HARRY Nkumbula Foundation Board Chairperson Ompie Nkumbula says there’s need to revisit narratives of the independence struggle and interrogate reasons which led to forgetting the contributions of some individuals.

She says to help do this, the foundation, in conjunction with the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR), will convene a conference on October 21 and 22 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre under the theme “Forgotten Heroes and Heroines of Zambia’s Independence Struggle”.

In a statement, Thursday, Nkumbula said the Foundation would also host an exhibition of the Struggle for Independence to be held at the National Archives starting on October 27.

“Considering that Zambia commemorates its 60th independence anniversary next week on 24th October, 2024, the Foundation, in conjunction with the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR), will convene a two-day conference on 21 and 22 October 2024 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on the theme: ‘Forgotten Heroes and Heroines of Zambia’s Independence Struggle’. In addition, the Foundation will be hosting an Exhibition of the Struggle for Independence to be held at the National Archives, Lusaka starting on the 27th of October 2024. The Conference, which will be attended by more than 60 people, will include scholars, former freedom fighters (surviving veterans of the independence struggle), surviving children of freedom fighters, and some ordinary citizens,” she stated.

“Of course, the media will also be invited to cover and attend the conference as you play a crucial role in educating and informing the public on subjects that are crucial to the country’s political development. The aim of the conference is to revisit narratives of the independence struggle and interrogate reasons that may have led to forgetting the contribution of a number of individuals to Zambia’s fight for political freedom”.

Nkumbula observed that the contribution of some of Zambia’s freedom fighters had been distorted and simply forgotten.

“We are aware that the current generation of Zambians know little or nothing, if at all, about such figures as Donald Siwale, Dauti Yamba, Godwin Mbikusita-Lewanika, Lawrence Katilungu, George Kaluwa, Edward Mungoni Liso, Dixon Konkola, Justin Chimba, Titus Mukupo and many others, still less some of the women who were active in the struggle, but not in the leadership. It is now an acknowledged fact that Zambia’s history has been written from a point of view of those who eventually assumed the mantle of leadership at independence. The contribution of others has basically been marginalised, distorted, or simply forgotten. Several papers will be presented at the Conference over the two days, which will speak to a number of these themes,” she stated.

“These will include placing the role of forgotten heroes and heroines in historical perspective, remembering the pioneers of Zambia’s fight for political freedom, bringing to life the contribution of obscure freedom fighters, role of women in the liberation struggle and the significance of places and events, such as Samu Lya Momba to the struggle for independence. There will also be reflections on how the legacy of the struggle for independence has impacted on the current Zambian politics, especially as regards tribalism, politics of exclusion and the age-old habit of hero-worshipping leaders and the building of personality cults”.

Nkumbula further stated that there was need to democratise Zambia’s history so that diverse narratives on the nationalist movement and the struggle for independence are embraced and become part of our collective memory.

“The conversation on the lessons to draw from Zambia’s independence struggle have been going on for a very long time, but rarely coordinated or even heard. Counter-narratives to the role played by such names as Nkumbula, Yamba, Kapwepwe and so on, have largely been silenced. As a result, our children and grand-children know little about the role played by others in the fight for our political freedom. This Conference aims to bring to the fore some of those forgotten heroes and heroines so that they are also celebrated and deservedly find their place in the country’s political history,” stated Nkumbula.

“We need to democratize our history, so that diverse narratives on the nationalist movement and the struggle for independence are embraced and become part of our collective memory. In conclusion, on behalf of the Foundation and SAIPAR I wish to extend an invitation to you the media to the Conference and hope you will find it useful and rewarding. I thank you for your attention and would welcome any questions”.