By Field Ruwe EdD
TOP DRAWERS
Hakainde Hichilema – leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND)
Before I got down to pen this article, I took a knee in protest against tribalism in Zambian politics. This was after reading comments made by PF member Davies Chama back in 2015: “If at all they (UPND) will ever be in power, maybe a 100 years from now, not in my generation, maybe a 1000 years from now. They [Tongas] are polygamous by nature, so maybe as they have more children, they can be history and in power.”
The above abusive and prejudicial language is no different from that of racism, neither is the one uttered by Bizwell Mutale: “Zambia is not ready for a Tonga president in 2021 and beyond. It will never happen;” nor the one by Chishimba Kambwili: “Tongas cannot vote for Jesus if he stood in that part of Zambia on the basis of his tribe.” Kambwili was later linked to a statement in social media that alleged he would eliminate Tongas given the opportunity.
Before I proceed, I must state that in writing this article I assume the air of impartiality. I am not here to endorse or disapprove the candidature of Hakainde Hichilema. I am not a member of UPND, and have never met Hichilema. For certain, I am a citizen of Zambia concerned with the pervasive negative effects of tribalism and the toll it is exacting on Hichilema, a man, who in his own right, dreams of becoming the first Tonga to preside over this beautiful land.
This coming August will be unprecedented. The man who lost in 2016 by 27,757, and who has since made efforts to break out of the tribal circumscribed politics, will be trying to navigate the murky road to State House like he has done the three times he has tried. This time it’s different, his supporters are certain they have exceeded the 2016 deficit and UPND has grown by leaps and bounds. Still, what stands between Hichilema and State House is not so much Edgar Lungu, but the word “Tonga.”
A Tonga Will Never Rule Zambia
Behind this well orchestrated tribalism scheme is President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front. Asked if a Tonga will ever become president, Lungu responded: “One day, a Tonga will rule Zambia, but certainly not the one that’s aspiring now.” The evocation of the word “Tonga” is a euphemism for “A Tonga will never rule Zambia.” A judicious head of state would have put it simply: “I’m above tribal politics. Any Zambian who aspires to be president and wins the hearts of the majority of Zambian voters certainly becomes one.” Lungu, who throughout his reign has not bothered to rekindle the country’s motto “One Zambia, One Nation,” is upholding the long-held maxim that Tongas are unfit to rule Zambia.
Let me ask a couple of questions that are at the heart of this article? Why do Tongas have to endure such abuse with each presidential election? What wrong have Tonga’s done that warrants such mistreatment? How can we allow a head of state to perpetuate politics of divide and rule? How have we come to a point where the head of state tolerates hate mongering and lends a blind eye to the dangers of tribal politics? Does President Edgar Lungu fully understand the dire repercussion of tribalism? One more question: How did we get here?
Kenneth Kaunda and the Seeds of Tribalism
Currently, Zambians are witnessing the worst negative branding and persecution of a presidential candidate in a country that claims to be democratic. Opportunistic political failures Edith Nawakwi and Chilufya Tayali have labeled Hichilema a fraud in their bid to derail his candidacy. In doing so, they have created a vintage recipe for civic chaos, to speak less of a civil war. The explosive accusations have come at a time when UPND members and their leader think they have in the past five years worked tirelessly to capture the hearts of Zambians in their 72 ethnic groups.
Let me dip into a very delicate piece of history that will provide a clue to why tribalism remains Hakainde Hichilema’s Achilles’ heel. Please be advised that I do not mean any disrespect to former President Kenneth Kaunda, this serious matter calls for historical facts. I have taken time to excavate facts shared by historians around the world, some credited at the bottom of this article.
Historical records show that Kaunda contributed to sowing the seeds of tribalism and caused estrangement between Bembas and Tongas. In November, 1953, the visionary and radical Kaunda, a Bemba by birth, accompanied by the Chinsali boys led by the militant Simon Kapwepwe, arrived in Lusaka from Lubwa to assume the post of Secretary General of the ANC led by Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, a Tonga.
