Voice Of Barotseland.

05/05/2022

BAROTSELAND (BULOZI).

The mighty Zambezi in Sioma district



Credit: Brian Duke

04/28/2022

BAROTSELAND (BULOZI).

The Litunga (King) moves from Lealui to Limulunga.

04/28/2022

BAROTSELAND ( BULOZI).

04/26/2022

THE THREE KUOMBOKA CEREMONIES OF BAROTSELAND.

1. LITUNGA - FROM LEALUI - LIMULUNGA (MONGU DISTRICT).

2. LITUNGA LA MBOELA - FROM NALOLO - MAOYO (NALOLO & SENANGA DISTRICTS).

3. MBOANJIKANA - FROM LIBONDA TO MULUNDUMANO (KALABO DISTRICT).

04/22/2022

FIRST ZAMBIAN REGISTERED NURSE UNVEILED

By BENEDICT TEMBO, Lusaka.

SHE was not just one of the recipients of the inaugural King Lewanika Royal Meritocracy Award. Kapelwa Mwanang’umbi Sikota is also a woman of many firsts. She was the first Zambian registered nurse. The mother of prominent Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba was posthumously honoured at the recent Kuomboka ceremony. Born in Mongu district on July 7, 1928, she attended her primary school education at Lukona Mission and Mabumbu Girls Boarding in Western Province. Thereafter, Mrs Sikota proceeded to Chipembi Girls Boarding School in Chisamba for her Standard VI, which was the highest level of education a girl could attain in the then Northern Rhodesia. For secondary education, she went to Indent Mission School near Durban in South Africa. After graduating, Mrs Sikota enrolled for training as a registered nurse at McCord Zulu Hospital in Durban. She completed her training in 1951 and graduated as the best nurse of the year. Mrs Sikota later enrolled for midwifery training at the same college in Durban, which she completed in 1952. “Mum’s education was sponsored by her elder brother Meebelo Mwanang’umbi. He had taken over looking after his mum and his siblings when grandma was widowed. Grandpa had been killed by a hippo. Mum’s elder brother had been a teacher but on the onset of the Second World War he enlisted and served in Burma,” Mr Sikota says. He says upon his return he studied and became an accountant and member of Chartered Institute of Secretaries. “He used his earnings from his stint in Burma to sponsor his youngest sister Kapelwa Mwanang’umbi up to her training in Durban at McCord Hospital,” Mr Sikota says. Immediately after completion of her midwifery training, she returned home in the then Northern Rhodesia. Upon her return, Mrs Sikota was immediately employed at Lusaka Central Hospital (now University Teaching Hospitals) where she became the first African state registered nurse in Northern Rhodesia. She was later employed at Roan Antelope Mine Hospital in Luanshya as the first African nurse up to 1961, when she moved back to Lusaka Central Hospital or UTH. The white community was at first uncomfortable having a black woman supervisor, but they later accepted her skills and ability. Mrs Sikota eventually became a darling of both the black and white communities. At that time, there were poor conditions of service for Africans and there was no union. Mrs Sikota fought a lone hard battle to be put on the same salary scale as her white colleagues with similar qualifications. Despite facing a lot of discrimination at work, she fought for her rights and those of other African health workers. Some of the battles she fought included issues of using the same canteen and social facilities with white workmates. Her fight for equality was even taken to the British House of Commons.
On November 29, 1960, John Stonehouse, a Member of Parliament, raised her issue and asked Iain MacLeod, the secretary of state for health and social care of the United Kingdom “whether he is aware that Mrs Kapelwa Sikota, a qualified state-registered nurse, is unable to obtain employment in this capacity with the mining companies of Northern Rhodesia because of discrimination; and whether he will take steps to deal with the situation”. Mr Macleod responded, “I am informed that Mrs Sikota has been employed for the past three years by a mining company as supervisor of a hostel for African trainee nurses. As the honourable member will be aware, the mining industry has recently announced an agreement whereby all jobs will be open to persons of all races. I have no reason to think that Mrs Sikota is being debarred from any post through discrimination.”
She was, however, being discriminated against and made to be matron for a hostel rather than a state-registered nurse.
This, however, changed soon after the issue was highlighted in the House of Commons, and Mrs Sikota opened the way for the African nurses who were to follow her. And because of the competence and determination to fight for her rights and those of other workers, Mrs Sikota soon found that the same people who tried to suppress her started to admire and recognise her talents. On November 1, 1964 she was promoted to the rank of sister-in-charge at UTH, again the first African in that position.
Mrs Sikota worked in different nursing and midwifery portfolios until she became the chief nursing officer at the Ministry of Health. Again, she was the first African to hold that key position. Mrs Sikota was instrumental in planning and putting up some of the first modern facilities at UTH. As chief nursing officer, she encouraged nurses of all categories to develop and further their education and acquire new skills by taking extra courses. In 1974, she relinquished her position as chief nursing officer at the Ministry of Health to accompany her husband, Aggrey Sikota, to France where he took up a diplomatic posting.
She retired from active service in 1984. Mrs Sikota died on May 30, 2006, survived by four children: Grace, Imasiku, Sakwiba and Ngombala. She had four granddaughters – Limpo, Kapelwa, Mwila and Sepo – and two great-granddaughters.
The Zambia Association of University Women and the General Nursing Council posthumously recognised her as a female achiever and pioneer. The Ministry of Health recognised her pioneering role in the medical profession in Zambia by naming the nursing school lecture hall at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University after her. Accepting the award granted to his mother posthumously, Mr Sikota says “it is extremely gratifying for the Sikota and Mwanang’umbi families that our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, grand aunt and great grand aunt has been recognised and honoured with the conferment of the inaugural King Lewanika Royal Meritocracy Awards 2022. She was our grand lady and I speak on behalf of the family. “Mum returned to the then Northern Rhodesia as the first African state-registered nurse. She fought a lone fight to be recognised to be equal to the white nurses and took her fight right up to the House of Commons. Her achievements go beyond just Barotseland but affect the whole of Zambia. It is therefore fitting that the Litunga has recognised what she means to Barotseland and Zambia through the honour conferred of the Inaugural King Lewanika Royal Meritocracy Awards 2022,” Mr Sikota says. He adds: “We believe all the things said about her pale into insignificance and she is deserving of the award for being the best and greatest mum, grandma and great-grandma in the world. To the Barotse Royal Establishment, we say thank you very much.”

