Zambia at crossroads: Put energy where it matters most

Zambia at crossroads: Put energy where it matters most

By Elvis Ng’andwe

ZAMBIA, our beloved nation, stands at a critical juncture. Our moral compass, once steadfast and sure, now spins wildly, pointing toward division, fear, and a troubling misalignment of priorities. The country we cherish risks losing its soul, and the questions we face are no longer just political – they are profoundly moral.

Today, our prophets have abandoned their calling. Those educated and empowered to lead conversations on justice and progress now bicker over trivial issues. Scholars and university graduates, once the torchbearers of change, have become silent in the face of injustice.

As Albert Einstein warned, “The greatest threat to a nation is not only the wrongdoers, but the silence of those who see the wrong and choose to do nothing.” This silence is deafening in Zambia today, leaving the nation vulnerable to internal decay.

Our traditions and values, which once anchored our unity, are now openly mocked or ignored.

Even more worrying is the behavior of our government – the institution meant to protect and guide its people. Instead of serving as a responsible parent to the nation, it increasingly appears to pursue private vendettas, leaving ordinary citizens to shoulder the burden.

Meanwhile, sycophants and praise singers validate the status quo, ignoring the peril around us.

Crises that demand our attention

While attention is diverted elsewhere, Zambia faces multiple existential threats that quietly erode its foundation:

1. Environmental destruction: Our rivers, lifelines of communities and agriculture, are being poisoned by foreign investors. The Chambishi disaster of February 2025 epitomises this danger. A tailings dam failure at Sino-Metals released 50 million liters of toxic waste into the Kafue River, followed by reports of illegal acid leaks at Rongxing, another Chinese-operated mining site. The consequences were devastating:

• Massive crop failures across twelve villages;
• Collapse of local fisheries, the backbone of community diets and livelihoods;
• A surge in respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses;
• Displacement and economic losses, particularly among women vendors and subsistence farmers.

Margaret Musongole, a local farmer, lamented, “These Chinese have come to destroy my maize fields. It feels like being killed twice.”

2. Mining violence and exploitation: Zambia’s gold rushes have turned deadly. Unarmed citizens, in pursuit of livelihoods, have been shot. Meanwhile, lack of transparency in mining deals and attempts to seize land from Zambians further threaten communities.
3. Suppression of civil liberties: Draconian laws like the Cyber Crimes Act muzzle free speech and violate the right to privacy. Opposition members are arbitrarily imprisoned while court orders are ignored, and abductions and mysterious disappearances have become alarmingly frequent.
4. Economic hardship: Pension rules strip dismissed workers of benefits, food prices skyrocket, and poverty deepens. Youth unemployment is at crisis levels, prompting riots among small-scale miners in the Copperbelt. Power cuts remain unprecedented, paralyzing businesses and households alike.
5. Political instability and democratic erosion: Attempts to extend presidential powers dominate the political agenda while systematic elimination of opposition parties weakens democratic governance.

Attacks on the judiciary, zero transparency in government dealings, and international condemnation over shrinking civic space signal a disturbing departure from constitutionalism and accountability.

These fires, these urgent crises, demand our attention. Yet, political energy is being squandered on distractions that serve no greater national good.

The distraction of a state funeral

A glaring example is the government’s relentless push to orchestrate a state funeral for former president Edgar Lungu, despite his family’s explicit wishes to conduct a private ceremony. While the cultural values of Zambia emphasise respect for the deceased, forcing a state-led event against the family’s wishes undermines dignity, common sense, and moral clarity.

During his lifetime, the ECL family endured suffering and humiliation, with the government restricting basic activities such as jogging, attending church and seeking medical treatment. Now, in death, a political spectacle threatens to overshadow the nation’s pressing needs. What is gained from this? What is lost? In reality, nothing of value – except perhaps our dignity – if we continue down this path.

Imagine if the passion and urgency expended on a state funeral were redirected toward combating poverty, protecting the environment, reforming the energy sector, creating jobs, and safeguarding democracy. Zambia would be advancing toward prosperity with decisive speed.

Putting priorities in perspective

Fundamental human rights – such as access to food, health care, and security -are enshrined in both our Constitution and the international bill of rights. These rights take precedence over ceremonial gestures, however symbolic. Article 8 of the Zambian Constitution explicitly outlines national values and principles, including:

• Morality and ethics;
• Patriotism and national unity;
• Democracy and constitutionalism;
• Human dignity, equity, social justice, equality, and non-discrimination;
• Good governance and integrity;
• Sustainable development.

Article 9 further mandates that these principles guide all organs of the State, state institutions, and public officers in making public policy, enacting laws, and interpreting the Constitution. Yet, what we observe today is a significant disconnect between constitutional ideals and the realities on the ground.

Unity as the foundation for progress

Zambia cannot thrive without unity. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere once said, “Without unity there is no future for any nation-state.” Our national motto, “One Zambia. One Nation,” should not be mere rhetoric; it must guide our collective action. Respecting the wishes of the deceased and their family is not just about culture – it is about honoring our shared humanity and ensuring national energy is directed toward the challenges that threaten every Zambian today.

Call to action

Zambians, the time has come to rise above distractions. Let former president Lungu rest in peace. Respect his will, honor his family, and focus on building a nation that works for everyone. Our energy, passion, and attention should target the crises threatening our people and environment:

• Protecting rivers and farmlands from pollution and destructive mining practices;
• Securing livelihoods for women vendors, farmers, and small-scale miners;
• Upholding freedom of speech, judicial independence, and civic space;
• Ensuring social safety nets and pensions for vulnerable workers;
• Addressing youth unemployment with meaningful, long-term solutions;
• Strengthening democracy, transparency, and accountability in government;
• Reforming the energy sector to provide reliable power;
• Promoting sustainable development and ethical governance in all sectors.

The moral and practical imperative is clear: Zambia must realign its priorities. Only then can we secure dignity, prosperity, and justice for current and future generations.

Let this be our legacy – not a spectacle, but a nation where values guide action, where human rights are upheld, and where every Zambian can thrive. Let us focus on what truly matters, so that our children inherit a Zambia that is not only free but also fair, just, and sustainable.
Elvis Ng’andwe is a Zambian lawyer and member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Africa, a master’s degree holder in International Law, International Relations and Peace Studies currently based in Brussels, Belgium.