GLTN’s IAB Chairperson recognizes Zambia’s H.R.H. Chief Chamuka VI as a GLTN Champion

The Zambian High Commissioner to Kenya, member of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) of UN-HABITAT, and GLTN’s International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair, Her Excellency Mme. Brenda Mumtemba honored H.R.H. Chief Chamuka VI  of  Zambia as a GLTN Champion. During a courtesy visit paid to him by a GLTN delegation, H.E. Muntembba recognized H.R.H. Chief Chamuka VI  for his efforts in championing land rights for women, youth and the poor in his Chiefdom using GLTN tools. In her remarks, H.E. Mumtemba noted that for the people of Zambia, In her remarks, H.E. Mumtemba noted that for the people of Zambia, land is a God-given resource, a basis for national heritage and identity, and as such, there is a need to secure it for use by the current and future generations. Since early 2016, GLTN in partnership with the People’s Process on Housing and Poverty in Zambia /Zambia Homeless and Poor Peoples Federation (PPHPZ/ZHPPF) and Katuba Women implemented participatory enumeration and mapping of land parcels for issuance of ‘Certificate of Customary Land Occupancy’ (CCLO) using the Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM). H.R.H. Chief Chamuka issued the first batch of 30 CCLOs in October 2016. H.R.H. Chief Chamuka thanked GLTN and the PPHPZ for introducing low-cost technology for mapping and registration of peoples’ land rights, which has helped reduce land disputes due to unclear boundaries and encroachment. The chief further noted that ‘(There is) very good comprehension and broad acceptance of the STDM concept by both the traditional leaders and people in my Chiefdom. All seven Chiefdoms in the Lenje Land resolved to engage PPHZP to map ‘manyisa’ boundaries so we can lessen land disputes, and our role as chiefs is to provide leadership to the process,” he said.

Zambia is composed of 288 tribal chiefdoms that sit in the House of Chiefs and administratively supported by the State Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.

On behalf of PPHPZ/ZHPPF, Mr. Farai Shumba indicated that STDM implementation has provided a platform where community members are able to engage their leaders on land matters, particularly women and the youth. Mr. Solomon Mkumbwa from GLTN thanked the Chief for strong leadership on the implementation of the issuance of the CCLOs and reiterated that it is the goal of GLTN to promote the security of tenure for all, especially women, youth and the poor. Among other engagements, H.E. Mumtemba also made a presentation at the Donor Round Table Discussion on the Zambia National Urbanization Policy convened by the Office of the Vice President and Minister of Local Government and Housing. The GLTN delegation also held meetings with the Honourable Jean Kapata (MP) Minister of Lands, Natural Resources, and Environment Protection on the GLTN support to the National Land Policy process in Zambia; with Director and staff of Planning and Housing Departments of Lusaka City Council where GLTN is supporting tenure regularization through issuance of residence permits using STDM.