Ninth Battalion, Zambia

Ninth Battalion, Zambia
By Gabriel Banda
Fri 25 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT

THIRTY years ago. November, 1979 was a very busy time. Zambia was a support centre for the Southern Africa struggle against racism and apartheid. In retaliation, neighbouring Rhodesia and South Africa forces raided Zambia.

The times were urgent. Moving about in rural and urban areas, shaking the ground while carrying Zambia's troops and requirements were the heavy, steady, and durable Magirus Deutsche trucks, German built. You felt the Magirus by sound and weight as it passed. Some had roof openings for a lookout and gunner.

Magirus features, I understand, helped limit Zambia soldiers' land mine related casualties. There were also high Volvo vehicles, which carried officers and a few troops.

Things heated up. Zambia was raided more, much of it by air. Chambeshi Bridge was bombed. And right near Lusaka, and in Lusaka itself, right next to State House, we were shaken by bombings and shooting. One day, in Cairo Road, I saw hundreds of Chikumbi bombing casualties driven into Lusaka.

Many persons in Zambia felt it was too much. A believer in non-violence, I felt it was one thing to attack combatants but another to attack civilians and infrastructure. And August 1979, the Commonwealth heads of state meeting in Lusaka led to the London Lancaster House meeting on Rhodesia's independence into “Zimbabwe.” But still, fighting and raids continued.

University of Zambia students demonstrated. “We want guns!” “We want war!” they marched to State House. November 1979, President Kenneth Kaunda and government announced the mobilisation of Zambia's military. He put forces on alert, recalling retired persons, and activating those in reserve and Home Guard.

Males that had finished school in 1976 and 1977, and had already undergone compulsory military service, would serve in the Zambia National Defence Force, ZNDF. Medical field students, like Brother Charles Malata, were not called. Females were not called.

Thus, due to mobilisation, I found myself, with others, at Lusaka's Arakan Barracks parade square. Three years before, on December 4, 1976, in that same square, we had assembled to go to Katete for military training. Now, 1979, and I had not been too long from the military. I had the previous year completed the obligatory twenty months service not in farm production but as a ZNDF soldier on duty at Lusaka South and City Airport, Lusaka.

Then, that day, late 1979, at the Arakan parade square, arrived Zambia Army First Brigade's Captain Tedy Mbewe. Smooth shaved, Captain Tedy Mbewe was in camouflage or “combat” gear, wearing a beret and tinted spectacles. Captain Mbewe was a likable, firm, officer, very thorough and focussed on a task until it was accomplished. He infused alertness, energy, and sense of purpose.

“Up, up, up!” he called out to those who were seated, relaxed, on the parade ground. Soon, every one was up, lined up. With sirens on, the dark green military police motor bikes led our UBZ bus convoy out of Lusaka city.

We went to Chindwin Barracks, Kabwe, for “attestation,” the official swearing in and enlistment. Captain Herman Mpashi was involved in attesting.

While others were integrated into various units of the ZNDF, we, including former Kamwala secondary brothers like Stephen Mwansa, Fred Kapola Sipula, and Lolelanji Simposya, were formed into 9th Battalion, Zambia Light Infantry. We again met some we had trained with, years earlier, at Katete and some, from other parts of Zambia, we had served with in a fighter unit based at Kafue.

Other friends previously at Kamwala secondary, Katete training camp, other places, and those we grew up together with went to various ZNDF units. Kostar Mukakaale was with Armoured Regiment. Alex Nkazi, at Lusaka Zambia Air Force, and Mangaliso Joshua Mzyeche, at ZAF Mbala, served with ZAF Ground Defence Unit, GDU, dealing with anti-aircraft weapons. And Luke Chikani also served in anti-aircraft. And some friends went into Signals.

Initially, 9th Battalion was stationed at Chongwe secondary school. ZNDF commander Benjamin Mibenge came to speak with us. He had followed Gen Peter Zuze, regarded as an icon, as ZNDF commander. Gen Zuze had followed General Kingley Chinkuli, “GK.” At Chongwe, Gen Mibenge, respected for his battle experience, was warm, friendly, relaxed, and assuring.

We spent Christmas 1979 at Chongwe, in service of government. Then, in an escorted convoy through Lusaka, we shifted to Namalundu, Kafue Gorge. It was beautiful scenery you must visit. It was clear view. You could see, some five to ten kilometres away, a bird moving onto a tree branch.

The ground was high and low. Our Namalundu barracks were the many workers' houses left after building the power station. Nearby, at Chikonkomene, was a paramilitary police camp. And near us, up the well-tarred road, was the national TB hospital for males. The road led, a few kilometers East, to the power station, actually a small town.

The power station was remarkable design, with Yugoslavia's civil engineering works, and generation equipment Swedish supplied. Manager was a Tostern Toren, from Sweden, who had a black Zambian wife, Lillian.

Sometimes, suddenly, family members of power station workers would shout. Baboons were walking coming down from the hills and, without fear, straight for the maize and gardens at the power station town.

At Namalundu, Ninth Battalion, Zambia Light Infantry, was more settled. Our uniform
was the camouflage, bush colour, “combat” set, with cotton caps as head dress. One colleague had a helmet with a small bullet hall. The “Man with the Golden Helmet,” some of us fondly called him.

Our Commanding Officer was Lt Col Zulu, who had earlier, with Gen Malimba Masheke, worked with Samora Machel and Mozambique's Frelimo. Major Phiri, an artillery officer, was deputy. Other officers included Chilumbu, Yobe, and Mumba, a UNZA worker. Our fellow colleagues Steve Mwanzambinyi and Kashiwa were potential officers.

Captain Alick Chanda, snake expert knowledgeable about many things on wildlife and human behaviour, was principled and patriotic. Donewell Yobe, national soccer team player, and formerly our prefect at Kamwala, would come, as paymaster, to pay our wages.

Our Regimental Sergent Major was Warrant Officer Chingaipe, tall and elderly, who had been a school teacher in military places. Our Company had Staff Sergeant Rodwell Kasonteka Sikazwe, a cheerful, lively, and understanding person.

The army was a very organised system, yet relaxed and friendly. We did exercises and revisions of basics. We did “manouvres” in the bush. I still created my own space to do poetry, writing, and much reflection on life. Ninth Battalion, Zambia Light Infantry, was an experience of teamwork and friendship. It led us to much learning and growth. That, we will continue to next.

gabipost *** zamtel.zm