Proceed with anything but caution when reading this article. In a country where tribalism exhales an unpleasant whiff the above title is enough to accuse me of fanning tribal embers. Don’t look at the title and throw a tantrum of your life at me. Take time to read and digest the contents. Just so you know I am addressing one of Zambia’s perennial problems, “tribalism,” a penchant that has dogged us and continues to eat out the very fabric of this potentially great nation.
The January 20, 2015 by-election is a window of opportunity too important to treat trivially. It is a seminal election of paramount significance in that it marks the phasing out of the “1964” politicians that have dominated the country for fifty years and the ushering in of youthful leaders, some who can align the political winds and tides in the progressive direction.
The “Mwango” referred hereto is an omnipresent Bemba who exits in large numbers. Why Mwango and not Sakala, or Hatembo? Because Mwango belongs to the largest ethnic group that for 50 years has dominated leadership and politics of the country. In this story he is a protagonist on whose shoulder providence has put the nation. He has power. The telling of his power is in the presidential elections. His vote has provided three of Zambia’s presidents, namely Kenneth Kaunda who rode on the Bemba back throughout his political career, Frederick Chiluba, a Luapulan, and Michael Sata, a northerner. In actual fact it can be argued that his vote has delivered all the presidents, and it is about to deliver another.
But Mwango has loyalty too—tribal loyalty. Like Sakala and Hatembo, Mwango’s tribal loyalty cannot be overstated. It cannot be discarded or be made subordinate to any other. It supersedes national loyalty. His vote is always found where Bemba leadership is. However, this time around he finds himself with a daunting task. His tribal loyalty is threatening his very existence and that of his offspring.
Mwango is a father of five. He has aged noticeably in the 15 years he has settled in his village. Approaching seventy, he is threatened by lung cancer which he attributes to exposure to cyanide and copper dust at Nkana Mine in Kitwe where he worked for twenty years until 2002 when Anglo-American terminated its operations in Zambia. There is no doctor in his village to tend to him. The nearest clinic is 20 kilometers away. The lack of medical attention has seen his mates fall at his side struck by the same illness that is now destined for him.
While his health had slumped and his energy lessened, he still musters some note in the politics of the village. By disposition he is a “tribalist,” whose Bemba loyalty is a deep-rooted fact. By habit he always votes Bemba. In Kitwe’s Chimwemwe where he was resident most of his life, he was an active member of the MMD. When Michael Sata formed the PF party in 2002, Mwango volunteered to be the party’s torchbearer and recorded 80% PF loyalty in the village. He still remains a PF devotee and prides in its pictogram “Pa Bwato.”
It is ten years now since his first son Mwanfuli promised to move him from the family hut into a modern house of which he had laid the foundation. But as a descendant of a poor economy, corrupt practices, and inefficiencies that has been passed from one generation to another, Mwanfuli is also carrying the evidence of hard times. He is a small proprietor in the capital Lusaka, but due to economic downturns and the fragile Kwacha he has failed to maintain his fortunes. The impact has not only made it impossible for him to fulfill his pledge, but it has also forced him to forgo a college education for his two sons, one who has joined his two vending uncles on Freedom Way.
In a village where the civilization clock has long stopped, clogged by negligence of the past governments, Mwango faces early death. Luckily for him, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an approaching train. It is his son Chileshe. The young man has turned out to be the brightest star and the sharpest knife in the kitchen. At the end of this semester he will be graduating from the University of Zambia.
Mwango is praying for this day for he knows how government inadequacies have impacted his son’s education and stay at the University of Zambia. He knows it has been really difficult for Chileshe to get within reach of a degree. Recurrent strikes by lecturers over perks, riots, political demonstrations, intermittent closures, and de-professionalization of faculty were causing lasting harm to the students and hampering the production of human capital.
How does Mwango know all this? Chileshe has kept him well informed, mailing at least a letter per month. In one letter Chileshe complains about bad food, and congested dormitories. “We live like cattle in the pen,” he writes. He adds: “Dad, we are treated no better than you there in the village…abandoned and left to our own devices.”