Source: Zambia Daily Mail.

04/22/2022

KING LUBOSI LEWANIKA.

His birth and Childhood - PART 2.

After Litunga Mwanawina II was forced out of the throne, there was need to install the new King but whom should they install? Mataa Sifanu suggested that Musiwa the son of Litunga Mwanawina II should be installed as the new Litunga. But Mukubesa one of the Senior Indunas could not agree with what Mataa Sifanu suggested. He advised the Kuta that it is better to install Lubosi Litiya so that the Litungaship shifts to the Northern Kingdom and this will again cut down the Pride exhibited by the Southern Kingdom. Also, that should Musiwa be made the new Litunga he will not take longer to revenge against the enemies of his father by killing them all. The Kuta agreed that Lubosi be made the new Litunga and he was installed in November 1878. Such installation of Lubosi as the Litunga did not go well with Mataa Sifanu and from that day he developed a grudge against the new King.
Since Njekwa who was the Prime Minister (Ngambela) of Litunga Mwanawina II was killed on the same day that the Litunga was forced out of the throne, Litunga Lubosi then appointed Akapelwa Silumbu who was then Induna Namuyamba to be the new Ngambela. Again, such installation of Akapelwa did not go well with Mataa Sifanu who developed rage against the new Litunga. He wanted to be himself installed as the Ngambela.

Litunga Lubosi and his Ngambela begun his Litungaship at a good knot. The new Litunga was used to the Makololo way of life a thing that saw his subjects not kneeling and clap their hands to greet the king as was the old custom. His subjects when meeting him could just greet him ‘Tau-tuna’ or the mighty Lion. He allowed Beer parties that were often seen from the Kingdom’s past rulers the Makololo, as a result Beer could be brewed in the Palace. The Beer that used to be brewed by the Litunga’s wives could be drunk at Kashandi in the Palace. But the Beer that was brewed at Mushukula and Newa the other royal Kitchens of the Litunga used to be drunk outside the Palace on the Namoo because such a party drew a lot of the King’s subjects especially men. But such Beer consumption would in future cause probles on the new King.

The new Ngambela Akapelwa Silumbu – Muyasani is remembered to be the son of Mwangelwa Naluya with his wife Kakun’uma Nambwae. He was left in captive by the Makololo when his parents flee from the invading Impi of Sebitwani. Therefore, Silumbu whose name means a hero due to his bravery during the war, ruled with the new Litunga under the adopted life style of the Makololo. He drunk more Beer and grilled piles of meat that he consumed. It was his way of life. He did not see anything wrong with the Beer Parties that the Litunga always threw for his Subjects that more Beer could be brewed at the Palace. When Silumbu became the Ngambela, he first held the position of Namuyamba a second position to the post of the Prime Minister (Ngambela). Then the Litunga appointed Mataa Sifanu to take over the Position of Namuyamba but this again did not go well with him. He wanted the Litunga to install him as the Ngambela.

