Anthony Mukwita

04/08/2025

Gaza: How Many More Must Die Before the World Says Enough?

Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote-

4 Aug 25

I can’t stop thinking about Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, the death toll has become more than just a number, it’s a haunting echo of lives lost, futures erased.

Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, and what breaks me most is that so many are children.

Let’s not forget 1,200 Israelis dead 7 October by the way, let’s condemn it.

But people are dying in Gaza, terrible. Not just from bombs, but from starvation in Gaza. Imagine that, children dying because they have no food. 93 children have already died from hunger. That’s not war. That’s cruelty.

I saw a photo of a baby, six weeks old, who died from starvation. His name was Yousef al-Safadi. His body was so small, it barely filled the morgue table. How does the world look at that and not scream?

Food trucks are blocked. Aid is looted before it reaches the people. Hospitals are collapsing, and even the doctors are starving.

The UN says one in three Gazans go days without eating. 320,000 children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition. That’s not just a crisis—it’s a slow, deliberate death sentence.

And this, some Western countries are speaking up. France, Canada, Australia and UK—they’re calling for a ceasefire.

Even inside Israel, human rights groups are calling this genocide. Some US lawmakers are breaking ranks, demanding an end to the suffering. But it’s still not enough. The bombs keep falling. The blockade tightens.

This didn’t start in October. Gaza has been under siege since 2007. And the pain goes back even further—to the Nakba in 1948, when Palestinians were forced from their homes. Decades of occupation, broken promises, and shattered peace talks have led us here.

I live in Zambia, far from Gaza. But distance doesn’t make this less personal. When children starve while the world watches, silence becomes complicity. We have a voice. We have a conscience. And we must use them.

This isn’t just about politics. It’s about humanity. It’s about asking ourselves: how many more must die before we say, “Enough”?
We must seek the best outcome for both Israel and Palestine.

--
Amb. Anthony Mukwita is a published author and International Relations Analyst.

04/08/2025

Good luck to any western government trying to lecture the world on governance says Mehdi

04/08/2025

✍️

04/08/2025

The Unburied Legacy of Edgar Lungu
…maybe Tuesday but no later than Friday

Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote-

4 Aug 25

As a published author, I just cannot resist to put ink to paper when historical events unfold, the urge to merge always takes the worst out of me.

Call it occupational hazard if you like.
So here I was this morning glued to my TV screen watching the story of our sixth President Edgar Lungu unfold in living colour, my humble take below as a documentalist.

It’s been sixty days since the sixth President of Zambia Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu took his final breath in a Johannesburg hospital.

And yet, the man who once commanded battalions of infrastructure and political loyalty lies in limbo, unburied, unmourned, and suspended between two nations and two visions of dignity.

On a chilly Pretoria morning, three judges—two black, one white—sat in solemn silence as Zambia’s government and Lungu’s grieving family squared off in court.

The hearing lasted barely an hour. The ruling? “Maybe tomorrow, but no later than Friday,” said the bench. And so, the wait continues. Tuesday or Friday.

In the hard wooden pews of the North Gauteng High Court sat a weary former First Lady Esther Lungu, draped in black, her face a portrait of quiet devastation.

Around her, children and top former government figures like hon. Given Lubinda sat in mournful stillness. No slogans.

No speeches. Just the heavy air of a family torn between love and law.

The elephant in the courtroom? The family wants ECL buried in SA. They want something simpler, more personal.

The government, led by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, insists on protocol. The Former Presidents’ Benefits Act demands it, they say but others say its ‘mere guidelines’.

But as constitutional lawyer John Sangwa rightly put it, “Courtesy is not law.”

And therein lies the tragedy. Zambia has no binding legislation on presidential funerals.
No National Leaders’ Funerals Act like Tanzania’s, which clearly outlines burial sites, roles, and budgets.

In Dar es Salaam, there’s no guesswork. In Lusaka, there’s only improvisation.

This isn’t the first time Africa has wrestled with the burial of its giants.

