By Mubanga Mubanga
Veteran politician Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika has refused to engage paramount chief, Mpezeni’s endorsement of President Hakainde Hichilema, as doing so would be “like discussing the Pope.”
Paramount chief of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province, Mpezeni, recently urged Zambians against voting out President Hichilema from office as no one could manage to sort out all the country’s problems within five years.
But Lewanika said he could not respond to the Mpezeni’s endorsement as a matter of principle.
Lewanika said he could not join people who were discussing Mpezeni in the media, as he compared him to the head of the Catholic church, the Pope.
“You know nkosi yama nkosi, Mpezeni, is our King. I will not join in discussing him in the media. It is like discussing the Pope. No, we won’t. We won’t react to him the way we would react to politicians, as a matter of principle,” Lewanika said. “Just report that l was honored to meet him and l was honored to receive his opinion.”
Lewanika said he was an African who respected chiefs.
”And this was his opinion, end of the story. We will not address him through you,” said Lewanika. “Out of respect, l hope you understand that? I am an African. l am African. I have to respect my chief, (just) like l respect my parents.”
