By PASSY HAACHIZO –
CHIEF Chamuka of the Lenje speaking people has with immediate effect implemented a by-law in his chiefdom deterring girls below the age of 21 from getting married.
The traditional leader has also warned parents found wanting of stern action and has directed all the 200 headmen in the chiefdom to get statistics of all the girls out of school due to early marriages.
Speaking on Thursday at both Kafulamase Primary school and at senior headman Mayumbelo Chamuka’s residence, the chief said marrying off children at a tender age was barbaric as it robbed the future generation of its impetus to make informed decisions.
The traditional leader was disheartened by the rampant early marriages of girls mostly below the age of 18 in his chiefdom.
He warned that any parent who would marry off their daughters before the age of 21 would regret their acts.
“Do you know what, a chief is respected and that is the reason you people kneel, sleep and whatever when the chief arrives because of respect, so I take it my message has been heard.
“Whoever will marry off children below 21 from today will regret the day they were born. Remember our children are our banks as we find everything in them,” he said.
Chief Chamuka said he wanted the chiefdom to lead by example by having more girls complete school before they got marriage.
He also commended the government for promoting the re-entry policy for girls who dropped out of school due to various reasons such as pregnancies.
Kafulamase citizen Akatekelelwa Misingo praised the chief for the move as it would promote an increased number of girls who complete school.
“Your royal highness, I am so humbled because the last time I appeared before the chief was in 1982 before the Litunga Yamboela and I am privileged also today to be before chief Chamuka.
“I am sure that everyone here is excited for you to have taken time counselling us and thank you for that. For me I cannot allow any of my daughters to get married before they complete school,” he said.
Kafulamase Primary school grades eight and nine girls vowed to discredit parents who would go against the chief’s orders.