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Must Read: Let the Truth be Told—The UPND–Munkombwe Drama
When I read the United Party for National Development (UPND) statement disassociating “itself from tribal comments made at the Choma rally by Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe,” I was astounded. For a while, I wondered who Dipak Patel was taking for a kid. Mr Munkombwe just told the truth—Zambians will “vote on tribal lines”— Tongas for HH, and my wise cousins from the East for ED! Unless one has some scores to settle with a specific candidate, all endorsements are on tribal lines!Last year, I had a sad encounter with one young lady who runs a bookstore. After I showed her a copy of my book “God’s Family, God’s Earth: Christian Ecological Ethics of Ubuntu,” she wanted to add it her stock. But when she opened the content page, she immediately gave it back to me with the words—“awe abaTonga, I don’t like those people. They are very bad.” My book has a chapter on the Tonga people—I lived among them and enjoyed their love and support during my research, for which I am deeply thankful. I am sure they are Tongas who would say the same thing about Bembas—we are all God’s children and citizens of mother Zambia!
But if there is something that Mr Munkombwe and the young lady revealed, the unfinished battle of our founding fathers — Kenneth Kaunda vs Harry Mwanga Nkumbula in the 1960s still haunts us to this day. Until 1973, Southern and Western provinces voted for the African National Congress while Bembas for UNIP. From 2001, this pattern was duplicated. HH has almost 100 percent of the Tonga vote. Likewise, Bembas have always denied HH their vote–they rather vote for a frog than a Tonga.
Most people believed that the advent of education will make us less conscious of our ethnic needs. In 1994, for example, President Chiluba asserted that Zambians viewed themselves as individuals, and not simply as members of some ethnic group. While such an argument has some truth, tribalism is a cancer of Zambian politics.
We should all address tribalism in the nation. We need a united Zambia where tribal differences are celebrated as the very knots that unite us. But to pretend it does not exist or to accuse the Patriotic Front or the United Party for National Development of being tribal while benefiting from it during the elections is self-deception, and entombing the nation’s future. Alas, poverty knows no tribal boundaries or identifications. For a common man, being Bemba, Lozi, or Tonga does not put food on the table. Post-jubilee Zambia should set aside tribal or ethnic politics in order to fight the common enemy responsible for the agony of the masses – politicians who are amassing wealth at the expense of the poor majority. We all have a choice to make: to allow politicians to divide us while they make millions, or unite, and fight for our equal share of the national wealth.
One way to bridge “ethnic” politics is by requiring a 50 percent +1 of the total vote to win the presidential elections. The current requirement of a simple plurality feeds into tribal politics and undermines democracy. Since 2001, our presidents have been elected by a minority – the majority of the electorate has always voted against them. In the absence of 50 percent +1, the constitution should allow political parties to enter into alliances before forming a majority government. This system will increase accountability in government and will also address tribalism—turning tribal loyalties into instruments of accountability.
KK taught us to shout, “One Zambia, One Nation!” It is encumbered on us all to live-out these words. Let us bury tribalism, and become “all one, strong, and free!” We may be nonviolent, but to think that the country is immune from ethnic-related violence is delusional. Tribalism can win one the presidency, but it cannot ensure national unity.
By Rev. Canon Dr. Kapya John Kaoma
Posted by
KIM
January 16, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Kuti navotela po imbwa ukuchila umu Tonga ,you are right.These are bad people ,full of themselves and ignorance sana
chenda bwamba
January 16, 2015 at 9:03 pm
kabili kusala imbwa inobe
Jane Mulenga
January 16, 2015 at 9:44 pm
This year’s election will be between a Christian and a Muslim.
Whom do you prefer between a Peace Man and a Panga Man?
Whom do you prefere a man who gives to the poor and the one who steals the clients’ money.
Nikambeko
January 16, 2015 at 10:28 pm
This year’s election will be between a Christian and a Satanist.
Whom do you prefer, between a Believer in God Almighty and a Blood Sucker?
