Mr. Syakalima’s Shameful Remarks: A Call for Leadership That Unites, Not Divides
By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
On January 1, 2025, News Diggers reported an outrageous statement allegedly made by Mr. Douglas Syakalima, the Minister of Education, in which he referred to members of the Patriotic Front (PF) as “monkeys.” Such language, coming from someone in a position of national leadership, is not only deeply offensive but also profoundly dangerous. It highlights an utter disregard for the principles of unity, respect, and national cohesion that are essential for Zambia’s progress.
This is far from the first time Mr. Syakalima has shown such reckless disregard for decency. He has previously disparaged the people of Luapula Province, claiming they suffer from a “poverty of the mind.” These are not mere insults—they are a direct assault on the dignity of entire communities, an outright dismissal of their struggles, and an attack on the very essence of servant leadership.
Leadership Is a Sacred Responsibility, Not a Privilege
Mr. Syakalima, as the Minister of Education, must be reminded in no uncertain terms that his position is not a personal entitlement, but a responsibility entrusted to him by the Zambian people. His recent derogatory remarks about the Patriotic Front (PF) and his previous disparagement of Luapula Province residents reveal an appalling disregard for the citizens he is meant to serve.
The Ministry of Education is a critical institution, one that should foster inclusivity, growth, and unity. It is not a platform for reckless insults or divisive rhetoric. If Mr. Syakalima cannot rise above petty name-calling and degrading behavior, he must be told clearly: his position is not guaranteed. Leadership is earned through service, respect, and accountability—not through arrogance and inflammatory language.
The Zambian people are demanding leaders who act with objectivity, maturity, and vision, not leaders who pit one group against another for political gain. Mr. Syakalima must recognize that failure to rise to this occasion is not just an insult to his office, but to the very people who entrusted him with it.
A Shameful Betrayal of Leadership
What kind of leader resorts to dehumanizing, hate-filled language to describe fellow citizens? Leadership is about bringing people together, not tearing them apart. It is about rising above personal grievances, fostering unity, and pursuing the common good.
Mr. Syakalima’s comments represent everything that leadership should reject. Referring to political opponents or entire communities in such vulgar, degrading terms sets a dangerous precedent of hostility and division that weakens national unity. It is childish, reckless, and utterly unworthy of the office he holds. True leadership demands the ability to transcend petty squabbles and to inspire hope. Mr. Syakalima’s words are a betrayal of the trust placed in him to lead and uplift the nation.
The Far-Reaching Damage
Mr. Syakalima’s rhetoric is not only harmful to the PF or Luapula Province—it undermines the entire nation. It deepens divisions, erodes public confidence in leadership, and distracts from the real issues facing Zambia, such as reforming the education system, creating jobs, and improving healthcare.
This kind of language is toxic. It legitimizes hate speech, perpetuates a culture of insults, and turns political discourse into an arena of personal attacks. It shifts the focus away from governance and toward sowing division, making public institutions battlegrounds instead of platforms for national progress.
The Youth Are Watching
Perhaps the most insidious impact of Mr. Syakalima’s words is their effect on Zambia’s youth. As Minister of Education, he is responsible for shaping the future of the nation. Yet, with his rhetoric, he is sending a dangerous message to young people: that intolerance, insults, and hatred are acceptable in political life.
This is a direct betrayal of the youth. At a time when Zambia’s young people are struggling with unemployment, limited opportunities, and an education system in dire need of reform, they deserve leaders who inspire, unify, and provide hope. Instead, Mr. Syakalima is normalizing hate speech and intolerance, tarnishing the moral fabric of society, and robbing the next generation of the example they deserve.
A Call to Accountability
Words have consequences. Mr. Syakalima’s reckless language must not go unchecked. The Zambian people deserve leaders who focus on solutions, who build consensus, and who treat every citizen with respect, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, or region.
Hate speech, insults, and dehumanization have no place in Zambian politics or public office. Leaders must understand that their words shape the nation’s discourse, and they are entrusted with the sacred duty of upholding the values of unity, diversity, and respect.
A National Reflection
Now is the time for all Zambians to demand better from their leaders. We cannot allow our political culture to degenerate into a cesspool of insults and personal vendettas. Zambia’s democracy, with its rich diversity and commitment to debate, must remain a beacon of unity and progress. Mr. Syakalima, and others like him, must reflect on the damage they have caused and the example they set for the country.
We must reject divisive, hate-driven leadership and instead champion those who lead with respect, inclusivity, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of all citizens. The Zambian people will not be divided by the toxic rhetoric of a few. Our future demands leaders who unite, not divide—leaders who serve with integrity and inspire hope.
