LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-A wave of public concern has emerged after sections of the public and some political figures mocked the family of former President Edgar Lungu during their period of mourning.
The development has sparked outrage, with many describing the behavior as “inhumane, un-Zambian, and a betrayal of cultural values.”
Child Protection and Education Advocate, Anastasia Mologadi Banda, has strongly condemned the actions, stressing that mourning is a sacred period that transcends politics, differences, and personal beliefs.
“Mocking the grieving does not reflect who we are as Zambians, it strips us of our values, dignity, and humanity,” Banda said in a statement.
The outrage follows apologies issued by political activist Larry Mweetwa and a few other United Party for National Development (UPND) members who admitted mocking the Lungu family.
However, their apologies have done little to ease the growing concern that political divisions in Zambia are eroding cultural respect for the dead.
Banda lamented that Zambia is among the few countries where such conduct has been witnessed openly.
She said the laughter and ridicule directed at the grieving family brought “shame upon the nation,” undermining Zambia’s long-standing reputation as a peaceful and Christian country.
“Our culture does not allow us to mock those who are mourning. It is inhumane to ridicule mourners, even where differences exist,” she emphasized.
The Advocate further expressed dismay that young politicians and party cadres were among those mocking the Lungu family, warning that such behavior signals immaturity and unreadiness for leadership.
She urged the next generation of leaders to learn humility, wisdom, and respect before aspiring for power.
Her concerns echo broader fears that Zambia’s political culture is increasingly being tainted by hatred and ridicule, with money and power overshadowing moral values.
Banda cautioned youths not to allow themselves to be used as “tools of hate speech,” but instead to lead efforts in reshaping politics into a platform of unity and compassion.
She also called on elders, church leaders, and traditional authorities to speak out and restore dignity to the mourning process, saying their silence has left a worrying gap in moral guidance.
“Zambia must return to compassion, unity, and cultural values that uphold our humanity,” she concluded.
Historical precedents in Zambian politics highlight that public backlash over disrespectful behavior toward grieving families has often forced political actors to apologize and reflect on accountability.
For instance, in 2014, political tension surrounding the funeral of veteran politician Michael Sata saw social media criticisms against some party cadres who mocked mourners, which prompted formal apologies and stricter guidance from party leadership on public decorum.
Similarly, during the 2018 passing of former Vice President Lupando Mwape, public condemnation of insensitive remarks from certain political circles led to media campaigns emphasizing respect for mourning traditions and the role of political leaders in modeling ethical behavior.
These examples illustrate that Zambian society has historically enforced a moral code that preserves dignity for mourners, and public outrage has often translated into corrective action, signaling the electorate’s role in holding leaders accountable.
Concluding analysis
The mockery of the Lungu family during mourning highlights a troubling trend in Zambian politics where personal attacks are encroaching on cultural norms.
Historical incidents show that public backlash can influence political accountability and push parties to enforce decorum and respect among their members.
Advocates like Banda are calling for a return to cultural norms and moral guidance, emphasizing that mourning periods must remain sacred and beyond political manipulation.
The involvement of young politicians in such acts underscores the urgent need for leadership training rooted in ethics, respect, and humility.
If left unchecked, Zambia’s political culture risks normalizing disrespect and eroding values of compassion, unity, and dignity.
This episode serves as a reminder that political rivalry should never come at the expense of human dignity and that leaders at all levels have a responsibility to model civility and moral integrity.
By restoring respect for mourning and promoting empathetic political engagement, Zambia can safeguard its cultural identity and ensure that political discourse does not compromise the nation’s ethical standards, reinforcing lessons learned from past public backlash incidents.