2. FREEDOM STATUE
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Here’s a question for you. If you took Zambian money and laid down all the notes, what’s one common thing you’d notice on all of them? Spoiler alert: it’s not the eagle. Still confused? Don’t worry, read on and you’ll know the answer.
In downtown Lusaka outside Government Complex along Independence Avenue stands a huge, muscular man breaking free from thick metal chains. This man has been standing in front of these government offices since 1974. Of course, I’m not talking about a real, breathing person, or else that would be absurd. I’m talking about an artwork, the Freedom Statue.
Make no mistake, this isn’t just an ordinary piece of art. To begin with, the statue was modeled on a real-life person, Zanco Mpundu Mutembo. From a small town called Mbala in the northern part of Zambia, Mutembo is one of the freedom fighters who fought against colonialism and played a significant role in leading the nation to its independence.
Born in 1936, Mpundu Mutembo nick named Zanco dropped out of school when his father died and joined the political struggle led by Robert Makasa and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe. He would later move to Kenya to learn more about the fight and rebellion against colonial rule. When he returned to Zambia, Zanco’s desire to fight for independence only intensified. He made numerous protests against the colonial government after noticing as well as experiencing the ill-treatment it imposed on the native people. It isn’t surprising that in 1963, Zanco was chosen by Kaunda and the UNIP leadership as the symbol of the soon-to-be-born nation — Zambia.
Zanco had unyielding defiance of authority. He was willing to fight for his cause using any means necessary. The story goes that he appeared in court having been involved in a political fight in Matero. The fight was so intense that he lost two of his front teeth. When the judge asked him to demonstrate to the court how he came to lose his teeth, Zanco simply walked across the courtroom from the witness box, approached one of the prosecutors — a white man — and punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed. This was Zanco’s way of rebelling against the colonial government in front of the oppressors.
Unsurprisingly, this move wasn’t welcome with smiles in the courtroom. The judge lost the little pity he had for Zanco and sentenced him to 10 years at Livingstone State Prison, plus four lashes for punching a white prosecutor. After being interviewed at Force Headquarters, Zanco was escorted to a room by 18 military officers along with the then governor, Sir Evelyn Hone. The officers might have been joking when they ordered, “Zanco, break the chain. If you fail, we will shoot you!” Little did they know the joke was on them. Zanco, having summoned all the strength and might of his muscles, rose to the challenge and broke free from the chains.
As Zanco later reported, “It was hard and I was sweating. After pulling so hard the chain snapped and the governor raised his hands. You’re now the symbol of the nation.” This shows how strong a man Zanco was, but more importantly how hard every cause worth fighting for is. It’s a great reminder that fighting for a just cause is a very difficult undertaking, but we must do it, nevertheless.
The Freedom Statue was unveiled on October 23, 1974, a day before Independence Day. I suppose this was a deliberate move to allow citizens to admire its magnificence and realize its importance as they looked forward to their annual celebrations, the day that marked the nation’s freedom from colonial rule. Although the statue is inspired by Mutembo, it represents all the freedom fighters who fought for the end of colonialism in Zambia. Freedom fighters such as Kenneth David Kaunda (the first republican president), Mainza Chona, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, and many more.
The Freedom Statue reminds us that we’re free as a country. Free to make our own decisions and shape the direction of our nation. The broken chains symbolize the country’s breakage from colonial bondage. No longer are we tied to our old masters like a dog on a leash, dictating our actions, decisions, movements, and thoughts. We’re free now!
Today, the Freedom Statue has become a potent symbol of Zambia. It’s even depicted on every denomination of Zambia’s currency from K2 to K100. Tourists as well as citizens from other parts of the country take pictures and selfies in front of this magnificent statue. As for regular Lusaka residents, they just walk past it without even glancing at it. The symbol for our most precious gift — freedom — has to them become just another object.
I can’t blame them though. As human beings, we tend to take for granted anything readily available every day, no matter how important it may be. The next time you walk past the Freedom Statue, take a moment to appreciate the work of all the freedom fighters who died so that you can have the freedom you’re enjoying right now. Take the time to admire the statue of perhaps the most important freedom fighter who’s now all too forgotten.
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