lower grades has impressed Government has most learners have responded
positively. Here, Education Deputy Minister David Mabumba monitoring
the use of icibemba at Ray of Joy Primary School in Nchelenge
ALL the fifteen (15) Lamba chiefs on the Copperbelt Province have resolved to reject the newly introduced government policy to teach Bemba in Copperbelt rural schools.
ZANIS reports that the Chiefs confirmed this in a statement in Ndola today signed by senior Chief Chiwala who is the chairperson for Copperbelt Royal Council of Chiefs.
Chief Chiwala said traditional leaders in the province have thrown out the idea of having Bemba as a mode of instructions in schools both in rural and urban areas.
“We, the Chiefs of the Copperbelt Province observe that it is a violation of human rights to impose on children the teaching of vernacular language that is not their own,” Chief Chiwala said.
The traditional leader observed that Copperbelt province is the land of inheritance for Lambas and that indigenous Lamba people have occupied the land since time immemorial hence the language they have always spoken and used for writing is Lamba.
He explained that language plays a greater role in the development, promotion and preservation of culture in any given society and that it is injustice to introduce as a compulsory measure a Northern Province language to teach children in Copperbelt rural schools.
The traditional leader on behalf of his colleagues further said that Lambas at their own expense and working in collaboration with the curriculum Development Center in Lusaka have published books to be used in Copperbelt rural schools and that the literacy books are still being worked on.
He said to this end government should partner with the Lambas and avail funds for the publication of books as it has done with other languages.
Chief Chiwala further said that the resolve to reject the policy of having children taught in a foreign language in their own land was reached at after consultative meeting with the Lambas in the province.
“The position the Lambas have taken shall never be compromised and no amount of intimidation shall sway the people of Lamba land from this decision.
Throughout British Colonial and independent Zambia’s history, Lambas have been tolerant and sacrificed enough of their land for the sake of national development, mindful of the fact that Zambia is a unitary state in tribal diversity,” Chief Chiwala said.
Government recently announced new education reforms to teach all subjects in vernacular from grade one (1) to four (4) in all primary schools of Zambia.
Government has selected seven Zambian languages which are also aired on ZNBC to be used for teaching in schools.
ZANIS
Well this is a challenge for Lamba intellectuals to provide the Ministry of education with Lamba textbooks
If they dont have then can use english and will excel at school better than those forced with vernacular.
If Lambas can have a Lamba Bible, which is difficult to write, having school lessons in Lamba is not a big deal.
the bazungus say if its not broken dont fix it,,, whats wrong with teaching lamba children in lamba villages in chilamba??..
ok lets try this again,, can we teach bemba children in kasama in silozi or mu chitonga??
And then the Govt and their past newspaper want to make you believe that HH promotes tribalism than unity. This policy will only achieve one thing: ignite difficult but tribal sentiments and divisions.
Ndobo—little knowledge is dangerous!
Tom Peters says(You can find this on google if you want), ‘if it aint broken, fix it!’
Btw, Tom Peters is white, muzungu to you.
@Sattish. Little knowledge is indeed very dangerous. Ndobo is very much right. The Bazungus have the saying: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Tom Peters only proposed a different version in relation to Management of companies as in the quote below extracted from the book – Thriving on Chaos: Handbook for a Management Revolution.
“There are no excellent companies. The old saw “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” needs revision. I propose: “If it ain’t broke, you just haven’t looked hard enough.” Fix it anyway.
No company is safe. IBM is declared dead in 1979, the best of the best in 1982, and dead again in 1986. People Express is the model “new look” firm, then flops twenty-four months later. “
This is the positive way of looking at the issue mwina zed
Mwacita bwino ukwakuti. This is proper leadership. Twamutoteni mwane.
Ndobo uleke dobo.
The Paramount Chief for the Lamba people has always been Chiti Mukulu. That is if it still works.
Abalamba balikwete plight mumushobo wabo.Fyakuka nemw wire intambo shilaputauka bamfumu.Fyakatasha.
