By Dr. Daniel K. Maswahu
There have been numerous post-September 2011 election accusations of tribalism against the new PF-lead Zambian leadership. This arises of course from the choice of appointees that the Office of the President has made (and continues to make). The continuing debate surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 appears to add fuel to this hot discussion. Irresponsible people in the opposition continue to delude themselves that they can make political mileage of these two undoubtedly related issues. The current Zambian leadership have so far responded responsibly and as best they can by providing an avenue for discussion for the later item, releasing all persons imprisoned during the 2011 Mongu riots and establishing a Commission of Inquiry that will eventually deliver justice to the families of those killed or injured during the same. Those who subscribe to the notion that the Barotseland Agreement issue will be resolved in the short term and even less the intermediate term (did someone say 90 days?) must reassess their road map on the way forward. And of course their sanity.
For the sake of those with short attention spans (only) two pertinent facts will be presented in their veritable factual (and therefore inherently hard to swallow) context. The first of these unpalatable facts is that there is absolutely no constitutional constraint for the Office of the President to appoint a leadership team based on “balanced” tribal origin. The founding fathers (principally Dr. Kenneth Kaunda) and mothers of this nation reckoned it was necessary in those times to provide a sense of equitable distribution of the “spoils” captured from the retreating British colonialist. There were indeed very few schooled people in that era and if educational qualification was used as the criteria of appointment, the Zambian civil service would have comprised of a pitiful handful of (read as less than 20) totally inexperienced people to provide some form of governance to a political entity of daunting geographical dimensions littered with at least five major tribal and cultural groupings made up of 72 or so distinguishable sub-groupings. Given that we (47 years latter) have substantially more educated people amongst us, the relevant question that demands an answer is whether it is reasonable to continue being fixated in a mental state (tribal distribution of appointments) that views our country as a conquest that must be looted or indeed plundered.
It is abundantly clear that the era of the political freedom fighter has come and gone. The economic freedom fighter whose hour has in all its fullness arrived will require more than sticks, stones and a fearsome visage to make the enemy (hunger, poverty, disease, ignorance) scamper for the cover of the nearest bush. The African countries who have recognised the role of the political freedom fighter and moved away from over-placating that stage of their growth have without exception progressed further economically and in other aspects.
The second brutal (historical) fact is that it made very simple administrative common sense for the British to hand over the then Northern Rhodesian territory in its entirety as a single unit and let any tribal or ethnic concerns sort themselves out. By the late fifties Whitehall had no doubts about three things – the protectorates of sub-Saharan Africa were an economic nuisance, an administrative waste of foreign policy and provided absolutely no strategic military advantage. The golden window of opportunity for the establishment of an independent nation or kingdom of Barotseland within what was Northern Rhodesia was in the five years between 1961 and 1966. Any consideration of Barotseland other than it being a part of Zambia after that window of opportunity is in the studied opinion of some an exercise in warm cuddly nostalgia and a massaging of tribal ego (begging the question – who doesn’t have fond memories of their home or the good old days?). Additional extensions of what is considered Barotseland into the Caprivi Strip, eastern Angola, a smaller part of Congo and how far eastward it extended into Zambia would have undoubtedly left the entire region to this day reeling in border disputes.
We of course are privileged to still have in our midst persons who were present when Zambia came into being in the corridors of Westminster. I am sure if there was or is anything of particular interest to add to the Barotseland Agreement debate they will in the first place provide the relevant facts to the existing commission. There are some who harbour the opinion that the silence of the relevant founding persons itself speaks volumes on the matter. Then there are others who think this silence is golden.
The Challenges and the Opportunities.
The geographical dimensions, the sheer size of Zambia make meaningful and sustainable development difficult in many remote parts, Western province being no exception. Consider that Kafue National Park itself is about as large as England. As far as continental position is concerned, the landlocked nature of Zambia render it fairly “rural” in comparison to the countries that have a sea or ocean front where trade and sea-based commerce has been flourishing for centuries.
The regionally central position of the country has not been sufficiently capitalised in terms of transport infrastructure. Zambia’s potential as a unspoilt tourist centre goes begging as a direct result of piece-meal and half-hearted infrastructure investment that have been restricted to periods immediately preceding major elections. The three international airports (located Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone) remain the size of air-strips in comparison to counterparts in other countries, maintaining more or less the same size they had in the sixties and seventies (correct me if I am wrong please). The international bus terminal in Lusaka is a crying shame, the home of the homeless and stranded travellers, a filthy mess, a health hazard with harassment as the order of the day. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that under the current system any development will be easier to place in the existing centres of communication (principally along the line of rail) before it trickles outward to less developed remote areas – it is the natural course of matters.. The existing railway service is itself at the edge of collapse.
