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To start to think people from another group or region are “wrong by default”. It’s the great-granddaddy of racism and sexism.
It is so disheartening to stand witness to the tribal battles and hurt messages that are going on in the country. What breaks my heart more is that most of the people perpetrating this evil are young people. Its unfortunate that members of the same country can turn on each other like a bunch of animals. In the last few weeks it has been raining heavily in Zambia, rains of tribalism but I have fervent hope that the sun will soon shine.
Let’s all remember that all of us wake up every day, with very similar ambitions and goals. I’ve moved across our beautiful country Zambia and I’ve never met a single town, province or church, where *everybody* there did *nothing* useful. So if you see someone saying “Tribe A will never rule Zambia” that’s a big red flag for tribal thinking. Its offensive nonsense and I advise that you distance yourself from it. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Let us therefore heal the wounds and free ourselves from the bondage of tribalism, let’s use our variety of languages and cultures instead as our source of strength and richness. It is possible and it can be done.
we should no longer vow our mutual destruction but solemnly acknowledge our inter dependence as free and equal citizens of our common Motherland.Nyanja,Bemba,Tonga,Lozi,Soli,Kaonde and all other tribes too numerous to mention, make up one united Zambia. Let us all re-affirm our solemn constitutional compact to live together on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Finally I appeal for forgiveness and national reconciliation. Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice. It means making a success of our plans for reconstruction and development. Fellow citizens, Let us join hands and build a truly Zambian nation where every person will have a right to rise and achieve their full potential irrespective of tribe, region or province.
My fellow Youths always remember that older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die. One Zambia, one Nation! Thanking You!
Allan M Sakala
Munali Aspiring MP