The drinking or**es of Alcohol and dagger smoking that the King’s Subjects found it good for one to be brave and fearless caused some heated arguments and quarreling among the men folk. The king felt that brewing Beer and allowing Beer parties could go well with his Subjects, hardly did he know that such a habit was leading him into serious problems because some of his subjects especially Mataa Sifanu has developed hate against the King. In fact, when Lubosi was installed the new King his twin sister Matauka was later installed as the Litunga Lya – Mboela to lead the Southern Kingdom and her Ngambela became Sambi Kalaluka.

Every day at the Kuta during Beer parties there was rage, hearted arguments and some rough language among some Indunas a thing that made Litunga Lubosi failing to understand the major root cause of such heated arguments and quarrels among his Indunas. What he failed to understand was that the Alcohol that his subjects drunk at the Kuta was the major cause of such misunderstandings until some of his subjects advised him that unless he kills Musiwa who is ear marked by Mataa Sifanu to be installed as the Litunga, then his life was in trouble. Upon hearing this the Litunga summoned a meeting at Kashandi where the issue of Musiwa was discussed. The Indunas agreed that Musiwa should be Killed else he will be a thorn in the king’s flesh. When word reached Mataa Sifanu, he found a way to save Musiwa so that his plan to install him as the new Litunga would work. He called the selected group of men who would go to arrest Musiwa and kill him to give them orders not to kill Musiwa. Instead, they should allow him to flee and hide at Makanda. What they should bring back once they return to report about their mission, are clothes for Musiwa to show the Litunga that they had Killed Musiwa. It would be evidence enough to convince the King and his Kuta.

When the men returned from executing Musiwa, they reported to the Litunga and his Kuta how they killed Musiwa and even displayed his blood-stained clothes before the King. But few days from that day kabanda secretly met the Litunga and told him to be very careful with Mataa Sifanu who was planning to remove him from the throne and install Musiwa. One man even confirmed to the king that he definitely met Musiwa in Makanda who even gave him some Gun Powder. The Litunga did not waste time. He summoned all his Indunas at kashandi in order to find out why he has been deceived that Musiwa has been killed when in their hearts they knew that Musiwa was alive and is hiding at Makanda. Silumba who was one of the men sent to kill Musiwa denied the issue of Musiwa that he was alive unless Mataa Sifanu clear the air about the issue. But Mataa out of rage said that it was very surprising because each meeting summoned by the King his name has to be mentioned all the time why? He then turned to the Ngambela and asked him whether it was him Mataa who sent some men to go and kill Musiwa. The issue became hot to a point that the men who were sent to kill Musiwa were brought before the Kuta and many of them were killed on that day. Kombelwa who was one of the executioners denied that he had seen Musiwa whom he should have killed. It was at this point that Litiya the first born of Litunga Lubosi quickly went for Kombelwa and sat on his legs. His life was saved by Prince Litiya. Then a good number of men such as Mashewani, Mushala and a good number of Mbunda men of Mwene Chiengele who helped to hide Musiwa were arrested and Killed. Then some board guards of the King were sent to Makanda to search for Musiuwa whom they found and arrested

Musiwa was then shepherded to Lealui and he was tied on Sausage Tree (Mupolota) outside Lealui royal village that became to this day known as Mupolota wa Musiwa. Then preparations to execute the Prince were made. Some hoes that would be used to dig the grave and other items to use after killing the Prince were also organized. The following day his executioners came to face him. Among them was Mahela Imwaka a childhood friend of Musiwa, the two grew up together at the Palace during Mwanawina II’s short term reign. The following words that Musiwa used to address his executioners moved them near to tears.

‘’I am greeting you young men’’. Musiwa greeted them. The executioners responded by clapping their hands a sign of respect to the Prince.
‘’You see.’’ He continued. ‘’ Look at the way I am tied. I am unable to clap in response to you. Please don’t think that I have no respect to you. Then are those items you have brought with you the ones you will use to dispose me?’’ His executioners remained quiet.

‘’Mahela I am greeting you and you are now a grown-up man’’. Said Musiwa addressing his long-time childhood friend.

