Zambian artists’ criticism of president causes a stir

Samwimbila's announcement follows criticism of Lungu by gospel singer Kings Malembe, hip hop and dancehall artist B-Flow and photographer Chellah Tukuta.

Malembe last week condemned Lungu for giving mining rights to foreigners at the expense of locals, B-Flow disapproved of the government for allowing the alleged mistreatment of Zambian workers by Chinese nationals, and photographer Chellah complained about alleged corruption by Lungu’s administration.

Following the criticism, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo last week gave the artists a 24-hour ultimatum to apologise to the president. He said the three creatives were ignorant "about governance, where have you governed?"

"You can’t just wake up and start advising the president and talking ill about things you don’t understand,” Lusambo said at a press conference.

Kings Malembe has since apologised to Lungu, but B-Flow has been more defiant. “I will neither be silenced nor be intimidated for exercising my freedom of expression,” B-Flow said. “The threats from the Lusaka Province minister will not stop me from highlighting the challenges the nation is facing. I am protected by the Constitution of Zambia and everything I said in my video statement is a true representation of what the majority of Zambians are saying."

Tukuta echoed B-Flow’s sentiments: “I am not apologising for anything. What is happening in our country is wrong and I love President Lungu more than anyone else. The person who loves the president will open up ... If we love our president, you and I should help him in this fight against corruption.”

According to local media, B-Flow then went to State House in the capital Lusaka, where he delivered a letter requesting that Lungu meet young Zambians to hear their grievances. Some online commentators, however, have alleged that the musician met with officials to receive a bribe in return for silence.

"Today State House invited me for a meeting with the presidential press aide, Mr Isaac Chipampe, and the political advisor, Mr Chris Zumani Zimba, in order for them to get a clear picture of the issues that youths like myself are raising," B-Flow said on Zambian radio.

"I clearly made my submissions without fear or favour and they were well noted. After we concluded our meeting, the president’s political advisor invited Lusaka Provincial Minister Bowman Lusambo who was also at State House for another meeting in order for me to express my concerns to him regarding his recent remarks, which were injurious to me.”

The council’s response

Samwimbila said that while the council recognised the significant role played by artists in society, creatives had to employ the proper channels when engaging the government.

“Regarding protests or any other illegal activities, the standpoint of the council is that artists have various laid-down channels of airing out their grievances, from the national arts associations to the council and indeed up to the ministry,” he said.

“As you may be aware, during the recent engagement meeting between the artists and the Minister of Tourism and Arts [Ronald Chitotela], artists requested for quarterly meetings with government. The minister on behalf of government accepted this request; hence we feel there is no need for anyone to engage in unnecessary antagonism because there are sufficient platforms for our artists to be heard.”

Samwimbila also told bloggers and social media commentators to desist from demeaning artists who meet with government officials to share their views.

“The same way you celebrate them and shout praises like, ‘I stand with you’ when they speak out via social media, you should also stand with them when they decide to visit any government office, ministry or indeed State House to air the same views.”