Why I Laughed When I Heard Yo Maps’ New Political Song “Aleteka”
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
I honestly couldn’t help but laugh when I listened to Yo Maps’ latest political song Aleteka, sung in support of the UPND. Let me be clear from the start: I have no problem whatsoever with Yo Maps producing a political song. He is an artist, and music is his craft and his business. Every artist has the right to sing for whomever they choose. That is freedom.
What made me laugh, however, was not joy but disbelief. One particular line in the song caught my attention. Yo Maps calls President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) a boss while suggesting that opposition leaders are fingelegele—meaning useless, insignificant, or not worth paying attention to.
That line struck me because, whether Yo Maps meant it literally or not, he confirmed what many Zambians have been saying for a long time: HH acts more like a boss than a leader. Ironically, in trying to praise him, Yo Maps ended up describing him perfectly.
A Boss vs. A Leader
There is a world of difference between being a boss and being a leader.
A boss commands; a leader inspires.
A boss says, “Do what I say.”
A leader says, “Let’s do this together.”
A boss demands loyalty, while a leader earns respect.
A boss is obsessed with control, image, and authority.
A leader is driven by purpose, vision, and people.
Looking around today—at the struggling economy, the unbearable cost of living, and the growing frustration among ordinary citizens—it is clear that we are being ruled by a boss, not led by a leader.
A boss surrounds himself with praise singers, people too afraid to tell him the truth. A leader, on the other hand, welcomes honesty, even when it is uncomfortable. A boss wants to be feared; a leader wants to be trusted.
And so, we must ask ourselves: what do we have in Zambia right now? Fear or trust? Silence or dialogue? Control or collaboration?
The Message Behind the Music
Music is powerful. Sometimes it expresses truths that even the artist may not realize. By calling HH a boss, Yo Maps captured the true spirit of this government—one that operates more like a corporate boardroom than a people’s house.
A boss mentality governs from the top down. It issues orders, dismisses dissent, and measures success by control rather than compassion.
That is exactly what we see today: a government that listens only to itself, speaks more than it hears, and celebrates power instead of service.
Strength without empathy is not leadership; it is arrogance.
Efficiency without humanity is not progress; it is oppression disguised as order.
When leaders forget that their power comes from the people, they stop leading and start ruling. That is what happens when a boss replaces a servant of the people.
Final Thoughts
So yes, I laughed when I heard Aleteka. But it was not laughter of amusement—it was laughter of realization. Yo Maps’ song, perhaps unintentionally, exposed a truth that many Zambians feel deep down: we do not have a leader guiding us; we have a boss commanding us.
And perhaps that is why the nation feels stuck. A boss runs things, but a leader transforms them. A boss talks about control, while a leader creates hope. A boss divides; a leader unites.
It is time we begin demanding leadership, not bossmanship. Zambia does not need a boss in State House. Zambia needs a leader—one who listens, serves, and stands with the people, not above them.
Does this lady have anything else to do apart from writing useless articles endlessly? Anyways, I blame the media for giving such people too much audience. Surely, are there no other Zambians the media can get news from?
Ba straight forward, I fully agree with you because what you are saying is correct but may I add that Thandiwe may need mental help. The fellow may be mentally challenged. She is always on the negative ! She’s completely blind on what HH and UPND have achieved and such people are bad and dangerous. In everything KANO NIBENA ! There has been a lot of improvement since this government took over in 2021 and maybe only fools can’t see these changes. Thandiwe is definitely one of those fools. She is extremely dishonest, a liar and evil. Let’s be sincere with our politics otherwise Zambians are not dull they can see and know who’s truthfully. Zambia has several strides forward and disputing this are not sincere with themselves.
The only way is to participate in writing articles to newspapers. After all, a very Zambian has the right to participate in writing articles, good or bad, just write. And let the articles we are righting talk themselves.
Akafumbe ukunona ala ukulwa utwigi. Let Zambia go that way. Anone sana,
Ka Ketis.Yo Maps is not a management theorist in academia
“Vina nyimbo mwe wainvelela”
The fact is, whether HH us a boss or leader or chief, manager, ceo, president or whatever, I am ten times better off than I would have been if Mr. Lungu and his notorious PF had continued beyond 2021.
HH and UPND have done well considering the challenging circumstances the PF got us into before we kicked them out. I used to get goose pimples just thinking of another five years of PF misrule. Now I wake up believing the worst is behind and good days are ahead of us. PF were an unmitigated disaster for our country.
A solid foundation for prosperity has been laid. Well done President HH, except for that tribalist CEO you are keeping at RTSA.
The lyrics are rather dry, and childish.
” Opposition go farming and sell maize to FRA” . mmmh!
It would have been better to focus on what President Hakainde and his UPND have achieved , than taking aim at the opposition in a rather crude way.
We will see how the Opposition Musicians are going to respond…The material is there..and once load shedding hits the air waves, and the Kwacha Pit Latrine type of development, sub standard CDF 1 X 3 classroom blocks, Some one will stop sleeping. Hope he won’t scream Sedition or Hate Speech, and fill up the prisons with Musicians. It’s not beyond him.
Donchi Kubeba by the late Dandy Crazy however still remains the best political Song done in Zambia. The UPND ‘ s Aleisa was also good..it became the UPND Anthem. They can redo the song , and change it into Aliisa.
Ba Yo Maps experiment is rather flat, and it won’t have any Traction.
These are the prostitutes/concubines who benefited kasaka kandalama.The free money is not coming in anymore.Keep on crying and lamenting ba concubine.Yo Maps is an entertainer not a politician looking for managers or leaders to sing about.Singing is his job as for you just dance to the song