Chewa king against early marriages
Chewa king Kalonga Gawa Undi has challenged his chiefs in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique to use their power as traditional leaders to promote education for boys and girls and fight early marriages.
He said this during the annual Chewa ceremony Kulamba on Saturday at Kalonga Gawa Undi’s Mkaika Residence in Zambia.
Said Gawa Undi: “This is my main message this year; let us protect our children and educate them because that is the only way we will make our nations great.”
This year’s Kulamba ceremony was commemorated under the theme Lets Educate Our Children Both Boys and Girls, Stop Early Marriages.
For the first time, Kalonga Gawa Undi invited as his special guest King Lubosi II the Lozi from Barotseland, in Mungu, Western Province of Zambia.
King Lubosi II thanked the Chewa people for maintaining their relationship with the Barotse people, saying that is beneficial to the people and nations.
He said: “Through this relationship, let us urge our chiefs to ensure peace in their countries and encourage them to promote education for the children and fight early marriages.”
President Peter Mutharika, who was represented at the ceremony by Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development Grace Chiumia, supported the ceremony with K3 million on top of gifts which government presented to Gawa Undi.
Among other dignitaries from Malawi were leader of opposition and president of the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Lazarus Chakwera, his deputy Mohammed Sidik Mia, Paramount Chief Ngolongoliwa of the Lhomwe and Paramount Chief Kawinga of the Yao.
