Kazungula District- President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, says traditional ceremonies remain a vital pillar for promoting food security, strengthening community resilience, and fostering national unity, particularly within rural communities whose livelihoods are closely tied to agriculture and seasonal rainfall patterns.
The President said this in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, during the 2025 Chundu Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony of His Royal Highness Chief Sekute of the Leya-speaking people in Kazungula District.
President Hichilema noted that the Chundu Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony, which is traditionally held to pay homage to ancestors and to pray for favourable rainfall during the farming season, underscores the enduring role of traditional institutions in safeguarding livelihoods, promoting environmental stewardship, and sustaining community life.
He emphasized that development cannot be achieved in isolation from peace, unity, and cultural heritage, stating that culture remains the beacon of Zambiaโs identity and a firm foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.
The President further observed that the ceremony provides an important platform for traditional leaders to interact directly with their subjects, offering guidance and messages of hope, while reinforcing shared values, social cohesion, and collective responsibility within communities.
President Hichilema reaffirmed Governmentโs continued support to traditional leadership, noting that Government has attended and supported all traditional ceremonies held in Southern Province in 2025, in recognition of their role in promoting unity, peace, and cooperation which are essential for national development.
He also reiterated Governmentโs commitment to complementing cultural practices with tangible development interventions through decentralisation and increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, which have enabled the delivery of education, health, and infrastructure projects within the Sekute Chiefdom.
The President assured traditional leaders of Governmentโs unwavering support, stating that traditional ceremonies will continue to be upheld for their role in preserving Zambiaโs cultural heritage and strengthening community cohesion.