Take Kwame Nkrumah. When the father of Pan-Africanism who died in in, Guinea where he lived in exile, family refused to release his body.

Ghana’s military regime had to negotiate his return. He was buried in his hometown of Nkroful, only to be reburied years later in Accra’s grand mausoleum.

His final resting place became a battleground of ideology, Pan-Africanist, nationalist, or socialist?

Or consider Mobutu Sese Seko. The once-mighty ruler of Zaire died in Morocco in 1997. His body was never repatriated. Kinshasa refused.

His grave lies in Rabat, a lonely monument to a man who once renamed rivers and rewrote history.

And now, Edgar Lungu, builder of bridges, commander-in-chief, father, husband—waits in a South African funeral home. Not because of logistics, but because of politics.

This is more than a burial dispute. It’s a mirror held up to our institutions. It asks: Do we honor our leaders with laws or with guesswork or love?

Do we bury them with dignity or with delay, do we respect their family wishes, lets enact laws to become like Tanzania?

African governments must tread carefully in my humble view. This is not the time for political point-scoring. It’s a time for compassion, clarity, and closure.

The family’s grief is real. The nation’s pride is valid. But without a legal framework, we risk turning every presidential death into a courtroom drama. Look at KK!

Let me end with a metaphor: A nation without a burial law is like a train without tracks. It may have the engine, the passengers, even the destination, but it will never arrive.

So here’s my plea: Let us bury H.E Edgar Lungu with the dignity he deserves. Let us pass the laws that prevent this sorrow from repeating itself. And let us remember that even in death, leadership matters.

Because a country that cannot bury its heroes cannot build Skyscrapers or AI.
Love wins over conflict.
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Amb. Anthony Mukwita is the author of ‘Against all Odds, President Edgar Lungu’s Rough Journey to State House.'

04/08/2025

Row row row the ⛵

04/08/2025

Buddies Lush and Z having a long weekend blast of fun happy birthday 🎉 Z dude 🥰

03/08/2025

LAND, LEGACY: A WEEKEND OF REFLECTION AND REFORM

Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote -

2 Aug 25

If you blinked last week, you may have missed a moment that could’ve rewritten Zambia’s land story in permanent ink.

Bill 13, the now-infamous Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill, was poised to hand sweeping powers to one man, the Chief Registra of Lands.

Not a council. Not a tribunal. Just one man. A land Czar in a democracy. Thankfully, Zambia blinked back. Zambia pushed back.

Five Reasons Bill 13 Was a Bad Idea (And Why LAZ and NGOs Roared)

1. 🛑 Unilateral Power: The Bill gave the Registra unchecked authority to cancel land titles. That’s like giving a referee the power to change the score after the match ends.
2. 🕵️♂️ Presumption of Guilt: Landowners had just 14 days to prove innocence once accused of fraud. Whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?
3. 🧱 Investment Killer: Investors need certainty. If land titles can vanish with a signature, so will foreign direct investment.
4. 🧑🌾 Smallholder Nightmare: Farmers use land as collateral. If titles are unstable, so is their access to credit.
5. 🗣️ No Consultation: The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), civil society, and traditional leaders weren’t consulted. That’s not democracy—it’s autocracy in a necktie.

Land Ownership: The Soul of Nation-Building

Land isn’t just soil, it’s identity. When native Zambians own land, they build homes, farms, and futures. They invest emotionally and economically.

They pass it on. They protect it. Land ownership fosters pride, productivity, and peace. It’s the difference between being a tenant in your own country and being a stakeholder in its destiny.

Wars Waged Over Land: A Global Obsession

• The Hundred Years’ War (England vs France): A century-long tug-of-war over territory and titles.
• The Anglo-Zulu War: Britain’s land lust clashed with Zulu sovereignty. Spears met rifles. Shaka Zulu was born.
• The Rwandan Genocide: Land disputes and colonial borders fueled ethnic tensions that exploded tragically.
The Berlin Conference: When Africa Was a Buffet

In 1884, European powers gathered in Berlin, not to toast Africa’s beauty, but to carve it like a Sunday roast or Zambian chikanda.

