By CHILA NAMAIKO –

THE Royal Foundation of Chiefs in Southern Province has backed First Lady Esther Lungu’s charitable works and has urged her to remain committed to uplifting the welfare of vulnerable people, particularly in rural areas.
Royal Foundation chairperson Chief Chikanta said Ms Lungu had a motherly obligation to economically improve the living standards of the poor people around the country.
Chief Chikanta of the Tonga-speaking people in Kalomo said the majority of people in remote areas were living in abject poverty and needed social empowerment schemes.
“What the First Lady is currently doing to help poor people is a very commendable job. We have no problem with her charitable works because she is helping the needy,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Chief Chikanta, who was reacting to people criticising Ms Lungu’s charitable works, urged her to remain steadfast in her quest to assist the vulnerable.
He said the stance that Ms Lungu had taken to visit remote areas to learn challenges people encountered should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.
“The people of Chikanta chiefdom have since invited Ms Lungu to launch a vigorous campaign to end gender-based violence (GBV) and early child marriage,” he said.
He said his area, like many other chiefdoms, required more sensitisation mechanisms against illicit vices that could jeopardise the welfare of the girl-child.
Chief Singani of Choma bemoaned high poverty in his area and was confident that Ms Lungu would visit the chiefdom to supplement the Government’s efforts to foster development.
“One can only realise high poverty if you go to rural areas. That’s why people in my chiefdom also want the First Lady to visit us, which shows how important her charitable works are,” he said.