Friday, March 29, 2024

Friendly Voice for Barotseland

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By Mungandi wa Muwina Mungandi

Reading through a feature article in one of the Government controlled dailies for 2nd June 2011 written ‘by a correspondent’ gave rise to such a mixed grill of emotions and reactions within me, so much so that in the same instance, I experience a lump on my throat, goose pimples all over me and pangs in my belly. It is nauseating to say the least, how a so called ‘correspondent’ of such a ‘respected’ newspaper can write such an article which is hell-bent on spreading ignorance and get away with it. The Editors of the paper can be so parochial in their anti-Barotse stance that they can allow such an ill-informed mumble-jumble concoctions of anti-Barotse rhetoric, crafted purely to mislead and misinform the masses, to actually go to press.

It is clear that blinded by a mixture of hatred for Michael Sata and envy for the perceived political mileage that he (Sata), is making in Barotseland over the issue of the Barotseland Agreement 1964, the author makes an attempt to discredit him through this article. The Correspondent may dislike or disapprove of Mr. Sata, but on the issue of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 he is as right as can be. He is among a few politician in Zambia who have clearly stated that the Barotseland Agreement 1964 is not a non issue (Others include Charles Milupi, HH, and Elias Chipimo Jnr.) Whether he is just politicking and does not mean what he is saying is beside the point. Let us place credibility where it is due. In the process the Correspondent makes such glaring inconsistencies and sometimes tells blatant lies that should not be allowed to go unchallenged. In any case if these errors are made out of ignorance then I must say I pity the Author of that article and the Editors of the paper for the heavy cargo of ignorance that they carry. May humbly attempt to drastically reduce their excessive load of ignorance herein:

There is a difference between calls for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 and secession, a world of difference. I cannot understand how anyone who claims even a fraction of literacy cannot see this difference. We have said this over and over again and in fact the Litunga’s recent special envoy to State House, HRH Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta went to great pains and lengths to explain that calls for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 should not be equated to or confused with secession.
The issue of secession does not arise in the case of Barotseland because Barotseland and the rest of Zambia were two separate territories which came together at independence by way of a unity treaty (The Barotseland Agreement 1964) to form the Unitary State of Zambia. The breakup of the unitary state of Zambia due to breach of the unity treaty is not secession but simply separation according to international law, in this case the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
To say that the Litunga is not in favour of the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 is just mind – boggling. I certainly don’t know if this Author and his Editors ever care to check their sources. Well the records speak very loud and clear that both the current Litunga and those before him have made relentless demands for the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. Please check all the Constitutional Review Commissions reports that this country has had. It is also on record that, apart from their submissions to the CRCs including the just ended NCC, both the current Litunga and those before him have sent delegation after delegation to all successive Zambian Governments, basically demanding the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 (The Last delegation being the one led by HRH Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta in Feburary 2011 which clearly demanded for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 and its inclusion in the Zambian Constitution as can be seen from the opening clause of the preamble of the Resolutions presented to state house by that high powered BRE delegation as follows:
“NOTING that the past Governments of the Republic of Zambia had persistently refused to recognize and implement the Barotseland Agreement 1964 despite the receipt of numerous appeals from the Barotse Royal Establishment…”

The Issue of the Barotseland Boundaries is not in contention by any standard. It is clearly documented by both the colonial government of Northern Rhodesia and the Zambian government both in text and diagrammatically. Yes, the Kingdom of Barotseland at its highest pick had influence going far beyond the current boarders of Barotseland and indeed Zambia. Yet when we talk about Barotseland today we are talking about a territory that is clearly defined and internationally undisputed and has been for almost a century from as far back as 1920 and probably beyond. Certainly not the mythical ‘railway line boundary’ that this educated illiterate author is talking about. Please care to look at the maps of Barotseland attached below:
Zambia and Zambians, like this educated illiterate author, should stop playing Ostrich with the Barotseland Agreement 1964 issue. The facts are as clear as the nose on your face. It is wishful thinking for anyone to imagine that it will just fade away. Let us not think like my good friend Mr. Humphrey Siulapwa who thinks because he was not born when the Barotseland Agreement was signed then he cannot recognize it; how naïve, illogical, dull and retrogressive! Siulapwa might as well reject his mother’s roots because she was born before he was.

96 COMMENTS

  1. So Author let me ask you something. What’s there to gain for the country as a whole if Barotseland is restored and there is no succession. This is how civil wars begin, just zip p and let sleeping dogs lie. Be it you try to state the differences between the dreary meaning of the words succession and restoration in an event that restoration would exist the result would be tantamount to the same, which is civil war. Please let sleeping dogs lie.. You obviously a taking Zambia’s peace for granted.

