A nation built on pan-African principles faces questions about racism

Zambia, a nation founded on pan-African principles and African nationalism, continues to grapple with issues of racism more than six decades after gaining independence from the United Kingdom. Despite its proud history of fighting colonial rule and promoting racial equality, many Zambians report experiencing subtle but persistent discrimination in everyday life. Incidents include black citizens being overlooked for jobs, receiving poor service in restaurants, and facing bias from landlords, suggesting that racial prejudices remain embedded in society. One notable account comes from Alexander Bwalya, a black Zambian, who described an incident at a Lusaka wine bar where he and his friends were denied service for expensive wine bottles, only to see the same offered to a white family. When he confronted the manager, the situation escalated to the use of racial slurs, highlighting the ongoing challenges black Zambians face. Despite these experiences, the government denies that racism is a significant issue in the country, though public discourse on race appears to be increasing. Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, played a pivotal role in dismantling colonial-era racial hierarchies. Before independence in 1964, black Zambians endured segregation, restricted movement, and exclusion from skilled jobs, particularly in the copper mining sector dominated by white workers. Kaunda’s "Zambianisation" policy aimed to replace white executives with black leaders and promote racial equality, setting a foundation for a nation committed to respect across races and religions. However, challenges persist. A 2019 United Nations human rights report noted that Zambia, like many post-colonial societies, continues to struggle with racial and class inequalities inherited from its colonial past. The ongoing experiences of discrimination underscore the complexity of achieving Kaunda’s vision of a truly inclusive nation, revealing that the legacy of colonialism still influences social dynamics in contemporary Zambia.