A high-level delegation of Seventh-day Adventist leaders from Northern & Southern Zambia Unions and the Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division met Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Nelly Mutti in Lusaka to offer spiritual support, affirm the Church’s commitment to freedoms of worship and assembly, and propose collaboration on social initiatives like ending gender-based violence, health expos, and youth community service.
A high-level delegation of Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders, drawn from the Northern and Southern Zambia Union Conferences and the Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honourable Dr. Nelly Mutti, MP, at the National Assembly in Lusaka.
The delegation, led by Pastor Chifumbe Kapenya and accompanied by Dr. Pako Edson Mokgwane of the Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division, comprised directors responsible for Communication, Public Affairs, and Religious Liberty. The pastoral engagement was intended to offer spiritual encouragement to the Speaker, strengthen collaborative relations in matters of legislation, and affirm the Church’s commitment to the promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms, including worship and assembly.
In his introductory remarks, Pastor Kapenya acknowledged Zambia’s longstanding record of upholding human rights, particularly the freedoms of conscience, worship, and peaceful assembly, which have allowed the Church to operate and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Dr. Mokgwane congratulated Dr. Mutti on her historic appointment as the first female Speaker of the National Assembly and reiterated the Church’s support for laws and policies that uphold human dignity. He highlighted key global initiatives of the Church that the Government could leverage on, such as the End It Now campaign, which seeks to end gender-based violence, Health Expos, and Global Youth Day, a program dedicated to community service and compassion for the vulnerable.
Quoting Romans 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues… honour to whom honour,” Dr. Mokgwane emphasized the biblical mandate for Christians to respect, support, and pray for civic leaders. He noted that such engagements reflect the Church’s commitment to constructive citizenship and spiritual responsibility. This position is further affirmed in the Spirit of Prophecy, where Ellen G. White counsels that “we are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 381). She further reminds believers that “those who stand as rulers and legislators are to be men of prayer” (Prophets and Kings, p. 174), underscoring the importance of personal and intercessory prayer.
In response, Dr. Mutti expressed sincere appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their words of encouragement and prayer. She commended the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a valued partner in national development, particularly in the education and health sectors. She cited institutions such as Rusangu University and the Adventist Eye Hospital as notable contributions that continue to positively impact the lives of many citizens across the country.
The meeting concluded with a prayer offered by the clergy for the Speaker and her team. Also in attendance from the National Assembly were Mr. Stephen Kawimbe, Deputy Clerk for Procedure; Mr. Alexander Kafata, Director in the Office of the Speaker; Mr. Anthony Mpolokos, Director of Public Information; Ms. Malala Haamanyali, Director of Hansard; Mrs. Chitalu Munyao, Deputy Director of Committees; and Mr. Musanga Kabiribwi, Deputy Director of Research.