The Kaunda cabal arrived with a sense of entitlement emanating from a feel of incontestable Bemba ethnic supremacy, and Kaunda let Nkumbula know that. When Nkumbula referred to Kaunda as a “Nyasalander meddling in the politics of Northern Rhodesia,” Kaunda quit ANC in 1958 and formed the Zambian African National Congress (ZANC), taking the Bemba militants with him. Henceforth, Tongas and Bembas were at daggers drawn and tribalism became a major factor when Kaunda became president of UNIP in 1959, and also a factor in the outcome of Zambia’s independence.
Although Kaunda preached non-violence, he did not shy away from a bloody fight. Using inflammatory language he attacked Nkumbula full throttle and portrayed him as a womanizer and an alcoholic wreck and his supporters as “idiots,” “simple souls” and “Tonga peasants “whom [Nkumbula] robbed of their money to squander on beer and other immoral ways.” Nkumbula punched back, describing Kaunda and his followers as “poor thieves whose political objective of positioning Bembas in power was to colonize Tongaland.”
As expected the exchange resulted in inter-party bloody clashes between UNIP and ANC. Growing up in Chililabombwe and Chingola before independence, this writer is aware of the frequent clashes between the two parties, involving stoning, beatings, arson, pipe bombs and murders. A UNIP militant was seen as “a person who would inflict harm on a political opponent or rival. Hence the origin of the slogan ‘UNIP is fire and anyone who plays with it gets burnt.’”
Before and after independence, militant Bembas within UNIP vowed never to allow a Tonga become president. Realizing the precarious tribalistic situation he found himself in, Kaunda begun to steer the country toward unity using his slogan “One Zambia, One Nation” as “the basic principle to national construction.” But the die was cast. Tribalism remains latent 57 years later.
Up to this day, non-Tonga politicians continue to whip up long-held animosities and stereotypes against Zambia’s indigenous people. The typical pattern has been to continue to give the Tonga people the undesirable label of tribalist and therefore unworthy of presidential leadership. This year, a desperate president who could lose an election devoid of rigging, is doing just that to cling to power. The question is: For how long can the Tongas tolerate such humiliation? Another: For how long can UPND watch their leader tortured? One more question: For how long will UPND members watch their efforts thwarted?
The Power of the Kneeling
Tribalism is a dangerous system that has caused millions of deaths across Africa and beyond. Tribalism fosters intense hatred for a fellow being. The Rwanda genocide is a case in point. Power, greed, heartlessness, foolishness, pride, and ignorance of one man can torch the entire country.
When a 29-year-old American quarterback knelt during the national anthem, he sparked a non-violent protest against racism. That’s the power of the knee. Kneeling is the most effective and powerful way of protest. No stones are hauled; no gas is used; no gun is fired, no fires are set; no buildings are destroyed; no one is hurt; and no one is killed. Maybe it’s time for Hakainde Hichilema, the man trapped in the web of tribalism to lead all loving Zambians regardless of their tribe and political affiliation to taking a knee. If not Hichilema, someone should take a knee for mother Zambia, Edgar Lungu perhaps?
Credit is due to the following historians: Giacomo Macola; Chiponde Mushingeh; Stephen McLaughlin & Maarje Weerdesteijin.
Field Ruwe, a UPND cadre as we thought. He has bashed other candidates because he knew who he was supporting. It is clear from this article he supports HH and the UPND and does not have the independence one would expect from an objective journalist.
What nonsense is this from Field Ruwe that Kaunda is a “Bemba by birth”. What does Bemba by birth mean? Just to think this nonsense can come from someone who claims to have a dubious doctorate.
This is a sympathetic narrative in support for hh by the author. The history about KK is not true. KK and Kapwepwe did not buy into Nkumbula’s anti-colonialist approach. Their approach was more Pan-Africanist and appealed to more Zambians than Nkumbula’s. When they broke away and hit the ground, the simply became more popular. It was Nkumbula who withdrew to South/Western strongholds and cooked up the Bemba supremacy rhetoric of Bembas wanting to grab their cows and women once in power. These lies resonated successfully among the Tonga/Lozi population with militants like Mungoni Liso emerging. Who can forget the brutal beating of Hon. Mainza Chona at the hands of ANC cadres??