The problem is that these Lambas have been behaving like Bembas all along. Ask Boman Lusambo he will confirm what I am saying.
GRZ for Bembas, what you are exhibiting is a typical inferiority complex such as we see in HH.
What makes you think Zambia is for Bembas when the richest people in this nation are not Bembas?
But they have had no problem with English, what sort of logic is this? Only a foool wouldn’t agree that the most spoken languages in the cities are Bemba and Nyanja. Too much inferiority complex.
go and teach your most spoken languages in those cities where they are widely used not in ndola rural were people use their native tougue
*Chief Chiwala further said that the resolve to reject the policy of having children taught in a foreign language in their own land was reached at after consultative meeting with the Lambas in the province.*
In their infinite wisdom, English is not a foreign language. The white man is masterful! He has succeeded in planting the seed of self hate in us, in a manner that it will continue to grow without additional effort from him. The new bible should read, verse 2. “You shall hate yourselves in all ways.” Verse 3. “You aspire to be like us.”
What am I talking about, it already does? The snake the pronouncement in the garden of Eden. “Your eyes will see, you will be like gods.” But we can’t wait!
Let’s bleach our skins
Let’s wear fake hair
Let’s worship a white…
please dont misunderstand wise chief chiwala, he knows and understands that english is the official language of zambia therefore he has no problem with that,,, but trying to teach lamba children in lamba villages in cibemba ,,, is like trying to teach bemba children in kasama in chitonga
You really sound PF, with very low reasoning. How do characterize people who want to promote there native language, as inferiority attitude? Do you want Lamba to be quenched like the Luapula case where local languages are non-existence?
Simple logic and fact: English is Zambia’s official language and also a universal language. It therefore goes without saying that its use as a medium of instruction is undisputable. What is being disputed by all concerned citizens, including the Catholic Church, is the use of a vernecular language as a medium of instruction in areas where that particular language is not native as it will defeat the objective of the policy. The affected children will have to learn the new alien language of instruction which will be different from their native language.Those who claim that English is colonial are not being realistic, sensible and sincere. Why do they then pride in having a white man for a VP? If indeed they believe in Africanism let them live the pre-colonial primitive way of life.
The government asked for this.
So why substitute a foreign language (English) with another foreign language (Bemba) on the Lambas.
The chief (Chiwala) is saying, if you want to substitute English, then teach Lamba not Bemba in Lamba schools. This is sensible to everyone else except PF politicians.
HH has been right all along – why dont you *****s elect him as your president? SataN is a tired horse and his health is failing him anyway! So many problems from one person – SataN!
Tula Twabane—You have no knowledge of African. That is why you are being taken advantage of. You know all about Christopher Columbus, Malcolm Moffat, Vasco Da Gama, Maggie Thatcher, and Ron Reagan but you don’t know the wealth your people had barely 500 years ago. All you know is what you have been taught — ‘you lived a wretched life, primitive, backward, sinful, etc. Sadly, you believe that crap. Anyway, you can’t help yourself, you don’t know what you don’t know.
Hey, listen up now: Go find yourself!!
And where throughout the Zambian market do you find business being transacted in Lamba?
Besides Lamba, Lala, Swaka, Bisa and all Luapula languages were during Colonial rule known as Bemba Speaking groups and their Paramount Chief was Chiti Mukulu. Just imagine this also included Mambwes, Lungus nd Namwangas.
Msana Wanzili, this is why no one is advocating for Lamba to be taught in urban copperbelt, its rural where we would love to preserve our language is that so difficult to understand.
Let’s speak English!
yo Sattish!
Give it up, man. Too many house niggaz up in here. You can’t win, period.
They suffer from internalized oppression. Debating them is futile. Take it from me.
Yes lets all speak English.
After all the Church has told us that anything Zambian including names and foods are demonic. Even our black skins are demonic.
