Hakainde attending Kuomboka should not be a debatable issue countrymen

By Daily Revelation Editor

In a statement from State House, Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka stated that President Hichilema was fully aware of the invitation of Chitimukulu as the guest of honour.

“It must be emphasised that President Hichilema is not intending to usurp or take over Chitimukulu’s role as Guest of Honour at this year’s Kuomboka ceremony. He is simply attending as a citizen and enthusiast of the event,” Hamasaka stated.

But UKA secretary general Lucky Mulusa argued that President Hichilema should realise that the presidency is the people’s apex personification of their chosen governance system and must not be subjected to ridicule through an insatiable appetite to score political mileage or unwisely settle self-created political disputes.

And so goes the debate on whether Hakainde should attend tomorrow’s Kuomboka Traditional Ceremony or not attend at all.

Yes, we all know what has been happening in Western Province especially after Hakainde issued that statement that there is no country called Barotseland. That statement has not been received well with some groups actually asking Hakainde to stay away completely from the event.

Some have delved into the sensibilities of the head of state going there given that the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has already chosen the Chitimukuku of the Bemba people as the guest of honour.

However, we feel the issue of Hakainde attending the Kuomboka should not be a debatable issue. And please mark our words, Hakainde Hichilema attending. After all the man is President of this Republic and can go anywhere he wishes at any particular time. If Hakainde has messed up relations on account of his words, which some are asserting as being the reason why his presence is not needed, will him staying away solve that problem?

Some are asserting that his going there is likely to create chaos. Of course, it should be the sermon of each and everyone to speak against chaos. Yes if there are people who may feel like protesting his attendance there, they must be allowed to do so provided they are peaceful in airing out their grievances. But that should not in anyway stop the President of the Republic from going anywhere he wishes in this country.

If Hakainde has issues with people in that region, let that be his problem to handle. Yes, there can be debate on how Hakainde is handling matters, including the Barotse issue itself. But there should actually be no debate over him wanting to go to any area he wishes to. Apart from being a citizen, he has the mandate to preside over every square inch of this country.

Indeed Hakainde may not always handle some issues wisely, but it should be in the interest of patriots to want to seek solutions over a contentious matter than trying to use it to inflame matters further. But this also requires Hakainde to have a listening ear and not the know it all posture he seems to carry as he does not have the monopoly of wisdom. When contentious issues are used for political purposes to inflame matters,  the end result is destruction, which in the end will not only affect Hakainde but everybody involved.

There are surely more worthy matters that should draw the nation’s energies than dwelling on whether Hakainde should or should not attend the Kuomboka Ceremony.