By Isaac Zulu
President Hakainde Hichilema has said that traditional leaders are servants of the people.
Speaking during the House of Chiefs ceremonial state opening on Friday, President Hichilema pointed out that like elected leaders, traditional leaders are supposed to serve the people they lead.
“We elected leaders are servants of the people. Likewise, traditional leaders are servants of the people in their respective chiefdoms. So, service to the people comes first,” President Hichilema explained.
And President Hichilema urged traditional leaders to denounce individuals he said were propagating tribalism.
“Any talk bordering on tribalism, ethnicity should not be tolerated. And immediately this scourge manifests itself we have to fight it because if left unattended to, tribalism can divide our people,” said President Hichilema.
The Head of State also pointed out that traditional leaders play a pivotal role in fostering national development and social stability.
“Your Royal Highnesses, you are key ingredients in fostering development in chiefdoms. Traditional leaders play an important role in fostering national development and social stability,” President Hichilema explained. “And I must emphantically state here that this government, our government, your government immensely hold our traditional leaders in high esteem. I am a traditionalist myself, in case some of you didn’t know. We will continue respecting the institution of House of Chiefs because we understand how important the Royal Highnesses are. The institution of House of Chiefs should be treated with dignity and honour.”
