Rev.Sumaili Urges Couples To Uphold Faithfulness For Stronger Families

Lusaka-Former Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Rev. Godfridah Sumaili, has called on married couples across Zambia to remain faithful to one another in order to preserve the family institution, which she described as the backbone of society.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with RCV News, Rev. Sumaili expressed deep concern over what she termed the “growing normalization” of extramarital affairs, particularly the trend among some men who openly boast about having “side chicks.” She condemned the practice as unGodly, warning that it not only undermines the sanctity of marriage but also exposes families to serious health and emotional risks.

“The issue of side chicks is not something to be taken lightly. It goes against biblical teachings, destroys trust in relationships, and puts spouses at risk of diseases. Most importantly, it affects the way children grow up, because children are shaped by the examples set within the home,” Rev. Sumaili said.

She urged both men and women to embrace commitment, loyalty, and mutual respect, stressing that marriage is a sacred covenant meant to nurture love, stability, and unity. According to her, when couples remain faithful, they build stronger families which in turn create a morally upright and stable society.

Rev. Sumaili further emphasized that infidelity does not only harm the couple but also has ripple effects on the wider community. “A broken home often leads to broken children, and broken children can grow into troubled adults. That is why we must protect the family unit at all costs,” she said.

The former minister reminded couples that love and faithfulness are not just emotional choices but spiritual responsibilities that safeguard the nation’s values. She called on churches, civic leaders, and communities to continue promoting messages of fidelity, family unity, and moral responsibility as a way of protecting Zambia’s cultural and religious heritage.

Her remarks come at a time when marriage counselors and religious leaders in the country are increasingly raising concerns about the rise in infidelity cases, which they warn could erode the nation’s social fabric if left unchecked.