Meanwhile, the Linyungandambo National Chairperson, Silumesii Mubita, has thanked Her Royal Highness and the Nalolo Kuta for the honour accorded to the independence movement by inviting them to Her Royal Highness’s Kuta at Nalolo, and also for mourning their departed compatriot, Likando Pelekelo.
Addressing the Nalolo Kuta shortly before ascending to Her Royal Highness’s Kashandi (Throne Room), Mr Mubita said the Linyungandambo was not only sorry that Likando Pelekelo died suddenly in prison under unclear circumstances, but also that the movement was not able to give their departed colleague the national funeral they had earlier planned due to some circumstances beyond the movement’s control.
Likando Pelekelo (65) was put to rest in his hometown of Senanga barely three days after he passed away in a State maximum prison far away from Barotseland in Zambia's Central Province.
His quick burial was after some sections of his extended family requested for a low key hastened funeral and burial, rather than the very elaborate national funeral and burial earlier proposed by the independence movement.
Mr Mubita said the Linyungandambo, however, felt deeply grateful that the family still allowed the movement to preside at his heroic sendoff and burial.
And Mr Mubita has expressed his eternal gratitude to the entire Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) for giving the Barotseland campaigner a two-day royal holiday and for participating at his burial through the direct representation of two Senior Induna (Induna Imandi and Induna Akombelwa).
In expressing his gratitude before the Kuta at Nalolo, Mr Mubita also recounted to the well attended Kuta how that Likando Pelekelo and Linyungandambo’s peaceful fight for Barotseland is to fulfil King Lewanika’s wishes for a Barotseland that was independent and sovereign.
“King Lewanika I desired for his Kingdom and for his people to live in freedom and with the ability to determine their national course in sovereignty,” Mr Mubita said as he recounted the history of how Lewanika sought British protectorate to maintain the Kingdom’s self-determination.
Contrary to the popular skewed assertion that, in seeking British protectorate, King Lewanika I had given away his Kindom’s sovereignty, Mr Mubita argued that their Linyungandambo leader, Afumba Mombotwa, and the entire movement in general, has consistently taught that Barotseland’s current opportunity to legitimately claim sovereignty, even to this day, was a sure testament of what Lewanika I had sought to do.
He said while some African Kingdoms had gone into oblivion, King Lewanika’s Kingdom still stands strong today, strong enough for his heirs to demand legitimacy as a sovereign Kingdom, which cannot be said of the many others.
He, therefore, thanked Queen Mbuyu, the Litunga of the South, for inviting the Linyungandambo to Her Highness’ Nalolo Royal Palace and for conferring with them on many pertinent issues affecting Royal Barotseland.
The Linyundambo Independence movement’s courtesy visit to the Nalolo Royal Kuta was in response to a direct invitation from Her Highness, the Litunga la Mboela.
Their visit comes barely five days after the independence movement had similarly visited and addressed the Saa Sikalo, Barotseland’s highest Kuta or Supreme Court, which combines the Saa Kuta of Barotseland’s Prime minister, which is also known as the Mboo Kuta and that of Induna Iñete (Sikalo Kuta).
The movement's deligation comprised its current National Chairperson, Silumesii Mubita, the movement's National Spokesperson, Samuel Kalimukwa and Private Secretary to the National Chairperson, Mubita Mubita.
Others in the Linyungandambo delegation were Barotseland National Youth League (BNYL) Deputy Chairperson, Boris Muziba Muziba and the Youth League's national co-ordinator Skwibele (Skwiz) Wasilota.
