Friday, March 29, 2024

HH’s Use of the Derogatory Bemba “C” word at a Public Rally has Social Media talking

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United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has caused a social media frenzy when he used the widely known derogatory Bemba “C” word at a public rally in Lukashya constituency yesterday afternoon when he was campaigning for the party’s candidate Davis Mulenga in the upcoming By-Elections.

Mr Hichilema could be clearly heard using the “C” word when he addressed the rally in Bemba.

People against his use of the word took to social media to complain against what they have described as unacceptable conduct by a person aspiring for the highest office in the land

One such person, Facebook blogger Simon Mwewa expressed shock at Mr Hichilema’s use of the “C” word describing it as of profanities.

“I am disappointed to hear the leader of the REDS using vulgarity(insele) at a political rally in front of an audience full of women and children,” read his post, before adding that the thunderous applause from the crowd disappointed him.

In support of Mr Hichilema, some people said that the UPND leader was just giving out an illustration using the native language that for that particular place and the people actually understood what he meant and it was normal.

Others went as further as saying that Mr Hichilema was in the Bemba Land and Bembas are known for that language, so HH is breaking tribal Barriers. Some cited the late President MIcheal Sata who got voted into power despite being known to use the “C” word at public rallies

UPND Leader at a campaign Rally in Luapula Province
UPND Leader at a campaign Rally in Luapula Province
UPND Leader at a campaign Rally in Luapula Province
UPND Leader at a campaign Rally in Luapula Province
UPND Leader at a campaign Rally in Luapula Province
UPND Leader at a campaign Rally in Luapula Province

60 COMMENTS

  1. Even if that was directed at me personally, at this rate of free falling economy i would still vote HH vulger or no vulger.

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  2. Kekekeke, that was hilarious!!!! The way he took the audience in a cool way of getting PF’s bribes… And who expected it …”chikkala nakulyamo!” And all crowed was so fvcking laughing…. Humorous.
    There was nothing wrong at all. That’s how we talk in everyday language imwe baffikkala. Ba Edgar uses same language all the time, ask Kambwili. Sata was worse!!
    Moreover, HH is extremely intelligent…. How on earth he managed to speak in Bemba through out!?
    No fvcking boring translators.
    Now we want to hear Edgar give speech in Lozi.

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  3. It is fine, malumbo. It is evident that this word has crept into everyday discourse especially in the urban parts of Zambia. The fact HH invoked it in his style and speech should not be cause for debate of piety or a lack thereof. Lighten up and move with the times. Keep up the good work, HH. I believe you deserve a chance (disclaimer: I am non-partisan).

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  4. The man is wonderful who can nearly all the languages in all the provinces. Some people have their names from certain tribe and region but cannot speak the language

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  5. HH is okay by far. We are trying him, come rain come sunshine. If he comes to fail like these currently in power, we kick him out as well. This country has been in serious decline, you must be very sick not to see the current decay. Peoples living standards have to be uplifted please

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  6. HH was being critised for not connecting with people,for not speaking their language.He was called elitist! In the process he has learnt Bemba which can help him sell on CB the political hotbed of Zambia,now his detractors want to focus on minor slippage which after all many use in street language!Well done HH,you are an example of how we should strive to learn each others’ languages to cement the “One Zambia,One Nation”!

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  7. At least HH though Tonga can address a Rally in Bemba. The turnout is impressive. Lets hope all these People will vote for the UPND MP Candidate and the Vote won’t be stolen as usual.

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  8. HH lowered his standards. That was pure loss of judgement from his side. The office he is aspiring for demands a respectable individual who will be a role model to its citizens.

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  9. It’s like African Americans using the N word. It is CONTEXT that matters. The spirit in which a word is used is very important. One can say, ‘Thanks’ cynically, it does not mean they are being polite. The ‘humble’ one is the haughtiest President Zambia has ever had. Look at how many things he builds with tax payers money but names them after himself. Is that humility?
    Actiones Seneca (Actions speak louder than words).

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  10. ?? The UPND PR team is doing a fantastic job. They are populising HH well. People will always debate about him only to realise that the guy is legit. The whole nation will appreciate him when we are done debating him. #HH your intro song should be ‘Common man’ by the legend PK Chishala.

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  11. These rally photographers must be honest, they give politicians the wrong signals. We need real pictures showing the correct crowd. Someone may say the election was rigged. These photographers are ripping these politicians without them knowing.

  12. What is sad is that there were young kids in that audience. It shows the desperation of some people. I guess stolen money cannot buy you class.

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  13. so everytime zambian call out portuguese and brazillian names like morinho, ronaldinho, dicanho, ninshi ni nsele? i wonder what people will say when they haer the tonga name for SALT.

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  14. GBM said Kasama is a No go Area for HH and UPND. How come People are attending to his Rallies in huge Numbers? Miracles never cease to happen. Macmillan’s wind of change is blowing in Bemba Land but can HH secure the Vote?

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  15. The people needs the economy to grow ,

    The minute HH is announced as president , the kwacha will hold firm and improve , other economic indicators to start improving within months , all other import deals that do not create jobs in Zambia , like importing army uniforms , to be cancelled…..they will be made in Zambia.

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  16. As others have said, HH is not being a role model. There were young people in the audience who are going to think it is okay to say what he said. As someone aspiring to be a leader, he should be exemplary in both word and deed. Let us assume he were to assume office next year, would he want opposition leaders to address him in the same manner?

