Chief Mnukwa of the Ngoni people in Chipata has welcomed Paramount Chief Mpezeni’s directive to have women cover their breasts at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony, agreeing that times had changed and people need to “move on.”

During a preparatory meeting with stakeholders on Sunday, Paramount Chief Mpenzeni banned the public display of women’s breasts at the upcoming ceremony, saying the status quo could not continue because times were changing and that people needed to adjust to societal changes.

And welcoming the announcement in an interview with News Diggers! Chief Mnukwa said he, along with other chiefs under Paramount Chief Mpezeni’s leadership, would inform their subjects gearing up for this year’s ceremony during this Saturday’s final preparatory meeting.

“You know, I am a chief under him, he’s our Paramount Chief. So, when he makes a statement, we all agree with the statement that he has made. So, now, what we have to do is get to our subjects and let them know of the new development at this year’s ceremony. What we normally do is we inform out subjects about any changes that are made at what we call preparatory meetings,” he said.

“So, the last meeting for this year’s ceremony will be on Saturday (February 16), that’s when we will meet at Mutenguleni. And all the chiefdoms have got representatives who come there, so that’s where everything will be communicated. Suffice to say, we have to move on, times are changing and if there are a lot of concerns about their breasts, especially the women and what have you, I think the Paramount Chief has heard and since he a made a statement to that effect, I think it’s the right move,” added chief Mnukwa.