No Africans were invited, no Litunga nor Chitimukulu. Borders were drawn with rulers, not reason.

Tribes were split. Enemies were forced to cohabit. The legacy? Fragile states, ethnic strife, and a continent still stitching itself back together.

14 Days to Respond? That’s Not Justice—That’s a Stopwatch

Imagine receiving a letter saying your land title is being cancelled. You have two weeks to respond.

No lawyer. No hearing. Just a ticking clock. That’s not due process—it’s bureaucratic bullying. Justice must breathe. It must listen. It must be fair.

Enter the League of African Ambassadors: A New Dawn

I am humbled, truly, to be part of the newly formed League of African Ambassadors, a distinguished assembly of diplomats committed to Africa’s renaissance. Why it matters:

1. 🌍 Pan-African Voice: We speak as one on global platforms.
2. 🤝 Mentorship: We guide new diplomats with seasoned wisdom.
3. 📈 Policy Influence: We shape continental agendas.
4. 🕊️ Peace Advocacy: We champion unity over division.
5. 🧠 Knowledge Bank: We preserve Africa’s diplomatic memory.

On a Solemn Note: Zambia Still Mourns Edgar Lungu

It’s been nearly 60 days since sixth President Edgar Lungu passed. The nation still wears black in its heart. Mrs. Lungu mourns. We mourn with her. Whatever our politics, we honour his service. May his legacy be one of peace.

Democracy’s Pulse: Bill 13 Withdrawn, Just Like Bill 7

Let’s give credit where it’s due. The government listened. They withdrew Bill 13, just as they did with Bill 7.

That’s democracy with a heartbeat. That’s Parliament with a conscience. That’s Zambia refusing to be ruled by decree.

Weekend Economics: All Work and No Play Makes GDP a Dull Boy

Zambians love a long weekend. Friday to Monday is practically a national sport. But let’s be honest: if we keep stretching weekends like chitenge fabric, productivity will snap. GDP growth needs hustle, not hammock.

Zambia’s GDP: Time to Wake the Sleeping Giant

Our GDP growth has been sluggish. Poverty still grips too many. But we have five aces up our sleeve:

1. 🛢️ Mineral Wealth: Copper, cobalt, and now manganese.
2. 🌽 Agricultural Potential: 40% of Southern Africa’s water.
3. 🧠 Youthful Population: A demographic dividend waiting to be cashed.
4. 🌞 Renewable Energy: Sun and hydro begging to be harnessed.
5. 🛣️ Strategic Location: Eight borders. Trade routes galore.

Palestine: A Cry for Recognition, A Call for Humanity

Let’s commend the UK and France for joining over 140 nations in recognizing the State of Palestine.

It’s a bold stand for justice. With over 70,000 Palestinians dead in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, silence is complicity.

Even our own President Hakainde Hichilema called for peace during a meeting with Norway’s International Trade Minister this week. That’s leadership with a conscience.

Final Word: My Love for Peace and Unity Burns Brighter Than Ever

In a world of division, I choose unity. In a time of war, I choose peace. In a country of potential, I choose progress.

Let us build. Let us heal. Let us laugh—yes, even on long weekends. But let us never forget: democracy is not a gift. It’s a fight. And Zambia, my beloved, is still swinging.
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Ambassador Anthony Mukwita is an International Relations Analyst and Author.

Source: The Daily Nation "Mukwita on Point"

02/08/2025

🤕

02/08/2025

🎶 Vintage Sugar Redefines Zambian
Unity-ENTERTAINMENT

Three Decades of Soul, Brotherhood, and Boogie at the Sugar Shack
Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote-

2 Aug 25

“The roof, the roof, the roof was on fire… and no, we didn’t need no water, we let the love burn. That’s how it felt last weekend, downtown Lusaka, as the Sugar Shack Sounds family reunited under the warm glow of nostalgia and neon. Thirty years strong, and still grooving.
What took us so long!

