As I reflect on the state of Barotseland today, I am reminded of the words of Thomas White, a Canadian tourist who visited our region in 1996. He described Barotseland as a beautiful region endowed with an abundance of natural resources, including oil, diamonds, iron, timber, and fertile land for cattle production. Yet, despite these riches, the poverty level in our region stands at a staggering 86% and that the people living in that area seems to be comfortable with the situation as they are not like there forefathers who showed concern for there territory c.f King Lewanika I.
This stark contrast between our region's potential and its current state is a sobering reminder that we, the Malozi of today, have lost sight of the values and principles that once made our nation great. Our forefathers, like King Lewanika, fought tirelessly to safeguard and expand our territory. They were driven by a deep love for their land and a determination to protect their sovereignty.
In contrast, we have allowed our region to be reduced to a mere province in Zambia. We have surrendered our sovereignty to fellow blacks, abandoning the legacy of our ancestors. A certain Bemba friend of mine once told me that, "Lozis are intelligent, but baliba docile" – meaning that we Malozi people are intelligent people, but we are sleepy and docile.... Honestly I agree with him.
How did we arrive at this point? We were once a proud nation, with a thriving economy and a strong education system. In 1964, our cattle population was 1,840,000 greater than that of Botswana. Every village had its own cattle kraal, and our grandparents could easily provide for their families. Today, our cattle population has dwindled to just 500,000.
We were also pioneers in education, with the first school established in Mwandi Mission in 1884. We produced the first university graduates in Zambia, and our people were known for their intelligence and wisdom. Yet, today, we are among the least performing in education.
What happened and how did we arrive in this situation? And where was Malozi when all this was happening?
It is time for us to wake up and reclaim our heritage. We must revive the spirit of Barotseland and fight for the betterment of our region. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our ancestors to restore our nation to its former glory.
Let us rise up and demand more from our leaders. Let us hold them accountable for the state of our region. Let us work together to develop our economy, improve our education system, and protect our natural resources.
We are the Malozi of today, and it is our responsibility to shape the future of our nation. Let us not be remembered as the generation that slept while our heritage was destroyed. Instead, let us be known as the generation that rose up and reclaimed our rightful place as a proud and prosperous nation.
BULOZI KI MUSEBEZI WA LUNA!
MUYUNDA MAKALA, Friday 28th February, 2025.
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About the author: Muyunda Makala is a Good Governance Activist, a Barotse Civil Rights Activist, and Social Commentator. Makala's work focuses on finding alternative solutions to address the historical and political grievances of the Barotse people. His writings offer a nuanced perspective on the complex issues surrounding Barotseland's status within Zambia. Being an activist, Makala is also part of a broader movement seeking to promote the rights and interests of the Barotse people.
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