Friday, March 29, 2024

Was there really Tribalism in Zambian Elections?

Share

voting
By Chanda Chisala

There have been many critics of the last Zambian presidential election who saw evidence of “tribalism” in voting patterns, especially in the Southern Province where candidate Hakainde Hichilema typically received over 90 percent of the vote. Many people have said that this kind of statistic shows that the ugly vice of tribalism is alive and well in Zambia and they believe that we should find “solutions” to this “urgent” and “dangerous” problem. They even invoke images of the Hutu-Tutsi war that led to the murder of many innocent Tutsis just because of their ethnicity.

But is there really a problem of tribalism? I argue that there is no evidence of that, at least not from the voting patterns, even if one can show that the voters from these regions did indeed prefer their candidate based on his tribe or ethnicity – we still commonly use the word “tribe” in Zambia, even if intellectuals in some other countries find the word offensive.

Tribalism is much more than just preferring your tribesman, whether as spouse or friend or workmate or president. It also means actually hating other tribes. When you merely prefer your tribesman in elections, it does not mean that you hate the tribes of the other candidates and would be thus willing to see them murdered in some kind of tribal genocide.

Similarly, racism is not just preferring someone of your own race, whether as spouse or friend or business partner or president. Racism requires that you also hate another race and see every member of that race as morally inferior, no matter what they have done or who they are. A racist would never vote for candidates of another race, even if no one is standing from his own race. Black people in America have overwhelmingly voted for Obama, but we know that this is not a sign of their “racism” since they have voted for white candidates before and still do in other elections. The Southern province voted for Hakainde Hichilema, but they have also voted for other candidates (including “Bemba” candidates) in the past, which should make it hard for any objective person to build a case of “tribalism” against them. In these recent elections, they have definitely preferred a candidate who comes from there.

Preferring a candidate from your group or region is common even in very developed democracies. In the United States, political analysts almost always take it for granted that a candidate will win the vote of the state that he comes from, even if that state normally votes for another party. It’s always a surprise when a person loses his own home state. In short, for the people in someone’s home state to vote against him, they have to be really convinced that he is a very wrong choice for them. Otherwise, they will vote for him even if he has a few small disadvantages over another candidate, just because of the pride of having their own “son” rising to the highest office!

But in Zambia, we think it is a very big problem that needs to be “solved” if a person keeps winning the votes of the people he grew up with, the votes of the province that he proudly calls his home!

As our political culture advances, people will need to stop being too idealistic and deal with facts as they are about human nature, not as they wish they would be in an alternate universe. It is not only “tribalism” (hate for other tribes) that motivates people to vote for their own tribesman. It can simply be a sense of pride to see one of their own rise to the top, or it can be that they feel they have not been respected as much as they should and want to earn the respect of other tribes by showing that they can also lead, or it can even be that they think they will receive some regional favors if they elect someone from their group (maybe a new school or university?). You can argue about whether these are legitimate reasons for preferring a candidate from your region, but you can not just say it is “tribalism” and it will “lead to Rwanda” etc. Such sentiments are what can lead to more problems than the imaginary “problem” they are attempting to “solve”.

What political strategists need to figure out is how to make sufficient inroads in the region of a candidate that commands the strong loyalty of “his” people. But this task can be so difficult that sometimes it is better just to assume that you have lost that region and might need to just minimize your losses while maximizing your gains in other “battleground” areas. But when you do lose in that region, it is not wise to claim that it is just because they are “tribalists” or “regionalists” because this just sparks more unnecessary tensions. It is perfectly normal for people to support their own man, unless they can see that their own man is absolutely the worst choice for them. In short, the Southern Province would have to be convinced that Hakainde Hichilema would be a very bad option for their lives even if he comes from their area, in order for them to ignore their natural loyalty to their own local “son”.

An example of violation of this normal aspect of human nature was when former president Rupiah Banda’s son decided to go against his own father’s candidature in the MMD and endorsed a candidate from another party. This is not normal, just by what we know of human nature, because we expect a person to support his own father and a father to support his own son, even if someone else is a bit better. But when this kind of family division happens, we know that the son probably has very strong reasons that exceed the expected familial loyalty. Similarly, the only time we expect people who have lived in a certain region for many generations to vote against a person who not only hails from that particular region, but also grew up among them, speaks their language proudly, and loves their treasured culture, is if they can be convinced that there is something very wrong with him and he would be a very bad choice for them.

In a country where you don’t even have good education among most of the population (for people to understand different policy ideas), besides the fact that the different parties and candidates do not have clear ideological differences, it is very unrealistic to expect that you can easily find something to sway a region against their own “son.”

