Tribalism has no place in Zambia - Matoka

Tribalism has no place in Zambia - Matoka
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 23 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

Tribalism has no place in Zambia, according to freedom fighter Dr Peter Matoka. In an interview, Dr Matoka, who is also a senior lecturer in Development Studies at the University of Zambia (UNZA), said tribalism had the potential to destroy the foundation on which the country’s peace and unity of vast tribes had been built.

Dr Matoka said all politicians who were in the habit of embracing and preaching violence should be tamed.

“Our motto in Zambia since independence has been ‘One Zambia, One Nation’. It was on this foundation that Zambia had gained the respect that it has from other countries in Africa in terms of our efforts to advance peace even in other African states. And allowing ourselves to engage in tribalism would be letting ourselves down,” Dr Matoka said.

He urged political leaders in the country to be tolerant of one another and embrace peace as the country goes to the polls this year.

“I appeal to all leaders to remember that this is the time we should hold together this peace and preserve it for our children and their children to enjoy forever the sweat of our struggle,” he said.

Dr Matoka said it was worrying that they were already signs of Zambia’s foundation of peace and strength cracking because of divisions in the country.

“The whole Africa has looked to Zambia for guidance in terms of assistance for them to attain independence. Now what would they say if they see the foundation of their strength and freedom cracking because of divisions,” said Dr Matoka.