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Mama Julia Chikamoneka: Difference between revisions
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'''Julia Chikamoneka''' (born '''Julia Mulenga Nsofwa''' and popularly referred to as '''''Mama Chikamoneka''''') (1910 — 20 March 1986) was a fierce activist and [[freedom fighter]] in colonial [[Zambia]]. ''Chikamoneka'' was a moniker she adopted to hide her identity when mobilising citizens to avoid being jailed, which happened quite routinely. The literal translation in [[Bemba language|Bemba]] is ''“it will be seen.”'' She was famously dubbed "'''''Mama UNIP'''''" for her relentless fearless often guerrilla tactics. | '''Julia Chikamoneka''' (born '''Julia Mulenga Nsofwa''' and popularly referred to as '''''Mama Chikamoneka''''') (1910 — 20 March 1986) was a fierce activist and [[freedom fighter]] in colonial [[Zambia]]. ''Chikamoneka'' was a moniker she adopted to hide her identity when mobilising citizens to avoid being jailed, which happened quite routinely. The literal translation in [[Bemba language|Bemba]] is ''“it will be seen.”'' She was famously dubbed "'''''Mama UNIP'''''" for her relentless fearless often guerrilla tactics. | ||
Chikamoneka organised women protests against colonial oppression and was a founding member of the Women’s Brigade. The Brigade housed nationalist leaders, raised funds for the cause and organised events across the country.<ref name=stm>[http://www.missbwalyawrites.com/2011/10/mama-chikamoneka-freedom-fighter.html Mama Chikamoneka – Freedom Fighter], Seize the Moment, October 2011</ref> | Chikamoneka organised women protests against colonial oppression and was a founding member of the ''Women’s Brigade'' in 1951. The Brigade housed nationalist leaders, raised funds for the cause and organised events across the country.<ref name=stm>[http://www.missbwalyawrites.com/2011/10/mama-chikamoneka-freedom-fighter.html Mama Chikamoneka – Freedom Fighter], Seize the Moment, October 2011</ref> | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
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After the transformation of NRAC to [[African National Congress]] (ANC), the members sensed inertia in terms of activism, leading to the formation of a breakaway named [[Zambian African National Congress]] (ZANC). Mama Chikamoneka mobilized several women to join ZANC, believing there was need for a more aggressive group with a sense of direction. | After the transformation of NRAC to [[African National Congress]] (ANC), the members sensed inertia in terms of activism, leading to the formation of a breakaway named [[Zambian African National Congress]] (ZANC). Mama Chikamoneka mobilized several women to join ZANC, believing there was need for a more aggressive group with a sense of direction. | ||
ZANC was later banned, its leaders arrested and detained, but Mama Chikamoneka, with other women | ZANC was later banned, its leaders arrested and detained, but Mama Chikamoneka, along with other women such as Zambia's first ever First Lady [[Mama Betty Kaunda]], [[Emelia Saidi]] and [[Mandalena Mumba]], organized a new political party called the [[African National Independence Party]] (ANIP). They petitioned the colonial authorities over the starving families of the detained leaders and also fought legal battles for their release. | ||
She was often arrested for inciting other citizens, hence she sometimes faked her name to ''Julia Chikamoneka ICO Mutusakamikila'' (meaning Julia, the secret of oppressing us shall be revealed). | She was often arrested for inciting other citizens, hence she sometimes faked her name to ''Julia Chikamoneka ICO Mutusakamikila'' (meaning Julia, the secret of oppressing us shall be revealed). | ||
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==Protests== | ==Protests== | ||
[[File:Mama Julia | [[File:Mama Julia Chikamoneka led protest.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Mama Julia Chikamoneka led protest during the visit of the Colonial Secretary, Reginald Maudling at the Legislative Council in 1961 - The National Archives UK]] | ||
In March 1960, Mama Chikamoneka, with other women, marched to the District Commissioner’s office where they intruded and slapped him. | In March 1960, Mama Chikamoneka, with other women, marched to the District Commissioner’s office where they intruded and slapped him. Then, accompanied by [[Emilia Saidi]] and [[Mandalena Mumba]], proceeded to strip down to her waist before leading a group of women protesters on a march to the national airport.<ref>[http://zambia-buzz.blogspot.se/p/the-cloth-i-are-cut-from-saluting.html The Cloth I Was Cut From: Saluting Zambia's Female Freedom Fighters], ZambiaBuzz</ref> | ||
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 | 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 Chikamoneka 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/> | ||
In 1961, | In 1961, Chikamoneka and the league of women protested outside the Legislative Council during the visit of the Colonial Secretary, Reginald Maudling. | ||
==Death== | ==Death== | ||