On the whole, the author has failed to highlight hh’s social, political and economic agenda and ideas for Zambia and instead has chosen to attack his rival’s, Edgar Lungu, character and focused on historical lies as the upnd and hh have tried to do. It’s like the attack the M’membe/Nchito led cartel on FTJ and his allies during the latter’s persecution during the Mwanawasa years, they did their utmost best to twist historical facts in their favour. While the author tried to in his narratives of the other presidential candidates, he has come out in support of hh openly and has tried to cook up excuses for his failures.
Bally is going to win story izibika
Dr. Field Ruwe is a real tribalist. When he writes about Hakainde Hichilema, he does not say anything negative about Tonga or UPND. But is bold enough to paint Nyasalanders (KK) and Bembers black. Kambela Mazoka united all Zambians to vote for him without a tribal narrative. Dr Ruwe is telling us it is time for a Tonga to rule the same way the UPND core circle told us when installing HH in 2006. Field Ruwe must instead give the “Knee”. Please don’t fight tribalism by being so tribal.
Dr. Field Ruwe is a real tribalist. When he writes about Hakainde Hichilema, he does not say anything negative about Tonga or UPND. But is bold enough to paint Nyasalanders (KK) and Bembers black. Kambela Mazoka united all Zambians to vote for him without a tribal narrative. Dr Ruwe is telling us it is time for a Tonga to rule the same way the UPND core circle told us when installing HH in 2006. Field Ruwe must instead give the “Knee”. Please don’t fight tribalism by being so tribal.
Its such kind of writting that steer up tribalism. You were supposed to write about HH as a potential candidate.
Somebody please tell that Ruwe didn’t pull down the incoming president HH.
If chi-color Field write anything bad about HH, then I go fvck him up this Friday, I know his apartment.
Am Heritage.
I expected Field Ruwe to discuss pros and cons about Hichilema in the same manner that he discussed other candidates but I haven’t seen that. So how do we know who Hichilema is just like Ruwe gave info on other candidates? The UPND is the only Party that has resolved several times that it’s time for a Tonga to be President. Get it right, Zambia isn’t looking for Tonga President but rather a President that can come from any region. Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika founded the Agenda for Zambia never did he nor any Lozi at any time resolve that it was time for a Lozi to be President of Zambia. It’s only in the UPND where they assume that whoever speaks Tonga or hails from Southern province is their member. They told Wilbur Simuusa that his father was turning in his grave for being a…
KK did not at any time attack a tribe. Yes he attacked Nkumbula not as a Tonga. But as someone who was abusing tonga peasants for his own gains.
You very wrong Field. The fights between UNIP and ANC had nothing to do with tribe. On the coppebelt it was more the control of the infuential Mine workers unions. Dig deeper about Lawrence Katilungu and his influence on politics then. Please do not distort history.
They told Wilbur Simuusa that his father was turning in his grave for being a member of the PF, a Bemba Party. Don’t come here with half truths, we saw how Sakwiba Sikota and his followers were bruised. Dr Vernon Johnson Mwaanga was beaten and impaired for simply associating with non Tongas. If people have been against Tongas in the UPND, it’s because they have also done the same. Don’t divert the topic we expect you to discuss individual candidates, not what you have started. Tongas are everywhere in Zambia, where did you hear that they were beaten after an election? Hichilema is a major sponsor of violence and you can’t launder him on that
Tribalism in Zambia is being resurrected out of desperation to rule. The real problem may be more on nepotism than tribalism. We are seeing how certain regions in the country are favoured when it comes to development. We have seen how some of these leaders are playing politics by diverting funds meant to develop other areas but channeled to their own. All this is planting the seed of conflict. One thing with Zambians, once they start, they don’t stop. The ones in charge today better take a good look at themselves and think about their grand children after them. Is this the Zambia you want? People will come and go but this country called Zambia will always be there.
