Nnesa appeals to Pres. Banda: Balaka should have senior chief
Leader of Malawi’s opposition, MAFUNDE party, George Nnesa, has urged President Joyce Banda to consider Balaka district to have a senior traditional chief.
Nnesa made the appeal Saturday at Muthe Primary School ground in the district during the elevation ceremony of Sub Traditional Authority (TA) Nkaya Chegela 1 Kaulula to a full TA.
While thanking President Banda for promoting TA Nkaya, upfront Nnesa bemoaned the absence of a senior chief in the entire district.
“In Balaka District we only have sub traditional authorities and traditional authorities, therefore, I ask President Madam Joyce Banda to consider the traditional leaders in the district for a higher position of senior chief,” urged Nnesa, who is also Member of Parliament for Balaka South.
President Banda promoted TA Nkaya Chegala 1 Kaulula on 6th May this year bringing the number of TAs in the district to three after TA Msamala and Kalembo.
The newly elevated chief is the fourth in the Nkaya chieftaincy which started in 1905 and he has been sub TA for 13 years. Balaka district now has three TA’s and four STA’s.
In her speech, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Grace Maseko, advised the TA Nkaya not to depart from his core responsibilities.
She urged him and other traditional leaders to promote unity and be responsible in areas of safe motherhood, HIV/AIDS, education and other government programmes including Malawi Mudzi Fund which is going to be run by the chiefs.
She also warned chiefs and parents that as parliament is discussing Compulsory Education Bill both chiefs and parents will be punished for tolerating their children not to go to school.
“Traditional leaders need to play a role on safe child delivery among women, and making sure that people are protected by encouraging necessary treatment of HIV and AIDS,” she said.
