Tribalism in Zambia: A Systemic Problem Beyond One Individual
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
Calls for President Hakainde Hichilema to show leadership on the matter of the alleged tribal remarks linked to RTSA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Amon Mweemba, are unfortunately a waste of time. Even if Eng. Mweemba were dismissed today, it would not cure the disease because the problem of tribalism is not isolated. It is systemic, entrenched in almost every institution in the country.
Take ZESCO for instance. It is an open secret that there is a floor where Tonga is the only official language of communication. This is not a random occurrence but a reflection of how tribalism has been institutionalized. RTSA, ZESCO, and many other state agencies have become breeding grounds of division, where opportunities and recognition are tilted towards one group at the expense of national unity.
The sad reality is that President Hichilema himself sits at the very helm of this problem. Tribalism in Zambia has not only been tolerated under his watch, it has been magnified. What we are witnessing today is not ordinary favoritism. It is Tribalism ProMax.
Therefore, pretending that the dismissal of one CEO will restore unity is nothing but deception. The truth is that Zambia is where it is today because of the leadership style of President Hichilema. Under his administration, tribalism has moved from being a hidden vice to becoming an open practice in public institutions.
If we are serious about protecting the “One Zambia, One Nation” legacy, then we must confront the reality that the problem begins at the top. Only when leadership itself changes its posture will institutions follow. Until then, any calls for action on individual cases will remain cosmetic while the deeper wound of tribalism continues to divide the nation.
Unfortunately the media are not of much help in this problem. They cannot even ask the right questions or bring together a number of enlightened citizens to discuss the issue from the early days of Zambia’s independence. In academia it’s generally treated under the broad heading of diversity studies; race, religion, language, school attended, economic class etc. It can get very complex indeed. Unfortunately Zambian media do not recognise how complex it can get. If Tonga gets spoken, immediately some people begin to cringe and want to suspect tribalism but when some languages are spoken, it’s no problem. How did we come to this level of language marginalisation? How are we going to live with this kind of attitude and expect to remain a peaceful country for ever?
Ba Ketis, if we have to be fair, tribalism under PF was a de facto policy of the party and government. It was openly practised and encouraged. PF divided the nation like no other administration and we are still reaping the results of their extremely divisive ways.
Yes, there is tribalism even under UPND albeit not openly practiced but in a subtle way. It would be naive to say that under UPND tribalism doesnot exist. Every region has its share of tribalists and we need to flush them out and cleanse the system.
Ketiwe, have you ever heard of a former minister under PF called Yuluma.
He fired anything and anyone carrying carrying a tonga name, including some bemba women who were married to tonga men. Yaluma is married to a tonga himself. Colleagues in the army, and they know themselves, were fired for being tonga under pf. You being a tribal person ketiwe, have only noted about the tribal trends now because you think your tribes people are now being affected. We have been watching tribalism from Kaunda days todate and I can tell you that tumbukas under KK were more powerful everywhere. In the defence and security services, the tumbukas were sacred and more powerful but it didnt affect others like ketiwe because they believe that is how it should be, More nyanja and bemba spoken in zesco offices is ok but a littele with some tonga being spoken becomes a threat to Ketiwe because it changes her acceptable order. UMMMMMMh , imwe you should check yourself. dont lead the nation to war