The Executioners were ordered never to Spear Musiwa to death because he will die a painful death. Instead, they should strangle him with a cloth so that he dies a dignitary death befitting a Prince. Then they got hold of him and he was strangled to death. They buried his body under the same tree marking the end of life of whom Mataa Sifanu wanted to install as the Litunga. Problems continued and many of them begun to set in. Kabanda was a Mbunda and due to his good work, that led to the death of Musiwa, the King appointed him to hold the position of Induna katema in order for him to lead N’ulubela -ta- Nalishuwa one of the King’s regiments. Later Mataa Sifanu then accused Kabanda that he is the one who may have reported to the King about the whereabouts of Musiwa. He planned that Kabanda should die, Kabanda did not tell the king some lies. He loved the King. He even married a woman hailing from Nakanjaa where he bore Wamufu-wa sa Nakanjaa. Likwengele li mweya li uma mbango. His village was Namenya and the area has been turned into a garden for Walubita. Unifortunaley Mataa Sifanu had Kabanda killed.

Also, at Nalolo, the Litunga lya-Mboela Mulena Matauka could not keep a thorn in her flesh that gave her sleepless nights. She had Mukwakwa Pakalita be killed. What she did was to have some Beer be brewed. Then the Queen sent for Mukwakwa to join some invited guests at the Palace in order to test the Beer that was brewed in readiness for a Beer Party on the other day. As soon as Mukwakwa settled, the Queen said to him: ‘’Mukwakwa you have been invited to test this Beer in readiness for the Beer Party next day. Then some Beer was served to the Queen who drunk it. Then she left the guests as if she was going in the Palace to check on something. Mukwakwa found himself being man handled, a knife finished him off and Mukwakwa died that way. It was not clear why the Queen had Mukwakwa executed. When word went round that Mukwakwa may have been killed by the Queen, people were warned to move with care because Mukwakwa was lastly seen alive. Later it was discovered that Kakwisa Nungu – Ishee Kwandu was among those men who murdered Mukwakwa. The issue was reported to the Litunga at Lealui who sent his Ngambela Silumbu to find out the cause of such murder. The Ngambela did not mince his words due to the unfortunate murder of Mukwakwa. In fact, Mukwakwa was a relative of Numwa through the extended family.

(To be continued in Part 3….. Readers you will hear what followed next when Litunga Lubosi made an expedition to go and fight Mashukulumbwe (Tonga People) in order to capture their Cattle. It is out of such an expedition that Mataa Sifanu planned to overthrow Litunga Lubosi)

By Wizard Mukuma .

Induna Nengwana online.

Note: Those who had read Nanikelako authoired by WM Walubita can read the above story in Silozi. Language.

04/20/2022

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME TO HAVE A WHITE PERSON INSIDE THE MITULE OR NALIKWANDA, ACTUALLY IN FUTURE WE MUST PLAN TO HAVE KUPUWANA CEREMONY IN THE RIVER THAMES IN ENGLAND.

Watching Michael Owen, a British National paddling inside the Mitule ( Nalikwanda) all the way from Nalolo to Muoyo Kuomboka Ceremony last Saturday, raised eyebrows and endless questions among the audience with the eyes of some young onlookers almost escaping from thier sockets in shock!

"A white man in our boat, that's unheard of, kisitangu" that was just one of the many comments.. well the young ones might say or think so, but it's not the first time to see a white person inside the boat.

As a traditional royal reporter with more than twenty years practical experience, I clearly remember similar comments during the recent Kuomboka Ceremony at Namuso from Lialui to Limulunga, questions were raised again when Bo Mutompehi Given Lubinda also known as "Zaelo" was given a chance kufulaha mwa Ndongo inside the Nalikwanda. "Paddling in front".

But who among those wondering asked a question as to why William Harrington ( with white blood) from Senanga was allowed to be constructing the same Nalikwanda, not once but several times before the late Chamukwenu Chamukwenu of Kalabo picked up the Nalikwanda Construction work and now left it to Mubukwanu and group?

These questions remains clearly unanswered as to why our traditional leaders allow whites or coloreds in our traditional boats, the Nalikwanda or Mitule, is that not diluting our culture and tradition? This issue makes the blood boil in other bana ba Silozi and it's remains an endless debate.

Well to answer the above question, we have to dig deep in history, flipping the pages backwards. our relationship with white people as Lozis dates back to pre- independence and continues todate, it's only that we are underutilizing it, the whites love our culture and tradition and can do more to make it better.