Nevers Mumba of the MMD launched his campaign in Chinsali by appealing to their pride in supporting a person who was born and raised in their area. There is nothing wrong with that and there is nothing wrong if Hichilema does the same thing and it works. That’s politics.

The bottom line is that there is no fundamental moral problem with so-called “regionalism” and there is no need to try to find “solutions” (by labeling it as “tribalism”), beyond just improving the campaign methods of your preferred candidate. Idealistic attempts at changing human nature through some “solutions” by educated elites, is really what can be dangerous, because you need to start by labeling certain people as having a unique moral problem that you need to solve since you are morally superior to them!

51 COMMENTS

  1. You and simplicity can be amazing. Sometimes just reading books and writing can be useless in the absence of wisdom. You can’t see that Zambia is at sliding into regionalism?

    • You and your simplicity can be amazing. Sometimes just reading books and writing can produce useless people if they lack wisdom. You can’t see that Zambia is sliding into dangerous regionalism? You think people in marginalized regions are happy to be left out of the national cake for ages? You think resource rich regions are happy to see their regions funding massive development in regions they get no benefit from when the resource regions themselves are left with potholes, poverty, marginalization and all the mining pollution? You think these are acceptable acceptable trends?

    • I knew that someone like you will deliberately chose to misunderstand the article. The points raised in the article are so clear and simple to understand.

    • @ Purity, you have deliberately choose to misunderstand the article. The article is clear and simple to understand. we have been misusing the word’ tribalism’ and i totally agree with the author. Tribalism is much more than just preferring your tribesman, whether as spouse or friend or workmate or president. It also means actually hating other tribes.

    • Chanda thank you for advising useless politicians like Dora and Nawakwi who fail to accept that HH is a political force to reckon with not because his tribe, but because of his wisdom and his vision.

      Mmembe should stop stalking this tribalism mantra he started when his preferred candidate lost or hounded of the party positions.

      Bembas did not become tribalists until they ganged against Kabimba, Mmembe ‘s preferred candidate. Tongas were not tribal until HH beat Sakwiba in UPND party elections.

      From the simple evidence I have provided above, its clear that, the tribal card is always flaunted by disgruntled individuals when things do not go their way.

      Those saying HH got many votes because of tribalism are failing to accept that HH ‘s vision and message is through to…

    • OK WHEN BEMBAS IN NORTHERN AND LUAPULA VOTE FOR SATA ITS STRONG HOLD,WHEN SOUTHERNERS VOTE FOR HH ITS TRIBALISM.

      LISTEN**** U CAN KISS MY ASSS WITH YO TRIBALISM

      BEMBAS ARE THE WORST STINKING TRIBALIST PERIOD.

    • This whole tribal talk sickens me to death and just shows how backward Zambians really are.

      All the idoits spewing tribal sentiment here may educated but are really backward in thinking and can not just accept that other tribes are hard workers and own a lot wealth as a result.

      This hate should be criminalised and those found labelling others as trbalist arrested or fined a minimum of K10000 for uttering statements with the potential to fan violence in the country.

      Lungu if you do not criminalise tribal talk, then Zambia will split up under your watch, and you be blamed for that until you die.

    • Tribalism talk should be criminalised and perpetrators fined minimum K10000, or jailed for 6 months minimum in Zambia if Zambia is to remain united.

      If you support my suggestion please click green

    • True, the tribal tug against Tongas is just a political tool used by mostly Bembas to prevent Tongas from ascending to power. Fred Mmembe started this tribal tug thing and Bembas and Nyanjas are the beneficiaries of this by having Zambia think that a Tonga will rule to the exclusion of other tribes. The danger is the elite who are using it know that it is just a tool but the common man thinks Tongas are bad pipo and this can cause war. Numbers don’t lie in 2011: EASTERN PROVINCE: Banda polled 233,528 Sata-59,391 Hichilema-10,704. Note that Banda whitewashed his colleagues, why? LUAPULA PROVINCE: Sata-151,822 Banda-47,289 Hichilema-1,758 only. Why did Sata humiliate his friends here? NORTHERN PROVINCE: Sata-242,455 Banda-121,482 Hichilema-2,935 only.

    • Yeah, thanks for the Tongas who mistake Lungu for being Bemba. Drink some mabisi and your breath will smell like vomit.

    • @purity.learn to read to the last sentence,this is the best article written tackling the issue of tribe…in a logical and positive manner.In my opinion the use of WORDS by politicians matters most..and none of the these politicians has apologised for use demeaning Words of tribalism and regionalism.This entails that they deliberately use it just to get votes.usa losing candidate senator John mcain publicly defended his opponet Obama in 2008 when he was being accused as a moslem;born in kenya..thats what i call leadership.

