Sat, 14 Oct 2017 10:14:17 +0000
OH not again.
By now we would have thought that the chiefs in the Southern Province would have come to their senses, but nay, it appears we could have been expecting too much.
They have just demonstrated that they do not want to have anything to do with the government of the day.
What makes their behaviour so pathetic is that their actions are not based on principles but wholesome partisanship.
For the third time in the space of just a month, some other chiefs have not invited any government official to attend a traditional ceremony.
They have opted to give the dubious distinction “guest of honour” to an opposition figure, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, president of the United Party for National Development.
It is a trend that was started by Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya in Kazungula at the Bena Mukuni traditional ceremony. He had former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa as guest of honour though the real guest was Mr Hichilema.
The UPND leader used that platform to denounce the government of President Edgar Lungu.
No sooner had the dust settled than we had the Tonga traditional leader Chief Monze also demanding that he did not want any government representation at the Lwindi traditional ceremony, “fearing violence.”
This time round, it is Chief Bright Nalubamba and Chief Mukobela of the Ila speaking people in Namwala. who have instead invited Mr Hichilema as guest of honour.
It is a fact that the UPND is deeply entrenched in Southern Province where Mr Hichilema hails from.
The traditional leadership cannot convince the nation that they are not being tribal by having him as their “honoured” guest.
What is of concern to us is that the traditional leadership in that part of the country is failing to distinguish between tribal partisan sentiments and national interests.
But even if the chiefs do not have that intellect to distinguish between the tribal and national politics, we would expect Mr Hichilema to use his influence and advise them that they are treading a wrong path.
He could for once behave as a statesman and refuse to attend in the national interest. Unfortunately, that would be asking for too much from Mr Hichilema.
He can’t miss the chunks of roasted beef that would be served and be part of that “make believe” world or is it circus?
