The Minister of Information and Media, Chushi Kasanda, has called on Zambians to adhere to the decorum and dignity required of the National Anthem as provided for in the law.
In a statement released to the media, Ms. Kasanda, who is also the Government Chief Spokesperson said that the National Anthem is not an ordinary song as the law prescribes how it is supposed to be sung, citing section 3 of the National Anthem Act provides that: ‘ any person who does any act with intent to insult or bring into contempt or ridicule the national anthem shall be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 5 000 penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or to both.’
In addition to singling out journalists’ behavior at public events, Ms. Kasanda said that the government will no longer tolerate situations where some people are seen walking about or wearing caps while others are on cellphones when the National Anthem is being sung.
Below is the full statement
STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, HON. CHUSHI KASANDA, MP ON THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
The Zambian National Anthem is established by the National Anthem Act No. 40 of 1973 and as amended by Act No. 13 of 1994, Chapter 7 of the laws of Zambia.
It is an important symbol of nationhood, freedom, and independence which was attained at great sacrifice by the freedom fighters.
The national anthem binds the country together, promotes unity and nationhood under the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’
It is also a reminder of the posterity of where the country is coming from and the need to sustain the unity of purpose in building a united and prosperous Zambia.
The National Anthem is not an ordinary song as the law prescribes how it is supposed to be sung. Section 3 of the National Anthem Act provides that: ‘ any person who does any act with intent to insult or bring into contempt or ridicule the national anthem shall be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Five Thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or to both.’ This shows how important the National Anthem is and the respect it is supposed to be accorded when it is being sung.
Government has, however, noted with concern that some citizens are not singing the National Anthem in the manner that it is supposed to be done. Of particular concern are situations where some people are seen walking about or wearing caps while others are on cellphones when the National Anthem is being sung. The government has also noted that during coverage of national events, media personnel continues to walk about as they set up their equipment while the National Anthem is being sung. This will not be tolerated.
Government, therefore, urges the media to set up their equipment in advance as opposed to doing it when the National Anthem is being sung. The government also wishes to call upon citizens to adhere to the decorum and dignity required of the National Anthem as provided for in the law. Citizens are further reminded to sing all three stanzas of the National Anthem at all times.
Government, under President Hakainde Hichilema is committed to building an inclusive and united Zambia where the values of love, unity, respect, integrity, hard work, and patriotism amongst citizens, are paramount.
Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
9th March, 2022
Yes yes yes… pay reverence to the flag and national anthem, sense of communal strength and patriotism.
WHAT A LOAD OF NONSENSE
YES RESPECT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SHOWN BUT MUST OUR WORLD STOP ?
MUST WE WEAR SUITS AND TOP HATS
I DONT LIKE WHERE THIS IS GOING
Thanks Madam, we will be singing all. But please help journalists with training, just this evening Diamond TV writes Market as Markert on Lusaka city market, appears no proof readers for spellings and misleading school learners, also Prime TV airs an accident story of a motor bike hitting some women in Kasempa who are seen with blood and wounded on the ground with no warning to sensitivity viewers at all
Don’t you have better things to do? Who can say the third stanza in Tumbuka? I restmycase
There is no law that subscribes how we should sing the national anthem. This is more evidence of dictatorship under upnd. But since selxy kasanda and i have history and I love her figure I will let it slide. This is the size I like. Its not for small boys
There is no law that subscribes how we should sing the national anthem. This is more evidence of dlctat0rship under upnd. But since selxy kasanda and i have history and I love her figure I will let it slide. This is the size I like. Its not for small boys
There is no law that states how we should sing the nati0nal anthem. This is more evidence of dlctat0rshlp under upnd. But since s.el.x.y kasanda and i have history and I love her figure I will let it slide. This is the size I like. Its not for small boys
The problem with Zambians is they wantto be Americans. You have seen how Hip Hop is imitated. Just because they have seen Americans disrespecting their anthem they want to imitate them and do the same. Context is always important
Smokey, this is why some of us state that there’s no need for a ministry of information and broadcasting in a democracy as it implies government policing media. What you have said above is not in conformity with a government ministry that supports journalism but a police minister may be the right person to issue such threats. Also learn that journalists don’t stop filming during the national anthem so they still need to move as you fluff the lyrics. That is news to them. This ministry is as moribund as that religion ministry
Also learn that journalists don’t stop filming during the national anthem so they still need to move as you fluff the lyrics. That is news to them. This ministry is as moribund as that religion ministry
The dysfunctional, uncivilised and un Zambian attitude of disrespecting our national wholly introduced by PF thuggery should end now. UPND is a civilised party and its government. UPND should retire corrupt DPP Lilian Fulata Shawa Siyuni of the judiciary on corruption cases she aided and abetted. Once the Judicial Complaints Commission has deliberated over numerours complints agaist her, DPP Siyuni should be retired in the national interest.
I thought you would talk about coming up with our own National Anthem than that stolen one written by the Colonial Masters!!
The world is at war, petrol prices go through the roof, the Kwacha CONTINUES to depreciate, police officers are back demanding bribes at roadblocks, the PF lunatics now officially hate women – and we are worried about the national anthem??? Give me a break
There is nothing wrong with standing at attention for 3 or 4 minutes and removing ones hat, it won’t kill you, Do you make noise and move around when you are at church? To me the national anthem and my country is very important to me and i am proud , on saying that the younger generation has very little respect for a lot of things these days and maybe govt should educate children at school to be proud of ones country. also it time we modernize the national anthem to a more catchy tune. the best one i have come across is the New Zealand national anthem , very powerful and modern. The coat of arms needs a upgrade too , we don’t wear safari jackets and long 1950s dresses and most don’t live in mud and grass huts any more.
Most UPND Ministers can’t sing all 3 stanzas of the National Anthem. I see how they struggle to stammer the anthem to the end. They’re already in contempt of the anthem. So let’s star in Cabinet 1st
No Corruption Zambia
THIS CHAP’S BLOG IS SPOT ON
COULD NOT HAVE PUT IT BETTER
GIVE HIM A BELLS !!!
Indeed many values have been lost along the way in the name of democracy insulting the head of state, leaking public documents, refusing to observe national days or public events, wearing military garb, attacking police officers and police stations or posts , attacking and undressing women in public, disrespecting elders, drinking alcohol at all hours, open bars and bottle stores before time and closing after the stipulated time, stealing public funds, corruption, extortion….oh why have gotten to this place
Most of our friends belonging to the JW were expelled over the failure to sing or salute the national anthem.
Stop being petty. This is how dictators are born. Next it will be dressing. You have more pressing issues at hand than following people not singing the national anthem properly.
any person who does any act with intent to insult or bring into contempt or ridicule the national anthem shall be guilty of an offense
A journalist filming people singing the national anthem has nosuch intents.