It all started with a dream. A quiet one. A soulful one. Matty Cox, my brother, my friend, the still point in this turning world of boogie decided to create a space where old-school R&B from the '60s and '70s could live, breathe, and bring people together. Although most of us were actually born in the early and mid-70s.

He called it Sugar Shack Sounds. The motto? “Making noise quietly.” And oh, what a beautiful noise it’s been making. August1 was the loudest.

Back then, we were fresh out of university. Young, idealistic, and ready to dance.

Now? We’re fathers. Grandfathers. Judges. Ambassadors. Doctors. Influencers of every kind.

But when the Sugar Shack calls, we answer—not just for the music, but for the congregation. The communion. The celebration. As the song goes, “Living, loving, celebrating…” That’s what we do.

The scene? Pure magic. Low lights casting halos on bald heads and silver curls.

Psychedelic beams slicing through the smoky air. The bassline booming like a heartbeat.

Gersh Groove, my brother with the rusty voice commanding the crowd like a prophet of funk.

DJs on deck: Sif Mak, Sean Mo, Tivo the Duke, DJ LH, Hussein, Gundi Groove. The crowd? Wining, grinding, laughing, hugging. A thousand-light weekend night where every soul shines.

And yes, Yona and Kelo were there. But Zilk? I didn’t see him. Maybe its because my visa expired at 10pm. I just love Zilk…and brother Mainga?

A ZAMBIA UNITED IN FUNK

What struck me most wasn’t just the music—it was the unity. At Sugar Shack, political lines blur.

No one cares if you’re UPND, PF, ABC, or just RSVP. We dance. We mingle. We remember. We return.

One brother leaned in and said, “Mudala, this is amazing—we’ve been jamming for 30 years.

And that’s just Sugar Shack, not Valentinos and the rest.” Another chimed in, “You’re right. Let’s start our own jazz club.”

That’s when it hit me. An innocent gig can gel people with totally different views together.

Like football. Like moonlit dinners. Like that Nigerian proverb, we share the meal not because our neighbours lack food, but because we cherish the moonlight together. Comradeship. That’s the bottom line.

Matty Cox stood beside me, smiling. “My brother,” he said, “for me it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality. About a hundred patrons. Personal friends. Family. I have all your numbers. We talk beyond the jam.”

And he’s right. Sugar Shack isn’t just a party. It’s a philosophy. A reminder that music heals, laughter binds, and shared memories build nations.

If our political leaders danced like the Sugar Shack family, we’d have fewer court battles and more conga lines. We’d work, dance, and return to dance again. The party after the party, that’s where the healing begins.

I was elated to meet old friends and brothers. Chembo. Mofanky. Mulyankondo. Chomba. Alfred. Emmanuel the lawyer, young brother Brdaley.

And many more I can’t name, maybe because they didn’t have visas to be out there, like the Coldplay love concert issue. Lol.

The sisters from back in the day? Gloriously round, radiant, and unapologetically joyful. Not fat. “We’re fat and happy, the way God meant it,” one said. And who are we to argue?

Top oldies we rocked to? Shalamar’s “There It Is.” Ray Parker Jr’s “I Got a Problem.” Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam’s “I Wonder If I Take You Home.” The Whispers’ “Rock Steady.” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove.” The soundtrack of our youth. The anthem of our unity.

So here’s to Matty Cox, the architect of joy. Here’s to the Sugar Shack family, thirty years strong and still dancing. Here’s to the next thirty. Vintage sugar, sweet and soulful, redefining Zambian unity one groove at a time.

Can we transplant this in national unity? Let love lead the way.
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Amb. Anthony Mukwita is an International Relations Analyst, Author and occasional Sugar Shack observers.

02/08/2025

H E Duma Boko Gideon the President of Botswana during his diplomacy meet in Zambia ✍️ : corrected update thanks for the alertness 😆

02/08/2025