeed the country in general. His apology is, therefore, timely and should be welcomed by all well-meaning and peace loving people.

We reiterate that there is every need for the government to immediately take positive steps to intervene in this land dispute in order to ensure that the problem is amicably resolved. In the meantime, we hope that chief Shakumbila’s people will heed his plea for them not to raise those arrows and spears in defence of their alleged land.

There is no need to shed blood over this problem. Life is too precious and sacred to be lost over land or indeed any other cause. The Salas and Solis are one people. They should learn to resolve their problems or differences with dignity.

Labels: CHIEFS

posted by MrK @ 4:25 AM