Zambia’s Socialist President Dr Fred M’membe has released a statement criticizing the use of the title “Father of the Nation,” calling it dangerous paternalism and inconsistent with democracy in a modern society. In the statement, M’membe noted that in traditional societies, a father cannot be openly criticized or differed with, and his position of “Father” cannot be challenged or contested.
“To call every President of the Republic of Zambia ‘Father of the Nation’ is dangerous paternalism. This is inconsistent with democracy in a modern society,” M’membe said in the statement.
He went on to explain that the use of such a title in a democratic society can be problematic, as it can create a perception of a leader who cannot be questioned or challenged. “To call Mr Hakainde Hichilema as Father of the Nation is absurd. Zambia was not born yesterday. No one is Father, all are sons and daughters. Some prove themselves worthy, some not,” M’membe added.
M’membe’s statement has sparked a debate among Zambians on the use of such titles in the country. Some have praised M’membe’s stance, while others have criticized it, arguing that the title “Father of the Nation” is an important symbol of national unity and a recognition of the contributions made by past leaders.
The debate has been particularly heated on social media, with many Zambians taking to Twitter and Facebook to express their opinions. Some have applauded M’membe’s position, with one Twitter user stating, “I fully agree with President M’membe. The title ‘Father of the Nation’ is outdated and creates a perception of a leader who cannot be challenged.”
Others have taken issue with M’membe’s stance, with one Facebook user writing, “I think President M’membe is missing the point. The title ‘Father of the Nation’ is an important symbol of national unity and a recognition of the contributions made by past leaders. It is not about creating a perception of a leader who cannot be challenged.”
The statement by Zambia’s Socialist President has opened up an important conversation about the role of such titles in a modern society and what they mean for democracy and political legitimacy. As M’membe notes, in traditional societies, a father cannot be openly criticized or differed with, and his position of “Father” cannot be challenged or contested. This can create a perception of a leader who cannot be questioned or challenged, which can be problematic in a democratic society.
The use of such titles in a modern society like Zambia may need to be re-evaluated. As M’membe notes, “We may print images of Zambians from different walks of life, who brought glory or did a great service, on our currency, if it is felt necessary.”
This suggests that rather than bestowing the title “Father of the Nation” on one individual, there are other ways to recognize the contributions of past leaders and promote national unity.
Zambia should go for DNA test. Too many people claiming to be its daddy.
This is only point HH will agree with Fred for first time. The father of the Nation died.
Who called him father? I havent seen any such title in any report
Your bedfellows PF were lobbying for Edgar lungu to be conferred with the title of ” father of the nation” and you were mute. what hypocrisy is this.
What a waste of time raising a mountain out of a mole hill. Socialism is birthed titles such as “Father” of the nation. Socialist thought Mao Tse Tung of China, Fidel Castro of Cuba, Brezhnev of Soviet Socialist Republic of Russia would not die. On the other hand, the concept of fatherhood in developing countries including Zambia is associated with founding leader(s) of a nation. In Zambia’s case Kenneth Kaunda appropriately is regarded as the father of Zambia. To call every president as father of the nation emanates from cadreism mentality. Ignorance still our enemy.
Kaunda is not the founder of Zambia because the founding of this country lies in colonialism. What happened at independence was a mere name-change. Much as they’re hated, the colonialists actually founded Zambia.
@ Gunner+in+Zambia
Based on your logic, it can be deduced that:
Colonialists founded Africa then…..
No African leader can claim to be founding father of a country
Oh dear Mother of God, what debate ? People are just bored and hungry. Instead of playing draught at the labour office , they take mobile phones to cook up some obscure debate about fatherhood. HH has no ‘balls’ to be called ‘father’ of anything!
Fred Mumembe cannot believe that HH is President of the Republic of Zambia. He won the elections clean game while you got almost nothing. You were used by PF and others to champion tribalism until Lungu closed your post newspaper. Please forget about the presidency because socialism is history globally. Just wake up and offer proper checks and balance rather than the tribal approach you have taken. HH was voted into the office by Zambians and they are the ones with authority to remove him if not happy.
And if crse HH will fall from grace in 2026. He is a stooge of colonial mind economic exploiters buzungus. Cutting deals. He has shared in East Pak Mall, Italian Mafia Casdili, Undebi Energy ( ore on that later), Africa Life, KCM and Mopani being structured to get shares for Valentine, Muna and Hakainde. Long list.
HH and his minions think, nobody anything. Every move is recorded. Wait for right time. People are sufferin and UPND father is marcopoling the world.
This is sheer desperation. You create some story about HH being called Father of the Nation so you can raise an issue that isn’t there and have opportunity to say negative things about him. Who have you heard calling him Father of the Nation? Have you run out of things to criticise that now you must manufacture them? This is what happens when your sole purpose is to be spiteful. No amount of disparaging will fulfil your appetite – especially when your target can’t even be bothered to respond to you. Pitiful!
@Makunku,
You have a valid point, I am taken by suprise to note that, this is trending topic in Zambia. Really?
That is typical opposition leader you have, clearly exhibiting symptoms of a power hungry “leader” who, when voted into power will just be engaged in stealing other than solving the country `s problems.
ITS ONLY AN AFRICAN SAYING
FOUND NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD
MEANINGLESS
He will call him absentee uncle he is never with his nephews
Comin’ outa yo Closet Fred? Very Nawakwish, your non-stop HH Diatribe!!
#Wakulekafye, wait forrit, man has things to do!! People’s got a paradigm-change to master! Speak to yo mirror mate!
We call him the father of kaizar zulu
Fuseke
He is the chicarla of the nation
He is Pablo Escobar. The only difference he has nierspecialist for the poor. He is just like Kaizar Zulu who enjoys laughing and teasing the poor Zambians by opening an expensive bottle of whisky.
According to stoopid Mmembe Zambia has solved housing,poverty ,heavy debts & other issues to make ” HH as father of the nation” his topmost priority ?
Well he maybe right but imagine the use of president ABC for these founders of tuntemba parties. We should restrict them to party leaders instead.
ITS LAGHABLE INDEED. AND AM SURE TEACHERS OF LITERATURE IN ANY LANGUAGE ARE ALL LAUGHING. THE TITLE IS NOT ENSHRINED IN OUR REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION AT ALL , BUT CITIZENS ARE FREE TO USE SMILES , FIGURATIVES AND THE LIKE, TO DESCRIBE ANYONE. NOT , IN EVERY CHIEFDOM, AND A CHIEF IS INDEXEINDEXED WITH SEVERAL TITLES, INCLUDING, ‘FATHER OF THE CHIEFDOM’. AND TRADITIONALY WHOEVER INHERIT OR TAKES OVER THE POSITION OF A FATHER OR LEADER HE UNCONDITIONALLY BECOMES YOUR FATHER. SO MEMBE DONT WASTE TIME OVER RIGHTFUL USE OF LANGUAGE ACCORDING LITERATURE STUDIES WHIICH