Whom do you prefer, a man who feels for the poor and the one who rises above the poor in all manner of pomp with all manner of lies.
Godless
January 16, 2015 at 11:00 pm
What if you’re worshiping the wrong god? You’ll get to heaven and find out the Muslims or the Chinese were right about their religions. If god does n’t come down and tell us he exists, there is no reason for me to believe.
mutale Yumba
January 17, 2015 at 7:30 am
Well He did that already. He came down to earth and Still people did not believe. Pity you!!
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 5:44 am
dnt b cheated, ask piping from sun international hotel how that Freeman son treats them, like cows.
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 5:47 am
dnt b cheated, ask pipo from sun international hotel how that Freeman son treats them, like cows.
pillar
January 17, 2015 at 7:48 am
it will be a satanist and a christian,chinyo chanoka chikala
kalijo
January 17, 2015 at 11:50 am
TRY MUSLIM Vs SATANIST then you could be right
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:00 am
Tribe is not an issue it is the individual characters that matter but of course not a Satanist. A wine taker is much better especially that he is a tested multi purpose Honourable Minister.
Zick
January 16, 2015 at 9:20 pm
Tonga Vs East on Tuesady
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:03 am
No Zick, it is not Tonga vs East, but a tested entertainer on the wine and a hard core Satanist who was even told off in Court that he is a Satanis who joined Satanism in 1999 and their temple is on Cha Cha Cha Road in Lusaka.
S Mbwalanga
January 17, 2015 at 9:13 am
Meaning satanism is a recognized orgaisation – if it can be allowed a place of worship. How does Zambia, a Christian nation permit such a body to exist? Check your facts!
club zero
January 16, 2015 at 9:29 pm
My pipo next week vote for LUNGU for a bettert tomorow not uyu chikala ati HH tonga shit together with his ass followers maka maka jane chinena
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:45 am
Club Zero, remember the Zero Option by UNIP, it was not for good things. Your language is more on the vulgar side. Let us learn to express ourselves in a more peaceful and brotherly manner. We are not in Congo Dr where the three meals are interjected by killings and genocide. For the sake of peace my tribe’s man HH must not win. We hope the ECZ will for once cook the results to block HH and his tribalism, the Munkombwes; the Harrigntons; the Dessais; the Patels, all tribal inclined leaders must never be given any clear chance, if they win, elections must be repeated until they lose! We are one and deliberate efforts are needed for the country to remain one. Edgar Lungu is God given, he had no money and he is not a desperate fighter for presidency.
mj banda
January 16, 2015 at 9:37 pm
But with satanism looming over HH heard, I can’t vote for him even though am not tribalist
ninala
January 16, 2015 at 9:45 pm
I send back all the insults you are sending to the Tongas back to you in Jesus Name. Our God never created us to be insulted by you people. You think you own the country? Who ever has insulted may God judge you more so severely and when you are being judged may you know that it is because you have been insulting his creation
I God
January 16, 2015 at 11:03 pm
There is zero evidence for a heaven and the Bible is clearly written by men and wrong about even the basics of science. You waste your time believing in magical nonsense if you wish, but it will not make it real.
mutale Yumba
January 17, 2015 at 7:37 am
your eyes will be openbned when it is too late. For now you are simply a fool according to the scriptures. you do not even have any idea about the science you are talking about. Scripure is agreable with science on many scores
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:08 am
Ninala, you are right. Anyone who insults a any tribe insults God who created all tribes. But Satanism is a sin and must be condemned. A satanic president will be hard hearted never to listen to our cries.
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 5:51 am
a free Manson 2 b let scot free by God? I doubt.
