FOR years, Robam Mwape personified the loud, self important village headman with pretensions of higher learning, whose antics reminded Zambians of their own contradictions.
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It was a character that made people laugh but also forced them to reflect on the complexities of everyday life.
Even parents and grandparents, often cautious about new television trends, found themselves laughing along.
Yesterday, Mwape popularly known as Mwine Mushi died in Solwezi, North Western Province, at the age of 50.
News of his death sparked an outpouring of grief across the country, with tributes from government, musicians, comedians and ordinary citizens.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango said Mwape’s storytelling reminded Zambians of their shared heritage.
“His narratives were not just entertainment, they were reflections of our shared experiences,” she said.For me personally, his stories evoked vivid memories of my upbringing in Kaputa village.”
Fellow creatives flooded social media with emotional messages.
Actor and comedian Kasaka, who starred alongside him, wrote on his Facebook page, “Robam, sure, Robam,” with crying emojis.
Rapper Macky 2 described him as a veteran actor and comedian whose contribution to Zambian arts and entertainment will never be forgotten.”
Comedian Thomas Sipalo also wrote that he was devastated.
Musician B Flow posted: “Our Robam Mwape… tell me it’s not true,” with crying emojis.
Arts Permanent Secretary Chama Fumba known as Pilato hailed him as a leader, a brother and a champion who was his first theatre director.
On social media, fans have continued posting old clips of Mwine Mushi, remembering his ability to reduce audiences to tears of laughter while exposing uncomfortable truths.
Through satire, Mwape addressed issues from corruption to poverty, education to migration, always with humour but rarely without truth.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, September 23, 2025