By the way, when the Tongas and Kaondes forefathers, first saw white people, they used to ran at lightening speed to hide in thier caves or climb at the top of tallest trees shivering , but our traditional leaders easily embraced the whites, in various aspects of life, Governance, trade, tourism Including exchange visits among others. That's the genesis or foundation of our relationship with whites..

Our well known Litunga Lubosi Lewanika even visited England at a time it was not fashionable and spent good time thier and if my memory saves me right, this strong bond is visibly seen on the Lialui to Limulunga Kuomboka Ceremony when the Litunga emerges in his admiral uniform, that simply shows how deep our relationship is and now part and parcel of our culture.

I remember the Queen of England visiting Barotseland in the 1960s, she was allowed to enter the Nalikwanda, now if the Litunga then allowed the Queen on the Nalikwanda to show our strong bond between the Britons and Barotse what of now? Why should the

Forging forward actually, if I had my way, given an opportunity, British Ambassador Nicolas Wolley could be seriously enganged on how we can have the Kupuwana traditional Ceremony in the river Thames in England. Just like it happened in Livingstone, organised by Bo Maswabi Lishandu then now Induna Luyanga.

Iam alive to the fact that the above idea, might not happen now and will attract serious opposition left, right and centre but that's how it works, when new ideas are introduced.

As tourism takes different turns on its way to higher heights, one day it will happen and those who will be their will remember this.

Who knew that Kuomboka which was just our normal way of life initially for us Lozis, now has became unmatched Ceremony of international standing, attracting thousands of tourists and visitors from around the globe.

Previously the so called "Kings highway" gets flooded with traders offering products and services from the junction to the main gate. Companies and Organizations came in numbers to launch thier products as well as associate themselves with us.

Our Silozi culture and tradition is nice and rich don't be cheated, if the whites were given a chance they could cut and paste it, this is one of the many reasons they came in numbers to not only watch but participate now and haeba nji kunani bana bamalozi babasabu tunya by copying the whites lifestyle as being Mordern, educated and exposed.

By the time you open your eyes the whites will take over what you hate and will be teaching your children how to paddle and beat drums. "Mwata Kapalu" a white man from America and Canada, mesmerized onlookers at the Namooo in Limulunga by drumming five drums at a go and speaking Luvale yet he just started learning it in 2013. Who does that?. Amutone! Mubone lifasi koliya. Your so called Mordern black child does not even know what a traditional drum is?

Courtesy: Liwena Mukeya

04/16/2022

LITUNGA LA MBOELA
=================
Litunga of the south - (also referred to as Malena a Nalolo)

Litunga la Mboela is, since the succession conflict following the death of Mulambwa which weakened the kingdom of Barotseland to the point that it became vulnerable to invasion by the Makololo, a Mulena Mukwae (princess chief) ruling over the southern part of Bulozi who, in the contemporary era at least, is simultaneously Regent Princess of Barotseland. The logic of this change of gender was that the monarch of the southern part of the kingdom would never again challenge for supremacy of the whole kingdom, ruled over from the north (Namuso). In the earliest manifestation of this role, for most of the year this Litunga would be based at Nalolo, a village on the main Lyambai (Zambezi) channel. Nalolo remainsthe traditional capital of the south and second most important royal centre of Barotseland, but in the flood season, the Litunga la Mboela proceeds by means of her own Kuomboka in her own Nalikwanda barge to Muoyo on the eastern margin of the flood plain. In practice today, this Litunga lives permanently at Muoyo as the buildings at Nalolo are subject to inundation and are in need of refurbishment.
The incumbent of this position prior to the present office holder, the Mokwae Makwibi, detailed in the list below, was the Litunga la Mboela from 1958 and was highly respected. She bore witness to four principal Litungaships. The Prime Minister of the southern kingdom is called Sambi who heads a Kuta and Indunas at Nalolo/Muoyo. This Kuta is made up of occupants with titles similar to those of the Saa Sikalo Kuta at Lealui/Limulunga.

