Maravi

Recognise me as paramount, chief Monze urges government

Recognise me as paramount, chief Monze urges government
By Cynthia Phiri in Monze
Wed 04 July 2012, 13:23 CAT

CHIEF Monze has appealed to President Michael Sata to recognise him as paramount chief of the Tonga people of Southern Province.

Speaking on Monday during this year's Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony in Monze, the traditional leader said it was disappointing that past successive governments had failed to recognise him as paramount chief for no apparent reason.

He told chiefs and traditional affairs deputy minister Susan Kawandami who represented the government at the ceremony that all the chiefs in the province wanted him to be recognised as paramount chief.

The traditional leader said previous governments had assured him of giving him the status of paramount chief of the Tonga people but nothing had come to fruition

Chief Monze said it was ironical that while all the chiefs in the province had given him this recognition, the Zambian government was indifferent and still regarded him as an ordinary chief.

"Whether somebody likes it or not, I am paramount chief of the Tonga-speaking people," he told the gathering that included chiefs Chikanta, Ufwenuka, Hamusonde, Chona, Liteta and Nalubamba. "This is why I am now asking our able President Michael Sata to grant me this recognition and I am sure he will do that."

Chief Monze said past governments had failed the Tonga people by refusing to respect their wishes to have him installed paramount chief.

The present chief Magunza Monze is said to have descended from a long line dating back to the 17th Century and assumed the throne in 1990.

He said as a spiritual and cultural leader, he wields considerable influence and commands the respect of a wider community in the province.

And chairperson for the Lwiindi Gonde Traditional Ceremony Patrick Mweemba asked Kawandami to remind the government to provide the K100 million the previous MMD government had promised the organising committee in 2011.

Mweemba said the funds were meant for the construction of a permanent structure at the Gonde main arena.

"We have been waiting since our last year's Lwiindi Gonde ceremony," he said.

He also requested the government to begin sending officers from the chiefs and traditional affairs ministry to help in the preparations for the ceremony.

"The current situation is that we only see these officers on the actual day of the ceremony," he said.

Mweemba said the move by the government to establish a ministry to handle chiefs and traditional affairs was a step in the right direction.
"We applaud the PF government for this move," he said.

Each year, the chief leads his community in the annual Lwiindi ceremony traditionally held to give thanks for the first harvest of the year.

This year's ceremony was devoid of politics as most politicians including the ceremony patron Hakainde Hichilema did not attend.

Labels: CHIEFS, MICHAEL SATA, SOUTHERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 4:01 PM