The challenges Zambia faces represent amazing opportunities. Instead of waiting for government, the people must avail themselves to the alternative of a bright future. Zambia still remains one of the most difficult countries in the world to set up a business in (for both locals and foreigners) despite a recent slight improvement in the global rankings. This is part of the adventure and can be sorted out in time with the appropriate political will.
The day that government no longer remains the largest employer in the country is the day that Zambia can be considered to have made a significant milestone towards attaining economic freedom and moved away from unsustainable dependence on a central government system. On that day, political appointments will (hopefully) be of little consequence because the economic development of the nation will be very squarely in the hands of the people. The number of those who not merely believe but know that federating the provinces is the best answer to allegations of tribalism and the greater part of the solution to the Barotseland Agreement debate has reached critical mass. With a federal system, the development of a region or province will fall very squarely in the hands of the people themselves and they will be in no position to blame anyone but themselves. A leaner, meaner civil service backed by a kick-behind private sector is clearly the way forward.
(The author wishes the record to show he is not Bemba by birth or ancestry and is not averse to the possibility of parenting off-spring in that direction – in other words, let’s not take ourselves too seriously).
“The day that government no longer remains the largest employer in the country is the day that Zambia can be considered to have made a significant milestone towards attaining economic freedom and moved away from unsustainable dependence on a central government system”……..I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT
i totally do not agree with the writer of this article as regards the President failing to balance Cabinet appointments, its is very unfair that out of 18 ministers, 12 Ministers are from a single tribe , which surely if my History lessons serves me right are a very small tribe,the former president equally made several appointments in govt based on tribal lineage,and the writer seems to agree that nothing wrong with such,as the President is not compelled to do like wise,wht hapn ,if tomr i appoint all my family members as Ministers ,will the writer still state and defend such line of thought??????????????
He is just another thief from troublesome people… There are number of things which you don’t know. Firstly, before you sit down to write a very important issue like the one you claim to have knowledge ask people who worked in Government. PF led Government is pure tribal grouping in terms of appointment. It is very easy to have development in areas where most ministers comes from as it was evidenced in RB’s leadership. SATA is a wrong man to offer advise how to deal with tribalism in Zambia. This issue is heating hard under your feet man as you are speaking…90% of SATA’s appointments both Ministers and foreign services are from same tribe..you call that national development. SATA promised to restore BA64 in 90 DAYS. Is your man normal. Today you are busy defending him. very sad..!!
You are filthy liar – where did you get that data where 90% of appointment could be from the same tribe?
I was going to read this article until I came to the unfounded allegation that “irresponsible people from the opposition continue to delude themselves that they can make political mileage”….. There is no one in the opposition trying to make political mileage on either the tribal or BA64. they are both issues created by Sata in his appointments and his promises and those are facts. Pointing fingers at opposition is simply trying to shift the blame.
Milifipuba imwe babili, Is Lubinda Bemba,is Inonge Bemba atase ba kolwe with shallow minds or no brains at all
Could it be that we reached the end times?
dont blame the opposition this mess is the PF’s making
DR DANIEL MASWAHU – With due respect please stop insulting our intelligence. Your article is a rumbling public relations bird-crap obviously written for State House. I’m not sure how much CHELLAH has paid you, but save us the nonsense and stop putting your future career prospects in jeorpardy by peddling such un-researched *****ic arguments. You fail to even just google-search and check out simple georgraphical facts: WHO TOLD YOU THAT KAFUE NATIONAL PARK IS ABOUT AS LARGE AS ENGLAND??? Why are you embarrassing yourself like that for a few Kwacha from Sata? England has over 130, 000 sqrKMs, while Kafue National Park is 6 times smaller at just over 22,000 sqrKMs – which is just slightly bigger than the size Wales. Whoever hired you to write this article is equally dull…Stop lying!!