    • Federalism is to be gained. pls think thoroughly. Eish!!! is this desease of being an educated illiterate synonmous with Zambia? yaba

  2. Dear author of the above article, could you kindly educate me and the others out there on this issue since you seem to know so much? Could you kindly educate me on the following:
    1. When was the Baroste Land Agreement 1964 Implemented
    2. When was it breached and abandoned?
    3. When did Baroste Land change name to Western Province and who was the minister of local goverment?

    I ask these questions because in my humble ignorance of historical facts I do know that the agreement was first reached at in Lusaka somewhere in March or May 1964 and later signed somewhere July or August 1964. But what happens to it until now is what am ignorant about. So when people talk of restoration is it restoration or implementation of the agreement. kindly shed light. 

    • 1) It came into effect on Independence day

      2) It was breached by KK in 1969 when he attempted decentralise governance in all provinces. What was Barotseland became Western Province and what was Western Province became Copperbelt Province.

  3. Well said i honestly feel sorry for individuals and embiciles like siulapwa who are so ignorant and and are just loud but unconvincing. Indeed God knows the future leaders and i am convinced siulapwa will continue being an entertainer like those before him on the political scene. I wonder who even pays for his press conferences because the man struggles to even buy gas for his old vehicle and can’t even afford school fees for his children. Danny kaya please advise your brother to instead try looking for a job as a bus conductor as he seems to qualify for that.

  4. Good afternoon

    I guess I’m not the only one who has already had enough of this Barotseland issue.

    In the past, we have seen an international media that constructed Africa as a hopeless, dark continent. The occasion for this image is the tribalism and civil wars that have rampaged the continent since the 1960s.

    Now today, we are seeing a hopeful picture being painted of Africa by international researchers. Instead of entering a new era of hope, some of us are self-righteously sliding back to the past centuries in a pre-colonial age. The responsibility for a new undivided Africa and a new undivided Zambia is ours.

  5. Why does it take a lot of effort for Zambians to reason on this matter?? The author is on point. The benefits of the restoration of the agreement is federalism…..APPLY YOUR MINDS PLS EDUCATED ILLITERATES

    • No.5 there is no such thing as an educated illeterate, perhaps you mean educated derelict, anyways onto another point. Number. 2 , and number 5. you have spoken very well. Author I wonder if by any chance you are tribalist?

  6. Us Nkoyas do not want the agreement that entrenches Lozi dominance of Western province and will not vote for any party that wants to restore the agreement that manifestly ignores our existence and right to self-determination.

  7. If only the other parts of the country got as much attention as Western province. Yaba! I am sick and tired of this issue mwe. Can we change the subject and talk about Mafinga Hills or the Luano valley? Just going back and forth, back and forth. The Lozis could do what the Scottish have done in UK. Form a party that advocates for this agreement. If it gets the majority of the seats in Western province, it would then have the mandate to speak for the people there. As for now, we dont know who is representative of the views of the majority. Is it the Litunga or is it Mututwa? Non-Lozis living in the province also seem to be ignored and forgotten.

    • #7
      In the UK, there are two parliaments: one in Scotland and one in England. why this is, i implore you to make use of whats between your ears and stop looking for an easy ride to enlightenment.

      Reading into the mood of people regarding this matter, they’re obviously individuals that have embraced and understood why the restoration calls are growing & important for Zambia. Its not secession please, its restoration. HH, Sata and Chipimo promise once elected to restore this agreement. could it be that there is something in their water thats led them on this path?? or the majority are failing to reason?

  8. No.5 there is no such thing as an educated illeterate, perhaps you mean educated derelict, anyways onto another point. Number. 2 , and number 5. you have spoken very well. Author I wonder if by any chance you are tribalist? Why are so many people eager to separate or as the author would under the auspices of diplomacy call it restoration which is not clearly defined as number 2. has pointed out. Ok we restore you what next.. People are not fools we see behind your scheme Author and deep down in your heart you want an independent Lozi only land. Like I said we restore Barotseland WHAT NEXT.. Tell me?

    • Roger, the BA itself is not as bad as politicians would have us believe. The document is simply about decentralisation or federalism as someone has put it. It is not about seccession. The seccession talk arises out of frustration. The trouble is the politicians do not want to surrender part of their power and therein lies the problem. What needs to be done is to create a federal state such that each province has some autonomy and that will equitably resolve the BA saga. The BA document is legal and valid.

    • I do not understand your description of tribalism. It is like saying if your wife demands to be treated properly ,You say she is proud as she should just be treated him like one of your elderly daughters.

      This is what Kaunda used to say uneducated literates. Actually it was Kaunda who confused the whole agreement because he wanted to play God

  9. when i went to my home village was surprised that people in mongu speak mbunda than lozi,i felt good its one zambia one nation not the so called restoration.lets not get back to colonialism we whites divided africa.

  10. The author of this article is very clear that the borders of 1960s should be the starting point for negotiations on the restoration of the Barotseland agreement. The sharp dichotomy in this approach to restoration of Barotseland is not merely intellectually inconsistent, it is cluttered thinking. If boundaries are the contentious issue, then Barotseland activists should equally be pressing the Namibian and Angolan government for the restoration of land to the BaLozi Kingdom. The problem with the Kubulozi activists is that they are pushing a political agenda that seeks to destroy the States of Zambia, Namibia and Angola. At the point this agreement was signed, the Zambia’s population was approximately 3 million but the demographics in 2011 are totally different.

  11. The TRUTH pains, it enters the borne marrow. whether you like it or not B A is a reality. and as at now no one will suppress it. VIVA to all thoses who are Pro BA, we shall stand by it, since it is part and parcel of what makes zambia zambia. wina azalila

  12. I must admit, that as much as the author of this article may have a point, I find his self agrandisement and militant stance hard to believe! Man, you are calling all other Zambians who have contrary views to yours ignorant? Thanks for waking the sleeping passion of one Zambia, One nation in us! we shall surely see to it that once Sata gets your Lozi vote, we stand on a hill and laugh at you when he twists that cobra tongue and like Shaggy sing it ‘ it wasn’t me in your face! You probably stand a better chance odf dialogue with either RB or HH!

  13. Reading into the mood of people regarding this matter, they’re obviously individuals that have embraced and understood why the restoration calls are growing & important for Zambia. Its not secession please, its restoration. HH, Sata and Chipimo promise once elected to restore this agreement. could it be that there is something in their water thats led them on this path?? or the majority are failing to reason?

  14. This issue has been attended to by both parties and as far as we are concerned, there are proper established channel that really deals with this. Anything else is just political rhetoric. This issue is a dead dog and has been enough. For how long shall you beat this dead Dog for your heart to be happy. For how long will you use this issue as a political football to be played on the heads of innocent western province people

    As Mr Nina Chale has wonderfully put it in his posting on #4, we have had enough. Please compose and play another song. Life is more diverse than what you are bickering about. Move on

  15. Going by your standards, Africa would not have been liberated were you & nine chale alive then. Or worse if you were South African, Malan, Botha and his cronies would still have mandela in jail. Thank God for the resiliant, and the active participants to their RIGHTs and freedom on matters that concern them.

  16. What I would rather the Author did is simply state the implications of restoring the ‘agreement’ from his point of view, which others have made conclusions and are already apprehensive about, rather than belabor correcting what he terms as a misunderstanding of interpretation.

    In restoring the agreement, the author implies a legal right to have a former state given its former sovereignty and not the breaking-out of a state without a legal basis.

    What is fundamentally misconstrued in the mind of the Author, is that he believes that the extent of ‘Barosteland’ was properly defined to the extents as agreed by BSA. That alone is enough for the Author, if he cared to understand, that the recognition of such an agreement based on fundamental flaws cannot not be acceptable by others.

  17. Seperation or restoration for what? Or favours for what? So what? You and your Sata will go nowhere. Latest poll survey Sata is number 3.Infact and to tell you the truth the only person who can solve your problem you lozis is RB. Sata is just comedian and a play boy. Sata has no diplomatic skills

  18. I think this issue must come to an end in one way or the other. We are tired and sick of this BA64, what Lozis must not forget is that other tribes alledgedly to have been under the Litunga then will not accept to be under them again.

    These advocates of the BA64 are becoming an axis of evil, an must be treated as such. Zambia is one nation and will remain as such, period.

  19. Why cant you critically look at the BA,select closes that can bring unity in the country and quash off those that can bring anarchy and division in the country.Period! select the commission to critically debate on it

  20. The general view is that we should concentarte on constructive issues – BRE is history, if there are developmental issues, use other fora to dela with them. B. Agreement is colonial, old-fashioned and negative….leave it and convert it to something good – positive and forward looking.

  21. While almost all Zambians know that the Barotse agreement was a reality and was a key component for forming Zambia, it is ridiculous that some people would want to reshape the country on the basis of this old document. To start with many people in Zambia were born after 1964 and this document therefore has little meaning. I fail to see why any Zambian must use TRIBE to push his agenda. All Zambians have been given equal opportunity and freedom to pursue their goals. Therefore for certain individuals to start resurrecting old agreements to suit their political goals is unfair. People from Western province that want to see change and development in their province can always do so under the current political framework by electing good representatives.

  22. CONT’D

    In other words, if the BA must be restored, it must be done on a basis that is legal, defining clearly amongst other things, a legally defined ‘extent’ and time frame of its former existence.

    This must include the birth of its former existence in time and extent, how that land (territory) was annexed i.e inherited or concurred, the genealogy of its leaders from its inception to 1964, etc

    But if all that can’t be availed, how will anyone believe any claims at all, more so that the claim of its territorial extent includes land belonging to chiefs who only heard about BA in these recent times and have no basis to believe that they were subjects of another Kingdom?

