CHIEFS and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo has slammed individuals preaching tribalism in the country.
Professor Luo said sentiments bordering on tribalism have potential to disrupt peace in the country and should be avoided by all means.
Prof Luo said Government was focused to ensuring peace and unity among Zambians, regardless of their places of origin.
She said it was unfortunate that some people have taken for granted the existing peace that the country was enjoying.
Professor Luo called on female traditional leaders in the country to foster peace and stability that would as this had worked in the past.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Prof Luo condemned tribal sentiments made by some people through the media saying if this was left unchecked, it had potential to spark violence.
“We have witnessed a very sad development in this country where certain individuals are perpetuating and singing tribalism, if left unchecked this will be a source of violence,” she said.
She said Government embarked on a programme to address the conflict that was currently taking place in the country and was saddened by it.
Prof Luo said Government would on Sunday launch the forum for female chiefs as advocates of peace and stability.
She said female traditional leaders historically were custodians of fostering peace and stability and that the country needed to give the project a chance.
She that the American Government had procured US$380, 000 for the project to b a success She said her Ministry had invited 31 female traditional leaders that were expected to convene in Lusaka at the weekend in order to equip them to be the drivers of bringing peace and stability.
Prof Luo said the programme would revive the important roles that traditional institutions used to play in preserving peace.
PF blame yourselves, you started this and still perpetrating it. You think we are happy or blind as to how you are giving yourselves Government appointments,contracts and development. Its like you are fooling us. Dont come and Kneel before us in 2016.
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@NAALI YA Munna
Thanx bro for coining the word “BEMBALISM”.It is the best word to describe the specific kind of tribalism perpetrated by the PF in Zambia. 99% members in PF are Bembalists.
And this Bembalist Luo thinks people are so daft that they can not see who is truly practising Bembalism openly.
yaaba, this picture. if I met her/him along kafue river in mwaliteta’s constituency, I would think its a hungry hippo charging towards me
which political party once said that only a tonga can be its president?????
Madam minister, when there is a scourge amongst any people, Zambians inclusive, you do not correct it by not mentioning or discussing the scourge. Why dont you raise your collective head out of the sand and correct the practice by the government firstly purging yourself of this scourge. What do you call the tendancies exhibited at the PF Lusaka district elections? Call a spade a spade. Whatever happened to telling the truth?
Its the Bembas who have brought out this cancer of tribalism.Thats a FACT AND THE REALITY.
Nkando Luo first deal with open tribalism being practised in the PF before you open your mouth to advise others. Every even teenagers will tell you that tribalism is rife in your party.
By allowing the Past paper and you ministers to talk about tribalism and yet you are busy practising in your party is simply laughable and a travesty of justice and fairness. These allegations levelled against UPND will not help you as a party because people can clearly see that 98% of cabinet ministers are Bembas, 99% of foreign envoys are Bembas, 99% of heads of government parastals and institutions are Bembas. This being the case how do you expect the other tribes to feel when their own qualified people are being sidelined in all important government institutions in favour Bemba tribes mate.
Katuba people please vote for your man to teach these Bembas a lesson. I can longer afford to bury my head in the Sand and hope that tribalism being practised by the PF openly will go away on its own.
My advise to PF is deal with all acts that make people label your party as a tribal party. Forget about UPND, they are NOT in government to lead by example and correct the tribal cancer that is eating our very core of unity in our lovely country. You should take affirmative action and do a deliberate tribal balancing act to avoid the tribal tag being attached to your party at all cost.
Don’t think that because not many are openly talking about it in the opposition then its okay for PF to continue on this highly divisive and explosive tribal path. Be pragmatic for once and stop…
You’re partly right. It’s also known that it was said that only a Tonga can be President of that party. It’s incumbent upon everyone to get rid of tribalism – and a start would be to stop the nonsense of learning in local languages from Grade 1 to 4.
Yes I agree with you Tumbuka bembas are the ones practicing tribalism in the country. Always when we have bemba presidents in Zambia that’s when tribalism maximizes.How do we change their mind sets now?
The headline would be more interesting if it read “Minister Nkandu Luo slams individuals “practicing” tribalism in the country.” Actually she is part of those practicing it. God is watching.
Madam Minister, What you should be condemning without compromise are people PRACTISING tribalism and nepotism. Any you know exactly where to start from!
