ZAMBIAN artistes have strummed the strings of concern, calling on the government to pause the prolonged national mourning for late former president Edgar Lungu, saying the silence has become too loud for them to survive.
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With two weekends gone and no stage lights in sight, musicians, who often depend on entertainment for living, are counting their losses after government halted all entertainment activities during this period of national mourning.
Speaking to Kalemba in an interview, Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) publicity secretary Edmond ‘Cray Jay’ Miti said artistes were now forced to cancel album launches, postpone performances, and shelve projects as the mourning period extends with no clear end in sight.
Miti explained that while the association respects the cultural and national significance of mourning a former Head of State, the current uncertainty surrounding the body’s repatriation has created a state of economic limbo for artistes who survive solely through public performances, shows, and events.
He pointed out that big-name acts like Chile One and others were forced to cancel song launches, while others have begun quietly releasing music online, having realised that waiting for funeral arrangements to normalise may take longer than expected.
“Our biggest concern as an association is the prolonged period of mourning, which unfortunately is affecting our industry as musicians and artistes,” Miti said.
“We also have bills that we need to pay. Two weekends have passed without us being able to make money.”
The ZAM publicity secretary further appealed to the government to consider suspending the national mourning until the late president’s body arrives in the country, and only then reinstate a shorter structured period of mourning to preserve the dignity of the nation, while also allowing artistes to make a living.
“This would be a fair balance between honouring our late president and ensuring that other sectors of the economy, like the arts, do not completely collapse under silence,” added Miti.
Lungu died two weeks ago and his remains were supposed to arrive in the country yesterday but the family U turned on the agreement arrived at with Government following a misunderstanding that led to the extension of the mourning period from seven days to citing to an additional nine days, making it 16 days in total.
This has left Zambia’s guessing and wondering if the body will come back any time soon or the mourning period will have to be extended again.
The Church and Government have called for calm and understanding for the grieving family as the nation waits to be addressed by President Hakainde Hichilema on the way forward soon, as communicated by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa.
By George Musonda
Kalemba June 19, 2025