    • Chanda Chisala, well written article. I couldn’t agree with you more. The term has been grossly misused. I am glad there is someone out there who uses his brain to think. Well done.

  2. This is so article is simple but comprehensive. What is had to understand is When Elizabeth with Mumba said it was so much publicised as when munkombwe said. What have the Tongas done to the Zambians to deserve so marginilisation? Let us not stoop low as to be go along with some cheap politicking by job seekers. Zambia is bigger!

  3. This article is simple but comprehensive. What is hard to understand is that when Elizabeth and nevers Mumba said it, it wasnt so much publicised as when munkombwe said it. What have the Tongas done to the Zambians to deserve so much marginilisation? Let us not stoop too low as to go along with some cheap politicking by job seekers. Zambia is bigger!

    • Yes, reason being very simple. Southern Province listened to Munkombwe, Northern Province did not listen to Mumba. Edgar Lungu is not Bemba, get that outta the system, gym maybe.

  4. The President is Chewa/Nsenga and his vice is Lozi. Zambia is beautiful. For once we have the East and West ruling Zambia. I know some of our northern and southern brethren are still in shock. All is well.

  5. May the author please send this article to Dora Siliya, Davies Chama and Fred Mmembe among other zambians who want to divide us for their own selfish interests.

  6. Denying the existence of tribalism in Zambia is like religious belief. It makes one feel good. It doesn’t mean it’s true.

    • @Nyau

      So what if it exists? There is totally nothing wrong with supporting your brother or sister if you believe he /she is the best candidate.

      You mean to tell me that you would support your own if you believe they are just the best candidate to do the job?

      Its unfortunate that when it comes to HH being voted enmass in Southern province then its tribalism. When Lungu got massive votes in the East then its not. Of course HH won a seat in Sinda, because people who monitored there were alert other wise results were going to be swapped or reduced like they did in many constituencies.

    • Bwana Wanzelu my friend,
      My own definition of tribalism is prejudicial preference or discrimination based on tribe. If I vote for a candidate from my tribe because I honestly feel he is the best qualified, I would not consider that tribalism.

      For example I hear Zambian parents many times who admonish their sons and daughters to never marry a girl or boy from tribe X, Y or Z. That is the kind of prejudice I’m referring to. To make a decision even before one has had a chance to examine an individual. All because of tribe.

      It’s a feel-good declaration to say there is no tribalism in Zambia. Just as there is solace in imagining a heaven after death. I prefer truth over feel-good.

  7. Chanda Chitala, did you even do your research properly about tribalism elections?

    There was no tribalism elections in Southern province, it’s just that pele that side want change and there are the smartest people so far in the country.

    What of Copperbelt, can you call that tribalism Voting?
    What of the family Bemba tree Sata had formed in government, would you call that tribalism?

    Chanda ,You are a very tribal spercistic yourself.

    • The author is talking about the unfair demonization of the Tonga speaking people on account of voting for a candidate, who happens to be Tonga by tribe. It is their constitution right to do so. Moreover, the facts are there to support his position. Why don’t you go to the ECZ website and look at the election results?

  8. I think tats correct. Supporting someone coz you know them better is not tribalism.

    This tribalism issue is just a lame excuse by our useless politician trying to gain political advantage. But am happy, its now haunting them all.

    They all seem to be worried of the same vice they used to campaign others.

  9. Tribalism does exist in Zambia. It may not be on a large scale but evident pockets of tribalism exist. The author of the article has tried to give a new meaning of tribalism; well and good. But he should also accept the fact that tribalism can be defined as behaviour and/or attitudes, actions, etc., that are based on being loyal to an ethnic group. If a president appoints a large majority of people from his tribe or region to positions of influence; that is not tribalism. Really?

  10. Thanks to the author for this excellent contribution. Similarly, when Zambia was playing Cape Verde, Tunisia and DRC at the ongoing AFCON, was it wrong for Zambians to support their team? Or should we have cheered the DRC and the others because we are all Africans?

    At the last World Cup were we not all supporting the ” African” teams before they were eliminated? Come on supporting your own is not tribalsim or racism but is just the way God created the human race.

  11. you will all see a change in the voting pattern in southern province, necessary measures are being implemented to prevent HH ‘s maneuvers watch this space..

  12. Go and ask the Tongas, they will tell you. I can assure you that being independent from these parties, what I observed is this;

    People actually are ignoring the fact that Lungu is not Bemba. People are ignoring the fact that Southern Province is the only province which had a polling station where all voters voted for one candidate.
    People are ignoring the fact that Lusaka and Copperbelt are neutral areas, the PF wins massively in these areas.
    What will kill UPND’s chances in 2016 is the pattern in 2015. Tonga voting patterns will be repeated in Eastern Province, this time Lungu will be well- known there.