I like this guy by the way he has come openly on the issue of tribalism. And it is good he has said before we even think twice of voting for hh and UPND. We are not going to vote for hh because of his desperation as a tribal leader. I will campaign for throttle for PF on tribal bases. We need a leader from any tribe but not one who wants to buy votes through lies.
This is total f00lish
If I was grading this as an assignment from a political science or journalist student, I would give it a bare C grade for lack of evidence of any rational argument in it. It is at best an appeal to raw emotions. Field Ruwe lamentably fails to show how Tongas are the indigenous peoples of Zambia which he uses as a basis that HH should rule. One wonders if he knows anything about the Batwa people of the Bangweulu swamps who have probably lived in this part of Africa much longer than the Tongas. Yet no one hears about them claiming that they should be the ones to rule. What Ruwe should know is that none of Zambia’s past Presidents and the current one has ever succeeded to rule because of tribe. Using tribe to try to ascend to the top is to adopt an exclusive tribalist agenda and not an…
… an inclusive nationalist agenda. Even the most ethnically inclined leaders who have ruled Zambia have used a nationalist agenda to ascend to the top. No Zambian President and his followers ever said it was time for their tribe to rule. Part of the failure of UPND to assume power has been their naivety to think they can rule by claiming it is time for a Tonga to rule. That scares of any right thinking Zambian as it has the implication that should HH and the UPND ascend to power, it will only be about themselves being in government and having control over the instruments of power and state resources at the expense of other ethnic groups. As a person who has been to schools, Field Ruwe would do well to be less emotional, a lot more broad-minded and intellectually sophisticated in his…
…analysis. Beating the tribal drum for HH will not make right thinking Zambians dance to it!
Field Ruwe does himself a disservice by not sticking to the format he previously used to review other candidates. That said, having dared to push back on the “Tongas are tribalist and so must not be allowed to rule” rhetoric, he will now face the full wrath of the brigade. I don’t think ECL and his cohorts, in their minds truly believe Tongas are evil tribalists but they encourage it because it keeps Zambians from evaluating their ability to lead versus that of those who are aspiring against them. It deflects from the realities people are facing and the culpability of current leadership. Unfortunately large numbers of Zambians don’t realise the game being played and take the whole thing so literary that they are ready to demonise the Tonga person next door with whom they have…
Unfortunately large numbers of Zambians don’t realise the game being played and take the whole thing so literary that they are ready to demonise the Tonga person next door with whom they have had no problems. Makes one understand how the holocaust and genocide took place. Once hate is sown, it can’t simply be recalled when it is no longer convenient . Dark days lie ahead – if we continue on this path.
Field Ruwe, try maths. You have failed to comprehend history and hence a danger to ZED. Please study maths not history or biology. You really need maths it will cure your reasoning. Please do not study chemistry because you do not respect rules. Or sorry for suggesting that you try to do maths. We will put a sticker on your forehead reading villagers get him back we do not need his knowledge. He is a DANGER>
The fun part is this guy is telling all Tonga’s to vote for hh because he is there’s and what about those who are not Tonga’s? This will bare fruit as intended because we are all not Tonga’s
The battle has began Tonga’s versus Bembas/ eastners
Field, have you ever heard any UPND member utter the “One Zambia, One Nation” slogan? Never!!. ECL is the one who has actually championed the reinstatement of this national motto, and because it is so, UPND will have nothing to do with it. Get your facts right before you start lecturing the proper Zambians from a remote position. Just stay on your bog seat, that is the only place you are relevant.
Field Ruwe is a clear case of brain drain, that’s to say how brains leave intellectuals that elect to be partisan. There’s nothing to discuss here, he must be very ashamed of himself, especially when I take into account how he strongly came out against Ganjaman Peter Sinkamba
That’s the problem of some these ‘diasporans.’ Under 5 did not lose by 27, 757 in 2016. He lost by just over 100, 000. This time he is losing by far more than that. He also skips to mention that Under 5 assumed party presidency on the ‘Only Tonga can takeover UPND’ mantra. These are some of the points you cannot skip in explaining where this all comes from. If you are bored where you are, stop boring us with these highly divisive and stupid articles. Iwe na Shushuwa you want the country to burn as you watch from the diaspora and say we told them. Ukutumpa!
