Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata, says traditional ceremonies play an important role in preserving culture and promoting peace and unity.
Ms Mulyata says the government supports the improvement and preservation of culture and traditions which bring peace and harmony amongst the citizens at all levels of governance.
ZANIS reports that Ms Mulyata was speaking during the Dantho Traditional Ceremony of the Chikunda people in Luangwa District.
She stated that the government will continue working with traditional leaders to stimulate economic and rural development.
“We are committed to working with our traditional leaders to push the developmental agenda which in itself reflects our beliefs, hopes, traditions, culture and spirituality as members of one Zambian family,” she said.
Ms Mulyata also explained that the government is aware of the challenges the people of Luangwa are facing as a result of the drought, adding that measures have been put in place to mitigate the effects on people’s livelihoods.
“The government is aware of the many challenges faced by the people of Luangwa, Mphuka Chiefdom inclusive and is making every effort to address them,” she said.
She said some of the measures include the increased social cash transfers, distribution of relief maize and the cash for work exercise.
Ms Mulyata also highlighted some of the developmental projects being implemented by government in Mphuka Chiefdom.
She cited the construction of a community hall and semi-detached staff house at Kapoche, a foot bridge at Chiendiendi village and boys and girls dormitory at Kakaro Secondary School among others as some of the projects being implemented to uplift the livelihood of the people in the chiefdom.
And Chief Mphuka has thanked the government for the developmental projects being implemented in his chiefdom.
The traditional leader cited the provision of desks in schools, the social cash transfer scheme and the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) Project as some of the government’s programmes that have helped to improve the lives of the people in his chiefdom.
Meanwhile, the traditional leader has appealed to government to consider opening the Chakwenga Mine to help create employment for the youth in the district.
“I appeal to the government to consider the opening of Chakwenga Mine which will help create employment for the youth in the district,” he said.
The Chief also called on the government to introduce modern agricultural technologies in the district which he said will help the farmers to grow crops even during drought.
Chief Mphuka said this in a speech read on his behalf by his Ceremonial Secretary, Ziphani Phiri.
Luangwa establishment Chairperson, Ernest Nyamanzuzo, has commended Chief Mphuka for promoting girl child education, encouraging discipline and order, as well as encouraging good fishing methods for sustainable livelihood among the communities.
And Community Climate Solutions Chief Executive Officer, James Mwanza, said his organisation will soon implement a number of programmes aimed at improving the livelihood of the people in the Chiefdom.
Mr Mwanza cited cattle herding and Agro- forestry as some of the programmes his organisation plans to implement.
He added that the organisation is currently conducting a feeding programme in Kavalamanja, in which 310 children are beneficiaries.
“We have introduced a feeding programme in Kavalamanja benefiting 310 children in the area,” he stated.
The 2024 Dantho Traditional Ceremony was themed “Prosperity through Traditional Culture and Economic Development.”
