Sun, 20 Aug 2017 08:29:57 +0000
Dear Editor,
ALLOW me space to express my displeasure at your continuous tribal remarks that have torn the unity of the Church apart.
While we appreciate that it is God who fashioned many tribes in the land of Zambia into existence, it is unfortunate that in your human wisdom you have used your tribal inclination to solidify your power base. This is tantamount to Satanism.
Tribalism stinks and must not be tolerated. It must be stopped. It is an offshoot of bloodshed. The enemy of righteousness has used tribalism to promote the satanic agenda of bringing disunity amongst the citizenry in Africa. Kenya has it –Luo verses Kikuyu. Zimbabwe has it- Ndebele Verse Shona. Zambia has it- Tonga verse Bemba/ Chewa/ Ngoni. This high degree of tribal insanity is man- made, manufactured by greedy political fanatic who use their wealth to propel an evil agenda of political greedy.
In the Bible, we see the confusion at the tower of Babel because the inhabitants wanted to exalt themselves above the will and purposes of God. Let me bring it to light, God’s agenda upon each and every nation differs. The race according to God’s standard is not to the swift. Only his purposes will stand the test of time. Right now, Zambia is rooted into tribal politics aimed to promote the Bantustan type of leadership. It is most unfortunate that tribalism has even crept into the Church unawares.
As a Christ-centered clergyman, I had a nasty experience when I had gone to Choma on an evangelistic mission at one of the largest congregations in that land. As they introduced me by my Ushi names to the audience, you could feel the resistance both spiritually and physically. Even my Tonga interpreter could not hide his frustration.
To many in the congregation, like in that party of Zambia, anyone from the Northern part of Zambia is perceived as a political foe. I was only accommodated when I started a song in Chitonga “Kamuyandaule Leza wangu”.
Tribalism is real and it has reached alarming levels. Dr Kenneth David Kaunda’s regime was right when it opted for the One party participatory democracy. I think you rather allow a leader to stand against a frog in an election than to allow political fanatic to divide our country.
As I always say, “Zambia is bigger than Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Hakainde Hichilema put together.” We had great leaders like Mainza Chona, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula who have died but Zambia is still there. Tribal insanity has never prevailed in any country. People will end up killing each other.
It is most unfortunate that even some traditional leaders have shown the tribal inclinations by supporting the “wako ni wako” syndrome. Shame on you! Political support should be based on objectivity and not subjectivity. Tribal politics must be stopped by all well-meaning Zambians. There are some political players from “small” tribes who are a wealth of wisdom and must be encouraged to practice political- level handedness. It is God who promotes one and demotes the others. Leadership, including political leadership, is ordained by God. You cannot force yourself on the people.
By the way, it is God who even sanctions an evil ruler to rule so that his purposes and will prevail. For example, Idi Amin in his wickedness was allowed to rule Uganda by God so that the will and purposes of God would manifest.
God in His infinite love has kept Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe to date so that His purposes upon the people of Zimbabwe prevail. To those who think they can use their tribal inclination to usurp political power my advice to you is “Take it easy and wait upon the Lord.”
To my fellow Clergymen who are practicing tribalism, God is not a tribalist. He is God who fashioned all people in accordance to His plans. Many people who promoted the Rwanda genocide were the men of the collar whose hearts were not regenerated by the Holy Ghost. We also have those “wolves in sheep’s skin” here in Zambia. Once again, Zambia is bigger than all political party players put together.
1 Corinthians 13 is the key. Tribalism is satanic slavery. To accept the status quo allow me to borrow the UNIP slogan for now until the year 2021 “One Zambia, one Nation”, “One Nation, One leader” and “that leader?” “Edgar Chagwa Lungu”. Let us honour God by honouring His word….. Romans 13. I rest my case!
Evangelist Chishala Mpundu Mwaba III
Lusaka.