I marvel at the selective amnesia of some people who would have us revise history or reality just because they repeat their “truths” often enough. How is it that people would only remember a “Only Tonga can take over UPND” statement that was uttered many years ago by some misguided fellow and forget all the numerous inflamatory statements against Tongas uttered very recently by senior government and PF party officials? How is it someone can claim he has never heard HH or indeed a number of UPND officials stating “one Zambia and one nation” and that all tribes are equal? Tribalism should be condemned wherever it rears its ugly head not just when it is perceived to be practised by members of one party or tribe!!! If Zambia does burn (God forbid), it will burn because we failed…
If Zambia does burn (God forbid), it will burn because we failed to unite in honesty against tribalism in all its forms not because of those who are pointing out the reality of the current tribal division. If you don’t feel victimised because of your tribe, perhaps take a minute to listen to those who feel they are instead of trying to shut them up and vice versa.
Nkumbula was not Tonga but Ila. The tribal alliances that rocked UNIP on the night that KK resigned were between Bembas and Tongas on one hand and Easterners and the rest on the other. The issue of anti-Tonga tribal sentiments in Zambia is very real. However, it is really the question of the chicken and the egg. We do not know what came first, Tonga pride or Tonga hatred. The ‘three peoples’ (Tonga, Ila, Toka, Soli and Lenje) people are more indigenous to Zambia than any other tribes. However, they have been subdued in their lands because they were never a warrior people like the Kololo-Luya, Luba-Bemba and the Ngoni. Their governance systems were patriarchal. The Colonialists took advantage of this weakness by recruiting such tribes, educating them and making them civil servants to…
It is not true that ECL was asked if a Tonga would rule this country, ECL in his volition brought in the Tonga aspect when he was asked on the chances of HH becoming President. Please correct that misinformation in the article
This wanna be comedian whose meal ticket out of zed was courtesy of a woman is a disgrace…KK and HMN fell out because old Harry was not in a hurry to stir the hornet nest called colonial masters…he would meet with them swirling whiskey and trade mark cigars whilst the country burnt. KK who is not bemba but hailed from the North on account of his fathers migration could not understand the lassier faire approach to the struggle for independence….KK was not a violent man if he were zed would have gone to war with the likes of Ian Douglas Smith but he held back because he had seen what war could do…he engineered tribal balancing in cabinet…ensured we went to school from one province to another so we could mix…he oversaw intermarriages….we became one…MMD thought otherwise…
It is hard to tell whether this article was for Edgar Lungu or Hakainde Hichilema. We now know who he has fallen for in spite of the disclaimer in the preamble. He even fails to mention Lungu by name but vaguely referees him as, ” a desperate president” who came (and wants to cling) to power by rigging. Can the UPND denounce and disassociate themselves from such people, like Dr Field Ruwe, who luck togetherness?
I believe everyone who writes an article knows what he/she has intended.
Everyone who does not believe in fighting will object to those who are fuming division. But it is not those who are saying we need to live in harmony are scared no of those saying it. No no we are all capable of bringing confusion but we don’t want to because we love our country. When you push people to far you’ll end up getting what you want.
Being a politician is not a passport to get things by force.
Ruwe writes that , “before and after independence, militant Bembas within UNIP vowed never to allow a Tonga become president.” Yet Ruwe does not give even one name of militant Bembas within UNIP who vowed never to allow a Tonga become president. This is a case of a lazy wannabe intellectual who cannot give evidence for the claims he makes. It is such charlatans like Ruwe who spread half truths who are responsible for atrocities like genocide.
