President Hakainde Hichilema has called for concerted efforts from all those in authority such as community and traditional leaders in addressing the effects of the drought that has affected the country.
ZANIS reports that President Hichilema has reiterated that no person is going to die of hunger due to the food insecurities that have been caused by the drought that affected the 2023 – 2024 farming season.
President Hichilema however, thanked Zambians for their tolerance and assured that the government is already working hard to address the challenges to mitigate the negative effects of the drought.
The Head of State said this in Namwala District of Southern Province during the cattle display to mark the end of the 2024 Shimunenga Traditional Ceremony.
“I also want to thank all of you including the tolerance that you have shown Zambians and the Chiefs that this drought here is the worst drought in living memory. It is so dry and so devastating, but we are working hard to ensure that we feed the people. No one should die of hunger because of this drought,” he said.
President Hichilema also thanked traditional leaders for playing an active role in ensuring that the country remains united through attending each other’s ceremony, adding that when Chiefs embrace unity, even the subjects will be united.
“We thank all the Chiefs that are here because this is a symbol of unity through the traditional leaders we will be able to unite the country and on the platform of unity we shall deliver development despite the challenges,” he noted.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema had further appealed to traditional leaders to encourage their subjects to take their children to school. He explained that no child should be denied access to education when the government is implementing a free education policy.
This year’s Shimunenga Traditional Ceremony was held under the theme: Building Zambia’s Climate Change Resilience by Promoting Social and Cultural Value, Through Smart Agriculture and Livestock.
