*CHIEFS NEGLECTED, WE’LL PRAY ‘STRONGLY’ M’MEMBE WINS – SIKONGO CHIEF*

Sikongo, Sunday (April 7, 2024)
MEDIA STATEMENT 

Chief Namakaya of Sikongo District in Western Province says chiefs have been neglected. 

The Traditional Leader said the neglect is evident as could be seen by the furniture at his Palace. 

Chief Namakaya said things have deteriorated to an extent that he even has cracks on his feet, which he said is tantamount to a common villager.

The Traditional Leader said he will pray strongly that Socialist Party (SP) President Fred M’membe goes through to become President of Zambia in order to restore the dignity of chiefs.

This came to light when SP President Fred M’membe paid a courtesy call on him.  

“In my entire life, I have never seen a president visit me officially in my palace but today you have come to visit; I hope you are going to perform efficiently. To me, your visit is more like a miracle. With what has happened, I pray you perform nicely. Previously, chiefs were being paid and were well taken care of but right now, they have literary become like villagers. Even if you look at my feet, you can tell that we aren’t living well, we aren’t honoured as chiefs. We are literary neglected,” he said.

“We always wish that the those who want to rule us should look at our plight. If you look at the chairs you are seated on; these aren’t chairs that a chief should have. But all those who rule don’t consider our plight, this is my misfortune. So, I’m grateful to you because you are still contesting to stand and I’m sure we are going to unity. As time goes, we are going to see how you will perform. I’m wishing you all the best luck from God that he should be with you and you go through,” he said. 

Meanwhile, SP President Fred M’membe says changing of government without changing the way to govern will not build the country.  

“If you our chiefs fail to rule your lands, you think a politician on his own can manage? No, he will fail, even though he has a good heart, he will fail. Let’s start afresh, we need to change not only changing a regime no, what is important is to change the way of governing,” he said.

“If you change the government only and not the way of governing, we won’t go anywhere. Even me if you decide to vote for me in 2026 and if I don’t work with me, then there is nothing that can be done. We haven’t come to lie to you that we will have the power to change the way you are living, changing the way you live is in your hands,” he said. 

Dr. M’membe further urged the chief to learn the art of not being too over dependent on government in order for their lives to be better.

“My elder, we are grateful for welcoming us. Everything you have said has touched our hearts. The aim of our visit is to look into the concerns you have raised. You have been lied to for a long time, today someone will come and lie to you, you with be them.  Tomorrow another one will come to lie to you, you will be with them and again someone will come, lie to you and you will be with,” said Dr M’membe. 

“But when it’s time for them to work for you, they run away. Again when another comes, they run away. Will you send another one again? No, it’s to go there on our own and do what must be done. You are our chiefs who were ruling this land before whites come,” he said. 

This is contained in a statement issued by SP Director Media Brian Hapunda.