By Isaac Zulu
We should be allowed to hold divergent views and opinions, says Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people.
In an interview with Daily Revelation, the Chitimukulu urged leaders to accommodate divergent views from the general citizenry, stressing that freedom of expression is an important ingredient in ensuring that democracy thrives.
“Of course we can’t hold the same views on a particular subject matter like was the case in a one party dictatorship. We should be allowed to hold different views and opinions. The ultimate goal is to ensure that our democracy thrives for the betterment of our society. We cannot better society without holding divergent views and opinions,” Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said. “And I would urge and encourage our political leaders to ensure that they accommodate divergent views and opinions that border on governance issues.”
And Paramount Chief Chitimukulu has observed that people have been exaggerating issues of tribalism and tribal sentiments.
“People should know that we are brothers… we are the same. We are Zambians though we hold different views on different issues. We can’t just agree on everything. But we hear sentiments from people such as tribal, tribal; even when it is not tribal. There’s some elements of exaggeration on tribalism and tribal sentiments, even if it is not an issue bordering on tribalism and the so called tribal sentiments,” the Chitimukulu stressed.
The Chitimukulu further called for genuine reconciliation among political party leaders.
“If citizens, civil society and political players are talking about the need to constitute a reconciliation commission, then that’s the way to go. In fact, that is what we have been hoping and praying for. We would encourage those that are proposing for the reconciliation commission aimed at reconciling political players so that they bury their differences. I would, personally, want to see genuine reconciliation among political leaders in our country,” said the Chitimukulu.