  23. You Lozis are everywhere in Zambia and some of you are so well established.So you mean you will pack yourselves in mongu after you establish your own country?If Sata gives you Western province then he will be president of a half country? You are playing with the cobra.There will be war. Some of you will die without seeing your so called BA64. You are bringing colonial ideas for selfish reasons. Just work hard here here in zambia and achieve your dreams. Zambia offers alot of opportunities.Do not waste you time talking BA64 with your hopeless Sata. Sata will never be a president

  24. i find interesting hw easy it is 2mis lead zambians.i asked in my post #2 bt no one is answering me.whn u elope is tht a formal mariege?whn u wnt da mariege to be formalised do u call it mariege restoration or wht? Anyone heard of the northern rhodesia independence bill?i urge u 2search it in the archives of the house of commons website and consider clause 8. In anycase why nt ask k.k and skota wina why ths agreement was never implemented despite its signing by parties to it. So let us nt be cheated theres no restoration as one politician is puting it.whts needed is implementation of da terms of ths agreement. I urge pipo 2research so as 2debate 4rm an informed position rather thn emotionalism.

  25. ,HONESTLY, DO I HAVE TO SUFFER FROM A MENTAL STRESS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE MY MOTHER CAME FROM OR SORT OUT THE PROBLEM OF HUNGER IN MY HOME? IN THE HOLY BIBLE,LOTTIE WAS TOLD NOT TO LOOK BACK..

  26. Someone is sucking up to much oxygen. Unfortunately, the Barometer will not keep rising high on this issue.
    Descent and good thinking people have left this dealt in the correct conduit

    We have started witnessing a number of “Internet Based Politician” or “Counterfeits” propagating their Ideological Terrorism. Or may simply trying to find a Training Ground for their spin windows.

  27. May Mungandi wa Muwina Mungandi read the view, propagation and mindset of Princess Godwin M Kaluwe the true heir to the Litingaship. Please google and read it right here on LT.

    In his article tittled, 

    “The Barotseland contention”

    By Godwin M Kaluwe

    The man clearly propound separation of Barotseland from Zambia which is secession.

  28. In his article tittled,
     
    “The Barotseland contention”

    By Godwin M Kaluwe

    The man clearly propound separation of Barotseland from Zambia which is secession.

  29. I am surprised at how simple minded most bloggers. Here it is not about breaking away but giving provinces or regions some semi autonomy to decided what is good for them. Why should it take Lusaka to build a bridge over some stream in Nabwalya instead  of the regional assembly.NO wonder the rural areas are still in the stone age because you want Lusaka based graduates who passed thru kudatula and have never been to the area to plan for you. By giving all provinces some autonomy each province would be able to identify investment opportunities and promote investment there. Do not just criticize look at what good is in the idea and expand it for all. After all it was the lack of development which caused those killings in Mongu not the call to break away. Be objective. 

    • Why should that only apply to BA and not any other province of Zambia? If you are asking for federalism the BA shouldn’t be the starting point because you are promoting tribalism.

  30. I can forgive Michael Sata for all the terrible things he has done such as third term attempt by Chiluba and all the lies such as Saddam Hussein’s family being kept in Zambia by Kaunda, but I will never forgive him for misleading the Lozi people on an issue which is so dangerous for Zambia. He knows that he would not be able to establish a Barotse Government without Chitimukulu, Mpezeni,Gawa Undi and Kazembe demanding their own governments. Sata, stop playing with fire.

  31. The current population of Western Province stands around just under a million, a figure far below Zambia’s population at 1964! Implying that by 1964, the population of WP by then (1964) was less than 300,000, later on exclude other tribes their, leaves the Lozi population at around 50,000, if not much less.

    Now compare the extent of their conquered land!

  32. What was the extent of Barotseland then and is there any evidence that supports the author’s contention that the Litunga had authority over a wide area of  present day Zambia especially given the fact that the Luyanas or Luyis were ruled by the Makololo who were actually the first to refer to them as ‘Lozi’ or ‘Rotse’ for about thirty years before Lewanika regained control of the kingdom and soon after signed the protectorate treaty with the BSA?

  33. Kaunda abrogated the Barotse Agreement in 1969 as a first step towards a complete centralization of power in his hands in Lusaka. Kaunda feared that existence of the Barotse Agreement will result in each province having a locally elected Provincial administrations may be with an elected Provincial Premier or Governor like it is in India, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria and now Kenya as specified in their new constitution. Once kaunda got rid of the BA he introduced the one-party state in 1972. The next institution to go were the democratically elected local authorities. In came Kaunda’s appointees in 1979 i.e District Governors. The local authorities or councils are still suffering from this power grab by the mo../ro/ns in Lusaka. Barotse Agreement=Decentralisation!

  34. the problem with the lozi’s is that they like signing things,where ever these a blank space for a signature,call a lozi..they sign faster than their hands can hold a pen.

