By at Kondanani Chilimunthaka
Ngoni people from all walks of life were at Mtenguleni, the headquarters of Ngwenyama Inkosi Ya Makhosi Mpezeni IV in Zambia for the past 3 days to celebrate 2022 Nc’wala cultural ceremony.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia who was the guest at this year’s Nc’wala said he was grateful to be part of this year’s event as invited.
Hichilema then laid out the importance of culture and value embedded in the community as being no doubt of promoting unity.
“The spectacle of this Nc’wala ceremony is obvious as evidenced by the great multitude from all the parts of our country as well as beyond our boundaries showing that the basis of the country’s culture is embedded in its value. We thank you for continuing this tradition.” Said President Hakainde Hichilema in his speech.
Further President Hichilema encouraged all the traditional leaders across Zambia to focus on working together and fostering their value to different traditional ceremonies like the Ngoni Nc’wala ceremony.
“It’s on the basis of unity, on the basis of strong individual, family as well as community values that we want to build this country and drive peace and stability to deliver economic and social development for our people.” Added President Hichilema.
Making his speech on behalf of Ngwenyama, Albert Nkhoma who was the chairman of the National organising committee of the event, started by thanking the Zambian President for accepting the invitation to the Nc’wala ceremony.
In the speech Ngwenyama Mpezeni IV said Ngoni and the Zambians are very proud of the event which is very important.
“Culture is the reflection of the identity of the people of the nation, when one identifies oneself, it gives sense of pride and joy. Our culture heritage is a mirror of our national unity, and Nc’wala in particular attracts people from all corners of Zambia as has been seen by the huge and the best turnout today.” Read part of his speech.
Further he said the ceremony is in line with President Hichilema’ call on all the Zambians to unite by focusing on what unites the Zambians and not what divides them.
He also thanked the leadership of that country for various developmental activities being initiated, saying they will help to boost the economy in all parts of the country, and then put forward a number of requests to the government of President Hakainde Hichilema.
But Ngwenyama Mpezeni, urged the people of Zambia not to sell all the maize once harvested as the country may experience food shortage due to insufficient rains in the year.
This year’s Nc’wala which is a thanks giving ceremony was held under very strict Covid-19 restrictions and commemorated under the theme Promoting Healing, Unity and Reconciliation, and brought together the Ngoni from Malawi, including Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V, Inkosi Kampingo Sibande, Mzukuzuku, and Mabulabo of Mzimba, Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani of Ntcheu, the Ngoni of Mozambique and the host Zambia.