By Bupe Sendwe
After I was chosen to ascend to the throne as chief Chanje, I was not comfortable because of the bad and scary myths that some elders told me and at that time I was still young, so I ran away. Subsequently, following extensive counselling which was provided by my family, I was convinced to come back and take over my responsibility as the ruler of Chanje Chiefdom in 2004, when I was installed by Kalonga Gawa Undi. This is the story of Chief Chanje of Chipangali District in Eastern Province who rose to the throne as a youth.
Originally called Moses Zulu, born and raised in Kagunda Village of Chief Chinyaku in Chipata District. Coming from a family of six, consisting of three boys and three girls, Mr Zulu was the second born child but first son of the family. His mother originated from royalty as she was the sister to the former Chief Chanje.
The Chewa tradition believes in matrilineal type of ascension, therefore, this meant that Mr Zulu being the eldest son to the sitting chief’s sister, was destined to take over the throne should anything happen to his uncle. His destiny came sooner than expected after the demise of former Chief Chanje in August of 1994. Mr Zulu was only a youth then, but was to take up a big role that required him to look after households in three wards and beyond.
There are myths accompanied with traditional leadership, such as the obvious practice of witchcraft once you become a chief. This scared Mr Zulu who went into hiding due to fear of the alleged practice. It took some elders of the family and Chanje chiefdom to convince him otherwise, until he finally accepted to wear the huge hat of Chief Chanje in 2004, 10 years after the death of his predecessor.
According to the traditional ruler, there is no course for becoming a chief, this therefore meant that with a new responsibility, he had to conform his character and behavior. Identified as one of the three youngest Chiefs in the eastern region, Chief Chanje took advantage of the indunas who guided him on what was expected to secure the welfare of his subjects as well as ensure law and order is maintained.
“This is how I gained my experience on how to embrace people of various backgrounds, what type of development my people want at a particular time and also how to ensure that the most vulnerable groups like the aged, children, and women are not neglected,” Chief Chanje stated.
He has also been a caretaker of the neighboring Chikuwe Chiefdom, which is bigger in size and population. Chief Chanje’s journey as a traditional ruler has not always been rosy, he has encountered challenges emanating from family wrangles, Gender based Violence cases, theft, effects of climate change on his chiefdom and hunger among other problems.
At times Chief Chanje has no solutions to some of the problems presented before him by subjects in both chiefdoms and working in tandem with the indunas helped to come up with the necessary solutions.
He further acknowledged that as a sole custodian of two chiefdoms, the subjects are dependent on him for development, therefore, strategic partnerships with the government, companies and non-governmental organisations have been strengthened. The Chief has collaborated with all government departments to solicit for assistance in areas of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), agriculture, fisheries and livestock, health, education, social services, including the district administration office.
With these he has managed to overcome challenges helping the people in his chiefdoms by ensuring that the right steps are undertaken. Working side by side with Indunas and collaborating with the government and other stakeholders.
On March 12th , 2024, Zambia will commemorate Youth Day celebrations under the theme, Zambia at 60: be the change. The traditional leader has since urged youths across the country to be innovative and creative as drivers of the future.
He observed that as a result of social media, paid TV among other activities that come with the changing trends, youths are mostly engaged in unconstructive activities especially those being influenced by the western world.
Chief Chanje therefore, implored the young people to desist from bad vices and acknowledge their responsibility in society, stating that one’s societal background does not matter, and just like him, anyone can be a leader even when they do not expect it. He noted that advice about the welfare of the Chiefdom can also come from youths, to show they are responsible members of the community.
“It is important for youths to also bring new ideas towards improving individual livelihoods, chiefdoms and the country at large,” he said.
Further, Chief Chanje indicated that the government has created opportunities such as skills development and youth empowerment initiatives that youths should take advantage of to improve their livelihoods.
The traditional leader commended the government for implementing youth programmes, including bursaries under skills development in courses such as bricklaying, welding, plumbing, among others and financial empowerments which many youths can take advantage of and build a future for themselves.
Working with others and determination has given him the ability to successfully manage two chiefdoms for about two decades now, a lesson worth emulating by many youths in the country.
“No man is an island, you need advice from others, same with the youths’ engagements with the government is vital if we have to develop this country to its anticipated economic trajectory,” Chief Chanje noted.