  35. #29 Lets not forget that those people in Mongu were taking part in an illegal gathering after they had produced documents in which they stated that they would ethnically cleanse anybody who is not Lozi from the province. If you think that it would be responsible for any government in the world to stand idly by when such a threat has been made then you need to get your head tested my friend. 

  36. Mungandi wa Muwina Mungandi, You have spoken loud and clear I hope Zambians will gather their courage and amicably find a solution. The Barotseland Agreement is NOT a dead issue as some people cheat. Intimidation will not take us anywhere.

  37. #30 I dont think Sata would keep his promise as regards this agreement if he was voted into power and I just hope that most moderate and reasonable minded Lozis will be able to see through his posturing.

  38. There is also an agreement about the Gwembe Valley Tongas that got displaced to pave way for the construction of the Kariba Dam.  The electricity that is being produced as a result has not specifically benefited these people. Similarly other groups around the country had to give way for national projects such as mines and were promised all sorts of rewards.  The problem with these co called agreements is that they a merely directive on the state with no mechanism for enforcement. This is the reason why no one has sought legal redress over the Barotse agreement. What we need is a government that will develop the entire nation and this requires fresh thinking and hard work by all of us. These non-justiciable documents will take us nowhere

  39. #31 Nsango For God’s sake some of you people should just learn to shut up rather than expose your ignorance. Silozi is a language that is about 80 t0 90 per cent Sotho and about 10 to 20 per cent Lui/Luyana. It was/is a micro -national language. The people who you are refering to as Lozis are an almagamation of about 24 ethnic groups. The 24 ethnic groups used to speak their own language but now these languages are dead.Nkoyas still speak their language in rural Kaoma so do my Mbunda relatives. Hoever most people now speak dialects of Silozi, Sikololo or Sisotho whatever you prefer. You ask the Lozi Ministers who they are at the micro-level in Barotseland. They might tell you that they are Kwangwa, Subiya, Totela, Mbunda, Nyengo etc. Lozis are a nation and not a tribe!

  40. WATCH THIS SPACE…. SATA GIVEN STATE POWER WILL NEVER ALLOW BA RESTORATION, HE JUST WANTS THE WESTERN VOTES. WHEN IN POWER INONGE, GIVEN AND OTHERS WILL BE KICKED OUT AND REPLACED BY MULONGOTI, MPOMBO AND CHITALA. WATCH…………

  41. THIS IS A FANTASTIC ARTICLE………NO AMOUNT OF WISHIFUL THINKING WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE EVAPORATE IN THIN AIR…….THAT’S THE MORE REASON WHY THE PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP OF UNCLE SATA HAS PUT THIS MATTER IN THE IN-TRAY, TO BE SORTED OUT IN 4 MONTHS TIME WHEN THESE FRIGHTENED MMD PLUNDERERS ARE GONE…….HOW CAN A SENSIBLE PERSON SAY ‘LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE’ WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH ISSUES OF LAW…….. SOONER THAN LATER THE SLEEPING DOGS WILL SURELY WAKE UP………YOU MAY AS WELL WISH THEM DEAD………

  42. #35 Chiluhainde You are a very gullible i.d.io/t. How many so called non-Lozis did they maim or kill? Can you and your stu/.,p.i/d murderous lying MMD dogs produce one non- Lozi who was maimed or killed. The violence was from RB’s murderous mercenaries who were bused in from other provinces. Those st/up.i.d fliers you are talking about are printed and distributed by your Nyasalander- led govt. They distributed them during their murderous orgy, they again resurfaced during the Kuomboka and the latest appearance was recently when Sata was campaigning in Barotseland. All I can do now is to urge you to remove your empty head from that hole in your backside and see things for what they are! You are a gutless and gullible human being. You are an embarrasment to Zambia!

  43. Our father in neighboring countries, come and rule us. As we do not know squat about ourselves and find pleasure in misrule. forgive us our foolish questions, and deliver us from the truth coz we cant handle it, for thine is bliss as the old say of ignorance amen amen.:d

  44. Indeed there are cows and pigs impersonating human beings in this country, can these barotse fafankuros answer  these questions:
    1. Which tribes did this lousy Litunga defeat for the chap to claim all that land?
    2. Do those dull and dim followers understand that Western Province is not Barotse Land?
    3. Can they agree that when the restoration is done, all Lozis should be deported to western         province? 

    • Hold your cool. Firstly, there is no tribe in Zambia or barotseland called Lozi. Lozi is a language spoken by over 8 tribes in western and south western Zambia (Just as there is no tribe called Nyanja). If you care to read the barotseland agreement, you will notice that it is all about federalism. Management of certain resources at local level. In my view, this is simply a call to decentralise our governance system such that people in districts and provinces can have a say in the way resources are managed. The current system is too centralised.