The following list of occupants of the title Litunga la Mboela are female unless otherwise stated:

Notulu - daughter to Ngombala.
Mbanga (male) - son to Litunga Ngombala
Yubya (male) - son to Mulena Mbanga
Nakambe (male) - son to Mulena Mbanga
Mwanamatia (male) - son to Mulena Mbanga
Kusiyo (male) - son to Mulena Yubya
Mubukwanu (male) - Prince who fought and won against his brother Silumelume in the succession battle following the death of their father, Mulambwa. This was immedaitely followed by defeat to the forces of Sibituane and his Makololo hordes
Makololo interregnum
Mulena Mukwae Kandundu
Mulena Mukwae Kaiko
Mulena Mukwae Mwangala
Mulena Mukwae Matauka - sister to Lubosi I / Lewanika
Mulena Mukwae Maibiba - sister to Tatila Akufuna
Mulena Mukwae Matauka - sister to Lubosi I / Lewanika
Mulena Mukwae Atangambuyu
Mulena Mukwae Mulima
Mulena Mukwae Makwibi - Daughter to Mwanawina III: 1958-2010
Mulena Mukwae Mbuyu - sister to Lubosi Imwiko II: 2011 to date

Credit: Kabeleka Wasa Mundia.

04/15/2022

KENNEDY KAMBA PANICS OVER TWO (2) STOLEN GOVT ELEPHANTS AND SIXTEEN (16) MONKEYS UNDER HIS CUSTODY

By Koswe Editors

PF member Kennedy Kamba is in a panic mood over where to hide his 2 elephants which he had stolen from the Kafue National Park.

Kamba is keeping the two young elephants at his game ranch in Rufunsa.

In addition to the two elephants, Kamba is also keeping 7 Impalas, 5 Zebras, 16 Monkeys and 2 Pukus which were all stolen from the Kafue National Park and ferried to his game ranch.

After the ACC seized Bowman Lusamba's properties including his stolen Zebras and Impalas, Kamba is now sweating of where to hide his 2 elephants and other wild animals which he had stolen from the Kafue National Park.

Other PF members who stole animals from the Kafue National Park include Roland Chitotela, Chitalu Chilufya, Chomba Kaoma and Joe Malanji.

Credit: Koswe.

04/15/2022

NYAMBE SCOOP MONGU MAYORAL BY- ELECTION

By Koswe Editors

TOTAL RESULTS

1. NYAMBE MUYUMBANA UPND= 12,997

2. FRANCIS MUNDIA PF= 872

3. KAMWENGO KAMUTI PUNP= 395

Credit: Koswe.

04/13/2022

THE INAUGURAL KING LEWANIKA ROYAL MERITOCRACY AWARDS 2022 – "WHY NOT AWARD INONGE WINA?"

AUTHOR: Sibeta Mundia | Barotseland Post | 12th April, 2022.

The 2022 Kuomboka was not only very successful but also very memorable and eventful! Particularly, the inauguration of the King Lewanika Royal Meritocracy Awards as a permanent Kuomboka feature, was a breath of fresh air as it honours the legacy of one of the greatest Kings to have emerged out of Africa.

King Lewanika ruled Barotseland from 1878 (with a break in 1884-5) till his death in 1916, and present-day Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Congo DRC and Angola’s national borders exist in their current form due to his influence, and it was about time that his legacy was commemorated – if not anywhere else, certainly in Barotseland.

In Barotseland, King Lewanika, the unifier, was so named and famed because of how he established a unified Kingdom by bringing the over 38 ethnic extractions found in the territory to live as one Barotse nation!

No one looked at themselves as anything other than Lozi; whether they be maChokwe, Imilangu, maKwamashi, maKwandi, Aluyi, maLuvale, Lushange, maFwe, maIkwamakoma, maKololo, maKwamwenyi, maKwengo, maLiuwa, maLukolwe, maMbumi, maNdebu, maShanjo, maNanzwa, maKwamulonga, maHumbe, maYauma, maNdundulu, maShasha, maMbunda, maMbukushu, maTotela, maNkoya, Simaa, maSubia, maNyengo, maToka- Leya or any other as long as they were within the national boundaries of Barotseland!

A unified and consolidated Barotseland is perhaps one of the greatest legacies of King Lewanika. He believed in unity so much that he took a wife from as many of these tribes as possible, bearing him 44 children (22 males and 22 females). This way, he ensured that all ethnicities would share in the throne of Barotseland through his blood! There is, therefore, no tribe in Barotseland that does not share in Lewanika’s bloodline in one way or another as the citizens were also encouraged to intermarry!

All Lewanika's successors, thus far, are his children or grandchildren born of different mothers from varying tribes of Barotseland who must always ensure that Barotseland remains strong and united!

WHY WAS INONGE WINA NOT AWARDED THIS INAUGURAL KING LEWANIKA ROYAL MERITOCRACY AWARD 2022?

