AT 84-years old, Mark Mukuka, a senior citizen has seen it all, the joy of a nation breaking free, the rise of unity among strangers and now, the slow fading of a dream he once believed in.
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Sitting on a worn stool in his Mtendere home, Mukuka shakes his head, watching the nation move by faster, colder and far more divided than the Zambia he once knew.
As the country celebrates Independence Day in three days, Mukuka doesn’t share in the music and fireworks. Instead, he reflects with sadness and longing for the days when freedom wasn’t just a ceremony but a way of life.
Mukuka was a young man when Zambia gained independence in 1964 but he remembers that day vividly, not just for the celebrations, but for what it represented: hope, unity and the promise of a better life for every Zambian.
“Independence has lost its meaning, today, it’s just a word. Back then, independence was a big deal. People gathered as communities, we danced, we shared food, we were united. Government provided everything. Even at school, we didn’t buy books or pencils, only uniforms,” he told #Kalemba in an interview.
“And most importantly, there was a sense of community, neighbors looked out for each other, visited each other, and even worked hand-in-hand with government officials without fear or division.”
But Mukuka said the Zambia he sees today is a far cry from the nation he helped build.
“Now, it’s all misery, people are celebrating a name not the meaning. Poverty is everywhere, hatred is growing. We’ve lost the love and unity we used to have,” he stated.
He believes the breakdown started from leaders that no longer promote togetherness, but tribalism and selfishness.
He shared that the purpose and national unity has been replaced by greed, pride and a dangerous obsession with money.
“What once brought people together now feels empty. Where there were once poems, drama, music, and community gatherings to remember Zambia’s journey, now there is silence or worse, celebration without substance.”
Despite his disappointment, Mukuka’s voice carries a hopeful tone when asked what message he has for Zambians, especially the young.
“Please, let us try by all means to revive what we used to be. Understand each other. Respect each other. Help and assist each other. We must be united again.”
“The business of tribalism must come to an end, we are one people. We fought for one thing and Zambia is the only country we have. If we destroy it, we will live to regret,” he added.
Mukuka further urged citizens to go beyond symbolic unity and return to what he calls “unity with purpose.”
Story and picture by Sharon Zulu
Kalemba October 20, 2025