  45. #43 Where is the evidence that the leaflet were published by the govt? If that was the case, then why did they refute any involvement with the leaflets before the date of the riot and further more why did they not postpone the date of the demonstration as a means of distancing themselves from the proposed ethnic cleansing? Your language is full of hate and rather lends credence to the fact that people who support the rioters such as yourself are very much capable of committing murder on ethnic or tribal grounds. The reason why non Lozis were not killed is simply because the govt prevented genocide from taking place. How can we be talking about a Barotseland Agreement when they are non-Lozis in the province? Dont the non-Lozis in the province deserve speak for themselves?

  46. #43 You say I am an embarrassment to Zambia and yet you side with people who wanted to kill people simply because they are not Lozi. Show us the evidence to support your position that the rioters were not bent on ethnic cleansing. The leaflets were distributed long before the riot took place. Why didn’t the leaders of the rioters distance themselves from the ethnic cleansing plans as they had ample time to do so. It was very naive of them to actually gather on the day that the leaflets said they would and riot in Mongu wouldn’t you say? If you cant see that Sata is simply using the people of Western province then I feel sorry for you. Again, there was ample time for Sata to try and intervene and offer solutions before the fateful day but chose not. Now he is the champion of Barotseland?

  47. #43 If you think the deaths of two people is bad, convince the people of the province to vote for Sata and see how many of them will be thrown into the Zambezi. Sata will ensure that the crocodiles of the river get fat on the flesh of Lozis. When your people start dying in huge numbers you will be crying for the Nyasalander my friend because your Satanzania will show you no mercy. Dont say you have not been warned.

  48. #43 At least I love Zambians and all Zambians and would never, ever support anyone advocating for ethnic cleansing. Up till now we keep hearing that it was govt propaganda but no evidence to prove it and yet the same people believe Sata’s propaganda and ignore the fact that he actually wanted to reduce the powers of the Litunga? We dont even know what support these violent thugs command in the province, all I know is that Western province is not just made up of Lozis and those siding with ethnic cleansers who want to create a Lozi hegemony in the province will pay at the ballot box.

  49. The British offered to Protect the ‘Rotse’ against the ‘Ndebele’ incursions in return for exploration rights. Now, to avoid the need to have to enter protracted negotiations and other inconveniences they expected to encounters they went about exploring for minerals in the broader regions, the British took advantage of the ignorance and pride the native Chief, to make a one stop treaty and ticket to conquer other lands, beyond where the treaty was signed. That treaty with the then Litunga, worked to convince other natives Chiefs/peoples they ever to confront with, as well as give a moral basis to convince those who seemed skeptical about their mission abroad.

  50. THIS AUTHOR, SHOULD READ WHAT THE BLOGGERS HAVE SAID HERE. NEXT TIME INCLUDE FACTS AND NOT FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS. REMEMBER SOME ZAMBIAS WOULD NOT WHAT TO BE SUBJECTS(SLAVES) OF THE LOZI.THE DOMINANCE OF THE LOZI COULD HAVE COME THROUGH WARS BY A LARGER TRIBE.REMEMBER THIS IS ZAMBIA WHERE ALL TRIBES ARE EQUAL UNDER THE LAW.ANY LEADER WHO WANT TO REVIVE THE SHAKA WARS IN ORDER TO DECEIVE SHOULD BE REJECTED.

  51. As as far as the history of ‘Baroste’, there are no records to prove that the land they claim as their right was ever conquered or bought by them. The BSA, out of treacherous acts convived, for their convenience, to bargain a deal far greater than the Litunga ever imagined would be when he penned his signature on the contract.

    The British asked the Litunga: ‘How far does your territory go?’. The Litunga replied: ‘Beyond what my eye can see.’ And so, the British had a formal document to declare to anyone something that proved the legitimacy of their dealings, but of course, they did not include the open ended reply the Litunga gave to their trapping question.

  52. The English Dictionary has many words that one can use to express one’s outlook or opinions. One does not to sink so low by calling others all sort of things. Debates are not about who comes on top but rather share views and listening to the other side of the coin or opinions.

    On the other hand, we need to learn how to control our “Pressure-Cooks” when the reach the boiling points from every day encounters. Frankly, insulting others is a total waste of time in life. It also shows that you are defeated and cannot stand the Stomach. One wonders how this nation can move forward.

  53. Mongu was given the status of ‘Administrative Center’ by the British, but strictly speaking, for the Company ‘BSA’. BSA for administrative convenience had decided to divide the ‘extent of their exploration activities’ into two convenient parts. ‘Northwestern Rhodesia’ which, as explained above, they obtained by treaty, was one part and the other being, ‘North-Eastern Rhodesia’, administered from Fort Jameson, now Chipata, which they conquered by war, in which more than 5000 natives were massacred while the British lost less than 200 of their own soldiers in the battle, nonetheless, a ‘concession’ was reached.

  54. The boundaries that Defined North Western Rhodesia and North Eastern Rhodesia were clearly nothing to do with boundaries of the then ‘native’ Kingdoms such as the ‘Baroste Kingdom’ but an administrative convenience for the business of ‘Exploration’ by BSA.