The answer, in our view, is not far from King Lewanika’s legacy as has been explained above! We may not know the exact criteria used to nominate the recipients, but the name itself is very instructive! It boils down to King Lewanika (the unifier) and his legacy!

Inonge Mutukwa Wina is a bonafide daughter of Barotseland, and her ascendency to the second-highest political office in Zambia would have automatically made her among the inaugural thirteen recipients of this award!

However, she was conspicuously left out, this time, giving rise to many questions, speculations and accusations about why she was snubbed! Therefore, we outline some of the reasons that may have discredited her status in Barotseland, despite her great personal achievements as Zambia's first female vice president.

We must state also that Inonge Wina will make it on the list in future years because of her contribution and personal achievements!

During Wina's tenure as Vice President under President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Barotseland experienced the worst tribal divisions recorded since King Lewanika’s passing!

The Lungu-Wina presidency was openly and directly pursuing a strange policy that sought to divide Barotseland along tribal lines to weaken the Litunga (King) of Barotseland in the political hotspot of Western Zambia!

They openly encouraged and financed known rebellious and discredited individuals, masquerading as chiefs, such as Webster Mulubisha and Josiah Nyumbu Litiya Mubukwanu, who was enthroned by Litunga Imwiko II but later dethroned as Mwene (Chief) Chiyengele at Nañoko area of Mongu, to revolt against Litunga Imwiko II. These two rebellious and deposed chiefs were given direct access to State House where they were paraded on national television ZNBC main news, with the support of President Edgar Lungu, to complain against their alleged ill-treatment from the Lozi-speaking people and their so-called ‘Lozi chief', The Litunga, in the presence of Edgar Lungu who seemed to agree with their rebellious falsehoods!

Zambia’s policy on the Litunga of Western Province (as the Litunga of Barotseland is called in the Zambian Constitution) is a well-established and long-standing policy. The Litunga's powers and his jurisdiction over the entire Western Province is a constitutional matter stipulated in the chiefs’ ACT of the laws of Zambia.

However, President Lungu and Wina pursued a strange policy that financed the late Webster Mulubisha, who was masquerading as Mwene (Chief) Mutondo at Shikombwe, to go to the High Court of Zambia to have the Chiefs’ ACT repealed so that the Litunga of Western Province would not have his jurisdictional powers over Chief Mutondo and all other maNkoya and maMbunda aligned Chieftencies of the Western Provinces. These currently number over twenty-one, and have all peacefully co-existed under the Litunga for centuries!

This is an assault not only on the current Litunga but also on King Lewanika's legacy of a strong unified Barotseland!

Strangely, the High Court of Zambia ruled in Mulubisha’s favour in an unprecedented judgement that recommended having the particular provisions of the Chief’s ACT, which consolidated the Litunga’s powers over all the Chiefs in the Western province, expunged from the National Constitution and the Laws of Zambia altogether!

Essentially, this ruling would have meant that the Litungaship would no longer exist in Barotseland. Without the Litungaship, there would be no Barotseland, so they thought, and Inonge Wina, who should have known better, did not seem to care at all!

Secondly, Edgar Lungu and Inonge Wina had continued to recognize these two impostors as chiefs, who the Litunga Imwiko II had dethroned during Michael Sata’s presidency and who the Michael Sata-led administration had de-gazetted as chiefs following the then prevailing Zambian laws under the Chiefs ACT!

Webster Mulubisha and Josiah Nyumbu Mubukwanu continued to receive government salaries and allowances while their replacement chiefs installed by the Litunga after deposing the two were denied government recognition and remuneration, making them languish in destitution!

This confusion later spread to Mwene Kahare Chieftency where the Litunga-installed Chief, Justine Kahare, remains unrecognized by the government to this day!

It took the Litunga having to go to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) to seek a proper legal interpretation over this matter.

In his litigation, The Litunga of Western Province, Imwiko II, was joined by the Paramount Chiefs of Zambia, Gawa Undi of the Chewa people, Mpezeni of the Ngoni and Chitimukulu of the Bemba. The ConCourt ruled in favour of the Litunga and the Paramount Chiefs of Zambia and retained the Litunga's powers over all chiefs in Western Province and the Paramount chiefs of Zambia's respective powers over the chiefs under them.

Their powers to enthrone and dethrone were also consolidated!

Therefore, we think that King Lewanika, the unifier, would not want such divisive individuals as Inonge and Edgar Lungu to be honoured in his name as they pursued a policy that divided Barotseland in such a way that his (Lewanika’s) children began to look at themselves as Nkoya, Mbunda, Luyana, Shanjo, Subiya etc!

