SHOPRITE workers hoping to honour their departed colleagues by turning fellow employees into walking bags of mealie meal will now have to leave the powder at home after management banned the practice of smearing workers with substances at company premises.
In a memo issued to all management, staff and auxiliary workers, Shoprite general manager Charles Bota said while the company respects Zambia’s cultural traditions, the practice commonly known as chimbuya has no place in the workplace.
Traditionally, relatives and friends smear each other with mealie meal, ash, powder and other substances during funerals as part of mourning customs between Easterners and Northerners.
However, Bota said the supermarket giant has drawn a line between cultural practices and workplace professionalism.
“Management recognises and respects the diverse cultural traditions and customs observed by employees in their personal lives and communities,” Bota stated.
He explained that while workers remain free to participate in such customs at funeral houses and burial sites, nobody should be powdered, smeared or ambushed with any substance while on duty or on company premises.
The directive applies to everyone, including merchandisers, butchery staff, security guards and cleaners.
Bota said the move was necessary to maintain a professional working environment and ensure employees are comfortable at work.
“Not all employees are comfortable with this practice in the workplace, and no employee should be subjected to physical contact or activities they may find inappropriate,” he stated.
The company further noted that as a customer-focused business serving thousands of shoppers every day, it must maintain a professional appearance and environment at all times.
By George Musonda
Kalemba June 18, 2026
