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Mama Julia Chikamoneka: Difference between revisions
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In March 1960, Mama Chikamoneka, with other women, marched to the District Commissioner’s office where they intruded and slapped him. She, Emelia and Mandalena stripped to the waist before marching to the City Airport. Mama Chikamoneka continued providing leadership to the Women Brigade until its transformation into [[Women’s League]] at [[independence in 1964]]. | In March 1960, Mama Chikamoneka, with other women, marched to the District Commissioner’s office where they intruded and slapped him. She, Emelia and Mandalena stripped to the waist before marching to the City Airport. Mama Chikamoneka continued providing leadership to the Women Brigade until its transformation into [[Women’s League]] at [[independence in 1964]]. | ||
Her home was used as a meeting place for other leaders of the nationalist movement who were in hiding, and was in fact where the African National Independent Party was formed. This party later morphed into the [[United National Independence Party]] (UNIP) which was later led by Zambia’s first president, [[Kenneth Kaunda]].<ref name=stm/> | Her home was used as a meeting place for other leaders of the nationalist movement who were in hiding, and was in fact where the African National Independent Party was formed. This party later morphed into the [[United National Independence Party]] (UNIP) which was later led by Zambia’s first president, [[Kenneth Kaunda]]. | ||
Mama Chikamoneka’s most legendary act of defiance was her decision to march half naked with other activists in public to protest the abhorrent colonial regime and to call for immediate independence. This happened in 1960 when Ian McLeod, Secretary of States for the Colonies, visited Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia). McLeod famously wept as a result of this action, and Chikamonekela called it “the most amusing incident in my life.” In her view, to show her nakedness was the highest form of anger and the only weapon she had – she wanted to highlight the suffering of the people. <ref name=stm/> | |||
==Death== | ==Death== | ||
Around 07:00 hours on 20 March 1986, Mama Chikamoneka passed on at the age of 76. At her death, fellow freedom fighters described her as ''‘a torch bearer of the Women’s League.’'' | Around 07:00 hours on 20 March 1986, Mama Chikamoneka passed on at the age of 76. At her death, fellow freedom fighters described her as ''‘a torch bearer of the Women’s League.’'' | ||
==Awards and honours== | |||
Mama Chikamoneka was honoured for her role in the nationalist struggle by former president Kaunda, and when she died at age 76 in 1986 was given a state funeral.<ref name=stm/> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
