Maravi

Saasa warns politicians against using Kuomboka ceremony for campaigns

Saasa warns politicians against using Kuomboka ceremony for campaigns
By Florence Bupe
Tue 06 Apr. 2010, 04:01 CAT

LUSAKA Province Kuomboka organising committee chairperson Professor Oliver Saasa has cautioned politicians against using the forthcoming Kuomboka Ceremony as a podium for campaigns.

And MTN Zambia has donated K175 million towards this year's Kuomboka Ceremony, which will take place on April 17. During a press briefing yesterday, Prof Saasa said the Kuomboka Ceremony was a crowd-puller, but it should not be used to promote political agenda.

“The Kuomboka Ceremony is a crowd-puller and politicians may want to use it to gain popularity. However, this is a national event which is political party neutral and should not be used as a ground for campaigns,” he said.

Prof Saasa urged those intending to attend this year's ceremony not to show their political inclination by wearing political party branded gear.

He announced that the ceremony would be graced by President Rupiah Banda.

Prof Saasa also emphasised the importance of culture and the need for the corporate world to support cultural preservation.

“A country without culture is a country that is dead. Culture is very important and there is need for stakeholders such as the corporate world to promote activities aimed at preserving our culture,” he said.

Prof Saasa further announced the cancellation of the Lozi Day, an annual event aimed at fundraising for the Kuomboka Ceremony, due to recent bereavements in the Barotse Royal establishment.

“We recently lost a chief who is being put to rest today yesterday and chief Inyambo Yeta also lost his close relatives, so we have cancelled any event of celebratory nature,” said Prof Saasa.

And MTN Zambia pledged its continued support to cultural preservation in the country.

Company brand and sponsorship manager Sally Namutowe said MTN Zambia was committed to empowering Zambians though ploughing back into the community.

“MTN Zambia will continue to give back to the communities from a corporate social responsibility perspective,” said Namutowe.

Labels: CEREMONIES, OLIVER SAASA

posted by MrK @ 4:03 AM