Chief Chitambo asks opposition to support NDF
By Staff Reporter
CHIEF Chitambo of the Lala speaking people of Central Province has advised the opposition political parties not to shun the National Dialogue Forum.
Chief Chitambo said that shunning the national dialogue would be defeating the spirit of reconciliation and unity in the nation.
The traditional leader observed that in the recent past the Zambian political sphere had been characterised by hatred; hence the need for political players and other stakeholders to engage each other on national pertinent governance issues.
“Currently, there are some opposition political parties that want to incite other political parties to shun the forthcoming National Dialogue Forum. It should be noted that in the recent past the Zambian political sphere has been characterised with hatred, unwarranted character assassination and lack of civility. Therefore, if you are called upon to share ideas on how to iron out pertinent governance issues that would result in lasting solutions, it is only prudent that you graciously answer in affirmative,” Chief Chitambo explained in an interview.
“Likewise, when you are in Parliament and you decide to walk out just because you are not in favour a certain item being debated, you are not achieving anything. It is for this reason that I am saying that it would be illogical for the opposition political parties to start advocating for the shunning of the National Dialogue Forum. I am therefore, appealing to opposition political parties not to shun the National Dialogue Forum. Shunning the national dialogue would be defeating the spirit of reconciliation and unity in the nation.”
Chief Chitambo further advised opposition political leaders to visit traditional leaders in order for them to appreciate the challenges facing people in rural areas.
“These opposition political leaders should not just be politicking in urban areas. If they want majority citizens to know and understand their respective manifestos and development agendas, they need to start visiting rural areas. It is high time opposition political leaders started visiting traditional leaders in order for them to appreciate the numerous challenges facing people in rural areas,” added Chief Chitambo.
