== Listen to messages relayed by our artists – RB

Former President Rupiah Banda, has urged Zambian leaders to learn to listen to messages relayed by artistes as they are the watchdogs of society.

The former head of State said leaders could only ignore artistes at their own peril because their observations and depictions of society were rarely wrong.

ZANIS reports that President Banda said this last night when he officiated at the wedding reception of musician Mukubesa Mundia, alias Petersen, and Rosemary Msisha, held at Fallsway Events Centre in Lusaka.

This is according to a statement released to the media by Deputy Administrative Secretary in the officeof the Fourth Republican President Kennedy Limwanya.

“Artistes observe society. They read society correctly. We have to learn to listen to them. If we don’t, we are doomed,”said Mr Banda who was accompanied to the reception by former Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and former ambassador to Japan Joe Mwale.

He said leaders were usually so preoccupied with the demands of running the affairs of the nation that they nearly forget that they also needed time to observe what else was affecting society.

He said this therefore, makes the role of artistes crucial.

“As leaders, we don’t observe society until we are told. So, we must know that whatever we are doing, young people are watching us and making fun of us. If young people don’t make fun of you, then they don’t love you,” he counselled.

The former Head of State described Petersen as highly talented, highly polite and highly Zambian.

He hoped that he would continue with his music so that Zambians could continue benefitting from his talent.

He wished Petersen and Rosemary the best, stressing that what made people grow up were the circumstances in which they found themselves.