ITUNAMAN
January 18, 2015 at 9:33 am
Iwe Ninala,do not blaspheme. How do you send back an insult in “Jesus” name?
jasmine
January 16, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Enough of the tribal talk! A Lot of ‘us’ have been to school and making blanket or subjective comments is really thinking like’Broken Hill’ man! There are inter marriages(am one of them) and our children virtually can’t speak any of the parent languages but we co- exist.Am able to help my wife’s family irrespective of her tribe because her brother/ sister is mine as well. Petty differences may exist but they must never be tied on Tribe! Selfish Politicians must never be allowed to dibvide Zambians- Nevertheless am voting ONE ECL, MY MAN!
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:16 am
Jasmine, good work, enough of tribal talk but look at the rubbish from the senior citizen Munkombwe. Iam sure he was trying to massage the ego of HH thinking HH will like the tribal nonsnse because he is in it. It is foolish to think this is time for a Tonga to rule. Kaunda was not Bemba; RB was not Bemba, Mwanawasa was not Bemba, Chiluba was ushi, not Bemba, only Sata was a Bemba, so Munkombwe has grown too old to recall these facts. Munkombwe was only oiling HH’s mind as he was sure HH enjoys such backward tribal talk but not all of us Tongas support such nonsense. Like me Iam married to a very nice God fearing Bemba man who love every tribe. It is One Zambia One Nation but HH in State House will bring civil war because of his tribalism.
vampiro
January 17, 2015 at 1:41 pm
@miyanda yu make sense. Tonga girls are good and sweet. There men kaya
ITUNAMAN
January 18, 2015 at 9:38 am
Lady, you talk sense
one tim
January 16, 2015 at 10:28 pm
Abash tribalism a very dangerous disease which can distroy our country.
one tim
January 16, 2015 at 10:29 pm
lungu efintu
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:21 am
One Tim, ifintu ni Lungu, na ba mwine balimushilile nation yonse. This time it was going to be HH, but due to his deficient political wisdom, he pulled out of the UPND-PF Pact. The result is that he will never rule Zambia, because he does not have a commanding national appeal. The Post Newspaper did a lot of cruel damage to his name, he will only recover after he has died. HH will win elections after death, not during his life time.
Anderson Chisala
January 16, 2015 at 10:41 pm
This article is so INTERESTING & non-Partisan.
There r alot of things which surround this Bemba-Tonga hate ! The Kapwepwe & Nkumbula schools at play here Tongas WILL FIGHT TILL they bring back there GLORY TO NKUMBULA school ALL other tribes r NOT A CHALLENGE TO TONGAS but BEMBAS is their #1 ENEMY. Its HISTORY which is intriguing & as Zambians lets respect it, SOON there will be Northern & Southern Blocks( The USA Version of Demo & Repub) and these other tribes will just b supportive.
THERE CANT BE ANY “BLOOD WAR” unless BEMBAS stretch us Tongas too much. TONGAs will ONLY REST UNTIL THEY usher in their on as a PRESIDENT
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 2:29 am
Anderson Chisala, God forbid! No Southern and Northern blocks. Your talk of ushering your own is very much Boko Haram mentality. All Presidents have been our own, collectively as a country. Stop your wrong thinking that unless a Tonga gets into State House, then any other President is not your own. Please let us maintain peace and stop your wrong thoughts please. My children are betwen we Tongas and Bembas, where do you place them with your talk? I pray that HH loses because most of you my fellow Tongas insult God by your being too tribal as if this were in medieval times, ancient times. Let us be civilized please and embrace one another.
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 6:00 am
it shall neva happen, by the way, is lungu bemba? if Bemba’s were tribal they could have been supporting Nevers mumba
Baba
January 16, 2015 at 10:59 pm
Truth be told Tongas are TRIBAL, most of my friends are Tongas, at one point i met a friend of mine whilst i was in company with this Tonga friend, so as i chat with this other friend(not Tonga), this other guy got upset and said “iwe why ukonda kusobela navibabemba efvyo, nivikawalala visakupunzisa nzelu zabukawalala”. Am sure many of us have heard or encountered such utterances with our tonga friends.HH is clearly a better candidate but we can’t vote for someone who promotes tribalism. Better vote EL who can unite Zambia and continue with the developmental projects
Chumbu mushololwa
January 16, 2015 at 11:12 pm
I say that all the time to the believers. “If your god is all powerful, then he is a dîck, because there is way too much pain and suffering in this world. Too many children starving or being râpêd or murdered. What kind of god lets this happen?”