If these mines we have in copperbelt and N.Western were in bemba land no other tribes would have been working there,and they would have push for their province to be the country on it’s own.
I think tribalism should b the talk of the past as educationist.dont just blame bembas when lozis are not exceptional.lets work together its one zambia one nation,the line of tribes shud die a silent death.PLIZ LETS AVOID UBUTUTU BWAKUISOTA IMINWE WE ARE ALL ZAMBIANS.
How do Lozis come into this? Let Sata deal with his 90% Bemba government. The last time I looked it is not a Lozi in State House! It is not a Lozi President diverting 60% of taxpayers money to his region! Mwa…nya you’ve finally been exposed for what you are! No your mantra is ‘lets not talk about tribalism’! Why ? When you’ve been in the forefront of labelling others as tribalists without any apparent cause!
Leave Lozis out of the confusion you have created! They are not part of the ruling class.
PF Government has not been all inclusive in apportioning of positions and resources to all, there is clearly total discrimination being practiced and some sort of daylight scheme of ethnic cleansing taking place, where one tribe is being empowered to become superior over all other tribes.
Shut up you silly bloody defender of BEMBAISM.Zambia should belong to all.
Mmmmm Ubututu is bringing Lozis in your comment. Just talk, practice, eat, dance etc tribalism and Nepotism on your own.
Ha ha ha! Look who’s talking? A Minister in a tribal and nepotistic government ! These maggots always accuse every non Bemba politician as a tribalist but they get their nickers in a twist when you point at the composition of their govt. RB was hounded out of office with the tribalist label. And yet the composition of his cabinet, permanent secretaries, parastatal chiefs etc was more balanced and representative of Zambia’s diversity! Not so with PF! PF is tribal!
look at the Lusaka central committe formed with Mulenga Sata and his members elected, how many are non northerners. Tell us Minister.
Luo condemn the fact that in all areas of government today, there’s a Bemba heading it. Its your Sata who thinks he’s there to take care of Bembas only who you should condemn atase!
Tribalism is when others notice what the northerners are doing and talk about it: if they don’t see or talk then it’s ok. Sad thing is even in the north the ordinary are suffering. Wake up pipo! Let’s get rid of these selfish and clueless bamumbwe!!!
We wait for 2016 so that again the man HH who thinks tribe will take him to state house scores number 3 as usual. The man is full of hatred against the Bemba speaking people. You Bembas just marry his daughters if he has one may he will throw away this hatred.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
another aimless out burst. Give us the list of those 38 women traditional leaders to see if there is no tribalism, why hide the list
Tribalism is rife in PF, unfortunately it is being spear headed by repulblican and party president Micheal sata. Nkandu Luo just enjoy your fruits of tribalism while it lasts but bear in mind that nothing in this world lasts forever and at judgement day you will need to account your deeds before God and your deceit will be exposed!
Does Pf have any development agenda?
nice lips she has
SHE IS A TRIBALIST HERSELF. THE MOST DANGEROUS BEING IN ZAMBIA. SNAKE IN GREEN GRASS.
Intelligence is a weapon, Bemba is a spoken in all zambian provinces and all those against bembas should get statistics from the Central Stastical Office. You will die to learn that 42 percent of the Zambian population and tribes are bemba.
Ignorance has no defence and no amount of pseudo information will deface the bemba tribe in Zambia but lets learn to coexist as no one chose to be Kaonde, Bemba or Tonga. I am proud to be a Zambian because out here there is nothing like tribe but we are all united as Zambians with one single tribe called Zambia.
Zambia is simply going through a self inflicted identity crisis which slowly crept from the shadows where it festered and is now on the tongues of politicians who should know better. A committee for the prevention of tribalism and racism would provide a platform for practitioners to have their views dissected by a cross section of experts and then disciplined. There is a correlation between men, power and tribal sentiment in Zed politics. The higher they go the more intolerant they appear to become and develop blindness, amnesia and the inability to notice the common denominator in the job hire sector. Go ladies. Broker some peace. Your presence expose their gender intolerance too…
Very beautiful women , with an african touch, nice face, well packed in all departments, educated, such is a woman to be first lady very beautifull representing zambias beauty. YOUR PROFESSOR SHOULD EVEN TRY ,MODELLING
Madam Luo you are correct in your assessment of the potential of tribalism to ignite violence and disunity among Zambians. But who is worse, the one practicing tribalism or the one preaching tribalism? To me they are all equally bad. However, we must distinguish practicing tribalism, preaching tribalism and detecting tribalism. We may draw a few facts, it is a fact that madam Luo is educated, it is a fact that PF is practicing tribalism and it is a fact that HH and others are simply detecting tribalism in Zambia.
