Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Williams Richard Chimwendo Banda says traditional leaders play a pivotal role in reshaping the socioeconomic transformation of the nation by among other things providing invaluable guidance to the government ending early marriages, mediating on civil cases among others.
Chimwendo Banda was speaking on Monday in Kasutu Village in Nkhotakota during the elevation of Chief Kafuzila to Senior Traditional Chief.
“In times of the economic hardships, that the country is passing through due to various natural disasters such as cyclone Freddy, Ukraine war, droughts in parts of the country, government depends on chiefs to help in resolving such insurmountable obstacles by giving advice and provision of leadership at society levels, said Chimwendo Banda who is also leader of government business in Parliament.
He also said government of President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera will continue to restore the pride and dignity of chiefs in country so that they can ably lead to the socioeconomic reconstruction of our nation.
“For the indelible script of economic transformation to take place in our society, government depends on the corrupt- free, non partisan, champion of unity, leaders that uphold rule of law and cultural sacraments among others and chiefs are the integral part,” said the Minister.
He later urged the new chief to continue upholding cultural heritage and preservation of historical events of their respective people.
Speaking earlier Senior Chief Kanyenda hailed government for increasing their honoraria during the last budget.
He however advised government to tread carefully on chiefs appointments that are resulting in conflicts in the society.
