Traditional leader Chief Kakhumba has called on his subjects to make full use of the electricity recently extended to his chiefdom by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), saying power is a catalyst for business growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods.
Speaking during a courtesy call by a team from REA during a field visit to his palace in Sinda, Eastern Province, Chief Kakhumba said electricity should be seen as more than just a source of light.
“This power is here to change lives. I am encouraging my people to start businesses, set up hammermills, and expand their farming operations. I have also been inviting people from other parts of Eastern Province, and even from Malawi and Mozambique, to invest here. Development knows no boundaries,” said the Chief.
The Chief has been actively allocating plots for business activities to anyone with the will and capacity to contribute to the local economy. On his own 37-hectare farm, he produces tomatoes, watermelons, ginger, oranges, bananas among others, using solar-powered irrigation to maintain year-round production.
REA Senior Public Relations Officer Ndekela Mazimba praised the Chief for his leadership and for setting an example of how rural communities can leverage electrification for economic development.
“Chief Kakhumba’s approach demonstrates exactly what we envision when we take power to rural areas. He’s not only using electricity for his household but is encouraging others to innovate, invest, and grow. This is the kind of local leadership that ensures our projects have a lasting impact,” said Ms. Mazimba.
REA Regional Manager – Central, Eng. Lavender Kamanga, added that the electrification project in Sinda was part of REA’s broader strategy to increase access to electricity in rural areas and unlock economic potential, particularly in agriculture.
“Our goal is to deliver reliable, safe, and sustainable power to communities like this one. When we see leaders like Chief Kakhumba turning that power, and not just grid power but also solar, into action on the ground, it confirms that REA’s investment is worth every kwacha,” said the Engineer.
In 2024, President Hakainde Hichilema awarded Chief Kakhumba a medal for his contribution to agricultural production and rural development, an honour the Chief says belongs to the entire community.
“I may have received the medal, which made me very happy. But it is the farmers, traders, and young people here who truly make the change happen. My role is to lead by example and open doors for others to succeed,” said Chief Kakhumba.
The REA electrification project in Sinda is expected to boost local agriculture, trade, and services, paving the way for long-term socio-economic growth in the area.