Blind as a bat. Evasive to the truth. Have you forgotten how UPND members beat up Vernon Mwaanga at Mazoka’s funeral. He was accused of ‘refusing to join his brother’s party. There you have it. The rest of Zambians are not your brothers and sisters, and you say you are not tribal!
Tribal politics will do harm to our beloved nation.
The most tribal political party in the history of zambia is pf.
Its a problem created by people with small brains want to hide in tribal and history repeats itself. During Kaunda when Reuben Kamanga lost an election to Simon Kapwepwe some people from Eastern Province said it was tribalism. FTJ.Chiluba came, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa cried like a baby sitting tribalism. When learned Levy Patrick Mwanawasa took presidency he was then surrounded by family tree.
Corrupt Rupiah Banda repeated the same with Dorah Siliya, Nyangu etc. We should as a nation focus beyond tribalism. Zambia Railways came down because of tribalism of Anderson Mazoka and this was review in the Mumpashya commission. Bembas as pay say are not tribal but these other smaller tribes have the negative compleex, from experience due to my name they think am bemba and pass negative remarks.
@pio
Don’t bury your head in the sand bembalism is there in pf you are the only one who’s blind Wynter has mentioned it.
In the first place, people called Sata all sorts of names. He surprised them all to finally be the president. Don’t think we are happy with this insults we are receiving from the anti-bemba. It appears some people want to test what tribal conflict can do. Worse still, the people commenting on tribalism are not even living in Zambia. Check the flags next to their names. Lets preach peace.
So for you peace in Zambia can only be maintained if the non-Bemba majority of the country dont complain about Bemba tribalism? Yes Ukwa is now president but being president should not be the be all and end all in itself. What is more important is the legacy your presidency will leave. In your typical myopic Bemba thinking getting power is all that matters NOT whether the majority of Zambians regardless of their ethnic background have experienced a raise in their standard of living which is clearly not the case now that mealie meal when it is available is beyond the means of most Zambians including Bembas who also benefited from the rational policies of LPM and RB!
Hahahahaha!! you have really made me laugh! Even if you are in Kanyama you can have a flag pasted against your name. Who know may be even you you are in Kalikiliki!!!!
And the tribal appointments are good in your views Luo? Check your acts first before you worry about other people.
Ba Prof how do you intend to spend that $380,000 on illiterate women chiefs? I know you love chewing through work shops and conferences. Remember how you pocketed dollars during that ICASA Zambia hosted. I know you also from chewing vulnerable people’s money such as widows, orphans and prostitutes. Please you have eaten enough madam. Invite me this time around. I want to eat with you.
Maybe the minister should do a reality check on this PF goverment and its appointments.
1st question. Are the appointments based on qualifaction, merit or expertise? answer..check carefully how many of our goverment officials serving at home and abroad if they have some kind of relationship with either the president, his wife and there friends may that will give a clue if there is some kind off nepotism being practised.
2nd question. Why is this issue of tribal politics now on the table in zambian politics 50 years after the birth of the country? answer.. maybe The situation has been worsened by the strong hands of those in in goverment of today (PF)
Apafuka ichushi pali umulilo-( there no smoke without a fire) the HON minister luo and VP scott must be burying there heads in the…
A nation as as good as its’ leadership.
Nkandu Luo is part of the leadership and policy makers in the PF Government, her concerns are valid, but what are they doing as leaders to put in place corrective measures. If tribalism has escalated during PF being in Government then it is a a reflection of the culture, traits, norms and inside practices.
History will judge you harshly if you fail to address these issues and bind the nation and a people together.
Ethnic allegiances run deep in Africa. From South Africa to Nigeria to the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, tribalism is used to climb the political ladder,to create wealth and war or genocide
It has and continues to be used to divide and rule as was done in South Africa when the whites used it against the blacks during apartheid.
