ZAMBIA IS GREATER THAN ALL OF US: THE DAY CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI AND I STOOD UP FOR THE MINERS
8 March 2009. International Women’s Day. These photographs capture my parliamentary colleague, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, and I protesting against the impending loss of thousands of mining jobs on the Copperbelt during the presidency of Rupiah Bwezani Banda Z”L. Mopani Copper Mines’ operations at Mufulira and Nkana were under threat, while the wider mining industry was experiencing devastating retrenchments. We could not remain indifferent to the impending economic calamity confronting miners and their families.
Look carefully at our attire. We wore miners’ helmets, togas and deliberately incomplete protective gloves. One hand was protected while the other remained exposed. This was a calculated demonstration of the vulnerability of miners whose livelihoods were being imperilled without adequate state intervention.
Interestingly, Kambwili had come to my room, where I lent him one of my togas. We then proceeded to the International Women’s Day commemorations, where we staged our protest during the march past before President Banda. Our unexpected appearance sent his security detail into momentary consternation!
Our message was that the Government had an obligation to intervene decisively to avert the impending destruction of mining livelihoods. The protest attracted immediate attention, and the matter was subsequently discussed at State House on the same day. I recall telling Kambwili to proceed while I prepared myself for the possibility of police detention.
We knew the potential consequences of our actions and were prepared to endure them. By the time I had finished making those preparations, Kambwili had already returned from his engagement with President Banda. The Government subsequently intervened in the mining crisis.
Seventeen years later, the photograph remains a testament to the constancy of my convictions. My political conscience has never been contingent upon patronage or the transient privileges of public office. Wherever injustice threatens the dignity, livelihoods and economic security of our people, my allegiance remains with the people. Political circumstances may change, governments may come and go, and alliances may be formed or dissolved, but my commitment to Zambia remains immutable.
I have never regarded public office as the ultimate measure of human achievement. No earthly office, however exalted, transcends the sovereignty of the Almighty. Presidents, ministers and parliamentarians are temporary custodians of authority. G-d alone is sovereign. He is the King of kings and L-rd of lords. My faith is inseparable from my conscience, and my conscience cannot be auctioned for political convenience.
Good night, Zambia ❤️
Saviour Chishimba
(Yehuda Ben David)
Jewish Scholar
Principal and Founder
THE PEOPLE’S ACADEMY
What did President RB do concerning the problem? Is it not President HH who came in to resolve the mining issues? Had Zambia allowed HH to take reign immediately after RB, Zambia would have been very far. HH would have maintained that beautiful economy we had in 2011 and would have grown more by now without high cost of living.