CHIEF Chikanta welcomes First Lady Christine Kaseba when she paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday. – Picture by THOMAS NSAMA.
By STEVEN MVULA in Kalomo
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba says President Sata is passionate about involving chiefs in national development because they are key partners.
And Dr Kaseba has urged Zambians to enhance partnerships that go beyond political affiliation.
“We need to forge partnerships that will cement our love, unity and freedom as a nation,” Dr Kaseba said here yesterday when she paid a courtesy call on Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district.
The First Lady was in Kalomo to launch a pilot training project to train traditional leaders on gender-based violence (GBV).
“The President’s stance on working with chiefs is very clear. Chiefs are key partners in development and social change,” Dr Kaseba said.
She said government alone cannot take development to the people without the involvement of chiefs.
The First Lady described Chief Chikanta as a “progressive and positive leader”.
Dr Kaseba was accompanied by the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkandu Luo, her deputy Susan Kawandami and Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe.
And Chief Chikanta disclosed that his chiefdom will construct a cervical cancer centre to be named after Dr Kaseba.
“We will construct a centre of excellence to be named after you as a way of honouring your work on cervical cancer,” Chief Chikanta said.
He is grateful that both President Sata and the First Lady as well as Vice-President Guy Scott have visited his chiefdom.
Meanwhile, scores of people turned up at Chief Chikanta’s Chungu palace where Dr Kaseba launched the pilot project on GBV.
Dr Kaseba told the crowd that GBV was a gross violation of human rights and must come to an end.
She said the training of traditional leaders is meant to sensitise people on the evils of GBV.
“Cry no more for help is at hand. We cannot afford to hide our heads in the sand. We have the Act in place,” Dr Kaseba said.
Also present were chiefs Simwatachela, Singani, Muchila and Mukobela.
111 total views, 67 views today