The Way Forward
Zambia is at a crossroads. Our challenges are vast, but so are the opportunities. To overcome them, we need leaders who rise above personal differences and work tirelessly for the common good. We need leaders who see Zambia as one nation, united in purpose and shared destiny.
Mr. Syakalima’s actions serve as a stark warning about the dangers of irresponsible leadership. Let this moment be the turning point. Let Zambians demand accountability, respect, and unity from their leaders. Let us reject hate speech, dehumanization, and division and instead champion a vision for a stronger, more united Zambia.
The power of words can build or destroy. It is time to demand leadership that builds. Zambia deserves nothing less.
Just like you,one of the small monkeys paid to write these useless long articles which does not add value…
How else do you want ba pompwe to be addressed, honorables? The PF culture of glorifying criminals was turning this country upside down. Thandiwe your thinking is indeed upside down.
Douglas Siyakalima is divisive. From Luapula sarcastic comments to monkeys. Shame. Use civilized language.
Be consistent ba Musonda. And how do you want theives to be addressed? If in PF you were not a thief, would you be offended?
The statement speaks of theiving moneys. It doesnt speak to those that did NOT steal so Emmanuel Mwamba is just grandstanding and seeking attention. If he didnt steal he should just shut and sit down! Always making noise is he the only one who can speak?
If you didnt steal then you are NOT a monkey! Lets not make an issue out of a non issue
Ketiwe be serious. Read the article and not just written by one publication but several outlets.
You will learn that the same story will take a different TONE from writer to writer showing prejudice in the writer by their TONE. This is why we ask journalist to stop being sensational and be objective. Report the facts.
If as a writer madam, you have really studied english. Every language has its quirks. Its important you understand them, its important you understand idoms and context as well. And stop judging before you understand the language. This is why when Syakalima was first sued by Sean Tembo. The issue didnt go anywhere. Tembo like you want to use the statement for political milegage, and failed to apply context to what was said and neither was an insulting word used. We like to used words to show the gravity of a situation as lables, which is very wrong.
Syakalima on both occassions has words that “YOU” want to attribute as derogatory when the man is stating the gravity and emphasis on what happened or how bad the damage done.
As Minister do you want him to placate and sugar coat the situation? In Luapula, he spoke of the low levels of enrollment of children in comparison with the rest of the country. In this case he speak to the gravity of the pillage in words and context so that people appreciate how bad the damage done was, and some things are still being discovered, as we read a few weeks ago when the Permanent Secretary was found and “caught with his pants down” by the Parliamentary Committee.
Now does, “caught with his pant down” mean I literary the PS was naked and disparaging the PS? Is it an issue we should be spending hours, days and months going back and forth about? Seriously Tekiwe when are you going to tend to the children, home and be productive if we are going to spend all day “back and forth” on the issue?
This is why for weeks we have said to you; your articles dont serve any purpose other than just empty words to get paid. They lack critical thought cause they are vain. A terrible effort attempt to say something that is not there. So stop wasting our time, the person paying you money and find something productive to do in life. If Emmanuel Mwamba is someone you look up to. What has he really attained in live but the lable of a sociopath? You speak of devisiness. Isnt that his sole aim? Seek to find means and ways to divide from his search and leak articles that most of the time lack substance, petty, vain and border on criminality?
For a man his age that is not something worth being remembered for. Bu kachepa. And the back and forth. Lets not give people who destroy a stage they dont deserve. Mwamba nor you dont deserve this trash you do.
The immaturity of our politicians is mind boggling. Monkeys in a maize field can apply to any situation where people steal with abandon like “uubomba mwibala alya mwibala” kind of approach to something entrusted to you. It doesnot in any way mean that you are being called a monkey.
Similarly, poverty of the mind can indictate a lack of appreciation for something valuable, hence resulting in poverty. It doesnot necessarily mean you are an idiot.
What I find disconcerting is the fact that others feel at liberty to poke fun at those who keep cattle and constantly refer to them as Kachema, or running the country is not the same as keeping cows.
Let us learn to be tolerant and not kick up a lot of dust over an expression or twist an expression for political mileage. This furore over a simple expression just goes to show how sick our society is.
Politicians especially in Zambia have the tendency to abuse victory, we have seen this since KK’s time. However, Niccolo’ Machiavelli (1469-1527) provides some advice and I quote”….the use of insulting language toward an enemy arises from insolence of victory, or from the false hope of victory, which latter misleads men as often in their actions as in their words; for when this false hope takes possession of the mind, it makes men go beyond the mark, and causes them to sacrifice a certain good for an uncertain better”
What else does this Ketis do apart from writing long articles that are so bring to read? Any body who steals is like a monkey, no insult in that and no need for a long boring article on leadership. We know what leadership is, it is not ukubomba muibala nokulya muibala.