Maravi

Magande advises cultural associations against tribalism

Magande advises cultural associations against tribalism
By Jack Zimba
Sunday July 27, 2008 [04:00]

FINANCE minister Ng'andu Magande (left) has warned that cultural associations should not be used to advance tribal politics. Speaking on Friday when he officiated at a fundraising dinner dance organised by the Likumbi Lya Mize Cultural Association at Sandy’s Creations, Magande said people who promoted tribal politics should go back to their villages and remain there.

"Each one of us must be proud of our culture, but let me warn that this does not mean that we should look down upon the cultures of other people, neither should we use cultural associations for tribal politics," he said.

Magande said during the struggle for independence, culture was used to mobilise people towards a common cause.
He said the diversity of the Zambian culture was the pride of every government since independence and that it had continued to hold the nation together in peace.

"It is therefore incumbent upon all of us that have been entrusted with the privilege of managing cultural affairs of the people that we do not only preserve these cultures, but that we use them to promote national unity," he said.

Magande hailed the Luvale people of North Western Province for putting Zambia on the world map through their culture.


"The proclamation of the Luvale culture as a masterpiece of oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has indeed put our nation on the world map," he said.
Magande also said by promoting different cultures, Zambia was developing a new product in tourism.

Magande noted that cultural tourism was more affordable to the majority of Zambians than eco-tourism.

And chairman of the fundraising committee, Marks Mbunji, announced that this year's Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony would be held from August 27 to 30.
He said the ceremony would also celebrate Makishi as a world heritage culture.

Labels: MAGANDE, TRIBALISM

posted by MrK @ 3:58 AM