The article has failed to demonstrate neutrality. It is biased to say the least. But one thing that the article is spot on is the fact that tribalism is more rampant in our country than before and it is driven by the PF party and its schemes to demonise one person. My appeal to both sides, those in power and those seeking to get into power, is to cherish diversity and to harness it for the good of our beloved country. Zambia must be bigger than individuals and tribes. I agree with Chamu, if Zambia burns (God forbid), it is because we as a people have failed to unite. I am looking forward to peaceful campaigns and free and fair elections. Let the people vote freely and without intimidation. And we all must guard our young democracy that is being threatened to be hijacked by greed,…
And we all must guard our young democracy that is being threatened to be hijacked by greed, appetite to rule selfish motives, tribalism, cadre mentality and blind loyalty.
What is this nonsense about Kaunda being Bemba by Birth.
If my father’s tribe is XYZ and I was born in Chinsali, it does not make me a Bemba. My tribe will still be XYZ.
Kaunda’s father was a Mtonga from Malawi. The mother Helen Nyirenda was a Tumbuka from Eastern Province. David Kaunda went to settle in Lubwa Mission/Chinsali
This is more reason why KK’s children have Tumbuka names such as Panji Kaunda, Wezi Kaunda, etc…
All in all, KK was very proud to call himself a Tumbuka. And he spoke the language fluently.
I was eagerly waiting for the continuation of this series. I do appreciate the historical background but I must quickly mention that the historical context has a biased narrative. I just read sishuwa’s ‘A white Man Can Never Be Zambian’ in which he states that Kaunda did a lot to fight tribalism, this is why Zambia, to some extent, never experience civil war.
Additionally, As compared to the previous articles, this article does not focus on HH as an individual and political leader. It shows a bias since the previous candidates were torn apart. This is very neutral and makes no mention whatsoever of HH, his values, faults and attributes, whether negative or not.
Additionally, Edgar Lungu’s response was not tribal, he stated that ‘a Tonga will be President, but not this one’,…
The past will always be full of mistakes, because as human beings we progress and learn from our mistakes.
What happened in 1957 to 1964 has nothing to do with what is happening today. We are now a sovereign and independent country that has gone through an evolution.
Field Ruwe should advise UPND & HH to stop being cry babies but focus on reaching out to all provinces to help HH get to State House.
And if HH wins, he will the president for all Zambians. And will want him to succeed for the country.
When I read this article its only pointing to ne thing you are promoting tribalism .
Please lets be mature and write articles that will add value to outlives.
We are all Human from the same God and any one can rule regardless of tribe.
Please stop writing such article.
The truth be told tribalism is real in Zambia.And those who are the victims of it Know the pain it has caused as we fight for the national cake.I want to warn that this will not continue our children will one day fight and there will be a change in Zambia.In Rwanda those that thought there were the majority started a war and results is that they were beaten and Kagame is ruling.So watch out for Zambia.Allow others also to rule ,you can not be the ruling class always.Insansa Kuchinjanya.
You don’t forget where you come from. But the minute you hold on to where you come from or in this case holding on the past, then you cannot move forward.
Field Luwe needs to move on and live in the present time.
THERE IS NO TRIBALISM IN ZAMBIA! IT IS ONLY IN THE HEADS OF A FEW WHO TRY TO USE IT AS A STEPPING STONE TO POWER—–SHAME!!!
Did I hear that Mainza Chona was lynched by the Tongas for belonging to UNIP?
Did I hear also that VJ was nearly beaten and chased away from Mazoka funeral—-for being a tonga but not supporting a Tonga party.
Did we not hear someone say only a Tonga can be a leader of upnd—-and is surprising all non Tonga Vice presidents who come close to presidency are kicked out- Patrick Chisanga, Sakwiba Sikota, Dr. Banda, GBM, CK…who is next?
Ndelolesha fye……
What is Nalumango’s influence on the party? Awe sure!!! Ndeloleshya fye.
OK the article is brave to tackle head on the elephant in the room, and that is the subject of tribalism. It’s true that the desperate PF sing the tired tune of accusing HH of tribalism because they have nothing on him.
