•PRESIDENT-Elect Edgar Lungu (left) receives a present from United Church of Zambia Synod Bishop Sydney Sichilima and his wife Ruby during a reception service at St Andrews Congregation in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

By JAMES KUNDA –
PRESIDENT-ELECT Edgar Lungu has called for an end to tribalism and violence to restore sanity in Zambian politics as well as sustain peace and unity.
Mr Lungu said the current political playing field required cleansing to make it devoid of elements that had caused national divisions on account of tribalism, regionalism and violence.
“What is the cause of tribalism and violence in today’s politics? It is the politicians. This is the product of the current political process in Zambia and that is why I am asking the Church to raise sons and daughters who will bring the spirit of Christ to overcome this kind of politics,” Mr Lungu said.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the reception service for the election of Sydney Sichilima as Synod Bishop of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ).
The theme for the service, which was held at the UCZ St Andrews Congregation in Woodlands, was ‘Courageous and strategic leadership’.
Mr Lungu wondered why tribalism was a subject only in politics, while Zambians from different provinces never connected regionalism to other matters such as sport.
He said no individual should use violence and tribalism to satisfy their appetite for political power as such manoeuvres were inhumane and detrimental to society.
“Never have we connected tribalism to football. Maybe we should just banish politics! The negative post-election activities are only happening in some parts of the country which shows that such acts are politically-motivated by people with selfish motives and envy for State House,” Mr Lungu said.
He said people should embrace the spirit of Jesus Christ before embarking on a political career as by doing so, an individual was taught that there could only be one victor in a political contest.
Mr Lungu urged the Church to continue praying for peace as the country sought to uphold her status as ‘One Zambia One Nation’.
He said he was happy to be associated with the UCZ, which had more than 1,000 congregations countrywide.
He pledged to contribute towards the projects that the UCZ was undertaking to consolidate the country’s religious standing.
“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you Synod Bishop on your election and assure you that Government will not leave you alone, but will support you in all your endeavours,” he said.
Bishop Sichilima pledged to do his best in ensuring that the Church fulfilled its mandate of spreading God’s Word to the masses.
In a homily which was preceded by three Bible verses — Joshua 1:1-9, 1 Peter 5:1-7 and Mark 4:35-41 — UCZ general secretary Peggy Kabonde urged leaders to be brave in the face of moments challenging their leadership.
Mr Lungu was accompanied by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda and Patriotic Front members of Parliament Given Lubinda for Kabwata, Richard Musukwa (Chililabombwe), Bowman Lusambo (Kabushi) and Freedom Sikazwe (Mpulungu).
Former Chipili PF MP Davies Mwila and his counterpart for Kantanshi Yamfwa Mukanga were also in attendance.