Maravi

Minister implores chiefs to help govt preserve culture

Minister implores chiefs to help govt preserve culture
By Justin Katilungu in Mumbwa
Mon 02 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT

CENTRAL Province minister Ackimson Banda has appealed to chiefs to work with the government in ensuring that Zambia’s cultural heritage is properly nurtured and preserved.

During the Ikubi Lya Malumbe traditional ceremony of the Kaonde-Ila people of chief Chibuluma in Mumbwa district on Saturday, Banda said that culture enabled people to become aware of their values, customs and beliefs. He said the government would continue to support traditional ceremonies in Zambia, as they were cardinal in nurturing history for the future generation.

"Culture is a treasure, a source of strength and unity. It is culture that enables us to become aware of our values, customs and beliefs," he said.

Banda challenged traditional leaders to continue playing their advisory role to the government on national issues.

"It is the vision of our government to see to it that traditional rulers continue to play their customary role of counselling state leaders and their subjects on matters of importance to the chiefdom and the nation at large," he said.

Banda cautioned chiefs to discourage their people from engaging in dangerous life styles that would fuel the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Banda said chiefs should ban cultural practices such as cleansing and inheritance of widows in their chiefdoms to control the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Banda said while the government was doing its best to give relief to victims and sufferers of HIV and AIDS, every Zambian had a responsibility to fight the disease.
Speaking earlier, headman Frank Mwanashendu appealed to the government to erect a high school to enhance education.

"There are problems affecting the education sector in this chiefdoms, we do not have funds to build our approved high school and I am therefore appealing to the government to assist us erect the school," said headman Mwanashendu.

He said that basic schools in the chiefdom lacked teachers and the government should send more to the area to ease the shortage.

Labels: ACKIMSON BANDA, CHIEFS

posted by MrK @ 6:17 AM