•THE newly-installed chief with his wife.
BY SYLVIA MWEETWA –
THE people of newly-created Luano District of Central Province had every reason to sing and dance in celebration of the installation of their new Chief Chikupili of the Swaka people.
This was after 53-years of waiting to have their new chief take up the throne following the death of the caretaker chief.
Both the old and the young turned up in large numbers to witness the installation of the new chief which was characterised by a display of traditional dances including the one from Southern Province which stole the lime of spear -wielding.
For others, the installation of Boyd Chomba 29 years old brought about a relief considering that previously, the chiefdom just had a caretaker chief but ended up in that position for 53 years until his death in 2013.
On February 25, 2014, President Michael Sata in Pursuant to the Chiefs Act, Chapter 287 of the Laws of Zambia issued a Statutory Instrument number 23 of 2014 in which he recognised Chomba as Chief Chikupili of the Swaka people.
June 28, 2014 would go down in the history of Luano and the country as a whole as it marked the day of coronation day of Mr Chomba as Chief Chikupili. It was on the same day that the Government, through Central Province Provincial Administration, handed over the instrument of powers and authority in the form of a date stamp and a flag, among other items, to the newly-installed chief.
Acting Central Province Permanent Secretary Ronald Sinyangwe who represented Central Province Obvious Mwaliteta emphasised that the selection of a chief was not its responsibility but that of the family and maintained that it has no plans of interfering with that process.
Mr Mwaliteta, however, said the Government would always insist on transparency in the selection process through the Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Ministry and maintained that the selection process would always remain the task of family members.
“From now onwards, you will be referred to as Chief Chikupili and your responsibility is to protect, care and provide for them. They are your people and you are their leader, ”he said.
He said the selection of the Chief Chikupili, which was wrangle-free, is a clear testimony that ascending to the throne could be peaceful if the family tree is properly followed which can be used as a guide in the process.
He challenged other chiefs to emulate the people of Chikupili for the peaceful manner it handled the selection process following the death of the care-taker chief who was on the throne for 53 years and that it was possible to avoid disputes if proper channels are followed.
“I want to pay tribute to the electoral college of the Swaka people in the manner they handled the selection process of the successor to the throne of Chief Chikupili and other royal highness on their contribution to see to it that peace prevails during and after the installation, ” he said.
He urged the newly-installed chief to embrace all people and uphold cultural values in line with its beliefs which is key to traditional rulership if he has to succeed in all areas of his life.
“As Government, we are happy that the selection process was peaceful, which is the way it should be and it is our hope that other chiefdoms can emulate the Swaka people who have shown the province and the nation as a whole that it was possible to select a chief without wrangles.
He assured the Swaka people that the Government was committed to partnering with chiefs who are key partners in developing the country and that its role is to ensure every Zambian benefits from the national cake of development.
“My Government deems it important to strengthen traditional leadership structures in order to bridge the gap between Government planning programmes, implementation and community involvement on the other hand, ’’ he said.
And Senior Chief Mboroma appealed to the newly-installed chief to embrace all tribes and always look up to God for guidance as he oversees his people.
He called on him to be humble and respect those who have put him on the throne and that his role is to unity everyone despite their colour, tribe or race which is key to the running of a chiefdom.
“This is your chief and you will no longer call him Boyd he is your chief and from now onwards, you should show him respect and to you our newly-installed chief, I wish to advise you to remain humble and embrace your people, ” he said.
He advised the chief to learn from him having been on the throne for more than 40 years to always seek counsel from others and should always be ready to listen to the people.
The traditional leader said the position of a chief calls for patience as well as rendering a heart to the people and that it would be the only way the area would be developed.
Earlier, a representative for the chief pledged its support to the government of the day but complained about poor road network, lack of drinking water and shortage of teachers and advised the Government to assist in addressing the challenges that they were facing.
And Sabata Dancing Group from Southern Province stole the limelight during the installation celebrations with their dance and display of spears much to the amazement of the people which was also attended by Chief Kanyesha, Chitina, Mukonchi, Chembe, Kalinde and Mulungwe.
It is clear that for any meaningful development to take place, there has to be concerted effort which is required by both the traditional leaders as well as those in Government which in turn can immensely contribute towards improving the credibility and integrity of its planning purposes.
It was for this reason that the Governemnt was encouraging the creation of a chiefdom and village development committees to assist in the planning of their respective chiefdom.
After all is said and done, indeed a new king is born in Chief Chikupili’s Kingdom and it is hoped that other chiefs will emulate the peace and stability which was upheld during the transition period.
