In a ceremony held at the Mpasa CCAP Primary School Ground in Phalombe District on Thursday, President Lazarus Chakwera formally installed Senior Chief Kaduya as the Paramount Chief of Lhomwe people.
Addressing the gathering during the installation proceedings, Chakwera emphasized that Paramount Chief Kaduya’s role extends beyond representing the Lhomwe culture alone but for the whole nation.
Expressing gratitude, President Chakwera commended the Lhomwe community for their cohesion and tranquility in the selection process of their paramount chief. Furthermore, he pledged unwavering support towards the preservation and promotion of the Lhomwe culture.
“I want to ask you, the paramount chief, to foster development because this is a constitutional right and make sure that all developments are done in all constituencies. Love and care for all the people,” said the President.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, said it was not easy to choose a paramount chief for the Lhomwe culture due to misunderstandings.
Chimwendo Banda said any chief can be elevated to paramount chief, as long as the person has the quality of taking care of his or her subjects, including portraying good behaviour.
Speaking on behalf of all chiefs, Paramount Chief Kawinga thanked Chakwera for installing the first ever female paramount chief, which he said signifies gender equality.
Kawinga added that for a long time, the Lhomwe culture had no paramount chief after the death of Paramount Chief Ngolongoliwa.
He then advised the newly installed paramount chief to be prayerful for her work to be smooth and that she should maintain peace and unity which exists among the seven paramount chiefs in the country.
“Please approach us for guidance, whenever you face any challenge in your duty as a paramount chief. We are ready to assist you. Remember to work with the government of the day for the development of the country,” said Kawinga.
Chief Kawinga then called upon other chiefs and Mlakho wa Alhomwe to support the new paramount chief in her work.
In his remarks, Mlakho wa Alhomwe Board Chairperson Mutchanakhwaye Mpuluka also pledged support to the newly installed paramount chief.
Paramount Chief Kaduya was elevated to paramount chief on January 10, 2024, following the death of Paramount Chief Ngolongoliwa in July 2019.
