I AM Congolese but my home is Zambia; I naturally feel like a Zambian because I spent most of my years in Zambia, says Mumba Yachi. The folk musician, who was last year arrested and deported to Democratic Republic of Congo, said he was still broken that he was not available when his family needed him.

He said leaving his wife and daughter had been very painful but as a law-abiding man, he was optimistic that one day, the Zambian authorities would allow him to return to the country.

Yachi said he owed his music and reputation to Zambia because that was where his career blossomed.

“My feelings are firstly of a man who has left his daughter and wife (family) behind.
It feels so bad every day. I am not there when my family needs me. I remember my stay in South Africa. It’s there that I felt how much I missed Zambia. Because when time came to go back home, I was thinking that I was going back to Zambia. I am a Congolese but my home is Zambia. I naturally feel like a Zambian because I spent most of my years in Zambia,” Yachi, who is currently based in the Congolese border town of Mokambo, said

He said he was not bitter about his deportation but instead happy that he had an opportunity to clear his identity crisis.

The award-winning singer said Zambia was his home and he would not miss an opportunity to return and continue giving the citizens their favourite lyrics.

“And if I am a musician today, it’s Zambia which made me. I couldn’t go with them [wife and daughter] because I didn’t know Congo very well. But I am sure they are fine. About coming back, I will say I am a law-abiding citizen. I was happy to clear that issue I call identity crisis in court because I wanted to be in good terms with the Zambian law. If I am given a chance to come back, I will be so grateful, not just as an artiste but as a father. I want to wake up and take my daughter to school in the country where she was born. That’s my only dream,” Yachi said.

“My family and all my friends are in Zambia. My wife Catherine and my daughter Kasongo remained, I could not come with them because I don’t know Congo that well. I know Zambia very well. I have been to all the ten provinces. I don’t know Congo very well but I would like to. I was born in Mokambo. It’s hard to be in a new place but as a man you have to make an effort to integrate because life is everywhere.”

He said he was working on another album – “Great Work volume 2” – which he had promised Zambians.

Yachi explained that he decided to settle in Mokambo because it made him feel connected to Zambia.

He also confirmed that he would be in France next month for a performance.

“My projects are just music-centred. I am currently working on the ‘Great Work volume 2’. About France, it will be somewhere in July. I have to continue what I promised Zambians – giving them the music of their own land. Mokambo makes me feel connected to Zed more. I will talk more about it at an appropriate time. I can name songs like ‘Kalolo’ and ‘Licholo cholo’, beautiful songs. For those who have the volume 1, they will enjoy it more. But the album will be greater than the first one,” Yachi said.

The visibly broken musician said he had not been to Zambia since his deportation late last year.

“No, I have never visited Zambia since my deportation in November last year. I am waiting upon the authorities to allow me to comeback. I am not allowed to cross the borderline. It breaks me as a family man. But you know as they say ‘Dura lex sed Lex’ (The law is hard but it’s the law).
I had to follow what the law of the land says. But again, I have faith in the Zambian authorities to allow me back at the appropriate time,” said Yachi.