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Zanco Mpundu Mutembo: Difference between revisions
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==Political life== | ==Political life== | ||
In 1957, having already made his impact in Northern Province, suffering imprisonment and beatings in the process, Zanco, 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, Zanco, 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. | ||
Before Kaunda and others would speak, Zanco 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, Zanco 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. | 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. | ||
Early 1960s, Kaunda wrote a letter to the governor, Sir Arthur Benson, to protest against a clause in the constitution that gave Europeans an upper hand in the legislature. Mutembo took up the task to deliver the letter to Government House (now [[State House]]). | Early 1960s, Kaunda wrote a letter to the governor, Sir Arthur Benson, to protest against a clause in the constitution that gave Europeans an upper hand in the legislature. Mutembo took up the task to deliver the letter to Government House (now [[State House]]). | ||
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Dauntless, about 03:00 hours the following day, Zanco was taken to Cairo Road where he climbed a tree with a megaphone to denounce the new constitution. At 06:00 hours, he started proclaiming his message, but was soon surrounded by police who threatened to shoot him if he did not get down. He was arrested. | Dauntless, about 03:00 hours the following day, Zanco was taken to Cairo Road where he climbed a tree with a megaphone to denounce the new constitution. At 06:00 hours, he started proclaiming his message, but was soon surrounded by police who threatened to shoot him if he did not get down. He was arrested. | ||
Today, that tree still stands opposite the Main Post Office and later came to be known as Zanco Tree. | Today, that tree still stands opposite the Main Post Office and later came to be known as Zanco Tree. | ||
Zanco appeared in court after having been involved in a political brawl in [[Matero]]. He had been badly beaten in the fight and lost two of his front teeth, a mark he still bears. When the judge asked him to demonstrate to the court how he had been beaten, the young freedom fighter walked across the courtroom from the witness box and, reaching where one of the prosecutors - a white man - was standing, and punched him in the face, giving him a bloody nose. His action was a blatant show of rebellion in the face of the colonial government. At the end of the trial, Zanco was sentenced to 10 years in prison plus four lashes for punching the prosecutor. He was sent to Livingstone State Prison where he was held in chains. While in prison, Zanco was forced to witness executions of three black men accused of murdering a white man. | Zanco appeared in court after having been involved in a political brawl in [[Matero]]. He had been badly beaten in the fight and lost two of his front teeth, a mark he still bears. When the judge asked him to demonstrate to the court how he had been beaten, the young freedom fighter walked across the courtroom from the witness box and, reaching where one of the prosecutors - a white man - was standing, and punched him in the face, giving him a bloody nose. His action was a blatant show of rebellion in the face of the colonial government. At the end of the trial, Zanco was sentenced to 10 years in prison plus four lashes for punching the prosecutor. He was sent to Livingstone State Prison where he was held in chains. While in prison, Zanco was forced to witness executions of three black men accused of murdering a white man. | ||
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A week later, Zambia got its independence on 24 October 1964. On that day, Zanco stood a few metres from Kaunda and Queen Elizabeth II. After the ceremony, Sir Evelyn Hone handed Zanco over to Kaunda as the symbol of the nation. | A week later, Zambia got its independence on 24 October 1964. On that day, Zanco stood a few metres from Kaunda and Queen Elizabeth II. After the ceremony, Sir Evelyn Hone handed Zanco over to Kaunda as the symbol of the nation. | ||
==The Freedom Statue== | |||
[[File:Freedom Statue.jpg|250px|thumbnail|right|[[Freedom Statue]] in [[Lusaka]] modeled after Mutembo]] | |||
A statue was made after Mutebo depicting the scenario when he broke the chains in 1963. On October 23, 1974, the [[Freedom Statue]] was unveiled and became a symbol of Zambia’s freedom from the British colonial regime, and has earned its place on some of the country’s most important articles, including its currency. The statue is a reminder of Zambia's fight for freedom. It is displayed at the [[Government Complex]] along [[Independence Avenue]] in Lusaka. It is at this statue where the laying of wreaths takes place every Independence Day in memory of the fore-fathers who died during the struggle. | |||
==Honours== | ==Honours== | ||
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When Kaunda's government was removed from power in 1991, Zanco became a forgotten figure. Despite several efforts to be handed over to Kaunda's successor, [[Frederick Chiluba]], it never happened. | When Kaunda's government was removed from power in 1991, Zanco became a forgotten figure. Despite several efforts to be handed over to Kaunda's successor, [[Frederick Chiluba]], it never happened. | ||
==Main References== | |||
*[http://maravi.blogspot.com/2010/11/mpundu-mutembo-restoring-national.html Mpundu Mutembo: restoring the national symbol by Jack Zimba, 16 November 2010] | |||
== | |||
Mutembo | |||
*ZANIS | *ZANIS | ||
[[Category:Freedom fighters]] | [[Category:Freedom fighters]] | ||
[[Category:National monuments]] | [[Category:National monuments]] | ||
[[Category:History of Zambia]] | [[Category:History of Zambia]] | ||
