CHOMA RESIDENTS, LEADERS SKETCH OUT SATA’S FOOTMARK Housing units for civil servants under construction in Choma THEY call it Choma maanu, wabula maanu cakulya, meaning those who are not clever enough when they visit this town become vulnerable to its internal activities that are difficult to escape. This is the place that the late president Michael Sata decided to make the headquarters of Southern Province because of its central location, being the food basket, economic hub of the region and its rich political history. Gone too soon president Sata, is the cry of Choma residents whose area has greatly benefited from his leadership compared to previous regimes. President Sata during his campaign for presidency in 2011 promised the people of Choma that once voted into power, he was going to move the provincial capital to the area. Many doubted this, thinking it was mere political rhetoric as it is normal and common in the game of politics. This is the man who managed to overcome the pressure that stemmed from his decision to relocate the provincial headquarters to Choma, a place that had little to talk about apart from its political importance. Choma is today known throughout the country because late president Sata’s decision made it popular. Residents of this area walk with their heads high everywhere they go boasting that they come from the provincial headquarters of the southern region. Politically, Choma has produced leaders who have served the country in different portfolios such as the late Dr Siamukayumbu Siamujaye, Daniel Munkombwe, Cornelius Mweetwa, Vernon Mwaanga and many others. Its place in Zambia’s history is etched by the one-party state declaration that took place in at Choma Secondary School in 1972. One would be tempted to believe that late president Sata was influenced with activities that happened in Choma when he decided to make it the provincial capital of Southern Province but this was merely his heart to serve the poor. Since independence, Choma seemed to have been neglected, until the man of action realised the importance of according the area the status that befits it. Munkombwe, a son of Choma as well as the current Southern Province minister, describes the death of president Sata as a loss to the nation that will be felt greatly among many people. Munkombwe says president Sata has left a legacy in Southern Province in particular Choma for moving the provincial capital from Livingstone. “Choma today has structures that are visible to everyone, talk of the 30 residential houses for civil servants to be handed over soon, the six-storey building, which is now at third floor, road construction in the township and the list goes on,” says Munkombwe. He adds that the province has heavily benefited from the leadership of president Sata and that people of Choma will miss him for the love as well as understanding he showed to them. Munkombwe hopes that the leadership crisis both in the PF and the nation as a whole will be resolved. “It will be difficult to replace Sata. Leadership goes just like that and all leaders will go but God will know how to replace them. Tomorrow it will be Daniel Munkombwe who is going just like that and proper replacement will not happen,” he says. Munkombwe boasts that his combination with the late president made a proper mixed grill of two powerful men that have managed to move civil servants from Livingstone despite them being hesitant to Choma when it became the headquaters of Southern Province. One Choma resident, Partner Siabutuba says people in the area wished president Sata had been able to continue with his development agenda for Choma. Siabutuba points out that since 1964, no government had recognised Choma’s importance but only president Sata saw the economic potential the district has in the province. “One encouraging thing about this man is that even when he assumed office, he never forgot what he promised the people of Choma despite negative sentiments from all sections of society over the relocation of provincial offices to Choma. He never allowed debate over his decision even though civil servants initially resisted but they met the man of action and he triumphed over them,” says Siabutuba. He urges residents to live and celebrate the life of the visionary leader as well as reflecting on his focus in developing Choma. Meanwhile, Million Siamakumba, a freedom fighter, hailed the late president for recognising Choma’s political efforts as well as independence struggle. Siamakumba says only president Sata and Levy Mwanawasa managed to put a smile on the faces of freedom fighters through their understanding and intention to address their challenges. His royal highness chief Singani is a happy man because the provincial headquarters is in his chiefdom. “Today as chief I celebrate the life of this man because my area now is popular and for that I will always remember the late president,” says chief Singani. - See more at: postzambia/news.php?id=3564#sthash.tW8jA2sS.dpuf
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 15:12:48 +0000
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