  13. As bembas we don’t care wether de presdent is frm east west north south etc s long as z humble look mwanwsa got highest in 2006 n nothern despite of tking so mny bembas to court but tongas hav neva voted for other tribe since 2001

    • Mwanawasa was voted for because of chiluba not on his own. It is clear bembas and nyanjas hate other tribes to rule Zambia. They actually are the worst tribalists.

  14. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE SO MANY *****S INCLUDING SO CALLED INTELLECTUALS WHO WHOLE HEARTY WITHOUT ANY SHADOW OF A DOUBT THINK THAT LUNGU LOST IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE BECAUSE OF TRIBALISM…WHICH TRIBALISM??? SOUTHERN PROVINCE IS THE THIRD MOST DIVERSE PROVINCE AFTER LUSAKA AND COPPERBELT…PF DIDNT CAMPAIGN IN THE PROVINCE AS THEY HAD RUN OUT OF TIME AND HE LOST.

  15. All these assumptions are not valid, we know what Vj and his crooks were up to in southern, western and North western, we are addressing their activities to ensure no repeats, then you can judge the normal voting pattern, tongas very good people two off my brothers are married to tonga women . exceptional beings so don’t judge them just yet please…

  16. WHEN IS SHOOTING PEOPLE GOING TO BE LEGAL PLEASE…THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY *****S IN ZAMBIA…..ZAMBIA IS INFESTED BY TRIBAL BEMBAS

    • ONLY TONGAS can lead UPND,ONLY tongas can succed mazoka I wil BE the last Tonga standing let Tongas also rule.WHat do u call these nonse nse ?yo bread n jam get real mwanambwa

  17. There are reports that the 5 who voted for PF in Nega Nega have been identified by the locals and are under police protection.

  18. The problem with Bembas is that they want the candidate they are supporting to be supported by all regions in Zambia. Why? The

  19. These are my thoughts exactly! There’s nothing wrong with it I totally agree. I hope more Zambians read this and FULLY understand. We’re just throwing ourselves over this cliff called tribalism for nothing

  20. And you think the population of Northerners and Easterners in Nega Nega is only 5? You must be kidding! I worked in Southern for some time and I can tell you that in Sinazongwe for example, the population of Northerners and Luapulans alone cannot be less than 500 due to fishing activities. The fishing camps there are full of these people. But few voted for Lungu, why? The simple truth is that HH was a better candidate by far and his message resonated well with people. HH campaigned in all districts of Zambia and in some cases he made repeat visits, which Lungu did not.

  21. I agree with u Tonga women are very gud but not Men full of tribalism u jst don’t knw am married to a tonga lady that I hav grown up with went to same school with it was not easy ma freinds.

  22. There is no tribalism in Zambia, but the truth of the matter is from 1963, there was ANC leader was Tonga then UNIP leader claimed to be Bemba.
    When the constitution was changed from one party state to multi-party democracy MMD was born by all Zambians. MMD was accepted not as regional party but a national party. UPND and PF were then formed thus UPND by a tonga called Anderson Mazoka whilst PF was formed by a Bisa/ Bemba called Michael Chilufya Sata.
    The difference between the two parties is that UPND presidency was restricted to persons from Southern Province, while PF was open ended to all human race and tribe.
    Michael Chilufya Sata was vthe best party organizer hence VJ lost the elections to him for post of Secretary General of MMD.

  23. The real issue here is winning votes beyond regions and ethnic groups. That is quite challenging in multi-cultural and/or multi-ethnic nations. Each national leader needs to appeal to not only voters that belong to the same region or tribe as himself or herself but voters that belong to different regions and ethnic groups, i.e. to go further and embrace the entire nation. This includes identifying allies across the nation. That is what One Zambia One Nation stands for.

  24. ZWD have quoted Wesely Chibambo (Dandy Crazy)as having said that he would rather be a chicken than a Tonga. Incredibly,Chi bambo is performing today in Choma, the capital city of chickens. This should be classified as extreme tribalism. If people think like this, how possible is it that we can live in harmony in this country? At his level, Wesely is an ambassador for the Zambian people. I call upon fellow musicians to censure Wesely for those remarks. People in Choma, whether Tonga or not should boycott his show or better still tell him that they cannot attend a show to be performed by humans. In any case, a normal human being cannot perform in front of chickens unless he is a chicken himself.

  25. Mr C good analysis. You are absolutely on point by your comment on this political matter. It baffled me as well when it came on the scene and people called the voting of HH as tribal.

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading