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{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Zanco Mpundu Mutembo | | name = Zanco Mpundu Mutembo | ||
| image = Zanco Mpundu Mutembo.jpg | | image = Zanco Mpundu Mutembo.jpg | ||
| alt = | | alt = | ||
| caption = | | caption = Zanco Mpundu Mutembo, the man who inspired Zambia’s [[Freedom Statue]] design | ||
| birth_name = Mpundu Mutembo | | birth_name = Mpundu Mutembo | ||
| birth_date = 1936 | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|12|31}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Northern Province]] | | birth_place = [[Northern Province]] | ||
| death_date = | | death_date = | ||
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==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Mutembo was born in 1936 in [[Mbala]]. He and his twin brother, Arnold, got involved in the political struggle against the colonialists in [[Northern Province]] at the age of 18 in 1954. They dropped out of school after their father's death and joined the political struggle led by [[ | Mutembo was born in 1936 in [[Mbala]]. He and his twin brother, Arnold, got involved in the political struggle against the colonialists in [[Northern Province]] at the age of 18 in 1954. They dropped out of school after their father's death and joined the political struggle led by [[Robert Makasa]] and [[Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe]]. | ||
==Political life== | ==Political life== | ||
In 1957, having already made his impact in Northern Province, suffering imprisonment and beatings in the process, Mutembo, along with seven others were sent to Kenya where Dedan Kimathi was leading a rebellion against the colonial rulers. Their mission was to learn how to carry out their own rebellion back home. When he returned, Mutembo worked closely with [[Kenneth Kaunda|Kaunda]] and Kapwepwe, following them on their campaign trail. | In 1957, having already made his impact in Northern Province, suffering imprisonment and beatings in the process, Mutembo, along with seven others were sent to Kenya where Dedan Kimathi was leading a rebellion against the colonial rulers. Their mission was to learn how to carry out their own rebellion back home. When he returned, Mutembo worked closely with [[Kenneth Kaunda|Kaunda]] and [[Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe|Kapwepwe]], following them on their campaign trail. | ||
Before Kaunda and others would speak, Mutembo would go on stage first to tell the crowds how bad the colonial government was hence the importance to fight for independence. | Before Kaunda and others would speak, Mutembo would go on stage first to tell the crowds how bad the colonial government was hence the importance to fight for independence. | ||
On October 24, 1958 in [[Chilenje]], the young freedom fighter got his pet name "''Zanco''"; and it was also here that the unborn nation was christened. The meeting named the anticipated ‘new’ nation. Kaunda and Kapwepwe proposed the name "'''[[Zambia]]'''" over "Zambezia" as they had been chanting, "''Zambia, Zambia!''". It sounded very nice and they all started dancing like little children. | On October 24, 1958 at Kaunda's [[Chilenje House 394|house number 394]] in [[Chilenje]], the young freedom fighter got his pet name "''Zanco''"; and it was also here that the unborn nation was christened. The meeting named the anticipated ‘new’ nation. Kaunda and Kapwepwe proposed the name "'''[[Zambia]]'''" over "Zambezia" as they had been chanting, "''Zambia, Zambia!''". It sounded very nice and they all started dancing like little children. | ||
The motto ‘’''[[One Zambia, One Nation]]''" was also coined at the same meeting which also marked the birth of the [[Zambia Africa National Congress]] (ZANC). | The motto ‘’''[[One Zambia, One Nation]]''" was also coined at the same meeting which also marked the birth of the [[Zambia Africa National Congress]] (ZANC). | ||
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In March 1964, he was summoned to Government House by Sir Evelyn to go on a trip with him to Abercorn, now [[Mbala]]. | In March 1964, he was summoned to Government House by Sir Evelyn to go on a trip with him to Abercorn, now [[Mbala]]. | ||
In Mbala, Sir Evelyn gave Mutembo a piece of land as a token in recognition of his status. The five-hectare plot sits in an area which saw the last combat of the Second World War. Mutembo stayed in Mbala until October 17, 1964, when the colonial government sent a plane to bring him back to Lusaka. It was on the plane that Mutembo had his first glimpse of the Zambian flag. | In Mbala, Sir Evelyn gave Mutembo a piece of land as a token in recognition of his status. The five-hectare plot sits in an area which saw the last combat of the Second World War. Mutembo stayed in Mbala until October 17, 1964, when the colonial government sent a plane to bring him back to Lusaka. It was on the plane that Mutembo had his first glimpse of the [[Zambian flag]]. | ||
A week later, Zambia got its independence on 24 October 1964. On that day, Mutembo stood a few metres from Kaunda and Queen Elizabeth II. After the ceremony, Sir Evelyn Hone handed Mutembo over to Kaunda as the symbol of the nation. | A week later, Zambia got its independence on 24 October 1964. On that day, Mutembo stood a few metres from Kaunda and Queen Elizabeth II. After the ceremony, Sir Evelyn Hone handed Mutembo over to Kaunda as the symbol of the nation. | ||
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==Honours== | ==Honours== | ||
*On 24 October 1984 (20th Anniversary of Zambia’s independence), Mutembo was honoured with the Companion Order of Freedom by Dr Kaunda for his contribution to the liberation struggle. | *On 24 October 1984 (20th Anniversary of Zambia’s independence), Mutembo was honoured with the Companion Order of Freedom by Dr Kaunda for his contribution to the liberation struggle. | ||
==After politics== | |||
*Mutembo's original house in Mbala, on the land that Sir Evelyn Hone gave him in 1964, is called [[Lumumba House]] and is located at 214, [[Bwangalo Road]]. Mutembo later gave it to [[United National Independence Party]], which used it as a district party office. It is now being used as a carpentry workshop by the locals. | |||
*When Kaunda and the UNIP government were removed from power in 1991, Mutembo became a forgotten figure. Despite several efforts to be handed over to Dr Kaunda's successor, [[Frederick Chiluba]], it never happened. | |||
==Main References== | ==Main References== | ||
*[http:// | *[http://jackjzimba.blogspot.com/2015_02_01_archive.html Mpundu Mutembo: restoring the national symbol by Jack Zimba, 10 February 2015] | ||
*[https://chibambakayula.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/the-flesh-behind-the-stone-2/ Zanco Mpundu Mutembo, Symbol of our Nation by Chibamba Kayula, 26 June 2013] | *[https://chibambakayula.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/the-flesh-behind-the-stone-2/ Zanco Mpundu Mutembo, Symbol of our Nation by Chibamba Kayula, 26 June 2013] | ||
*Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) | *Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) | ||
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[[Category:National monuments]] | [[Category:National monuments]] | ||
[[Category:History of Zambia]] | [[Category:History of Zambia]] | ||
[[Category:People of Zambia]] |
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