President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has emphasized the critical role traditional ceremonies play in promoting food security, strengthening community resilience, and fostering national unity, especially in rural areas where livelihoods depend on agriculture and seasonal rainfall.
The President made these remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, during the 2025 Chundu Lwiindi Traditional Ceremony of His Royal Highness Chief Sekute of the Leya-speaking people in Kazungula District. The ceremony, held annually to honour ancestors and pray for favourable rainfall, demonstrates the enduring importance of traditional institutions in protecting livelihoods and sustaining community life.
President Hichilema noted that culture and development are intertwined. He emphasized that progress cannot occur without peace, unity, and respect for cultural heritage. Traditional ceremonies serve as a cornerstone of Zambia’s identity and provide a firm foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.
The President also highlighted the platform traditional ceremonies provide for leaders to engage directly with their communities. These events allow leaders to offer guidance, share messages of hope, and reinforce social cohesion, shared values, and collective responsibility. Such interactions strengthen community resilience and foster a sense of unity that is essential for local and national development.
Government support for traditional leadership remains a priority. President Hichilema noted that all traditional ceremonies held in Southern Province in 2025 have received official backing, reflecting their importance in promoting unity, peace, and cooperation. Beyond ceremonial participation, the Government has complemented cultural practices with tangible development interventions. Increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations have supported education, health, and infrastructure projects within the Sekute Chiefdom, demonstrating the link between cultural engagement and practical development outcomes.
President Hichilema reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to traditional leadership, assuring that traditional ceremonies will continue to be supported. He stressed their role in preserving Zambia’s cultural heritage, reinforcing community cohesion, and promoting national development. By valuing culture alongside concrete development initiatives, the President highlighted a pathway for sustainable growth that integrates heritage, unity, and progress.