13/09/2026
Linking the Grow Zambia Agenda to the Tumbuka Kulonga Traditional Ceremony in Lundazi
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Yesterday, we celebrated the Kulonga Traditional Ceremony of the Tumbuka People of Lundazi.
The New Ecomimic Blue Print, The Grow Zambia Agenda espouses Culture as “Chikhalidwe ndi Chitukuko" placing Culture as the Engine of Growth.
Yesterday we gathered in Lundazi for celebration of the Tumbuka Kulonga Traditional Ceremony.
For as in Government, as we celebrate Kulonga and many of our Traditional Ceremonies across the Province, we do not just celebrate dance, dress, and heritage. We do celebrate identity, unity, and the foundation of development.
The Grow Zambia Agenda is the Government’s blueprint under the leadership and Torch Bearer, President Hakainde Hichilema to build a diversified, inclusive, and resilient economy. And where does that growth start?
It starts here - in our culture, in our communities, in Lundazi.
How Kulonga and Grow Zambia speak the same language???
1. Agriculture & Food Security:
Kulonga celebrates the harvest and thanksgiving. The Grow Zambia Agenda prioritizes agriculture as the backbone.
Our traditional farming wisdom + government support for inputs, markets, and value addition = More food, more jobs, more wealth for Eastern Province.
2. Tourism & Cultural Economy:
Kulonga puts Lundazi and the Tumbuka people on the national and international map. Culture is money!! Through the Grow Zambia Agenda, we will invest in cultural tourism, craft markets, and infrastructure so that visitors who come for Kulonga also spend in our lodges, markets, and transport.
3. Unity & Human Capital:
Kulonga reminds us of "Umodzi ndi mphamvu" - Unity is strength!
Yesterday, we shared with our Traditional Leadership in Lundazi, that Grow Zambia cannot succeed without unity. When we work together as Tumbukas, Chewas, Ngonis, and all Zambians, we build stronger schools, clinics, and businesses.
4. Youth Empowerment: The young men and women dancing, are the same youth the Grow Zambia Agenda targets for skills, loans, and entrepreneurship.
Let us preserve our culture AND create jobs from it. Let’s turn our traditional music, food, and crafts into businesses.
Our Call:
Let Kulonga and other Traditional Ceremonies in Province not just be ceremonies of the past. Let them be launchpads for the future.
As we say “Tawonga Mulungu” for the harvest, let us also say “Tiyeni Tlimange Zambia” - Let us build Zambia.
His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema is committed to working with Traditional Leaders, the and the people of Lundazi and people of Eastern Province to ensure that culture drives development.
When culture grows, Zambia grows.
Zikomo kwambiri. Chikhalidwe chathu, chuma chathu. Our culture, our wealth.
Tiyende patsogolo ndi Grow Zambia!!
God Bless You and;
REMEMBER: I AM HERE TO DO THE WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME HERE!!!