Chileshe’s recent visit to the village was Mwango’s wake-up call. He made his father understand how education had paved his way to a very different level from that encountered by his siblings. Listening to his son talk, he marveled at how he was aware of his rights and his responsibilities. He saw in him Zambia’s potential to take a giant leap forward. One particular discussion remains etched in his mind. It is worth revisiting:
“Dad, my heart bleeds at seeing you in this state. Here you are all alone in the bush slowly dying, and yet I can’t do anything about it. None of us, your children can save you.”
“Don’t worry my son,” Mwango said. “I worry more about you my children than myself. I’ve lived on earth long enough. It’s your turn now. The future is in your hands.”
“No, dad, my future is in your hands. Just as you’ve paved my past years, you can do it again this January.”
“What do you mean?”
“You should go in the voting booth and vote for me,” Chileshe said.
“I still don’t understand. You are not standing for anything.”
“I am. One of the candidates on the ballot paper is me. I’m the one with a vision. If you see a Lungu in me, vote for me not because I belong to Sata’s party, and wish to carry his legacy and vision, but because I have my own vision. If I don’t, don’t. If you see a Hichilema in me, don’t vote for me because I am Tonga. Vote for me because I have a vision. Remember you will be alone in the booth when you cast your vote. For you it will not be Bemba loyalty, not even national loyalty, but your love for me.”
Again, this article is not directed at one but all the Zambian tribes. Vote for a candidate of your choice not with your tribe but your heart. Tribalism is responsible for the lack of meritocracy, the preferment of nepotism, corruption, and the plunder, with impunity, of the national treasury. Over the years we have seen people offered key positions on tribal grounds regardless of their expertise or academic qualifications. Many of such individuals have been a stumbling block to our socio-economic development. They have failed to offer guidance on matters of national building and left us in neck-deep grime. We can put a stop to the rote on January 20, 2015.
By Field Ruwe
JE SUIS CHARLIE!!!
WE ARE ALL CHARLIE!!
We are all ZAMBIANS
STOP YOUR TRIBALISM
ZAMBIAN UNITED ZAMBIA FOWARD
VIVA HH VIVA UPND
JE SUIS CHARLIE
Good article
Zambians have a huge task on their hands come 20/01/15,having witnessed the best leadership under Mwanawasa and the worst leadership under Sata .
Therefore the decision they will make will either make or break their ambitions to live better lives after 20/01/15.
My advice is, let them put tribalism aside and vote for a candidate who has a vision and the know how to change things for the better.
They don’t say old habits die hard for nothing. So people should look beyond partisan politics and scrutinise each candidate’s past and then decide who is the best to actualise their dreams of a better Zambia.
In my opinion, I strongly think its absolutely logical to vote for HH because he will bring new ideas to governance,than Lungu who is in a failed government…
Farmers are up in arms in Serenje. They have blocked roads leading up to the venue for Lungu ‘s rally today. The most reliable publication ZWD has just reported.
Farmers are planing to stage a demonstration if Lungu ‘s rally continues.
Wapya munzi.
Vote HH.
Good point the article has. Lungu all the way !!
Its typical of these PF minions who are part of the family forest sent out to work in missions abroad on wako ni wako basis.
What they fail to realise is that, come 20/01/15,if Lungu wins RB will call the shots and tell Lungu to replace them all . When this happens, you see how they will condemn Lungu. They will be first ones to divulge many secrets about Lungu ‘s ability and health status.
RB is on record saying, he backing Lungu as a person who is his tribes mate,and not backing PF at all. My interpretation of RB ‘s statement is that if Sampa had won, then RB would not have endorsed him and that he is determined to purge PF cadres out government institutions.
PF minions as usual can’t read some hidden message in RB ‘s statement.
Actually,it will be a man from the east against a man from the south.There is no bemba man here and i know the one i will vote for.
I knew it, that who ever writing this graffiti lishilu..
If you are working for ECZ as polling assistant and then Mwango an elderly voter( apparently cannot distinguish candidates due to advanced age) asks you, “pali ba sata nipensa?” What can you do?