I am glad we have a white vice President
Quite right too! If this policy is meant to enhance the learning experience of children by teaching them in their mother tongues it does not make sense for Lamba children to be taught in Bemba. Yes it can be argued that Lamba and Bemba are related languages but they are not the same. The same is true in Eastern province, Nsenga and Tumbuka children should not be taught in Chewa as the languages are closely related but not identical. In the case of Lamba, it should be noted that Lamba has a longer written history than Bemba and I see no reason why the government can not invest in providing reading material in the language of the people who have sacrificed so much in providing the resources on which the whole country has depended for so long.
Why do bembas like imposing themselves on others?
They dare not even dream of this nonsense in Tongaland and Barotseland.
History
The Bemba people are descendants of inhabitants of the Luba kingdom, which existed in what is now the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in north-eastern Zambia.
History
Bemba is the most widely spoken vernacular in Zambia, spoken by over 50% of the population, and is one of Zambia’s seven recognized regional languages. Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, though Malawian by descent, was raised in a Bemba-speaking community, and every Zambian president since has been a Bemba-speaker, with the exception of the Fourth President, Rupiah Bwezani Banda who is Nyanja-speaking from the Eastern Province. In the years after the MMD took power in 1991, it was accused numerous times of promoting Bemba over other regional languages in the country.[4]
Dialects
Bemba has several dialects, many being varieties of Bemba spoken by other tribes which have historically fallen under Bemba influence. They include Chishinga, Lomotwa, Ngoma, Nwesi, Kabende, Luunda, Mukulu, Ng’umbo, and Unga, which is spoken by Twa pygmies and sometimes considered a separate language (Nurse 2003). The Twa of Bangweulu speak another dialect of Bemba, and a Bemba-English creole, known as Town Bemba, is used in the major cities of the Copperbelt.
Ever heard of the phrase “Northern power”
Yes…in your stinking A.r.s.e!
But what where you doing in this niggers ass????? wondering….!!!!!
At long last the Lambas have realized. The lamba language is almost none-existence on the Copperbelt. If Lambas are not careful they will be like Luapula Province where they have abandoned there languages in preference to Bemba.
I find it bizarre for the People of Luapula to mickly accept to be called Bembas. It is sebana wikute.
“meekly,” not
CHIEF CHIWALA AND HIS PEOPLE ARE VERY VERY DULL WHY DID THEY COMPLAINED WHEN KK ONLY INTRODUCED SEVEN LOCAL LANGUAGE ON ZNBC. I HAVE NEVER HEARD LAMBA NEWS ON ZNBC RADIO AND THE LAMBA PEOPLE HAVE NEVER COMPLAINED THAT THEY WANT THEIR NEWS IN LAMBA. LAMBA IS BEMBA SIMPLE AND DONT TRY TO BE SO DIFFICULT OVER THE LANGUAGE YOU HAVE BEEN USING SINCE INDEPENDENCE. KWATI PALI MUTUNDU VERY VERY DULL.
Typical of PF, very uncivilized . Its your utterances that portray nothing but dullness.
No my brother it’s not that, it’s democracy the PF has brought that’s making every body can express them selves,with a little incitement from UNDP even non issues are coming up.Ndola rural can be left out while Ndola town teaches in that Bemba,certain things are just the way the are,even in my home town when you ask in Bemba you will get response meaning its a communicable tool.
you tribalist,infact you people must be very dull,the Lambas are right,y force them into speaking another language?zambia yabonse
This entire saga must be stopped before the Volcano bursts out! I honestly dont understand the brains behind it. How do you implement such a project before you even sample it? Atleast they could even have tried to carry out some experiment of some kind to get a glimpse of how people would feel over such matters! Dull syndrome if you ask me!
The idea behind selecting 7 languages for use on ZNBC was not meant to wipe away other supposedly small languages,but the 7 languages were just like ” holding” languages where other similar languages should fit in,meaning that consideration of all dialects under the main languge should be given attention when programing;that’s why for instance radio one programes uder tonga section you will find programes in ila,lenje among others.likewise bemba section you will find programs in lamba,mambwe among others
How about this………… lets all blog using the languages we are familiar with!
