Vice President Dr. W.K. Mutale-Nalumango has described her first day in Chinsali as a demanding but rewarding experience that reflected President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for “work after work” in serving the people of Zambia. Her visit underscored the government’s continued commitment to engaging communities directly while strengthening relationships with religious and traditional leaders across the country. The day’s activities focused on promoting unity, development and cooperation between government institutions and local leadership. Through a series of important engagements, the Vice President reaffirmed that meaningful national progress can only be achieved when leaders at every level work together toward shared goals. Her remarks also reinforced the administration’s determination to ensure that development reaches every part of Zambia, including rural communities such as Chinsali.
The Vice President began her day by participating in a spiritually uplifting fellowship with members of the clergy, emphasizing the important role that faith leaders play in society. Religious institutions continue to serve as pillars of hope, guidance and moral leadership within communities, making their partnership with government an important part of national development. During the fellowship, there was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of unity, compassion and service to the people. Such engagements demonstrate the government’s recognition that churches and faith-based organizations contribute significantly to social stability and community welfare. By maintaining open dialogue with religious leaders, the government aims to strengthen collaboration on issues affecting citizens while encouraging shared responsibility in nation-building.
Following the fellowship, Dr. Mutale-Nalumango met with His Royal Highness Chief Nkula and His Royal Highness Chief Mubanga, two respected traditional leaders whose influence remains vital within their communities. The Vice President expressed sincere gratitude for the warm reception she received from both chiefs and acknowledged their continued support for government initiatives. She noted that the traditional leaders appreciated the United Party for National Development, UPND, government’s deliberate policies that seek to improve the lives of the people of Chinsali and the nation as a whole. The discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining strong communication between government officials and traditional authorities. Such meetings also provide an opportunity to better understand local priorities while ensuring that development initiatives address the real needs of communities.
Traditional leaders continue to occupy an important position in Zambia’s governance and cultural heritage. They serve as custodians of customs, mediators in local disputes and advocates for peace within their chiefdoms. The Vice President reaffirmed that the government places great value on traditional leadership because their mission closely aligns with the administration’s goals of promoting peace, unity and sustainable development. She emphasized that mutual respect between elected leaders and traditional authorities creates an environment where government programmes can be implemented more effectively. By working together, both institutions can support economic growth, improve service delivery and strengthen community participation in development initiatives.
The Vice President also stressed that cooperation remains one of the strongest foundations for achieving national progress. She explained that when government leaders, traditional authorities, religious institutions and local communities share common objectives, development becomes more inclusive and sustainable. This collaborative approach ensures that infrastructure projects, education programmes, healthcare improvements and economic opportunities are guided by the needs and aspirations of the people. The government’s continued engagement with community leaders demonstrates its commitment to listening before making decisions that affect citizens. Such partnerships help build trust while creating a stronger connection between public institutions and the communities they serve.
President Hakainde Hichilema’s message of “work after work” continues to shape the government’s approach to public service. The phrase reflects an expectation that leaders remain dedicated to serving citizens through consistent effort, accountability and visible action. The Vice President’s busy schedule in Chinsali illustrated this philosophy by combining spiritual engagement, traditional leadership consultations and discussions centered on development. Rather than limiting public service to official meetings, the administration seeks to remain actively engaged with communities to better understand their challenges and aspirations. This hands-on approach is intended to accelerate development while ensuring that government policies produce practical benefits for ordinary Zambians.
The visit to Chinsali highlighted the importance of unity, partnership and shared responsibility in building a stronger Zambia. Dr. W.K. Mutale-Nalumango’s engagements with members of the clergy, Chief Nkula and Chief Mubanga reflected the government’s commitment to working alongside all sectors of society to improve people’s lives. Her appreciation for the warm welcome she received reinforced the value of mutual respect between government and traditional institutions. As Zambia continues pursuing its national development goals, cooperation between political leaders, traditional authorities, faith communities and citizens will remain essential. The Vice President’s first day in Chinsali demonstrated that sustained dialogue, dedicated service and collective action remain at the heart of building a better future for every Zambian.