What ever reasons people will put forward spelling off the idea of balancing cabinet, the point remains unchallenged. Zambia is a multi-cultural nations which simply results from a number of different and sovereign ethnic groups. Education levels in Zambia are now better than they were during the early days of our UNIP government. Our father Kaunda still managed to get a good representation of each province even when literacy levels were so pour generally. Now the senario is different, there are educated multituds in ach province giving the president a pure chance of getting the cream from each geographic region in Zambia! Governance should appreciate the diversity of culture in the nation and should incorparate these cultures at all levels. How do we promote a one Zambia one nation slogan
very dull DR you are!
DR DANIEL MASWAHU – you must know that no matter how much image building you do for Sata and PF govt, the public will soon know the exact incompetence and tribalism that defines this govt. If I were you I would choose to be on the right side of things. Nobody HATES Sata or PF – infact we all started off by wishing them well – which we still do – but they have chosen to insult and abuse the good will and respect from the public. PF is not just failing to perform, it is governing in a very unfair way. I don’t need to like PF, they didn’t get voted into power to be liked, they must do their fu*cking job. They were voted to do the fu*cking job, NOT to be liked. Already we are seeing re-emergence of economic and health problems some of which have never been seen since early 1990s.
Am happy to hear rumours that the duiker(mpombo) has been rejected by nigeria as ambasador. How do u send someone appearing in the courts to a foreign mission. We want to see xavier in court and kamulongoti, he accumulated alot of propert as works and supply minister
Uncoordinated thoughts representing some scatter brains, having issues in one’s mind but failing to communicate. This is a wrong footed opinion which represents a possible idea aborted before maturity. nepotism and tribalism is real in this country and mostly determines wealth distribution denying it’s existence is in itself a big problem. If We accept it exists then we can deal with it. Some public and private institutions are full of family tree arrangements coupled with capitalism there is nothing for the poor and if nothing is done the poor will fight the rich in future
It might take another 27 years, less or more to get rid of this unfaithful government…but one day, a new regime will be ushered in! Tribal supremancy will then act against the people advocating for it at present.
These issues are clearly taking us nowhere but centuries behind of economic development. The weird thing about this whole “Barotseland” issue, is that the lozi king himself hasn’t given his stand on this issue and yet every jim and jack is nyonyoling about it. Him and Sata should address the nation on this issue, their stand, agreement and conclude.
Government should address the tribalism issue before it matures. But governments pretends to have ears clossed %-(….. It is about time to interject this :-t….otherwise Zambia wont develop [-x
@kadoyo.
The lozi king does not make decisions himself or speak to the public.The barotse national council,makes decisions for all the people of barotseland through their representives at sikalo,saa and which the head is the prime minister of barotseland/ngambela.the BNC sad and made their decisions on BA 64.that,1.the BA 64 is valid and must be restored 2.That the constitution relects zambia as a unitary state with barotseland”one zambia one nation” 3.that the GRZ must address factors that lead to barotse being poor 4.no one must incite the barotse people againest each other 5.No one must do or say anythhing that brings the office of litunga into contemp or disrepute.For more information goggle on “resolutios of the barotse national council”.
no.5, think before you talk,what ew are saying is out of 18 ministers,12 are bembas and the remaining 6 are other tribes,thats where lubinda and Inonge fall among the 6.Please go back to school.
I have failed to marry the headline and the shallow content of this hagemony this “dr” is attempting to put across.
#17 BlackBulls thanks for the useful information
This article lacks direction. The author starts by making an assumption that tribalism in the political appointments and the Barotse agreement are related issues which of course is far from being true. he abandons this line of argument and makes an attempt at discussing the response taken by th govt to the barotse issue. he almost immediately jumps to another issue of appointment to government positions and that there is nothing wrong with appointing people from one region under the constitution, as though those of us against this trend oppose it on the ground of constitutionality.Then he gives a lecture of what transpired at independence before delving into the private sector overtaking Govt as the largest employer clearly ignorant of the fact that already more people are employed by
This article does not make sense to reasonable and analytical people. How can someone support tribalism in this day and age. The PF people are tribalists finish and cla! In developed countries it si shameful to be accused of racism. But in countries like Zambia a tribalist becomes a hero of his tribesmen. This is a shame indeed! If there are any people supporting the views presented in this article they should have their heads examined at mental hospital.
the private sector than by the govt. he is clearly confusing the fact that govt is the largest single employer with the fallacy that this means more people are employed by the govt than by the private sector
Who was he writing this for, people who do not have jobs? People that seat all day long with a cup of soup in front of the TV reading through the LONG paragraphs?
Kidding, will read after work ok.