MJ banda
January 16, 2015 at 11:24 pm
Tribalist are usually are tongas
Pafwenamwine
January 16, 2015 at 11:29 pm
The author seems bent on Bembas. I live in UK . 2012 we on holiday to livingstone and at a hotel for a week . I met wonderful workers and other people who were staying at this hotel. I used one taxis and this gentleman was from CB but lives in Livingston. Friday there is a boat on the Zambezi river and you pay in Dollars . To cut the story short the worker introduced this man who lives in UK with a wide whose is general nurse at a nursing home Preston. The man was happy to see me as he wanted to change pounds to dollars as he wanted to paid for the boat but the exchange rate the pound was down in banks. So that was how workers said there is someone from UK he many have dollars and to make matters better the taxis driver happen to know this man in chingola when he was working as a miner. They greeted and the wife was happy to see the driver . The UK man asked my name and said Kanyanta. First he greeted me in western province language then I told him im Bemba and not from Western province . I swear to God, this is exactly what he not a Bemba here! The wife and three of the people near us were supplied and he walked away. But as they say you can’t judge a man for one incident for their entire life. He came back and found me with the taxis driver and my old friend having drink prior to go to the falls. He asked the drive if he can speak to me and I said of course . He apologised and asked if can spare him. £20 for $30. I gave him and since then we speak and I even assisted the wife to start work at nhs hospital in Manchester. So tribalism is nothing just the same as racism in the western world. Human beings are more closer when they see one another as them
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 6:08 am
its was just because of the pounds, ask me I live with them, its now 13years but its not all of them.
tiger
January 16, 2015 at 11:33 pm
16th january 2015…Haleisa haleisa.*3. 24th janÙary 2015 Haleka Hanaka *3. Can’t wait!
Tom
January 16, 2015 at 11:42 pm
Tongas will only stop after our own goes to statehouse if not tribal war will arise and the country shall be divided Livingstone through Lusaka to Kabwe(bantu-botatwe)if westerners want we will join together and form one nation
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 3:10 am
Tom, tell me you are joking. You want to divide the country over the nonsense of tribe? Did you choose to be a Tonga or it happened accidentally when two sinners connived under the disguise of love or lust and you, we got produced just like we are producing our children? We need tough laws to ensure problems like you do not get far. You are an evil problem because the Zambia of today has a lot of hybrid children between two tribes like Iam Tonga married to a God fearing Bemba. I think my husband is correct, ifisushi fya ngombe have a lot to do with our tribal nonsene. Every President is our President please yebo.
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 6:10 am
wishful thinking.
C Kasonde
January 17, 2015 at 1:55 am
Usual nonsense against HH and UPND!
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 3:20 am
C Kasonde, do you recall any of such nonsense against late Andy Mazoka? Never, no Zambian had any reason to hate the national hero and civilized leader. HH lacks humility and remorse like on his Satanism which he joined in 1999. Why can’t he apologise instead of resorting to bribing the whistle blowing Bishop with huge sums to keep him quiet? HH attracts such nonsense to himself. Wisdom dictated that he should have chosen to ignore Bishop Chomba on Satanism, but HH was competently foolish by suing because he amplified the matter himself. What are the lawyers doing in UPND or are they blocking him indirectly through giving him wrong advice?
ZAMBIAN
January 17, 2015 at 6:15 am
who voted for hh as up & down President & for how long has he been President without going for a convention?
Renee
January 17, 2015 at 2:44 am
Nebo niba Lungu pa booth. You may proceed sizing each each pafya tribalism and insults.
