By Wesley Ngwenya
Patriotism can simply be defined as one’s unquestionable loyalty to his or her country. I have met many people who speak of patriotism and yet their actions seem to say something else. It is easy for one to sing of patriotism and wear a Zambian scarf in the comforts of Atlanta or Cape Town. On the other hand, will the Zambian in Lusaka or Kitwe equally stand up tall and unequivocally declare his or her patriotism to the country?
I am one of the most patriotic Zambian you will ever find. I love my country and willing to die for it. I carried the Zambian flag whenever I was in a foreign country. It was very easy for me to be identified as a Zambian because I sang about my country, praised our history, and shared about the amazing natural resources as well as the diverse culture. I prided in the peaceful and democratic elections we have in this country. I always wanted to make a difference and take part in rebuilding the nation. That is the reason I came back home over two years ago.
Two years down the road, I keep asking myself if am still as patriotic as I was in Virginia or Kansas. I did notice that when you are out of the country your level of patriotism is often deeper. Maybe it’s because you find yourself not belonging in your host country and identify yourself with your country of origin. Or maybe it’s simply because you miss your home country. I would be wealthy if I was given ten dollars every time I met a Zambian abroad who wanted to be president of our country some day. Whether or not this ambition stems out of patriotism or personal interest is another question.
Patriotism, to me, means putting the interests of your country at heart. It is the ability to sacrifice a bit for the sake of the country. It could mean denying yourself certain things today so that you can have those things tomorrow, or so that your children can enjoy those things. Patriotism focuses on the long-term benefits not the short-term benefits. Therefore, patriotic people are visionary, selfless and goal-getters.
But when you live in Zambia it is difficult to gauge your own level of patriotism. Whether it is because of cynicism towards the leadership or of your own hardship I do not know. However, it seems like people living in Zambia have a different view of what it means to be patriotic compared to those living abroad. People here will remain patriotic provided the government can meet their basic needs such as clean water, primary health care, basic education and employment. These are real issues that affect people daily in Zambia.
Although many Zambians love their country, I wonder how many would leave Zambia given an opportunity to go elsewhere where their basic needs would be met. I would like to believe that many would actually leave. This is evident by many Zambians who view South African, Europe, North America and Australia as some of the favored countries to go to. Many want to leave but few make it. If the government provided the basic human needs, respected the rule of law, and have an effective legislature and judiciary then, most likely, many would want to stay in Zambia. But then how can you be patriotic when your children are dying of hunger? How can you be patriotic when you have no job? How can you be patriotic when the justice system is rotten? How can you be patriotic when you are not respected as a person in your own country?
These are fundamental questions where many Zambians draw the line. Instead, Zambian citizens decide to go on and worry about their personal needs and not that of the nation. They get unconcerned about the national affairs. They ignore their leaders and don’t hold them accountable. They feel that their opinions don’t count. After all, if they were in the same shoes, they would do exactly what those leaders are doing. Patriotism is thrown out of the window.
How do you rate your patriotism whether you are in Mongu or Manchester? Can you say that you love your country and that you are willing to leave your comfort zone and step out to help your country with your skills and experience? We can learn a lot from many people who have been patriotic and have selflessly served their country. In the United States the late Edward Kennedy who passed away last night is one example—a man who stood for what he believed in and worked with opposing views fairly well. Here in Zambia, today we bury John Mwanakatwe who has worked for mother Zambia in various capacities almost all his life—a real patriot. Can you say that you are a real patriot?
Very interesting Wesley. I totally agree with you. You really represented your country here in Virginia at various forums. You are proud of your country and thats why you went back. Wish you well my friend.
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Our govt must first be patriotic then we will follow. Govt officials can set up a conducive atmosphere by putting the country first and their personal gains last. It is very difficult to be patriotic in an animal farm setup. We all love our country, but very often we are put off by our own govt.
# 1 virginia with an EU flag!! Emo twafilubila
By Tuesday November 29, 2005 [09:18] The late Dictator Mwanawasa Cabbage and his selected trolls of lawyers had entered EXPENDING MORE THAN USD 7.000.000,00 WITH THE TASK FORCE all to fix one person’s presidency.The Dictator internationally dressed as a “crusader of the fight against corruption” was blind to his own plunders. We are stunned to know the following:
The amount of moneys he paid in the period between June 2003 to June 2005.“PARLIAMENT heard that US$ 5,512,190.29 has been paid to Ovag, Class Law, Denton Wide, Sapre and Honrey Simon Arnold all foreign companies, since the inception of the Task Force on Corruption.”
It is becoming more difficult to be a proud Zambian at home or in the Diaspora,because crackpots politicians who are running the running like their peasant farm. You dont need a sixth sense to see the madness in Zambian leadership.It is more geared to serve it needs than that of the general public…Lets clean the mess
Zambia is becoming like Zimbabwe and our leaders cann’t see what they doing to our country!! its easy to distroy than build
Are we not from Gwanda?
