• PARAMOUNT Chief Chitimukulu designate, Henry Kanyanta Sosala of the Bemba people hands over the Tribal Cousins Golf trophy to Ngoni chairperson, Charles Mwanza (left) as his Bemba rival, Kangwa Mukwikile (right) looks on at Ndola Golf Club on Thursday evening. Picture by FELIX MALUNGA

By FELIX MALUNGA at Ndola Golf Club –

ON a historic day when Paramount Chief Chitimukulu designate, Henry Kanyanta Sosala graced the annual Tribal Cousins Golf Championship for the first time, the Ngonis showed no mercy by stunning the 14-time winners, Bembas in front of their traditional leader on Thursday.

With some afternoon drizzles making the Ndola Golf course even more challenging, the Ngonis somehow found their rhythm for the first time in over seven years and outclassed the ‘boastful’ Bembas, who shockingly offered little resistance on the day.

It was the third time that the Ngoni were claiming the Tribal Cousins Golf Championship in 15 years.

The Ngonis led by their chairperson, Charles Mwanza posted a runaway 403 points against 370 for Kangwa Mukwikile’s Bembas, who in the build-up to this annual event staged on New Year’s Day had promised of routine victory over their tribal cousins.

But on the day of reckoning, the Bemba’s top two players, Rabson Kopalande and youthful Kwame Musonda managed 33 points apiece while Raphael Phiri and Mwanza fired 37 and 36 points respectively.

Completing the Ngoni’s best five players were Stanley Tembo on 35 points with Osward Phiri and Miliase Siame scoring 31 points each.

Boto Chongo had 32 points with Augustine Tukombe and Nkrumah Musonda completing the Bemba’s top five golfers on 31 points apiece.

After being handed the trophy by the Paramount Chief for the Bembas, an ecstatic Mwanza said: “It’s an honour in this jubilee period to receive the trophy from the owner of the Bembas. We are starting the jubilee in style with Paramount Chief Chitimukulu officiating for the first time. Bembas will never accept defeat but we will meet again next year.”

Mwanza promised that their traditional leader, Paramount Chief Mpezeni and another special guest from South Africa would join Chitimukulu at next year’s tournament.

Mukwikile conceded defeat and promised get back the trophy next year.

“We accept defeat. Let the trophy go but next year, you (Ngoni) know what we’re made off,” the Bemba chairperson said.

Mukwikile, however, said he was glad that the annual tournament had now gained a national outlook over the years.

Chitimukulu sent the crowd into ripples when he said he had directed his subjects (Bembas) to play diplomatically because the Ngoni had been losing for a long time.

The traditional leader thanked the organising committee for inviting him to grace the tournament, saying the two tribal groupings whom he referred to as ‘fugitives’ had a lot in common.

“A law of generation says we are linked from the genes of our ancestors. The Ngonis ran away from authority while the Bembas also ran away from authorities. These fugitives have something in common. Mind you I played golf some 30 years ago and today I told my colleagues to play diplomatic because our Ngoni colleagues have been losing for a long time.

“A lot of Ngonis died in the mountains also as they fled from the fierce Bembas. So the Ngonis will remain underdogs,” the Bemba king said.

To ensure that all tribes were cartered for this year, the organisers also put up the ‘Peace-makers’ category where Zambia Golf Union treasurer, Humphrey Mutambo triumphed on 38 points, six clear of the chasing pack of Chileshe Mwaba, Lynette Simuchimba and Jason Taylor while Mary Sakala had 30 points.

There were also 22 other individual prizes with Esther Yambayamba emerging winner on 32 points, two better than Alpesh Desai and four others.

Desai got the runners-up spot after winning a five-way countback over Serge Kabaso, Hamson Mofya, Jackson Ngulube and Godfrey Mbawala.

Sports Council of Zambia vice-chairperson, Emmanuel Katebe was seventh on 29 points, getting the notch ahead of Julie Sakala and Arnold Mutale after winning a three-way countback.

Sundie Munthali was 10th after a countback following a tie with others on 28 points.

In subsidiary prizes, Patrick Biemba was the nearest to the pin on the 17th hole with Nelly Sakala claiming the accolade for the ladies.

Rose Katebe had the longest drive for the ladies on the 18th while Taylor shot the longest for the men.