Please avoid involving God in this nonsense. Vent your anger on your forefathers who taught you these norms. God knows no tribe. That is why tongas, bembas easterners worship same God despite the hate among themselves. Just not too sure if our candidates are also worshping along. Satanist can’t see my vote. God forbid.
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 3:24 am
Renee, obviously ubwa white na brown opaque beer or tu amarula efintu! Nipali ba Lungu fye! No one wants to dring people’s blood by supporting the Satanist HH. Teifwe twamutwele ku Freemsons.
vampiro
January 17, 2015 at 3:07 am
One zambia
vampiro
January 17, 2015 at 3:09 am
One zambia, one nation×2
One nation, one leader
And that leader, ,,,, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda wamuyayaya wamuyayaya wamuyayaya lesa apaale
vampiro
January 17, 2015 at 3:13 am
And that leader bafikalaaa……
Dr Kenneth David Kaunda wamuyayaya wamuyayaya wamuyayaya lesa apaale
Lesa kumuulu kaunda panshi×2
UNIPI MULILO WAIKATAPO WAPYA×2
That’s the stupid slogan which made kk rule for 27years nothing to do with uniting zambia.
miyanda hamakuba
January 17, 2015 at 3:27 am
Ba vampiro, musundila ku chinshi? Avoid vulgar language nangu chikulu or kanono mwakwata, as long as kalakweshapo! KK mixed us up and accelerated the intermarriages, which was excellent!
oceans
January 17, 2015 at 4:29 am
i hope that this election will be transpalent en bring about unity
oceans
January 17, 2015 at 4:50 am
@ I God think of this, if u say in yr heart dat there z no God and it turns out dat Hz there u ii hv everything to lose. but if u say in yr heart dat there z a God somewhere en it turns out that Hz nt there u ii hv nothing to lose bt everything to gain.i personally wud rather bet dat Hz there en hv nothing to lose bt everything to gain
major chileshe
January 17, 2015 at 6:12 am
Tonga or bemba,we all zambians,even if am bemba I cnt allow a foreigner to attack a tonga,moreover tongas hav got very fine women,the sweetest hav eva had
peda
January 17, 2015 at 6:23 am
ifintu ni Lungu
kakolwe
January 17, 2015 at 6:43 am
It is folly to say “it is now time for a Tonga”. When is it going to be time for a Kaonde, Batwa, Tumbuka, etc? This is the Munkombwe-HH ploy to hoodwink the Southern masses & they swallow it hook line and sinker. HH’s desperation, spending & drive to Rule does not exempt him from being a sponsor of Mazoka’s poisoning so that he can be where he is: Only A Tonga Can Be President of UPND/Zambia.
SATANIST!!!
john kwempa
January 17, 2015 at 6:57 am
Tom are you in your right state of mind which country do you want to go for war? Are you a zambian or you just visiting guys let’s not tolerate such kind of talking its not healthy. Naiwe Jane Mulenga are you convinced That your tribesman is a christian ine ndafilwa ukumulolesha mumenso alifina just like he avoids eye contact patali afika ulya nga alaka kuti apena so be observant
zoom
January 17, 2015 at 7:29 am
Akamilila abana
vampiro
January 17, 2015 at 7:37 am
Ok but ka hh it’s true ka lifina pa chinso. Did yu see the pics on lusaka times with red eyes kwati elyo kafumine mukunwa blood.
PanAfricanist
January 17, 2015 at 9:07 am
It will be Tongas Vs the Rest. Munkombwe has just reminded us that.
pillar
January 17, 2015 at 9:42 am
true that,it will be tongas vs the rest,we shall see who is going to win
ba UPND i want to remind u that edgar lungu is not bemba but i wonder why chikala munkombwe was vomiting ati its time for a tonga to rule because bembas have dominated so much,so edgar lungu is bemba? tombawiso chinyo chobe.
DIPSTICK
January 17, 2015 at 9:46 am
THEY TOLD US SATA WAS BRINGING HOMOSEXUALITY AND EVEN SHOWED US PHOTOS.
