By John Chola

His Royal Highness Chief Machiya of the Lamba people of Mpongwe District is now the proud custodian of a brand-new Toyota Hilux, valued at K850,000, following a colourful handover ceremony held at the Chief’s palace on Thursday.

The vehicle was donated by Grizzly Mining Limited as part of the company’s ongoing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme in the chiefdom.

The ceremony, attended by government officials, traditional leaders, company representatives and members of the local community, was marked by speeches emphasising the growing partnership between the private sector, traditional authority and government in driving development at the grassroots.

Speaking on behalf of Grizzly Group Chairman Abdoulaye Ndiaye, the company’s Group CSR Manager, Mr Davy Phiri, told the gathering that the handover was not the end of Grizzly’s engagement with the chiefdom, but rather another milestone in a long-term relationship.

He said the company’s CSR team would continue working closely with the Chief’s office to identify and respond to the needs and aspirations of the community.

The Chairman’s message stressed that sustainable development could only be achieved through consultation, partnership and collective action.

He reaffirmed Grizzly’s commitment to maintaining an open, respectful and constructive relationship with Chief Machiya and the people of Mpongwe District, expressing hope that the vehicle would support the effective administration of the chiefdom for years to come.

The keys were formally handed over to the Chief by the Mpongwe District Commissioner alongside Grizzly Mining representatives, in a gesture symbolising the collaborative spirit behind the donation.

In his remarks, Mpongwe District Commissioner Mr Mwambashi Mwitwa commended Grizzly Mining Limited for a gesture he described as reflective of the growing collaboration between the private sector, traditional leadership and government structures in supporting service delivery at community level.

He noted that such initiatives complement government efforts to ensure development reaches communities where it is most needed.

The District Commissioner described chiefs as key stakeholders in Zambia’s governance system who deserve the kind of support demonstrated by Grizzly Mining, adding that the donation would significantly improve the Chief’s mobility as he engages with his subjects across the chiefdom.

He expressed hope for continued partnership in development efforts across the district in the years ahead.

Responding on behalf of his chiefdom, Chief Machiya thanked Grizzly Mining for its sustained commitment to creating employment and driving development initiatives across the Copperbelt.

He said the new vehicle would go a long way in enabling him and other traditional leaders to more easily reach and administer their chiefdoms.

The Chief urged the Grizzly Chairman to continue supporting national development with what he called a “fatherly spirit,” working hand in hand with government to strengthen both economic growth and traditional governance structures.

Flanked by several of his subjects, Chief Machiya assured Grizzly Mining and other investors operating in the area that traditional leadership would continue to create an enabling environment for their operations to thrive.

The handover ceremony underscores a broader trend across Zambia’s mining regions, where companies are increasingly partnering with traditional leadership structures to extend the reach of development beyond company operations.

For Mpongwe District, the donation of the Hilux represents both a practical boost to local administration and a symbolic reaffirmation of the ties between industry, government and custom — three pillars that speakers at the event repeatedly described as essential to Zambia’s development agenda.

As the ceremony drew to a close, well-wishers and community members joined in celebration, with cultural performances marking the occasion — a reminder that, in Mpongwe, business and tradition continue to move forward together.