The Love Zambia Project

Exploring the Historical Tapestry of Political Alliances in Zambia Political alliances have long been integral to the landscape of Zambian politics, shaping the nation's trajectory since its independence in 1964. From the fervent days of liberation struggle to the contemporary era of multiparty democracy, these alliances have been both a catalyst for progress and a source of contention. Understanding their evolution unveils a complex narrative of power dynamics, ideologies, and national aspirations. The Early Years: Unity in the Face of Colonialism In the pre-independence era, Zambia, then Northern Rhodesia, witnessed the rise of alliances primarily focused on liberating the nation from colonial rule. The United National Independence Party (UNIP), under the leadership of Kenneth Kaunda, emerged as the vanguard of this movement, rallying various nationalist factions under its banner. Unity against the common oppressor was the driving force, leading to Zambia's independence in 19...

Socialism, as an ideological and political framework, has manifested in various forms across the African continent, aiming to address socio-economic inequalities and promote collective ownership of resources. While some African nations have embraced socialist principles, the implementation and sustainability of these ideologies have encountered numerous challenges. This article explores socialism in Africa, shedding light on its limitations with illustrative examples. Historical Context: The emergence of socialist ideologies in Africa is deeply rooted in the historical struggle against colonialism. Many post-colonial African leaders, inspired by socialist principles, sought to redress economic disparities and promote inclusive development. The promise of socialism lay in its potential to uplift marginalized populations and dismantle the vestiges of colonial exploitation. Implementation Challenges: Despite the noble intentions, the practical implementation of socialism in Africa has fac...

Informed debate is the lifeblood of democracies. It is however impossible to engage without the requisite information readily available and accessible. Political tensions, insecurity, threats of violence and crises within a country have a significant impact on access to information. The achievement of democratic governance goals requires that information be widely available. It is imperative that citizens receive timely information especially at a time when government is trying to achieve true economic diversification. Poor and vulnerable groups often lack information that is vital to their lives – information on basic rights and entitlements, public services, health, education, work opportunities, public expenditure budgets, etc. They also lack visibility and voice to enable them to define and influence policy priorities and access resources. Freedom of information and democracy have a mutual relationship. One cannot exist without the other. When governments are dominated b...

Zambia is a country whose population is significantly youthful; the youth population (aged between 15 to 34 years) stands at 4,582,433, representing 35% of the total populace of 13,092,666. Youths face a lot of challenges; from high levels of unemployment and underemployment to lack of influence in major decision making critical for national development. The large numbers of young people are an opportunity; an investment. Youth participation in development strengthens young people’s abilities to meet their own subsistence needs; prevents and reduces vulnerabilities to economic, political and socially unstable environments; promotes ownership and sustainability of interventions; and helps gain entry into larger communities and builds up trust and social capital. Effective youth participation is about creating opportunities for young people to be involved in influencing, shaping, designing and contributing to policy and the development of services and programmes. These opportunities a...

"Justice among the nations of mankind, and the uplifting of humanity, can be brought about only by those strong and daring men who with wisdom love peace, but who love righteousness more than peace."   Theodore Roosevelt

  2016 has been one of the most eventful years in recent history. Being an election year, it was always going to provide drama.   The year begun with our economy in the worst shape it could possibly be with inflation high and rising steadily. Our currency was also losing value and had a very bad 2015. There was also a looming threat of massive job losses in the mining sector which is a critical part of our economy. Prices of goods and services were following an upward trend. This meant the cost of living increased at an alarming rate throughout the year. This was coupled by mass electricity cuts countrywide.   The year also saw one of the most dramatic elections in our history. It all begun with the signing of the new constitution in January.  Certain provisions in the electoral act were amended; paving the way for presidential running mates and setting the threshold for victory at 50%+1 of votes cast. With the previous election just over a year before, excitement ...