@cindy
kekekekekekekeke… i like your suggestion!!, we can even go further you dutch, i will use svenska to sample the project
He he he he he he @Cindy uli kapuba.
Pantu twakulatukishanyafye ifi masele. Bembas obviously will monopolise the blog because all strong insults are in Bemba.
yes others will also follow. for instance the ilas , Wes , Toka leyas will refuse to learn Tonga, Nkoyas, mbundas, nyengos, kwangwas will refuse to learn lozi, Luchazi, chokwes , Lundas will refuse to learn Luvale, mambwes, Namwangas will refuse to learn Bemba.etc etc
PF have you seen the confusion you trying to resurrect? you didn’t ask why KK was not able to comeup with one language in northwestern province in the 60s?
As a country i think we have moved on . some of these policies are better left to the archives .they are a recipe for blood shed indeed.if PF was able to win an election using tribe it may not be the case next.
Silozi is a national language for Barotseland, please do not bring confusions about ..”Nkoyas, mbundas, nyengos, kwangwas , Luchazi, chokwes – that they will refuse to learn Silozi “. There is no tribe called Lozi in Barotseland, just like there is no tribe called Nyanja in Eastern Province, please, or Shona in Zimbabwe or Swahili in Tanzania! But, there is a Bemba tribe, as well as a Bemba language.
Go and covince Mbundas to learn Silozi and you will come back without eyes! Why are you burying your head in sand with the Barotseland excitement? This policy is archaic and should be reversed and teachers will speak to all pupils in English. If they are not understanding, it is nobodies business but their parents!
BEMBA IS SIMPLY A DIALECT – CHILUBA REGARDED LEVY AS A BROTHER.
WHY DO YOU THINK WE GAVE MWANAWASA THE VOTE SO OVERWHELMINGLY?
YOU CAN HARDLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BEMBA AND LAMBA DIALECTS.
BA TETEBULO, BA MABETI ETC SLEEP ON THE SAME BED WITH CHIKWANDA.
NEARLY ALL OUR PASTORS IN LUAPULA COME FROM THE LAMBA LAND. THEY INTEGRATE BETTER IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAN THEY DO IN THE BANTUSTAN DOWN SOUTH.
AT ONE TIME MUFULIRA WAS FULL OF PEOPLE FROM “RIVERPOOL”.
KITWE WAS FULL WITH PEOPLE FROM THE NORTH.
If Lamba is merely a dialect of Bemba then why not teach Lamba in the Copperbelt, Luapula, Muchinga, and Northern Provinces? After all is the wealth of Lambaland that the country has been feeding on for so long?
What some of these critics don’t realise is that the lambas, the bisa, the bembas, the ngubos all hale from one and the same Kingdom . The Lunda luba Kingdom. They are one and the same people. Hince the phrase ” Northern Power” . The Lamba Chiefs know exactly what they are doing. Its all steeped in History.
you’re right on my brother.surely one doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to comprehend such simple facts.between one speaking bemba and another lamba and to some good extent kaonde, there’s no communication problem.even if we were to go by the chiefs’ demand,am sure bemba speakers would ‘ve no problem if all they need to understand is that this is just about language/ literacy and not about overturning any tribe
Iwe @Nigger of Nagasaki, it does NOT mean that just because these tribes came from one ancient Kingdom then they all speak or have the same culture! How uninformed and dull can one be to exhibit such ignorance. It is like saying all peoples in the former British or Roman kingdoms/empires had/have the same language or culture. Really?!
Please know that these ancient Kingdoms and empires went about wars of conquest and incorporation of many and diverse tribes, languages, and cultures. So it does not necessarily mean that if certain tribes trace their history to one former Kingdom then they all must be of the same or similar language or culture. You should demand a partial refund from your school if that is what you were taught in your history classes—it is a big lie!