A nation must share its spils across board in order to maintain peace. The issue is straight forward Sata and his govt is tribal period. What this means is that the resources for this nation are baisly profiting one tribe. Why do I say so, this will eventurely go with the rest of jobs in the nation if PF says in govt for say 20yrs. All jobs will be for the bembas only and therefore it will only be then occupying higly paying jobs and it will be them to send their children to school and the rest will remain under developed. For instance a new province will have a high number of schools at secondary level soon when we know some provinces students are told they have failed when in this same area they could considered the best. Check the cut of points for grade ten for this year
Dr Maswahu, as your personal friend I am shocked by this article that is subjective. I read it at UKZambians last night. When did you change camp? Is it something to do with Mrs Sata (Dr Kaseba)? Who sponsored you for studies in the US? Politicians come and go my friend, stick to your ethos. We need the opposition for checks and balances. I respected you when you were the UPND secretary for London Branch because you are indeed intelligent. May be you had too much of your favourite vodka! Otherwise, you have a right to express your opinion. I still miss you mwana in the UK.
The problem in zambia are jobs, if there were jobs no one would mind about govt appointments , besides govt jobs are not the best, because you have to have a thick skin for insults. but also people need to be paid for their hardwork not because of their tribe, lets learn to compete not waiting to be apeased by some one
Dr Maswahu. masipa ahao. wanyela. how could you write such crap man. did you sleep in a tarven and woke up with a deluded mind.
Hard to swallow indeed, but food for thought.
Here is a list of current ministers. There is a difference between Bembas and Bemba speaking people. From this list I can only count 10 Bemba speaking people. Whilst I agree that they are over represented at 60%, it is unfair to call all of them as Bemba because they are not. By the way, I am not a PF supporter but it angers me when my tribe is demonised unfairly .
1. Sebastian Zulu
2. Godfrey B. Mwamba
3. Alexander B. Chikwanda
4. Kennedy Sakeni
5. Dr Joseph Kasonde
6. Chishimba Kambwili
7. Emmanuel Chenda
8. Fackson Shamenda
9. Robert Sichinga
10.Wilbur Simuusa
11. Given Lubinda
12. Dr. J.T.N. Phiri
13. C. Yaluma
14. Prof. Nkandu Luo
15. Dr Joseph Katema
16. Inonge Wina
17. W. Nsanda
@30 well writen but you failed to make a summary. I guse you had problems in writing english comprehesion. 60% from one tribe means tribalism, fenito! Tribalism has manifested more in the PF government. @3 Stop using one or two people (G Lubinda) as a balancing figure. Just accept the facts our government at present is tribalistic because it wants those who volted for it to taste the honey combs, but nt forget the bees are re-organising to defend their hard worked for food.
Good article worth reading indeed.This is written for forward thinking Zambians who have resisted perpetual bitterness but instead want to continue moving on in life.Now there are some I would personally not agree with the author but on the whole it shows a balanced man with an objective mind.
the bemba kingdom will fall sooner or later..they are not heading anywhere..!the old men in this cabinet and some dunderheads in offices….all in the name of being bembas..thieves..we need to balance for the sake of quality..
This is one of the sensless articles I’ve ready today. Please Doc what what, dont waste columns like this with meangless articles, let those who can build, unite, educate and inform the public use this column. My appeal to the editor is ” please be focused”.
It is really sad that in other Countries, tribalism is reaLly fought at all levels and yet in Zambia its encouraged by the higher office, how can 12 ministers really come from one tribe out of the 72 tribes in Zambia and you say its right.please Dr, don’t think with more kwacha in your pockets or the prospect of more.
It is really sad that in other Countries, tribalism is reaLly fought at all levels and yet in Zambia its encouraged, how can 12 ministers really come from one tribe out of the 72 tribes in Zambia and you say its right.please Dr, don’t think with more kwacha in your pockets or the prospect of more.
Doctor (?), the constitution is not document that spells out everything that must be done by a constitutional officer. A lot is left to the reasonable and rational judgment of the office holder.
Dr (?), your history is also faulty. You claim that in 1964, the British had no option but to amalgamate it with Northern Rhodesia. How about Lesotho, Swaziland and Bechuanaland that became independent later than 1964?
Not all northerners are Bembas, not all southerners are Tongas, not westerners are Lozis and so on…………if you think ‘tribal’ go to 1800s when it took the distnce between Lusaka and Kabwe 6 days to cover it…that was good reason to think tribal!!!