Field Ruwe, your articles on late Mr. Sata, calling him all kinds of names are still in the air. Why did not you use Hatembo and Hupundu as examples?Stop this nonsense. Pension benefit of a miner is peanut because of HH, YES HH. His late tribalist Mazoka started Pension Fund Company and made his tonga fellow Muna Hantuba its CEO, who recruited tongas and lozis. Go and ask Pensions and Insurance Authority, headed by another clueless lozi. HH, Muna Hantuba and Chilala have been sitting on the boards of companies that were once under Anglo American. All Anglo American pension funds were transferred to Mazoka (now Muna Hantuba- Africa Life) company. They messed up and stole by investing in their friends’ companies, getting kickbacks. They are the ones blocking the growth of professional
Contd>> They are the ones blocking the growth of professional, independent Pension Funds Managers, in complete contravention of Pensions Act. There are many pension professionals who have been wasted by non enforcement of the Act, separation of trustees, managers, administrators etc. of the Fund. Africa Life is a conduit to use pension funds for Muna and HH’s nefarious business interests. Let Hantuba vote for PF in 2015 before we consider HH in 2021.
1.1, you are a tribalist. Ruwe is being used to prop up HH. Why the hell your Ruwe not use Hatembo and his son Hupunda telling his father, not to vote on tribal lines? Desperation is written all over Hakainde’s face. No and big no to Tribalist. I am a proud Bemba and will vote for PF, firstly as a rebuke to tribalist HH and above that as a protest to people like Field Ruwe and HH, who were insulting our President late Mr Sata, calling him all kinds of names. Now, you dare to ask for our votes. NO and big NO. Go and lick yourself. My, my family and my tribesmen vote will go to EL.
UPND paid are commenting with their forked tongues, thinking we are idi.ots. While giving sermons on not voting on tribal lines, voting for the best candidate, blah, blah, blah, and end up with HH. Did any of these idi.ots, shameless trib.alists , even one of them has said Nevers Mumba, Edith Nawakwi? No. I repeat myself, my family and my tribesmen are voting on tribal lines and voting for PF to kick the tribalists HH and his minions. Vote EL
Vote EL.
Vote for affordable cost of living, stable Kwacha, low debt, people driven constitution, economic growth and early payments to farmers. PF wawa! HH for a better Zambia.
“Don’t worry my son,” Mwango said. “I worry more about you my children than myself. I’ve lived on earth long enough. It’s your turn now. The future is in your hands.”
“No, dad, my future is in your hands. Just as you’ve paved my past years, you can do it again this January.”
“What do you mean?”
“You should go in the voting booth and vote for me,” Chileshe said.
“I still don’t understand. You are not standing for anything.”
“I am. One of the candidates on the ballot paper is me. I’m the one with a vision. If you see a Lungu in me, vote for me not because I belong to Sata’s party, and wish to carry his legacy and vision, but because I have my own vision. If I don’t, don’t. If you see a Hichilema in me, don’t vote for me because I am Tonga. Vote for me because I have a vision.
EL all the way to state House
St Mary, Magadalena, walya iwe, we are in the boat together. Noah built an Ark and invited people but they declined his invitation, what happened is history.
You ask what has Field written,
For once he has written a deep rooted sensible article asking Bemba’s not to vote by only by tribe but by nationality to alleviate or in the hope of alleviating there sufferings.
I think he refers to all citizens of Zambia, some satire involved. if you drink every day don’t try and make sense of it. your comments will be misplaced.
Well-done
Cat Power,
Tongas and other tribe are also here asked to vote for Zambia, not for mwanakwesu in the guise of UPND …. I see all UPND Tongas having very cold feet on this one…. it shall be almost 100% for UPND in Tonga land come the 20th…. Remember no one other than a Tonga has ever been at the helm of UPND since its inception…. Conversely, the record speak for them selves in other Parties…
It will be very hard to convince Mwango about the sincerity of the none tribalism in UPND… Its current leader does not even attempt to utter words in any vernacular other than Tonga.
EL all the way.
Everyone has there minds made up.Lets wait and see since you Guys from Luapula and Eastern claim to be the majority we shall see after counting the votes.We shall see.
I am voting for a vision on 20th January
I honestly can’t wait for the Elections to pass….
To be honest, i’m tired of all of this,….!! Just want things to pass…. and bring on the AFCON!!
Ati ba Sata ninani batushila, ni Edgar Lungu batushila… I just love King Dandy, he composes winning songs.
what is field rhuwe saying? we come here for news not ifima feature ifitali ifyabulenshila!
