CHIEF MPHAMBA VI CALLS FOR INCREASED CDF, AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT IN LUNDAZI

CHIEF MPHAMBA VI CALLS FOR INCREASED CDF, AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT IN LUNDAZI His Royal Highness Chief Mphamba VI of the Tumbuka-speaking people in Lundazi District has called on the government to increase the Constituency Development Fund, CDF, from the current 40 million kwacha to 50 million kwacha per constituency per budget cycle. Speaking during the 2026 Kulonga Traditional Ceremony held at Chinthuta Royal Ground yesterday, Chief Mphamba VI said increased CDF funding would help address the growing development needs of communities. He cited women and youth empowerment, construction and rehabilitation of schools and health facilities, education support, procurement of school desks and road maintenance equipment among the projects that have benefited from CDF. Chief Mphamba VI also urged government to strengthen support to small-scale farmers by improving the Farmer Input Support Programme, FISP, through the e-voucher system. He said this would enable farmers to access inputs on time and contribute towards achieving the country's annual maize production targets. The traditional leader further called for continued support to farmers through agricultural loans, saying agriculture should be developed into the country's biggest employer. Chief Mphamba VI also appealed to government to urgently electrify Kazinda and Matembele Primary Schools and construct a police post in Mphamba Compound, where he said land had already been provided for the project. He further called for increased water reticulation in Mphamba Compound and the construction of a health facility to cater for the growing population. And Chief Mphamba VI has appealed to government to consider providing annual financial support towards traditional ceremonies. He proposed an allocation of not less than 250-thousand kwacha to enable such ceremonies to be hosted successfully. Chief Mphamba VI also congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election and called on elected leaders to work with all citizens regardless of their political affiliation. He said Zambia is bigger than individual political parties and urged leaders to fulfil the promises made to the electorate during the election campaigns. The 2026 Kulonga Traditional Ceremony was held under the theme “Peace and Unity Through Culture.” Chief Mphamba VI said traditional ceremonies play an important role in promoting unity among different ethnic groups and strengthening cultural ties. He also thanked President Hichilema for the donation of 100 bags of maize and five heads of cattle towards the hosting of this year's ceremony. #nchemoyinu