    The Rhodes empire is what parceled – out what the Author would have us believe as the ‘Baroste Kingdom’ Who can believe the claim the Author makes, which is not supported by recorded history?

  55. If those who want to “restore” the so-called Barotse Agreement succeed, then those from the eastern parts of Zambia will want a restoration of the Maravi Kingdom which extended west as far as to Luangwa River and beyond towards Lusaakas; then covered Tete and Niassa Provinces of Mozambique and the whole of the current Malawi…There are agreements/treaties which brought this Kingdom into the BSA Company controlled protectorate later called North-Eastern Rhodesia…where will it all end?

    • Your ignorance frightens me. The BA was implemented but abrogated by Kaunda in 1969.

      This is what Kaunda used to say uneducated literates. Actually it was Kaunda who confused the whole agreement because he wanted to play God

  56. At least the easterners fought the brithish instead of welcoming them with open arms to come and exploit us.

  57. There was an agreement here, that must be honoured. lets not behave like pagans. Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia came together through that agreement. to abrogate it and give all kinds of justifications for it is immorality, lack of integrity and injustice. the barotseland agreement gives the lamba chiefs, tonga chiefs, kaonde chiefs, lavle chiefs, lunda chiefs, kwangwa chiefs, nkoya chiefs and all the other chiefs therein, autonomy over their lands. there is no lozi monopoly. and thats what GRZ fears. once the barotseland agreement is restored politicians would have to beg from chiefs to do anything. the author cries foul that michael sata will be president of what once barotseland agreement is restored? why did they sign it? do we need a war to regain our land? im lala myself.

  58. Anything reading ‘By Correspondent’ in the government papers is usually not written by staff of the paper but third-parties. e.g. Plot 1, Friends of Plot 1, or other such offices.

  59. Just restore it baKolwe imwe, alah! It is refusing to honour agreements that lead to civil wars in Africa. If you think this case will die away, you’re mistaken, just watch Kansundila lose and Sata federalizes this country big time. Some people are scared of taking control of their provinces in a federalized system because they know only too well that with their “kaca” of “nichekele ko naine” and “na tolelefye”, Zaireanisation will be knocking on the door the moment they are let loose. You though cannot hold us all to backwardness though a failed centralized system that has bred nothing but poverty.

  60. # 29 Bika Bika Bingi says: In his article tittled, “The Barotseland contention” By Godwin M Kaluwe. The man clearly propound separation of Barotseland from Zambia which is secession.
    See Kaluwe’s Peace Foundation : http://www.barotselandpeacefoundation.org/article.php?id=8

    Godwin Mando Kaluwe is President, and Founder of Barotseland Peace Foundation (BAPF), a nonprofit International Organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, dedicated in supporting the local poor people of Zambia, especially those in the remote areas. Objectives: The Objectives (Check the Bylaws and Constitution of Barotseland here) BAPF, include but not limited to; Restoration of peace and tranquility in the land, … Self-Determination that we preserve our cherished culture and social structure for future.

  61. #66 continued
    Why is this Barotse Foundation called ‘Peace’ and not ‘Development’, given its objectives.
    Raises questions, in my opinion

  62. @63, Khinakho Ya Bulozi:

    You seem not to have read the BA64 going by your post. Where in the BA64 does it mention or even hint at the existence of other tribal chiefs in so called B/Land? If the BA64 was all about decentralization, believe me, plenty of other Zambians would have supported the implementation of the BA64 without any reservations. But self-serving agreements that seek hegemony over other equally legitimate tribal councils and tribes can never be allowed to stand in the twenty first century!

    This is the reality the Lozi activists fighting for this outdated ideology have to come to terms with. Even if the Zambian govt was to implement (NOT RESTORE, ’cause the agreement was never implemented), there is no guarantee that other tribes in WP will accept Lozi dominance.

  63. What some of us who are from W province (to us it is not Barotseland) might be in agreement is if a new agreement were to be negotiated at a round table meeting which would include all stakeholders from the province. If the Lozis want the agreement to be restored, they can do so in their own territories but definitely not the whole of the province. In fact, some of us Nkoyas do not want our children to be taught in Lozi in primary schools in our areas and would actually want our areas to break away from W province and become part of a new province called Kafue.

  64. Kaluwe and supporters who are power hungry with very little education to show,please, if you have nothing to do to promote your hidden adjendas,stay where you are and eat your pies.Your deams can never be achieved.There are many educated Lozis with proper education who do not even want to hear that nonsense.Research,please

  65. I thought this issue was buried? Please this stuff belong to the achieves. One Zambia One Nation. As someone has indicated above, let sleeping dogs lie. If you continue to attempt to wake them up you will be bitten.