In Barotseland, no single tribe is meant to be more or less Lozi than the other! All its inhabitants are equally sons and daughters of Lewanika!

Furthermore, it was also under Inonge Wina and Edgar Lungu's presidency that the current Litunga suffered the worst personal ridicule as Litunga.

He was severally dragged to Zambian courts by known ruling Patriotic Front Party cadres and functionaries, such as Nabiwa Imikendu, over frivolous matters!

It is very uncustomary for the Litunga of Barotseland to be subjected to any litigation as culture forbids him to stand and speak in his own defence!

Strangely, again, the litigants in these frivolities specifically petitioned the courts to compel the Litunga to personally attend court sessions even when they knew that Barotse traditions and culture would not permit him!

The plan was that once he did that, the same people would find cause to appeal to Barotse traditions and culture to have Lubosi abdicate his throne as King for disrobing himself in a common public court of law! Consequently, if he failed to attend court sessions, they would seek to move the court to sue him for contempt of court!

This particular litigation went all the way to the ConCourt for legal determination, and, thankfully, this litigation was also eventually decided in the Litunga’s favour without the Litunga ever needing to set foot in court.

The widely publicised litigation was that Lubosi Imwiko had failed to organize Kuomboka and that he was an incompetent King!

All the while Inonge Wina and Edgar Lungu and their Patriotic Front (PF) party had hoped they would get rid of this particular Litunga and have a PF user-friendly Litunga take over the Barotse throne!

The PF also sought to mobilise their political base along tribal lines in Barotseland. Some tribes in Barotseland who they considered non-Lozi, were financed, used and pitted against those they considered more Lozi.

Some community radio stations were established and promoted by the PF to propagate anti-Lozi and anti-Barotseland hate speech, particularly in Kaoma district.

Also, it was under Inonge / Lungu presidency that those advocating for the restoration and consolidation of Barotseland's self-determination were arrested and prosecuted indiscriminately!

Some Zambians may not be aware that calls for Barotseland self-determination, whether internally in Zambia or as an independent state, predates Zambia's 1964 political independence!

It is a legitimate aspiration that won't simply be wished away! It must be resolved amicably one way or another!

Barotseland joined to be part of Zambia based on the Barotseland Agreement 1964 and no government in Zambia will ever run away from this matter as the Zambian state is actually at fault!

However, during the time Inonge Wina was the leader of government business in Zambia’s national assembly, the Zambian parliament declared that the name ‘Barotseland’ was unparliamentary!

This outrageous parliamentary ruling upset the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) because it meant even they were unparliamentary! How could they possibly be ‘Barotse’ Royal Establishment without Barotseland? Litunga ki Litunga wa Bulozi!

The Litunga is simply the Litunga of Barotseland, and Barotseland is and shall remain Barotseland to its people!

So, declaring their country unparliamentary simply means all Barotse people are unparliamentary! This amounts to genocide as a country has ruled that a section of their citizenry is unparliamentary!

Forget the name ‘Western’ province which was proclaimed and imposed on the territory unilaterally, and only in 1969, shortly after the same Zambian parliament purportedly annulled the pre-independence Barotseland Agreement 1964 treaty that conjoined two separate British Protectorates, Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia, as one independent country Zambia!

There is so much more we can write in support of the Litunga and the Barotse Royal Establishment's decision to not award Inonge Wina in this Inaugural King Lewanika Royal Meritocracy Award. However, the above listed would stand out as fundamental!

Her association with the 'disgraced' Wina name or the fact that there is a new UPND-led government in Lusaka, in our opinion, does not even come close to the reasons for her isolation! The Litunga is always above such mundane political considerations! The LITUNGA is APOLITICAL!

Her being Zambia's first female Vice President, although a very great achievement, is disadvantaged by her indiscretions as a Lozi princess who should have guided her PF party to adhere to long-standing Zambian policy as far as the Litunga of Western Province is prescribed in the constitution!

She should also have helped protect the people of Barotseland in their collective socio-economic and political struggles and aspirations!

However, we are confident that she will be a recipient of this award in the future! We would simply advise her to visit the Royal Kuta and submit herself to their counsel and iron out whatever issues may still be outstanding between herself and her King so that she can take her due recognition as the first woman vice president in Zambia!

To the winners of the Inaugural King Lewanika Royal Meritocracy Awards 2022, we say congratulations!

Courtesy of Barotseland Post.