You sound extremely tribal than an intellectual. Which is not a Bantustan? All areas in Zambia are Bantustans. If you are a Nilotic then you do not have a home in Zambia because apart from immigrants, all Zambians are Bantus. Bantustan simply means an area for Bantus. This was meant to distinguish them from areas occupied by the Africaans or the Boers. I’m therefore proud to belong to a Bantustan. At least your contribution has confirmed one thing. You are a hardcore Tribalist. Your hate for other Tribes even blinded you not to see that Mwanawasa was partly Lamba and Lenje. You only saw Lamba and immediately cast your Vote. The lenje part which is more Tonga you didnot see. Im sure if you had known that his wife was Lenje from Chibombo you would not have voted for him.
Its all bordering on some complex.
Zambians should be told that the mere fact that we learn English in is Schhools and Universities does not in any way mean that English is superior to our languages or even Chinese.
Chinese is the largest spoken language on planet earth.
You sound extremely tribal than an intellectual. Which is not a Bantustan? All areas in Zambia are Bantustans. If you are a Nilotic then you do not have a home in Zambia because apart from immigrants, all Zambians are Bantus. Bantustan simply means an area for Bantus. This was meant to distinguish them from areas occupied by the Africaans or the Boers. I’m therefore proud to belong to a Bantustan. At least your contribution has confirmed one thing. You are a hardcore Tribalist. Your hate for other Tribes even blinded you not to see that Mwanawasa was partly Lamba and Lenje. You only saw Lamba and immediately cast your Vote. The lenje part which is more Tonga you didnot see. Im sure if you had known that his wife was Lenje from Chibombo you would not have voted for him. Tribalist indeed!
Well, I saw this happening. As a family man when you have one child that wants sweets you should know better and buy all of your kids the same sweets or prepare to have some unhappy kids around the place. If you can’t afford the sweets don’t make a mistake of buying sweets for only some of the kids leaving the rest without, it will haunt the kids for the rest of their lives and they will always remember and think dad, mom, uncle or aunt liked their siblings more. So..moral of the story is why change what was working well? We all know English is the number one global language and the sad fact is a lot of kids will not even reach grade 5..
Continued..its a sad fact there are so many disadvantaged children that have to leave school right at primary level for a range of reasons, its better as sad and tragic as reality is that if they at least leave school with the basic understanding of English, let’s not downplay the importance of English or we’ll have a very lost and disadvantaged generation. English opens doors to the world and its not an issue about colonialsim because even countries that were not colonised by Britain use English as an official language.
In the late 90s learning in the language-of-play (local language) for grade ones was the in thing. It had positive results. Today’s grade twelves were among the pioneers.
Copperbelt (CB) is a hotpot of all languages. Credit need be given to the welcoming spirit of the Lambas. One question though, what it the language-of-play in urban and rural CB?
Looks like more ground work needs to be done for the benefit of the learner… All stake holders have to come on board to study and implement common language-of-play used by the target group in their specific areas. In this case, His Majesty Chiwala may have a point.
Yes, I am loving this! C/belt chiefs should never compromise on this score. They took your land and minerals in the name of ‘Unitary’ Nation. And now they are trying to take your most valuable heritage; your NATIVE LANGUAGE.
Lambas have sacrificed enough in the interest of National development and unity. The MOTHER TONGUE (Ichilamba) should be the last thing Lambas, or any other tribe in Zambia, should be forced to forfeit. Ichibemba is just as foreign to Lamba children as English or Silozi is. So indeed, why replace one “foreign” language with another and call that progress?
In fact, if PF is not careful with this policy, tribal sentiments and tribe-self-awareness will only increase among Zambian tribes. A scenario only likely to cause frictions than unite all tribes.
I also foresee many tribes in parts of Central Province to follow what Lamba chiefs have done here. We have many chiefs in Central Province whose tribes/languages are more closely related to Lamba than Bemba. I am thinking of tribes like Swakas, Lalas, Limas, etc. Some of these tribes have also been using the Lamba Bible and hymnal since they came into print than they use the Bemba Bible.