IT NEVER HAPPENED.
THEY NOW TELL US HH IS SATANIST BUT AGAIN, IT’S ALL FALSE. THEY CAN’T EVEN SHOW A SHRED OF EVIDENCE.
I AM VOTING FOR HH BECAUSE I LOVE ZAMBIA AND WANT THE BEST.
2011 I VOTED FOR SATA
yessyebo
January 17, 2015 at 10:20 am
ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION
jennipher
January 17, 2015 at 10:22 am
UPND IS A TRIBAL PARTY AND I HAVE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT WITHDRAWN MY VOTE WHICH I WANTED TO GIVE THEM BECAUSE I AM NOT A TONGA….PERIOD.THE SATANISM STORIES ARE WORRISOME TOO.
jennipher
January 17, 2015 at 10:30 am
Lungu has been well received in Southern Province and Livingstone is now all PF. In Choma large crowds turned up to welcome him. This has infuriated UPND the tribal Party provoking and wanting to beat up PF supporters. They have destroyed several vehicles because they think UPND owns Southern province. Very shameful indeed !
patrick
January 17, 2015 at 10:34 am
Yes these vehicles were destroyed in Mazabuka where we have some well known violent leader…sorry not in Choma.
Monk
January 17, 2015 at 10:43 am
@ Jane Mulenga, we are better off with a muslim president than a satanist and freemanson because atleast muslims acknoledge God as the creator and master unlike you Hakainde’s religion who acknoledges the devil as their master! M
oreover muslims are also descendants of Abraham and not the devil where hh congregates! Moreover, what we need in state house is a president and not a tribe like Munkombwe, en VJ are saying! Viva Edgar!!
Jasmine
January 17, 2015 at 10:51 am
Double checking my voters card and NRC. ECL my MAN!
KAPOWELA WAMU P*U*S*S*Y
January 17, 2015 at 11:27 am
GUYS MY TONGA SUPERVISOR OPPRESSES ME EVERYDAY AT WORK,SHE USE BOSSES TO COME AFTER ME,FIRST IT WAS THE DISTRI-MANAGER-BUT GOD SAW ME THROUGH,SHE’S NOW USING ANOTHER CHAP OF A BOSS WHO IS COMING AGAINST ME IN ALL DIRECTIONS,BUT AM STILL STANDING,SHE’S A WOLF IN SHEEP CLOTHING,FIRST SHE ATTRACTS SYMPATHY FROM THEM BY SAYING ALL KIND OF LIES AGAINTS ME,THEN SHE STARTS TO USE THEM TO HAVE ME GONE(WHICH WILL NEVER HAPPEN)SHE’S A WITCH,A B*T*I*CH,GUYS AM TELING YOU THIS WOMAN IS BAD NEWS WHOEVER TRIES TO BE MY FRIEND AT WORK SHES TELL LIES SO THAT AM JST ALONE,AGAIN SHE GOES TO THE SAME IDIOT OF A BOSS SAYING HE ISOLATE HIMSELF,HE’S NOT A TEAM PLAYER,AM A VERY HARDWORKING MAN,SHE HAS FAILED TO GET ME ON THAT BECAUSE AM SO COMPETENT AT MY JOB SO SHE FRUSTRATES ME IN ALL DIRECTIONS,I HATE TONGA’S BECAUSE THAT B*T*C*H,I CAN NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER IN MY LIFE CAST A VOTE FOR A TONGA,TETI,SHE HAS TRIED TO RUIN MY FUTURE BUT SHE HSA FAILED…
vampiro
January 17, 2015 at 1:51 pm
@kapowela just like yo name ukamunyenge fye thats how tonga girl are wen she loves a man. If yu can do it tell me I can help. Tonga girls are good and sweet.
ba muntu
January 17, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Satanyoko bafikala lungu is next presido.
Mike Daka
January 17, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Kim, your comments are very dangerous and capable of causing hate in our society.