Maravi

Mpezeni tells govt to stop sponsoring traditional ceremonies if it has

Mpezeni tells govt to stop sponsoring traditional ceremonies if it has
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Monday August 04, 2008 [04:00]

PARAMOUNT chief of the Ngoni of Eastern Province Mpezeni has said the government should stop sponsoring traditional ceremonies if it has failed. And chief Madzimawe described government's suggestions of sponsoring one traditional ceremony per province as nonsense. Reacting to suggestions by the government that each province should consider holding one traditional ceremony, Mpezeni said the government should not dictate to traditional leaders on issues to do with ceremonies.

"I think on issues to do with our traditional ceremonies, let the government leave us because we help ourselves to host these ceremonies. Government only donates K2 million. Now can that assist in hosting the ceremony?" Mpezeni asked.

He said the government should know that each tribe in the country had its own way of holding a ceremony.

"Each tribe has its ceremony, like ours, Nc'wala. We started a long time ago and a lot of things have come our way. So I don't see the reason why we should be hosting it together with other ceremonies," Mpezeni said.

And chief Madzimawe, who sits on the Eastern Province Royal Foundation committee, said the idea of holding one ceremony per province was not workable.

He said if the government stopped sponsoring traditional ceremonies, opposition political parties would take centre stage.

"Government gives us a very small grant when hosting these ceremonies and its presence is good because it takes advantage of these ceremonies to explain developmental programmes. Now in the absence of government, the opposition will seize the opportunity to be in the forefront because they are aspiring to be in government," chief Madzimawe said.

He said the government should be advised properly on the matter as taking the proposed position would disadvantage them.

"This issue was said by President Levy Mwanawasa at Ukusefya pang'wena traditional ceremony of the Bemba people in Northern Province last year. Now I don't know why other people want to make it a policy. I think if this idea is implemented, then government will just be shooting itself in the leg," chief Madzimawe said.

Chief Madzimawe said the royal foundation would soon come up with its position on the matter.

Two weeks ago, the Eastern Province administration office organised a first-ever consultative meeting to discuss the matter with the royal foundation and another meeting would be held soon.

Labels: CEREMONIES, CHIEF MPEZENI, CHIEFS

posted by MrK @ 4:27 PM