Indeed Lambas have a long and proud history/culture of published books and literature than Bembas have. So why can’t the Govt provide funds to publish or translate scholastic books to be use for teaching in various languages, Lamba included?
I think this is one of those WELL-INTENDED policies which is likely to have the opposite effect. PF Govt should have thought long and hard about this!
The whiteman does not need to tell you anything anymore. You do his job for him. He taught you to speak English so you can receive instructions from him. You called him “bwana,” he called you “boy.” A century and half later, you still call him bwana, and he laughs at you.
Considering that you fought so hard to drive him out of your land, he expected you to reverse all that he did that was detrimental to your self determination. He laughs because instead, you perpetuate that which you sacrificed life for.
Now he stands aside and laugh while you disgrace yourselves to levels he never imagined you ever would – preferring his stuff over your own. Exalting him for his trickery, even calling his machinations ‘universal medium.’
What a people!
If indeed you are averse to the whiteman’s “domination trickery”, why do you continue to use his language to communicate? Why do continue to use his “tools of trickery” to manage and lead your life? Why do you send your children to school to acquire the whiteman’s education which is his tool of brainwashing his targets? I would like to see you with your wife and children walk in town half-dressed in pieces of animal skin!
My advice is that come down to earth and be realistic and rational.
I had a distiction(1) in Lunda and (1) in english at grade 12 at Zambezi secondary school in Zambezi, Northwestern province. I dont need bemba to prosper in life.
Lunda chiefs can never allow bemba to be taught in lunda land, makudi mwanta. Awa a bembi okuhulama . Anakukenka kumpupula. ayi dima mana kosi.
but Zambezi secondary school is in Balovale. how come somebody decides to teach Luanda there?
Twatotela ukwakuti mwemfumu shesu ishakwilamba. Fwebasambilile tukatatika ukulemba amabuku aya kweba ati abana bakulubomfya muma sukulu. Fwebo twakana ukusambilisha abana besu mu cibemba. Icibemba caba Bemba. Onse ulukufwaya ukwikala mwilamba alifwile asambilila icilamba.
For real, that is Lamba, it is exactly written like some slang Bemba. Just teach in Lamba it is so similar to Bemba the differences are almost none existent. I read Silozi and Bemba and I just read your whole blog above in Lamba. Seriously, the 2 are related!
very good move..way to go..thanx!!!!!
The Lambas should unite and vote out PF in 2016 if their cry is to be heard. Kafulafuta constituency was a good start and lets extend it to all lambaland. PF leaders have ears but they do not hear. Show them in another way.
@PF. Vote PF out and there after take Lamba to ZNBC?
Wapt thinking. Guys education is good.
bushe pali ne fyakutalikana pa? bemba is not lamba , teach the lamba children in lamba , simple and straight forward.
Can someone get rid of chiefs in Africa, they are an hindrace to development. Its over. they want to be fed on what they have not ripped. Look at the BRE. When they are hungry they start crying.
@ Blax, Sattish is also missing the point big time. Chief Chiwala and many of us are against replacing a foreign language with another foreign language. Bemba is foreign on the Copperbelt Rural, therefore it can never be called local. Lamba is local and very acceptable to the lambas. Many languages will suffer as a result of this policy hence the need to rethink. Why should Children in Chongwe who speak soli be taught in Nyanja? Why should those in Shibuyunji be taught in tonga when they are sala? Why should Tumbuka Children be taught in Chichewa when they are Tumbukas? I think unnecessary arguments based on Party biases should not cloud our thinking. This policy good as it may sound, is a recipe for chaos. You remember the Tuaregs of Northern Mali and the Kurds of Nothern Iraq? CHAOS!