Your mind is very shallow. You must be PF
Mwango has lived longer than average life expectancy so how can he facing an ‘early death’?
I am too dumb to see the point of this beautifully written piece of pointlessness.
I am Charlie…
he be facing…
This is an embarrassing read. I am a real Bemba and so proud that I am going to vote for Edgar Lungu who is not Bemba – STOP promoting tribalism in any form…!
If HH had better policies than PF I would have proudly voted for him – but his free education up to university thing, lack of govt experience and his focus only on growing the economy rather than people centered development just puts me off…!
Be Zambian Be proud…! Tribe has no place – it is ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION.
@mwamoneni
Please explain the people centred development that you have seen benefiting the majority Zambians which the PF government has provided thus far.
Regards
Perhaps we need to give him a chance. I listened to Dr. Beyani the other day. The guys seem to know how they want to approach the free education stuff. Besides if we can focus on education we can quickly transform this country economically and socially. Think again!!
Lungu for me seems not know what he wants to do when he gets there. It will be business as usual. I will be voting for HH. Am convinced things might be different under him.
@ Mwamoneni, exactly what Ruwe is trying to open your eyes to! Here you are pitting HH’s policies against PF policies and not EL! We know what HH’s vision as an individual is what then is Edgar Lungu’s vision? “Me too” as Sata’s replica? Read the article once more this time slowly.
I am voting for humble EL. He is a wise man from the east.
Bembas have never voted for Tongas.We shall if tuely you are the majority.Mwila tubepa.we shall see.
No wonder you run away from your wife ba Field Ruwe
A DJ will always remain a DJ not even America has Changed your thinking ba Field Ruwe.
Interestingly, Field Ruwe talks about tribalism as being responsible for the lack of meritocracy. But if Ruwe were to ask people saying why they want to vote for their preferred candidates, he would be amazed at the lack of a convincing reason about why they would be voting the way they want to. You hear, it is time for a certain group of people to govern because others have done so in the past. Is that an argument based on merit? Others, say so and so has served on so many boards of companies and has accumulated so much wealth for himself. Again, is that an argument based on merit when we know very well being in government is about public service and not the ability to make money for yourself honestly or dishonestly?
Honestly many well meaning Zambians have been denied opportunities to get jobs because of the same animal tribalism. No credible and quality work in Zambia because of the same animal.Good leadership ,qualified men and women are left out because of this same animal tribalism. Today I can openly state that those in support of Lungu are doing that to protect their evil earned jobs and contracts leaving the people who had put them in office suffering. Injustice and its highest level!!! What shall Lungu offer to the Zambians since he doesn’t have even a business to rely on!! we know a lot about Lungu’s failures and those supporting him they know it well. we if he becomes our president fine, we shall suffer together. The best is to be in office with justice and not the injustice we have been…
For your information, lots of the people getting soaked at EL rallies do not even have a job to protect. Some do not even have a house. They just connect to the man and see hope in his ‘lies’. Unfortunately, they might not see and follow the promises of other candidates.
Field Ruwe, you still have a tough job ahead of you! How can someone, after finishing reading this article, give such a ridiculous reason for not/voting for someone!?
“…Today I can openly state that those in support of Lungu are doing that to protect their evil earned jobs and contracts leaving the people who had put them in office suffering. Injustice and its highest level!!! What shall Lungu offer to the Zambians since he doesn’t have even a business to rely on!…”
If you had any doubts Ruwe, here is the reason why you will forever be fighting a losing battle. Wow!
Good luck with your attempts to change minds Field. I feel for you, the task at hand just seems impossible with people like this character calling himself @wise equally have the right to the ballot.
Voting booth looks as filthy as Zambian politics. YUCK!!
JE SUIS EL! January 20 let us all be EL in our booths.
It is laughable that a block of a man would want to put a point forward as to why he can not vote for HH only to realise at the end that he is voting for ARVs
Please do not force people to vote for uninspiring and poor leaders in the name of tribalism. If HH loses it is not because he is Tonga but because he does not inspire. Why don’t you complain when HH gets 98% of the vote in Tongaland? Does it mean that the Tonga are the most analytical people in Zambia and whatever they chose is the best. How many Bembas stood against Mwanawasa or RB? How many times did Sata lose elections? Why did he not win the first time since he was Bemba, according to you tribalists? It takes tactics and hard work – not buying other tribes for campaigns. Sell your HH and do not insult Bembas and expect them to vote for HH. In future try another Tonga since you believe in tribalism.
