As the world celebrates women on the 8th of March 2025, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland a Dominican- British barrister and politician has become the second European after David Livingstone to be recognized as a traditional leader in Hamusonde chiefdom in Monze district.
Ms Scotland who on 1st of March 2025 was installed as Senior Headwoman Butambo of Hamusonde chiefdom, became the only female traditional leader of the biggest village in the chiefdom.
During her installation, the new senior head woman was bestowed with an ornament of courage in the form of leopard skin, a staff and 50 head of cattle a number which increased to over 200 after donations from people who appreciated her contribution to upholding maintaining democracy in Zambia.
The Hamusonde chiefdom in Bweengwa area has 25 Senior chiefs including Ms Scotland and President Hakainde Hichilema overseeing 165 headmen .
Speaking when he installed the Senior Chief Butambo at his palace, Chief Hamusonde the Seventh of the Lundwe Ila People explained that the title of Butambo is a very important one in his chiefdom.
Chief Hamusonde narrated that Butambo was the mother of Chief Hamusonde the first, who ruled the chiefdom for 62 years before his demise in 1920 and was buried right at the palace.
During the installation, Chief Hamusonde presented Ms Scotland with a wild animal, an ornament including a leopard’s skin and a staff with many animals symbolizing the superiority and boundary of wildlife and loyalty which can only be worn by a selected few in a life time.
Chief Hamusonde the Seventh also gifted 50 heads of cattle from the chiefdom to Ms Scotland, which symbolizes their way of living in Bweengwa area to the new senior headwoman.
The traditional leader explained that in her absence, the newly installed Senior Headwoman Butambo will be represented by a prime minister in her village.
Chief Hamusonde thanked government for facilitating the Commonwealth Secretary General’s installation ceremony.
“It is not an everyday occurrence or event that we are going to have this unique opportunity to have this honour for us to honour such a special and splendid person of global recognition that the president has invited for us here to participate and honour her. We are grateful to you Mr President that you managed to her,” Chief Hamusonde said.
The Chief thanked the Secretary General for accepting the title and being a part of the Hamusonde legacy and encouraged her to work hard and bring development in her village.
Chief Hamusonde also encouraged the new senior headwoman to familiarize herself with the chiefdom’s 2023 to 2026 Developmental Strategic Plan.
“We remember in 2017 when you heard that Zambia was plunging in troubled waters and that one of their citizens from this particular origin was in jail in a matter for which he didn’t deserve, you came to Zambia to control the situation and for that we are grateful,” he added.
Chief Hamusonde further stressed that he lost 13 kilograms during the four months that President Hichilema was incarcerated in Mukubeko prison, depicting how bad the situation was in his chiefdom before Ms Scotland’s intervention.
He elaborated that on 7th of August 2022, he decided to confer Ms Scotland with a status of head woman in his chiefdom for playing a major role in maintaining unity and democracy in the country.
Ms Scotland is no ordinary woman; A trail blazer lawyer in Britain , she is considered the first black woman to be appointed and youngest Queens Counsel, and served in various positions in the British judiciary, and government.
She is the Sixth Secretary General of the Commonwealth and is building a legacy of promoting peace, democracy, and human rights across the Commonwealth.
Her selfless service and unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights have inspired a generation of leaders and citizens around the world.
In her acceptance speech, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland thanked the chiefdom for honoring her with the senior headwoman status , adding that she will take it seriously.
“I want to thank all the headmen in the chiefdom led by president Hichilema for standing with me, surrounding me and blessing me. I give you my heartfelt thanks. I take very seriously the emblems of office that you have placed upon me particularly which is placed on my heart, which is that of courage,” Ms Scotland said.
She expressed delight to be the first non-indigenous person since the 1950’s to share the honor with David Livingstone of being a senior headwoman from the chiefdom.
Ms Scotland acknowledged that cattle rearing is not only an economic activity in the area, but is the way of life, a source of sustenance and a reflection of a deep relationship between people and the natural world.
The senior headwoman assured the government of the commonwealth’s support during the effects of drought during the previous rain season.
“During the last nine years of service, I have been blessed with such friendships, support have come from Zambians. So may I say, whatever little I have been able to do to assist you by God’s grace, I have been honored and returned fiftyfold,” she said.
Ms Scotland congratulated government for making peace and unity as one of the main objectives in maintaining democracy in the country and being the beacon of peace for other countries in the region and globe to emulate.
The Commonwealth Secretary General further called on all Zambians to continue being the peace makers not only for Zambia but also for Africa and the commonwealth around the world.
“I thank you for being the light in a dark, dark place, for never letting that light diminish and for being the beacon for other countries to follow for safety, to generosity, to harmony, to the rule of law. And I thank the people of Zambia, the government, the president and the opposition for making that peace possible. May God bless you and keep you and I say that as your new Butambo,” she echoed.
President Hakainde Hichilema who graced the installation ceremony said government will work with Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland and her networks to bring more investors to the country.
President Hichilema stated the importance of local investors to work together with foreign investors in the country in a model partnership.
The head of state explained that growing small, medium and large businesses in the country will help in maintaining peace and grow the country’s economy.
“When investors come, they should find local people as partners in joint ventures. I love this subject. Parliament was talking about growing our economy and that’s the only thing we have to do now, to grow our economy, growth, growth, and more growth. Small businesses, medium and large,” he said.
President Hichilema reminded Chief Hamusonde that the honour of having the Secretary General as a Senior headwoman is not only for his chiefdom, but for all Zambians.
President Hichilema thanked the Secretary General for her mediatory role in keeping peace and maintaining democracy in the country, adding that her role has revitalized what Zambians stand for; which is peace and unity.
Mr Hichilema shared that the Hamusonde chiefdom is a symbolic place in the freedom struggle of the country through its contribution of cattle which was sold in order to raise money for the freedom fighters.
“Today the works that you Ms Scotland are doing is reincarnating this path, this heritage of peace and unity. The people of this country have always been united and peaceful. I am the seventh president and all the changes of governments, there’s never been bloodshed and that’s how peaceful this country is,” President Hichilema pointed out.
President Hichilema assured of the government’s commitment to maintain the unity, peace and security in order to foster development in the country.
President Hichilema however stated that government will ensure that Zambia is food sufficient through irrigation and is working towards ensuring that the country has access to electricity through solar even during droughts.
He further called on the senior headmen in Hamusonde chiefdom to support the newly installed Senior Headwoman Butambo in her new duty.
President Hichilema also encouraged young men in the country to find a true friend in a woman in search of their lifetime partner.
He said it is important for people to marry their friends, someone they love, know very well and not simply acquaintances.
The head of state said this in recognizing the First Lady Mutinta Hichilema who accompanied him at the ceremony calling her his true friend through thick and thin.
Local government minister, Gary Nkombo , who was in attendance , called on all the councils in the country who are like minded to recognize Ms Scotland’s contribution to the country and propose to name a road after her.
It is said that having a female traditional leader in every aspect of life is important as they are considered to be custodians of traditions and customs, which promotes community cohesion, brings economic empowerment, and promotes diverse perspectives of historical precedence and significance
Promoting female leadership in a traditional setup is crucial for achieving gender equity, fostering inclusive governance, and leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to the table