  66. The document seem to have been sponsored by instigators of instabilities in other nations. I wish it had a GRZ seal! Shut up Mungandi wa Thiongo

  67. In my view, the Zambian government has always honoured the BA 1964. The issues are very complicated because the British government wasn’t very straight forward to the Litunga. When the BSA company wanted minerals, it lied to Her Britannic majesty’s government that the Litunga presided all that land. NWR, NER and Barotseland which came together to form Northern Rhodesia. Now, the Barotseland I remember in school before 1964 was part of Northern Rhodesia as Barotse Province. It was administered from Lusaka. In 1953, things were complicated further with the federation. At independence in 1964, KK’s government implemented th BA 1964, but applied it to every chiefdom. In 1967, all chiefs gave up their land to state control. That is what I know. If I am ignorant I blame Mrs Sililo my teacher.

  68. Am not sure what the article was trying to achieve as it has left many questions un answered. What benefits, for the sake of us who have not read this agreement, will accrue to Barotseland vis a vis Western Province by restoring this agreement that is not going there today? How is this to be balanced with other provinces not feeling disadvantaged?

  69. Your ignorance frightens me. The BA was implemented in 1964, but abrogated by Kaunda in 1969.
    This is what Kaunda used to say uneducated literates. Actually it was Kaunda who confused the whole agreement because he wanted to play God.
    Just like like he demolished the Ndola Stadium when he did not have money to build it. By the way the Govt is actively engaging with BRE to sort out BA issue. I only hope i will not end up as the DIALOGUE OF THE DEAF. Nyerere was a bit smart, he merged Tanganyika with Zanzibar and is still holding.

  70. BA requires big minds , so do not worry if you do not understand it. In Africa, former president who is considered an intellectual GIANT is only Nyerere, Mandela is only an ethical Giant. No wonder he was able to maintain Zanzibar treaty.

  71. “The Correspondent may dislike or disapprove of Mr. Sata, but on the issue of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 he is as right as can be…………Whether he is just politicking and does not mean what he is saying is beside the point”. of course the fact that mr sata is politicking cannot be “beside the point”, it is the whole point that the correspondent was making, and correctly too. now bo mungandi ndate, have you gone bonkus with your “royal” rhetoric?

  72. mungandi’s explanation has just made the muddy waters of BRE more muddy. honestly i cannot understand what he just said in his article, but then maybe i am one of those educated illiterates that he has referred to.

  73. “….Zambia and Zambians, like this educated illiterate author, should stop playing Ostrich with the Barotseland Agreement 1964 issue……..” so this mungandi is not a zambian? okay bo mungandi ndate, if you live in lusaka, you are hence forth deported to “barotseland”, and if you want to visit us again, you will need a valid passport and visa. by the way, this applies only to you mungandi and your clique of like thinking, not the rest of our lozi brothers. and for good measure, the next time mr sata wants to visit barotseland, remind him that he must present a valid passport and visa at the immigation checkpoint, don’t ask me where it is.

  74. once this bre is restored agenda item 2 will be its historical roots. now didn’t the luyi (lozi) originate from rsa? we will resurrect shaka and ask him. all these guys must go back to their historic roots, lozis and ngonis back to rsa; bembas and lambas etc, back to congo etc. agenda item 3 will be the tongas, and they better find a home quickly. so far they have hidden their history in order to justify their monopoly of zambia. i mean, we want to clear all these tribes out of zambia back to their prehistoric origins, don’t we? issues of secession will be a thing of the past, but more sweetly, we will not have to put up with the likes of mr sata and his 90 days fantasies anymore. oh, agenda 4 will be to import rb back to zambia to continue with his fantastic work!!!

  75. What pipo must know is that restoration of BA of 1964 will end up with secesstion which is really dangerous for Zambia.You should be very careful what you want to restore.Zambia is a unitary state including western province.Why cant sure the relatives of Mr sata tell him that the issue of BA should not be the campaign strategy for Western province.The litunga is a respected figure in western province including the president.The president does consult him on many issues which i feel is enough.Even Mr sata will fail this country if separates Western province from Zambia.What will happen is that Western province will be called Barotseland and Copperbelt province will be called Western province.That was how it was before.The president will have less power govern the country.

  76. Even PF know One Zambia One Nation…only Sata doesn’t. He used to until now for he wants votes from the lost sheep pursuing the so-called restoration of the Bra. In the most unlikely event that Satana becomes president, he will FAIL to restore the Bra

  77. Hahaha kikiki,
    Stupid Zambians! Full of immotions, no substance in argument. Address the issue please. i.e the legality of an agreement. Whether u like it or not these so called Lozi’s are right and fighting for what is there’s and it scares the shit out of you historically bancrupt nincompoops! By the way Lozi is language and remember of the 73 tribes from Zambia over 35 come from western and 70% of these make up the great malozi. You *****s Don’t let sleeping dogs lie. They could be ****ing yakumbuyo like yourselves.

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