However, this is article is coming from a weak point because without the rigging machinations of Lungu and his minions, HH likely would have been president by now in the last 2 elections. I think there are progressive Bembas and Easterners who vote for HH but Lungu has been stealing the elections anyway.
I would like to believe Field Ruwe will write more positive and the strength of the HH candidate later… he probably should have started with that and ended with this article instead.
I am a Zambian academic specializing in Zambian history. While there’s indeed an element of bias in the article, the historical part is a matter of fact. The authors Dr Field Ruwe credits have done extensive research on politics of Zambia. For all those academics who are commenting here take time to access and read the about the inter- and intra-party battles in following titles:
The evolution of One-Party State rule in Zambia 1964-1972 by Chiponde Mushingeh
Towards a History of Post-Colonial Zambia by Giacomo Macola – Cambridge University Press
Political Unity and Dissent by Giacomo Macola – Cambridge University Press.
–and many others.
And by the way President Kenneth Kaunda is a Bemba by birth.
Please leave Dr Kaunda out of this nonsense. If you have no strong points to put forward, then don’t write. You don’t even appreciate how KK helped this country from descending into tribe strife.
@ Martin,
Cannot agree more with your description of Field Ruwe as, “This wanna be comedian whose meal ticket out of zed [to the US] was courtesy of a woman [Ruwe’s wife] is a disgrace…”
Field my young brother you have conveniently tried very hard to be impartial, but unfortunately the more examples you give the more you drift away from your declared impartiality. All your articles on this subject have been about the presidential candidates, but when it comes to HH you give a catalogue of events common to all aspiring presidential candidates under the sun (Zambia). That way you have conveniently avoided talking about your preferred candidate (HH) and there exposing yourself hidden biasness. You have even failed to quote the famous quote ” Only a Tonga can lead UPND”. The question Field has lamentably failed to answer is why should we have a “Tonga president” and not a Lozi, Mambwe, Lungu, Namwanga, Kaonde, Luvale, Mbunda, Lamba, Aushi, Ngoni, Chewa, Bemba, etc. My…
The poverty of analytical capacity in this write up confirms the shallowness of the EdD qualification. Mr Ruwe, this is not what intellectuals write. I regret wasting 20 minutes of my life (which I will never get back).
What is this nonsense about Kaunda being Bemba by Birth.
If my father’s tribe is XYZ and I was born in Chinsali, it does not make me a Bemba. My tribe will still be XYZ.
Kaunda’s father was a Mtonga from Malawi. The mother was a Tumbuka from Eastern Province. David Kaunda went to settle in Lubwa Mission/Chinsali
This is more reason why his children have Tumbuka names such as Panji Kaunda, Wezi Kaunda, etc…
… The question Field has lamentably failed to answer is why should we have a “Tonga president” and not a Lozi, Mambwe, Lungu, Namwanga, Kaonde, Luvale, Mbunda, Lamba, Aushi, Ngoni, Chewa, Bemba, etc. My young brother Field, Anderson Kambela Mazoka (MHSRIP) was a Tonga by tribe but a Zambian opposition leader with a national character. What people are against is not the Tonga tribe as HH would but the leadership qualities of your preferred candidate Hakainde Hichilema. Hakainde has failed to effectively remove the tribal pronouncements of his own people as quoted above to show that he is a nationalist. He has lamentably failed just as much as he has failed to effectively sell his manifesto to the Zambian electorate (x5). He has instead acted like a tribalist both in word ( “ Is it…
What a disappointing Anti-Climax. And I was waiting all this time for the Grand Finale that would expose the warts on the 2 leading contenders. But alas!! Its more a clarion call on why HH should be presido. I have learnt nothing from this article as its tone and content is a world away from the preceding candidate previews. Sad it had to end this way ba Ruwe. Your worst write up ever. The reviews have been brutal; your attempt at historical revisionism is both laughable as it is tragic. You better stop here
… HH has lamentably failed just as much as he has failed to effectively sell his manifesto to the Zambian electorate (x5). He has instead acted like a tribalist both in word ( “ Is it because I am Tonga.. remember that..” and in deed (his central committee). So Field this article has exposed your inner biasness, just when some us where beginning to believe you.