Please note RB is an acronym for RUBBISH.
A well written article ala nifyofine bane some of us they even call us chipolopolo boys coz of all the national team colours we put on mu diaspora ,though i have never been to the stadium to see single match just like many zambians i have met who will talk positively about the victoria falls in the diaspora while themselves have never been their despite being born and bred pa Z anyway kumo fiya e patrotism yine iyi
‘How can you be patriotic when you are no respected by your own Country?’ A very wise question. The greatest disrespect which is being shown to the of Zambia is on the ‘renewal’ of passports. The Zambia High Commission in London has even come up with a telephone answering system which is really pathetic. They do not answer the phones. It is impossible even to find out the progress on the passports. I am so frustrated that I cannot even be eloquent. I stop here.
Patriotic to a docile, penny pinching nation of importers?
Am not patrotic and proud of it,sue me
There should be a mutual respecting beneficial relationship between the state (ruling govt) and the national (citizens), which is not clearly the case in Zambia. I suppose most people feel less partriotic because the govt seem to be enjoying and and at the same time cracking its whip at the expense of its citizenary ( there a lot of issues that i can give as examples: justice, allocation of resources, accountability, govt ‘s social responsibilities, etc, that the state in Zambia and most African countrie have failed to deliver. In this case most citizens have dis-enganged and actually feel embarrased to be associated with govt unless one is a beneficiary and usually without morals.
Those that are patrotic are those who are directly benefiting from the the fruits of Corruption and plunder and all sorts of injustices being experienced in this country. Those of us spending our hard earned plus heavily taxed incomes will never be patrotic at heart as the cost is just too high.
IT is a great shame when you are abroad to learn how Zambia is being run by people who donnot have consideration to the cries of the citizens. who languish in poverty while billions and billions of kwacha meant for developement and lift living standards of people, is being missmaneged; eg the mandamanda issue the 27billion issue the list is longwhere are we heading to as a nation;;
Wesley Ngwenya you are very Patriotic Zambian coz you are living abroad and can afford all basic needs of life and save a few cash 4 future. Coz you are missing home and being a minority where u are living and coz u are home sick u stand out be seen as a person with a country u belong to. Here at home its Each Man 4 Himself & God for All us”. We are equally Patrotic but as the saying goes” A HUNGRY MAN IS AN ANGRY MAN”. So you choose survival of or being Patrotic on empty tummy, unemployed, lack of social facilities, shelter etc. Here everything is gone kokayi. Only the politicians and those connected to them see the better side of Mother Zambia. We are living like ” THE ANIMAL FARM SITUATION”. Patrotism is seen more when the “CHIPOLOPOLO BOYS ” are in action.
Good article. The govt needs to show respect for its people by making sure basic needs are met. A lot of people right now in Zambia dont even have that, no clean water, not enough food, no jobs or means to take care of their own. Its hard to be patriotic when all you see is a never-ending cycle of corrupt leaders linning their pockets with money meant to develop the nation and improve lives.
Patriotism in Zambia is to SUPPORT MMD BLINDLY
Wesley, your article is spot on and here is the endemic problem in our beloved country “Zambian citizens decide to go on and worry about their personal needs and not that of the nation. They get unconcerned about the national affairs. They ignore their leaders and don’t hold them accountable. They feel that their opinions don’t count. Patriotism is thrown out of the window”. This is a direct quote from your article and if you compare this attitude to what you see in the Americans or europeans, you see that we still have a long way to go. Again, most of our leaders have traveled abroad many times and I should think thay have had a chance to see patritism through a diaspora lense, so one wonders why they forget about it when they get back to their large offices in Zambia…
These past two week have been a low point in Zambia political and judicial history. A Deputy Minister throwing blows, FTJ ‘not innocent’, RB’s praise of the same, firing of Nkole and withdrawal of the appeal. It hard to raise our heads and proudly proclaim to be Zambian. It is hard.
# 7. MAMA G i do agree with you that Zambia is becoming like Zimbabwe what would you expect of someone coming from Zimbabwe and is a supporter of Mugabe RB is from Zimababwe by birth. I am a person who is very patriotic for my country and i do the same as Wesley. And each year i go home contributing to make our economy better. I am like Moses for Zambia, to deliver people from the troubles the people are facing i hope to caught up with you next year Wesley for bigger projects.That will be felt by all Zambians.
The articles has lots of truth, i have met many Zambians and asked them when they will return and they say what will they go to do there. At first i thought these guys are crazy but i understand them if they cant make it they cant those of us who can lets to do it and they will too
Patriotism means the love of your country and the willingness to defend it. An example of the most notable patriots are the people of the island of Madagascar. Because they love their country, they dont end there. They take the next step of defending their country by removing their unpatriotic leaders even by force. Almost all the comments above are hallmarks of the love people have for Zambia but another aspect of patriotism (the of defending your country) is missing. Enemies can be external but also internal and it is the latter that patriotic Zambians should address. Patriotism is not following your leaders blindly even when they are destroying your country.