Amagenge, spot on… The plain truth is that these guys have run out of options that’s why the likes of FR has resorted to satirical writing… Their Vernon has run out and are finally faced with the reality of accepting another defeat and will need to make a serious decision of allowing the bitter a President and allow someone more saleable to take over from HH.
For a party that is full of such intellectuals surely by now they should have realized that HH is hard product to sell. Try another President with less anger and a countrywide appeal.
It is obvious that this article will not appeal to all the bloggers…! Unfortunately the majority of the voters paZed are struggling with putting food on the table than anything else! Who goes into State House will more likely be decided by the likes of my mother-in-law who once upon a time said, “Anatiuza ati tikavotele aSiliya!”
….good article…
…Field, I’m still waiting for my request…..I had asked you to lay bare the profiles of atleast the leading contenders..HH, EL before the 20th…..you wrote a very detailed profile for MCS when he was already at state house…so it did not have any impact, bearing and use for me as a voter…..but if you had to furnish me with these guys’ profiles now before the 20th, it may be of use…..
…it will be of less use to write articles on the ‘winner’ thereafter of which I’m sure you have unstoppable appetite to do so…….especially if your favoured candidate wont carry the day………
If Bembas are the largest ethnic group in Zambia and have consistently voted for their one of their own since independence then they should take responsibility and blame for the mess Zambia funds herself in 50 years after independence. This is a very narrow minded and selfish tribe. PFools kuya bebele.
@Silumba-sa-Sata your past comments suggest that you hate Bembas so much. Anyway, that is your prerogative. To educate you, there have been only two Bemba speaking presidents (Chiluba and Sata)who have ruled for only 13 years out of 50 – but you are too tribal to understand that. Also, if what you are saying is true (i.e. Bembas have consistently voted for their own) don’t you think they would vote for Nevers Mumba on 20/01/2015? Everyone knows that Bembas will not vote for Mumba so stop being daft.
prophesy
Edgar Chagwa Lungu
The name chagwa means to fall,
For lungu, his name is his won curse, he will fall as his name means.
what is invoked in spirit is manifest in the physical.
you may not like it, but truth stands, edgar will gwa, fall, as his name says.
chagwa is losing this election
Mind your language. It is parents and grandparents who give names to their young ones. Stop making fun of one’s name. EL might be a simple man but he is not a pushover. Mind your language before it is too late.
This well thought writting by mr Ruwe requires education to understand it and to appreciate it. Mr Ruwe you have stressed very important points which could realy help this country to be a better country unfortunately, lack of information among many zambians has destroyed this country.I would like the ECZ to publish the voting parten of this country from 1991 to date so that certain issues can be put aside,which politicians have continued using because of the ignorance of the general public. Zambia is a country for all and this should be considered cardinal.Let january bring peace and prosperity to this beautiful country.
Chi Mutonga ici chilembele article. A pure tribalist. For your own information. In the north, we have MPs from PF, MMD and independent. Tel me in southern province, whhat do you have for 23 years….only UPND
Je suis Zambien
Why do have this Bemba phobia? Zambia has never had a Bemba president but all you can say is Bemba this Bemba that. You chaps are making it difficult for an actual Bemba to ever become president in future.
kikiki use–lesss article!!!He thinks bembas will vote for a bemba.Who voted for mwanawasa in 2001?Is lungu a bemba?He is forgetting that UPND is a tribal party.HH came into politics through tribalism.Only a tonga would succeed Mazoka!!.We don’t want other tribe said UPND.Where are Sakwiba Sikota,lubinda,Bob sichinnga and Patrick Chisanga?The article is all about tribalism.Bemba would have voted 4 Miles sampa but they showed zambians that they are not tribal.bembas rose and voted for Edgar lungu.They even supporting him.Bembas are the best in zambia coz they will support u as long as u’re good.UPND party is full of bitter pipo who wants to kill bembas coz they think HH would have been a leader if it were not for bembas.Leave bembas alone ba UPND.vote Pf for unity and prosperity in…
Southern province has been giving HH almost 90% votes. but becoz The total number of other ethnicities on the voters roll out numbers the southerners, A SOUTHERN HAS NEVER RULED ZAMBIA. HH may pull the whole gwembe to his rally, but that wont change a thing as long as he cant pull a whole chilubi island to vote for him,the same way CHAGWA cannot pull a whole mazabuka to vote for him. but the game of numbers is on chagwa”s side. the eastern vote, plus the muchinga ,luapula and north vote ,including LSK and CB vote CANCELS OUT THE southern vote, as well as west and NW VOTE . INFACT the total number of registered voters in NW,WESTERN AND SOUTHERN BLOCK is only half of the total number of registered voters in EASTERN, MUCHINGA,LUAPULA, CB,LSK,NORTHERN PROVINCE. central province will be shared
And the winner is EL.
