HH calls on farmers to grow more food

President  HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has reiterated his call for Zambians to continue working hard  in order to foster development .

President HICHILEMA when he graced this year’s Shikaumba  traditional Ceremony of Namwala District in Southern Province .

He  has asked Zambians and farmers in particular to  plant more crops this year to ensure food security .

He said this at this  year’s SHIKAUMPA traditional ceremony in Chief MUKOBELA’s chiefdom in Namwala district of Southern Province.

The President, who arrived at Shikaumpa grounds at around 10:40, was welcomed by Southern Province Minister CREDO NANJUWA, Livestock Minister PETER KAPALA, Education Minister DOUGLAS SIYAKALIMA, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister ELIAS MUBANGA,  Choma Mayor JAVEN SIMOLOKA, Members of Parliament and other senior Government officials.

And the Head of State has thanked Chief MUKOBELA for maintaining the heritage of the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony.

President HICHILEMA said the Government is committed to unite the traditional leaders across the country by encouraging them to attend each other’s ceremonies.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Chief MUKOBELA, The President  appreciated the Chief for his flexibility on the dates for hosting the ceremony to accommodate his attendance.

And speaking earlier, Chief MUKOBELA thanked President HICHILEMA for accepting to grace the ceremony and for being the first President to attend the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony.

Chief MUKOBELA appealed to the Government to help Livestock farmers in his Chiefdom whose animals are dying due to lack of enough pasture for grazing and water.

Chief MUKOBELA has also appealed to the Government to consider installing Solar in schools so that children in his Chiefdom can have access to computer lessons.

The traditional leader further appreciated Government initiatives such as the cash for work and food for work which he said have greatly helped to cushion the impact of the drought on household food security.

Later,  President HICHILEMA held a meeting with other traditional leaders attending the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony.

The President emphasized the need for unity, peace and stability among chiefdoms to foster development.

The Head of State has thanked all the Chiefs who  have turned out for the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony, saying the Government will continue supporting unity among Royal Highnesses.