Zambia’s Pan-African Legacy Challenged by Modern Racism. Johannesburg, South Africa — Hidden beneath Zambia’s celebrated pan-African heritage, a shadow of modern racism persists. Estate agent Malama Muleba has revealed that some property managers and landlords in Zambia consider race when renting out houses, hinting at the subtle discrimination that plagues the nation over 60 years after independence from the UK.
Despite Zambia’s government denying racism’s existence, local residents and anecdotes paint a stark contrast. Alexander Bwalya, a black Zambian, recounted an incident at a wine bar in Lusaka, where he and his friends were refused service and subjected to racial slurs.
The echoes of Zambia’s past, marked by the “Zambianisation “policy of former President Kenneth Kaunda, aim to empower the black majority, are being tested by contemporary discrimination.
In 1964, Kaunda, a central figure in the fight against colonialism, vowed to build a nation that respected all people.
However, a UN human rights report from 2019 suggested Zambia, like other post-colonial societies, grapples with racial and class inequalities. Social media activism has brought to light instances of discrimination, including a job advertisement from an employment firm that excluded Zambian nationals.
The company later apologized and deleted the post, but the incident sparked a wider discussion on racial inequality in Zambia. Zambia’s experience mirrors the challenges faced by other African nations that once championed pan-Africanism, such as South Africa. Xenophobic violence and criticism for failing to protect foreign nationals have been ongoing concerns in South Africa.
Despite governments’claims of harmony, social media activists and international observers argue that actions do not align with pan-Africanist ideals.
The question now is whether Zambia and other African nations can address these issues and live up to the ideals of pan — Africanism they once espoused.
As the world watches, the future of pan — African ideals in these nations hangs in the balance.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