A modern nation is an artificial creation that draws people from different backgrounds and even continents and confers on them an identity called citizenship. This is wht we are trying to do in Zambia. We’re a post-colonial state trying to build a nation. Kenneth Kaunda used to live in Northern Rhodesia as a British-protected person and automatically became a citizen of Zambia in 1964 despite having no connection to a local tribe. I know that the citizenship identity carries less weight as it is younger than the tribal identity in Zambia. Wht’s happening is a process of trying 2b a nation and we will get there one day.
The message has backfired. Dr. Ruwe thought he will be lauded with praises for supporting an incoming president by riding on the Tonga theme. Alas, he just penned down pretentious crap! It’s time for a Tonga to rule. Better say, it is time for a new national president for all with fresh ideas
Some questions are: Did he mean what he wrote? Have we misunderstood him? Does he just want to make himself relevant? Has it occurred to him that he has misfired big time? Are there any meaningful articles to come from him yet or this was his best shot? Is he aware that he has failed at responsible writing by fueling the dying embers of tribalism? Tribalism at political level is more strife than it is at social. Field Ruwe must not fight political battles meant for HH. Politicians can defect while an intellectual simply becomes a dunce.
Mr ruwe, this is the lowest any man with even the least intellect can ever sink. What loads of balderdash!
Free education failed to develop this *****. He is not a dreamer. Ruwe do a course on emotion intelligence. it is never too late when you are still breathing. Think think think…..
Cursed is the Bemba woman you followed to America. How I wish she left you in Zed chasing tall women in miniskirts the business you knew best than dividing the country. Disgusting article.
Hahahaha I guess Field Ruwe is Lamba by birth, Village Chikola, Chief Nkana
Wrong facts about Kaunda’s ethnicity, Nkumbula’s tribe, as well as a simplification of how tribe continues to shape our politics.
Name sounds Zimbabwean
As is always is the case in a country of predominantly lowly and poorly educated people, most who here are PF cadres, personal attacks and not rational debate becomes the means of expression. PF cadres who benefit from the corrupt and failed government are busy spewing hate and instults at a person who has brought foward a pertinent issue of tribalism. Very few here have tackled tribalism as it presently exists. Going after Dr. Ruwe with such cheap veracity is an indication of ignorance at best. Discuss substance and raise nonsense like most of you cheap thinkers have done. Shame on you, all of you. Dr. Ruwe married a doctor, and who did you marry? A waitress? What’s better? Dr. Ruwe has reached the pinnacle of education, and where is your standing?
If some of you here claim to be smart, why don’t you get on the computer and write your own article to counter what Dr. Ruwe has written? Isn’t that rational thought? Most of you can’t write a sentence, and can’t even read an article such as this and grasp it real message. All you do is wait to pounce on a person you see as a rival with the lowest of intelligence. Learn to write for god’s sake so our country can be filled with brilliant ideas. Don’t just bark. Be like Dr. Ruwe. Educate yourself no matter your age. Marry a doctor if you can, there’s nothing special about her. There are there for the taking. They crave to be married. Some of you here are the lunatic fringe Dr. Ruwe wrote about who are pathetic failures cheating people that you are presidential candidates. You are…
….Dr. Ruwe married a doctor, and who did you marry? A waitress? What’s better? Mwepu Chilenga there is nothing wrong in being a waitress or marrying a waitress. Get it, no woman would like to be told that I married you because you a doctor or rich. Here is free education for you, it is in order to say I married you because you are intelligent, or you are all the time fair or you care, do not say because you were poor. To be educated is to reason as follows, for example; ECL has done well by refusing to put the mines on care and maintenance in the Copperbelt. This alone, will make him take Copperbelt in the coming election. ECL has changed the face of Lusaka, it looks nice. I think he will also take Lusaka. The price of copper is now 10,000 dollars per tonne and soon it will be 15, 000…