@Sattish: You seem to be acutely complexed but you pretend you are not while pointing fingers at others. By my name you can see that I am a proud Lamba, a proud Zambian and a Proud African. While I am a Catholic all my children carry Lamba names and were all baptised under those names. While being a proud Lamba, Zambian and African I am also reasonable, realistic and sincere with myself. I was born and grew up in a village. I am 62 now. I do not believe that the primitive and backward life our ancestors were leading is something to be proud about. However I believe in the African values: Ubuntu. My principle in life is that let us learn from others what is good such as education and technology, and reject their bad practices.
Continued…..
While at the same we should keep and treasure our good values and practices while we should discard negative values and practices. We should be open minded and progressive. I do not believe going about barely dressed in animal skin is something to be proud of. I do not believe that our people in villages should continue to live in huts and walk bare footed as a way of keeping our African identity. I do not believe that our people should be left uneducated because the western education would corrupt them. Just like I will not accept homosexuality simply it is being advocated for by Europeans and Americans. It is a negative value. We must move with time. Society is dynamic. I accept your correction of my mis-spelt “mickly”. The correct spelling is “meekly”. Because you are right I…
This is a failed policy which government should just do away with. Reliable information has it that teachers are struggling to teach languages that are not theirs, and there is a high likelihood of the current poor education standards worsening.
JOB 13V13 YOU HAVE A GOOD POINT MY BROTHER. I ALSO WANT TO WARN THE LAMBA SPEAKING PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THERE DULLNESS BECAUSE ALL ALONG THEY HAVE BEEN USING BEMBA AS THERE LANGUAGE ON ZNBC. SAME TO NKOYAS OF WESTERN PROVINCE THEY HAVE BEEN USING LOZI AS THERE LANGUAGE ON ZNBC.BUT WHERE WERE THEY ALL ALONG ? IT IS NOW 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE THEN TO DAY YOU WANT TO TELL US THAT YOU HAVE BEEN USING FOREIGN LANGUAGE AWE BANE ME IAM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THAT YOUR DULLNESS.
This is not about ZNBC. This is about tribal pride. You have stirred the nest of wasps unnecessarily. I know that this policy is being implemented as a result of recommendations from UNESCO. Kenya is as well implementing it. But In kenyan Towns they adopted Kiswahili while in Villages local Languages have been adopted. There is no imposition. In Zambia this cant work. There are far too many languages that are connected to tribes here than in some countries. Please let us not be emotional about this. it is definitely a recipe for chaos. Dont think Zambia and Zambians are special. We have all been cut from the same material, therefore we are also capable of causing havoc. After all PF cadres have already shown us that they are just as capable as anyone in the World in Panga Fighting.
Chitotela Ronald & Rogers Mwewa, I doubt your intellectual capacity to understand and debate objectively issues. Job 13V13, in my view, is in support of the stand taken by the Lamba Chiefs and is advising Government to scrap the policy. But in your comment, while agreeing with him you are insulting the Lambas and talking about ZNBC wich is not the issue. Lambas are not against Bemba, they are against the policy of teaching Bemba in Lamba areas. If Lambas were taken advantage of in those days, it will not be the case now. We will not be swayed from our objective by shallow minded people like you.
Zambia and Africa need more people like satfish. These are people who reason from the wider experience of education as well as positive racial pride. Black people need to freethemselves from the monster of self hate. Steve Biko Franz Fanon Amilcar Cabral Thomas Sankara where are you to break these mental chains?
In Lamba – That lady with squint eyes-ulya umwanakashi uwa linso lipeteme,so why do lambas think their children can’t be taught in bemba?
As an Englishman reading all these comments I am amazed by the number of languages in Zambia. It makes sense to teach in one common language. It will not destroy the language of the home, playground or the market place. Make that common language Latin, French, Chinese or anything, although English seems much more sensible for Zambia as most teachers can speak it already. Even the youngest kids I have met can switch between Nyanga and English without thinking. There would be no excuse for arguments of tribal dominance or favouritism in schools teaching in the same language throughout the land.