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| National |
| Assembly wants Mzimba intact |
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by
Francis Tayanjah-Phiri, 04 June 2003
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08:12:21
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A Mzimba district assembly full council meeting has decided to rescind its earlier decision to split the largest district in the country into four.
This development has pleased the district’s cultural custodians, the Ngoni chiefs, who have been resisting proposals to divide it.
Both the Assembly Chair Ron Shaba and the district’s prime traditional custodian, Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa IV, confirmed in separate interviews that the issue has been put to rest, with “a viable alternative effected”.
Said Shaba: “It is true the issue of division of the district resurfaced during our April 30th full assembly meeting and after a heated debate, the assembly resolved to shelve the idea. We resolved that instead of agitating for the division, we should develop the proposed places as development centres.”
Most councillors in the assembly, backed by Chief Mabilabo and several parliamentarians had for long been pressing for the division of the district, alleging such an arrangement would enhance development in most isolated places.
But the proposal by the assembly members sparked strong resistance from the Ngoni chiefs in the district led by Mmbelwa IV, who argued that such a move would dilute their oneness, which was a symbol of Ngoni pride.
Commenting on the April 30 resolution, Mmbelwa said he was happy that the assembly saw his logic in not rushing to implement policies that would bring wide gaps among the Mzimba Ngonis, who have all along remained one.
Said Mmbelwa: “I am sure that the decision to transform those areas proposed as districts into development centres would be more beneficial to the people of Mzimba, than just rushing to divide the district. We are one and we must remain so as per the demand of our ancestors, any barriers in a form of boundaries would just work to our disadvantage.”
He said it is his wish to see that development centres similar to rural growth centres are established at every headquarters of the Mzimba chiefs.
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