Six Provinces will vote EL. These are NORTH, EAST,MUCHINGA,LUAPULA,CB,LSK,. Three Provinces will vote HH, THESE ARE south, west, North-west. Central will be shared between EL and HH, EL will get the northern districts and Kabwe, while HH get the southern districts of Central Province. if you see the distribution of voters in the current voters roll,then you will understand why EL, is the 6th president of Zambia unpleasant as it may sound to some pipo.
@20 Silumba-sa-Sata your past comments suggest that you hate Bembas so much. Anyway, that is your prerogative. To educate you, there have been only two Bemba speaking presidents (Chiluba and Sata)who have ruled for only 13 years out of 50 – but you are too tribal to understand that. Also, if what you are saying is true (i.e. Bembas have consistently voted for their own) don’t you think they would vote for Nevers Mumba on 20/01/2015? Everyone knows that Bembas will not vote for Mumba so stop being daft.
Good analysis. EL is not a bemba then why are HH supporters worried and calling Bembas names? Why are they not saying that bembas will vote for Nevers Mumba as he is their tribesman? Mabisi does not taste sour?
More these thugs of HH masquerade and bring in pseudo scholars to despise PF and malign EL, more people see through their hidden agenda of ascending to power by hook or crook. No educated Manager has ever promised free mealie meal, free education, free life and free death, other than HH and his cohorts. Zambians are not fools. Bring your goodies, we are ready to take but it is donchi kubeba. Vote goesto EL for next 12 years.
Too lazy to read tribals.
I remain quietly confident that Zambia will do the right thing, come the 20th
EL is the best.
Very interesting article, and has brought out a few sleepings issues. In my analysis , after reading through all the repply (s) , I find that as Zambians we are all too intelligent and as a result our presumed intelligence will take us no where. What disturbs most is when you even have some well enlightened individuals who continue to dwell on these ISMS. You can go world wide, the issue of tribalism is quite a rife issue, and in some areas where it has grown into religion differences it is terribly disheartening. In the UK where the WELSH and the SCOTISH to this day are still at loner-heads, it is the very issue of Tribalism. Talk about what dismantled YUGOSLOVIA, it was the same differences in the ISMS. So Zambia as a nation should bless itself for a disntagration in the near future.
What is ruwe the man with the longest joint in town smoking?
after elections we continue intermarrying and worshiping together. life goes on.
@True, You’re right! So why the fuss? But wina azalila bad kind!
EL all the way….
If you are working for ECZ as polling assistant and then Mwango an elderly voter( apparently cannot distinguish candidates due to advanced age) asks you, “pali ba sata nipensa?” What can you do?
EL is the best.
THE ARTICLE IS EXTRTEMELY BORING. IT DOESNOT EVOKE EMOTIOMAL APPEAL FOR ACTION BY THE READERS.
THE WAY THE LANGUAGE IS HANDLED IS VERY FLAT AND MEANDERS ALOT BEFORE BRINGING THE POINT RESULTING INTO READERS LOSE INTEREST IN THE STORY.
THE WRITER SHOULD INTRODUCE THE CONFLICT OF THE PROTAGONIST/ANTAGONIST EARLY TO CAPTURE READERS. THEN SHOULD QUICKLY MOVE THE PROTAGONIST TO REACH CLIMAX AND AFTER THAT DECLINE TO THE PROTAGONIST TO REACH A RESOLUTION.
SUMMING IT ALL THE ARTICLE IS POORLY PRESENTED AND DULL.