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  17. Spaka you are living in utopia. Let me guess,you also believe you will return to Zambia once your tribal demigod wins. Dreaming is allowed but please when you dream prepare to be disappointed too. Ask hh about last election and premature celebrations

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  18. So we should be calling our boy children as Ch****. Try to call HH by the same name – you will see how court papers will be flying for defamation.

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  19. Unbelievable! Someone aspiring for the highest office in the land uttered an insult and people are justifying it? Do you want HH that much? A wrong is a wrong and has to be condemned. My dear HH if your campaigns are going to be characterized by insults you will cry again next year

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  20. Since the Privatization case crumbled before it started, now they have to move and find something and say he used the C word. It matters less for us

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  21. KZ

    Yes , I might return to help contribute to Zambias development when we have less corruption and open political tolerance , when I see Zambias potential is being used for the benifit of Zambians , not foringners ……..

    ohhh and also when HH is elected , we will pass a law to have all campain materials like those chitenges lungu is splashing around to be made in Zambia , creating jobs for zambians.

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  22. Sleepless nights over simple word that is more famous than anything in Zambia. The word is not even an insult as some you chaps want to portray. We all call each other chixxla and nothing wrong about HH using that word, but it is understood that we need to find as many faults as we can in HH so he is not voted in power. I would be hurt to be called kabolala than chixxla anyway.

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  23. POOR ZAMBIANS SURE ATI -C- WORDS………..THOSE THAT ARE SKELETON MINDED WILL DEBATE ON C WORDS. LACKING FAT,,,, WE WANT DEVELOPMENT AND THIS TIME WE WILL NOT VOTE WITH OUR STOMACH, IMAGINE A K 100 CANT EVEN BUY 3 GOOD ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS FOR DOMESTIC USE AT HOME. BUT WITH OUR BRAINS,WISDOM WILL BE APPLICABLE IN 2021 . TI ZIBA MUKUDWYA BWINO KAILI

  24. POOR ZAMBIANS SURE ATI -C- WORDS………..THOSE THAT ARE SKELETON MINDED WILL DEBATE ON C WORDS. LACKING FAT,,,, WE WANT DEVELOPMENT AND THIS TIME WE WILL NOT VOTE WITH OUR STOMACH, IMAGINE A K 100 CANT EVEN BUY 3 GOOD ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS FOR DOMESTIC USE AT HOME. BUT WITH OUR BRAINS,WISDOM WILL BE APPLICABLE IN 2021 . TI ZIBA MUKUDWYA BWINO KAILI

  25. Spaka continue living in lala land. As you have said you can only help develop your country when your fellow tribesmen are in power. The good thing is that zambian will never allow a tribal grouping to rule them. So continue growing grey vuzis and hair there abroad until you die dreaming in whlte mans land

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  26. For those that are supporting HH’s use of derogatory language probably online bloggers should start using the “C” word to refer to HH in order to help them realise how bad this is. I am sure HH supporters will like this.

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  27. 1. REMEMBER DORA RAISED A THUMB AGAINST THE SPEAKER IN THE AUGUST HOUSE.
    2. GARRY NKOMBO USED THE SAME LANGUAGE IN THE AUGUST HOUSE.
    3. GBM WAS USING THE SAME LANGUAGE WHEN HE DITCHED PF.
    4. ON LT WE READ THESE INSULTS DAY AND NIGHT.
    PLEASE LETS NOT EXAGGERATE WHAT HH SAID.

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  28. At school your children learn body parts in biology they even draw them in there books and name them.Some of the muzungus call there notorious employees stupid,*****s or fool Dr Kaunda used to call some of his ministers stupid *****s including Journalists at his press conference you never saw anything wrong with that.GBM used to call Tayali and other such a C word.. by the way some tribes of people who are named C……and they are not offended.

  29. Yaba Zambians think so highly of themselves. Ati “the office he is aspiring requires dignity…blah blah blah”. You forget too quickly that your current leader blacked out in public clearly after a long drinking session and blamed it on a medical condition that has since disappeared? Your current leader is globetrotting with known drug dealers and has effectively overseen the most corrupt government in Zambia’s history. Zambians have been insulted for too long for them to consider that “C” word an expletive.

  30. HH made a big mistake. That kind of language is used by street boys on copperbelt where bemba has been diluted not in Bemba land and in full view of children and their parents. His idea was okay by telling people that if any politician bribe them, they should accept the bribe but vote wisely as they know who the right candidate is. The same ideology was used by PF in their slogan “Don’t kubeba”. There was no insults. For HH reduce himself to such levels as if he is talking to some street kids at Chisokone or Chiwempala market on copperbelt is quite shameful and un called for. A man aspiring for the highest office of the land, he must apologise for his insults targetted at his opponents. Lets promote harmony and peaciful campaign not insults as that may escalate into violence. We love…

  31. He claims to be an SDA Elder, and thefore be measured by the same standard befitting a Church Elder. I wonder if that is acceptable in his church. He made a clear mistake and must apologize.

  32. Ababemba inkonko would term that as amalumbo. That is not an insult unless those who think insele nsele are the ones insulting. The C word simply means you are man enough. HH I am bemba and I am very proud of you .Your meetings in both Northern and Luapula were great and execellent .You touched the main issues the nation was facing unlike PF who are still dancing icikokoshi and pointing at projects initiated by MMD .Insoni sana ba PF .Kuya bebele

  33. one Zambia, one Nation, one language, pls sb. make an inclusive Zambian language dictionary like an inclusive English dictionary which includes all the 76 Zambian tribes’ words but indicate the sources of the words.

  34. Bwana Lungu has been insulting Zambians with poverty,corruption and falling economic indicators yet you don’t express similarly strong disapproval ? Cognitive dissonance for real.

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