Economic Emancipation of Tongaland (Southern Province)

Southern Province has over the years remained a quiet and intellectual part of Zambia. Tongas are known to be a very hospitable and kind people. We may have have our own flows and shortcomings but that is what makes us human just like any other people of the earth. We are a farming people. A loving kind and an accommodating type. Those that may have had an opportunity to live their, or even visit, may testify to this. As a people of Southern Province, we have enjoyed good relations with each and every government that has come into power since 1964. Our people have served in different ministerial positions as well as Diplomatic ones without any favor. From the Kaunda times as President with the likes of Elijah Mudenda as Vice President, to the Chiluba times with the likes of the Miyandas, Mwanawasa with influential people like Ng'ande Magande. We ahve lived together in harmony as one Zambia One Nation without takinfg into consideration the tribal heritage. The end of 2011 saw the change of power. Is is arguably true that we moved from a Democracy to a Dictatorship. The kind of leadership that one is not allowed to oppose. Categorically, the Tonga people of Southern have been a target by the PF government. it is an open secret that the PF will stop at nothing to punish the people of Southern province, a place where the ruling Patriotic Front holds no seat. Tongas are predominantly UPND just as Luapula and Copperbelt are predominantly PF. I would be right to mention that in Zambia, is Tribalism for any Tonga to support UPND but it is never the case for a Bemba to support PF. It is acceptable for anybody else except the Tonga. This is where it all begins from. Some Ministers have even stressed in Public domain that if a Tonga is be President in this land, it will take Tonga men who marry Bemba women to breed a President. I hope my daughter becomes president in future since her mother is Bemba. Recently, the President issued a decree which saw Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi being moved away from Southern Province to Lusaka and Central Provinces respectively. well, in theory at least. This is where the argument begins. People like me will speculate as to what the reasons are contrary to those given by the Government. The Government argues that it is for Administrative reasons. Really? How were these districts being administered prior to this? This begs an answer. Consider this, Itezhi tezhi is 600km away fro Kabwe the Provincial capital of central to which is has been attached (in theory) yet it is only 200km away from Choma to which is previously belonged (still belongs to Practically). What then is the reason? Well, let me speculate

Tongaland!

Southern Province has over the years remained a quiet and intellectual part of Zambia. Tongas are known to be a very hospitable and kind people. We may have have our own flows and shortcomings but that is what makes us human just like any other people of the earth. We are a farming people. A loving kind and an accommodating type. Those that may have had an opportunity to live their, or even visit, may testify to this. As a people of Southern Province, we have enjoyed good relations with each and every government that has come into power since 1964. Our people have served in different ministerial positions as well as Diplomatic ones without any favor. From the Kaunda times as President with the likes of Elijah Mudenda as Vice President, to the Chiluba times with the likes of the Miyandas, Mwanawasa with influential people like Ng'ande Magande. We have lived together in harmony as one Zambia One Nation without takinfg into consideration the tribal heritage. The end of 2011 saw the change of power. Is is arguably true that we moved from a Democracy to a Dictatorship. The kind of leadership that one is not allowed to oppose. Categorically, the Tonga people of Southern have been a target by the PF government. it is an open secret that the PF will stop at nothing to punish the people of Southern province, a place where the ruling Patriotic Front holds no seat. Tongas are predominantly UPND just as Luapula and Copperbelt are predominantly PF. I would be right to mention that in Zambia, is Tribalism for any Tonga to support UPND but it is never the case for a Bemba to support PF. It is acceptable for anybody else except the Tonga. This is where it all begins from. Some Ministers have even stressed in Public domain that if a Tonga is be President in this land, it will take Tonga men who marry Bemba women to breed a President. I hope my daughter becomes president in future since her mother is Bemba. Recently, the President issued a decree which saw Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi being moved away from Southern Province to Lusaka and Central Provinces respectively. well, in theory at least. This is where the argument begins. People like me will speculate as to what the reasons are contrary to those given by the Government. The Government argues that it is for Administrative reasons. Really? How were these districts being administered prior to this? This begs an answer. Consider this, Itezhi tezhi is 600km away fro Kabwe the Provincial capital of central to which is has been attached (in theory) yet it is only 200km away from Choma to which is previously belonged (still belongs to Practically). What then is the reason? Well, let me speculate; The PF Government made promises during campaign that it needs fulfilling now. One of them is by making all provinces financially autonomous. We all may agree that this is a good move. we sure all agree to this. Well, at least most of us. But before this can be done, Provinces like Southern that are purely anti PF will have to be paralyzed in terms of revenue generation. 90% of our electricity generation in Zambia is from Southern Province. Itezhi Tezhi is one of such. Moving it to Central Province is one a lot of harm to Southern Province. As is that is not enough, the moving of Chirundu to Lusaka means also losing Kafue Gorge, another Power plant in Southern Province at Namalundu. If you thought that was all, listern to this. Chirundu Border post is the busiest in Zambia in terms of the inflow of goods as well as people and Lusaka International Airport is only second. In 2009 , December alone, Chirundu collected revenues to the tune of ZMK160bn www.times.co.zm/ see now how strategic this point is? It is clear from the above that what the motive is, it is an evil one. One wonders why one person (the President0 can just direct such a move without consulting the stakeholders. This is a democracy Sir! It is not a Dictatorship. People of Southern Province deserved to be consulted. Just because one is president does not mean you have the powers to do as you wish. Tongas have democratically elected leaders that need to be engaged in deciding such matters. I appeal to all Zambia loving people to come through and speak out. My colleagues and i have come up with suggestions to go about this. We need not to just sit back and do nothing. Our chiefs have set an example and we need to rise now and do our part. If it means raising resources, so be it until our cause is justified. Make your submissions! This is a call for Tongas only, but for all Zambians that still have the power to reason. We have only a one Zambia and we cannot let one man destroy it. Love you all