Dr Munyumbwe chides tyrant leaders
By Staff Reporter
Seventh Day Adventist Southern Zambia Union Conference president Dr Vanny Munyumbwe says Zambians are against tyrant leaders.
And United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema called for the befitting celebration of Senior Chief Nalubamba’s life.
In his eulogy for Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba who was buried at his palace in Mbeza, Namwala district on Wednesday afternoon, Dr Munyumbwe also acknowledged Dr Fred M’membe’s description of the void left by the traditional leader.
“With the departure of Bright Nalubamba, what is there for us? What does the future hold for us? We look for a country where a Zambian can go to court and get a free trial,” Dr Munyumbwe said.
Dr M’membe last week said the death of Senior Chief Nalubamba had left a vacuum in the leadership of the country.
Dr Munyumbwe described Senior Chief Nalubamba as a very courageous traditional leader who stood for truth, development and justice for all citizens.
He added that the load God has not allowed tears in the Nalubamba family to break them apart, but to wash their hands clean.
Dr Munyumbwe noted that Senior Chief Nalubamba loved his subjects.
“It is important for our traditional leaders, our civic leaders, and our leaders to respect the bible, respect God…we don’t want a politician who can rule by tyranny, hook and crook. Respect God, you are in power to provide peace and space for people,” Dr Munyumbwe said.
When Hamukale was called to speak to the gathering some youths started heckling him with some running commentaries as he spoke when he suggested that they should not sell relief food distributed by government.
In his tribute, Hichilema who was introduced as a family representative said the funeral was a celebration of the traditional leader’s illustrious life.
“Chief Nalubamba wanted to see development in Zambia, he understood the issues of development, the issue of the Monze-Nico road, he was very particular of this road, we need to honour what he stood for – development. He understood that the country is more divided and spoilt than ever before,” he said.
“This is a cattle belt for the province and the entire country and God gave us a talent of cattle rearing…to my friend Hamukale I want to tell you that the UPND is a national party, not for Southern Province only, so we respect you and your party, stay with your party – the PF. Let us talk frankly, fairly, but honestly, let us talk about issues on truth. This year there is hunger, we said let’s declare a national disaster as people will die, people are suffering and yet no one in the PF is listening,’ Hichilema said.
He advised the Nalubamba family to avoid courts in the process of selecting the successor to the throne, adding that the Ila people were decent ones and with full respect of traditions.
Hichilema also donated cattle and 50 bags of 50 kilogrammes of maize to the family.
And Namwala area member of parliament Moono Lubezhi in reaction to Hamukale reference to Hichilema as the leader of the UPND of Southern Province said the people of the province were cultured and knew what to say during times of bereavements.
She referred to Nalubamba as a true statesman who served the people of Namwala with distinction.
Chairperson of the Royal Foundation of Southern Province Chief Chikanta described chief Nalubamba was a great leader.
“He is one of the longest serving chiefs in the entire Southern Province having ruled for 47 years as a leader…he was frank and development oriented leader, he was a strong voice on many issues including governance. He belonged to two worlds, one as a freedom fighter and as a chief. He was a very wise, intelligent traditional leader,” chief Chikanta said.
Chief Nalubamba who died at 78, is survived by a wife Elina, 15 children and several grandchildren.
Several traditional leaders who included Chieftainancy Nkomensyha, Chieftainacy Chiawa, chiefs from Southern Province attended the burial ceremony.