Insightful Mr. Ngwenya. It sure is easy to be patriotic in Boston than it would be in Gwembe valley. But even my family in Gwemba, amidst their suffering are just as patriotic and love their country. Give them an opportunity to go to Boston, they would gladly snatch it but still remain true to the land of their forefathers. If our leaders would do what is required of them (don’t just steal money all the time and create trips for govt allowances), then maybe I would leave Boston and come and dine in my beautiful home that is Gwembe Valley.
Well written, indeed difficult topic but very important. Our leadership put self before service and they have no respect for views of the people, abusolutely none!!. How many times have we submitted to the constitution commissions and every time we say same things over and over but whoever is President picks and chooses to suit his taste…. and all the 4 of them are guilty. So with this kind of scenario, its easy to say, F*#K IT, let me do whats good for ME, whatever else can hang. Sad but true….
I wonder if anyone clicks on the rediculous car sales banners on top of the website.. it annoys me
is there such a word as prided?
After all is said and done.. i love the article..great insight man… food for thought..ofcourse all the people that hate reading havent finished the article hence the fewer comments.. I AM PATRIOTIC and my plan is to come back home and be able to do business to and from hom………………………………..I would love to have a drink with you Wesley when i get back
patriotic my back side. ifintu ni palobe. wako ni wako, look at RB he has failed to stay in the country because he knows theres is virgins on offer in swaziland
We are all responsible for what is happening in our nation, ALL OF US!!! & IF WE CONTINUE TALKING, BLAMING ETC NOTHING WILL CHANGE!!! LETS THINK OF HOW TO CORRECT THE SITUATION…. and it can be CORRECTED…
no 30 im not responsible for anything happening in zambia. if you are responsible, speak on your own behalf. dont generalise. if you stole or your relatives stole just say so.
Zambia for Zambia and not for
1. Kaunda – Malawian. 2. Chiluba -Congolese 3. RB – Zimbabwean. next time please people vote for a Zambian a real Zambian. HH qualifies as the Tongas are one tribe who have been here longer than anyone else. 700 years or so according to anthropologists.
The biggets problem Zambia has is that, people in leadership dont actually know what they are supposed to be doing. I dont think they just want to do wrong, but not knowing what to do just leads them blindly to doing evil. At 72 years, why should someone be corrupt? Surely that is the time to show selflessnes, and create good Legacy. The Presido knows that but he has no wisdom, experience and the humbleness to achieve that. What is in fact worse is those small boys around him who are not patriotic. They are hell bent to decieve and worship the Presido. Max Nkole well done my dear. Stand for truth and all will be well with you..
RB is grooming AMON JERE former Celtel Maketing fundi now at Vodacom Ghana formerly Ghana Telecom to head the preferred bidder for ZAMTEL.
sorry mwebena Zambia..very out of topic..just wondering if any of you rememeber the MALIPOSA / SOFIA SHOES AND MUKAME/ POLONECK TIME!!!! me think that was truly zambian original….nati mibukisheko history
No 31, justifying yourself wont develop the nation at all, unless u a want a medal or something, but the fact is we cant change what happened. We keep talking about the same things day in & day out , lets think of the way forward here..
I hate Zambia! All 4 presidents not original Zambians!
Patriotism starts with respect of all human beings with dignity,there is no one who would be patriotic when leaders allow defenceless children and women to die in hospitals while ministers fly to rsa for treatment,when 500,000 go to bed hungry,it is a powerful feeling that enrages a human to leave those he loves with the hopes of improving the welfare of those he loves,risking his life hoping that those left behind will be a bit better,patriotism in African culture is deep,a hunter leaves his family to hunt for meat,risking his life so his family do not starve,
Zambian Patriot?Is it just me or that does sound a wee bit Oxy-moronic?Some things do not even sound right when you say them.
For extremely obvious reasons am not concerned about Zambian Politics. No more than am concerned about waking up in a tub full of ice with a note on my body that says “ Call 911 we have your kidneys”! “The Tree of Liberty has to be watered once in a while with the blood of Tyrants and Patriots.”
for ” Patriotism is a virtue for the vicious.”
Zambian Patriot?Is it just me or that does sound a wee bit Oxy-m.o.r.o.n.i.c?Some things do not even sound right when you say them.
For extremely obvious reasons am not concerned about Zambian Politics. No more than am concerned about waking up in a tub full of ice with a note on my body that says “ Call 911 we have your kidneys”! “The Tree of Liberty has to be watered once in a while with the blood of Tyrants and Patriots.”
for ” Patriotism is a virtue for the vicious.”