The world’s newest nation (south sundan) which is dominated by the Dinka tribe of President Salva Kiir, has been accused of side-lining members of the Nuer, Murle, Bari, Acholi, Ding-Dinga, Anyuak, Taposa and Mundari in state jobs as well as resource allocation.if this an issue today in zambia maybe it will be good to start dialogue on the issue now to avoid future conflicts which may arise due to perceived nepotism or tribalism.
1 zambia 1 nation.
BRAVO Professor Nkandu Luo, for the message. The other point I want to raise is that I think that BEMBAs are suffering and being UNFAIRLY labelled as the champions of tribalism only because of most of these non-Bemba tribes from the north some of whom are the worst tribalists on earth. I know the way true Bembas think (thanks to mixed family) and they are NOT tribalists at all; HOWEVER, the smaller tribes that have adopted Bemba as their ‘official’ language in their homes, are the most lethal practitioners of tribalism. If you want to challenge my theory, think of the worst tribalist you have ever met and investigate which ethnic group they come from even if they speak Bemba, you will know the truth. Second point: there is a terrible tribalist in every province in Zambia.
I used to love this woman very much. The chitimukulu issue made me change my mind, she is educated but lacks principles. ….. We have very few women in politics today, most of them should have influenced other women to join but because of being bad leaders, they are un inspiring. Silver masebo, tourism minister when we need her most on the lower Zambezi national park issue, she has failed us, Nkandu luo on the chitimukulu issue, she has failed us…..Jean Kapata is just a bully with no direction.
When I see nkote trying to compete with young girls in dress and groom, I feel nauseated!
Someone just needs to shoot Fred Mmembe. Once that fool is out of the picture, we can have some peace, law and order. Kabimba has no courage on his own. The courage is coming from Fred Mmembe. Killing is wrong but when the devil is among you, you have to fight him at all costs. lets pray Psalms 109 for Mmembe people. His is a wicked soul that will destroy this country.
Ignore Fred Mmembe at own peril. Michael Sata is toothless because of Fred Mmembe. Ba shushushu, where are you? A mysterious accident please!!!
All those calling others as tribalists are just as bad. The people of Zambia wanted change from MMD for various reasons. At the time, Sata had sold PF better than HH had sold UPND. So Sata won the day. It is nothing to do with tribe and it will happen again when people have lost confidence in PF. Yes Sata has made the situation worse by making tribal appointments but should every Bemba speaking person be demonised for that? Anyway, who said Nkandu Luo was Bemba? If she was, she would not have interfered in the appointment of Chitimukulu.
Ba LT, where is my comment? Don’t start the ZWD mentality.
Luo: Naming tribalism is better than PRACTICING Tribalism and Nepotism. Don’t think people are so dull to see what is currently happening in this beloved Country. Name the persons preaching tribalism and what they have said so and on the other hand make a list of your fellow Tribalism and Nepotism practitioners. Stop f.o.oling people because that actually has the potential to ignite tribal war.
@ Ulibe Nzelu, when they started the party u didn’t want to join because you and @”Mwansa” were thinking the same way you are and with that mindset, u will never be president. U hate him so much but he is.
From the comments i have seen so far looks like there is a case to make regarding this triabal and nepotism practices going on in PF goverment.
however its not good enough for ministers and commetors talk about without suggesting or offering some kind of solution or understanding what is actually happening. if my knowledge is saves me right zambia has got what are called select committes, however i must say in zambia The committees by themselves are relatively powerless to change that anything, But that fact does not make them irrelevant. but aleast that will be that start of the debate. or another option let the people match to parliament,statehouse,freedom statue and compel the elected reps and leaders to look into this practice and come up with a report.
1zambia1nation
Tribe tribe tribe,cry my beloved country.Stop a moment and reflect on wrongs that started way back before most bloggers here were born.A scheme was hatched in which bembaism was being promoted to some level that led to other tribes being marginalised.I still recall how most books had bemba names ,bemba events, and just bemba everything.Hare became kalulu for all zambia.Bad things were always associated with other tribes while good things were connected to bemba .While all these ugly things were happening a fake one zambia one nation motion was being amplified to deceive many.The arctects of this have brought us a problem and this has been compounded by the pf ‘s stance on appointments where preference without any shame go to tribesmates.
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