The Fear of the Learned: Why UPND Trembles at the Name John Sangwa
By Dr. Mwelwa
In African politics, nothing frightens the powerful more than a man who cannot be bought, broken, or silenced. John Sangwa, SC, is such a man — and his sudden appearance on Zambia’s political stage has sent visible tremors through the ruling party. The same voices that once praised him for defending the rule of law now brand him foreign, immoral, and unworthy. What changed? He dared to speak, and worse — he dared to offer himself to lead.
Sangwa’s crime is not ambition; it is independence. For years, he stood as a guardian of constitutional order, a voice of caution against the abuse of power. He questioned both PF and UPND governments with equal conviction. When the opposition was crushed, he stood for justice. When the ruling elite needed moral credibility, they paraded his opinions as proof of their democratic credentials. But the moment he said, “I am available to serve,” they unsheathed their knives.
This is how tyranny operates in Africa — not in uniform, but in suits; not with decrees, but with microphones. It does not arrest you immediately; it ridicules you first. It questions your birthplace, your faith, your private life — until you appear too scandalous to be listened to. When Matambo bans Sangwa from Copperbelt, when Mwaliteta mocks his purported bachelorhood, when Simuuwe manufactures a foreign origin, they are not defending democracy — they are defending fear.
Fear that ideas may once again command more respect than positions. Fear that a man with no party machinery could inspire genuine hope. Fear that a citizen could rise without permission from the establishment. African history is littered with such fears — from Lumumba to Nkrumah, from Tsvangirai to Biko — all men who threatened power not with armies, but with clarity.
The truth is simple: UPND’s reaction is not political strategy; it is political insecurity. A confident government debates ideas. A frightened one bans entry, insults celibacy, and questions nationality. The very leaders who shout “democracy!” from the rooftops now tremble before a citizen exercising his right to participate. If democracy is only for the loyal, then it is no longer democracy — it is selective liberty wearing the mask of freedom.
The Constitution of Zambia is clear — every citizen has the right to speak, assemble, and contest. Sangwa has broken no law. But in a land where power fears intellect, truth itself becomes subversive. Matambo and his cohorts should remember: no government ever survived by insulting its thinkers. When the drum of wisdom beats, even kings must listen, for the people will follow the rhythm of truth.
Sangwa has done nothing but remind us that freedom is not granted — it is practiced. And those who attempt to silence him have already confessed their guilt before the nation. For as the African proverb says, “It is the guilty dog that barks loudest.”
It is because Sangwa is a principled man, unlike Hakainde. He is not a liar like Hakainde. He is also funding his campaign using voters, not LGBT backers. So far, Sangwa has behaved in a dignified manner, unlike how Hakainde was behaving leading up to 2021 elections.
COPY AND PASTE SOUTHERN PROVINCE.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Point of correction, Sir, Sangwa is “planning” to fund his campaign using voters, not “funding his campaign using Voters”. The two terms have very different meanings in English, even in my primitive language Lozi. And this daily tribal harassment and demonizing the people of Southern province, just because Hakainde comes from there is nauseating, cheap and lacking brain, to put it mildly. Point out one single tribe in Zambia which does not practice some kind of tribal voting? In every country in the World, Political Parties have “Strongholds”. Did Hakainde get 100% votes in northern and eastern regions of this country? Pick up your daily monotonous quarrels with Hakainde (you know why) but leave out the people of Southern province with their own virtues and vices, just like all the other 72 tribes in Zambia have.
Ba Dr. Mwelwa, there is absolutely no fear of the learned in Zambia. That fear is a figment of your imagination. Almost all those who have contested the presidency have had all kinds of nasty things said about them.
Dr. Kaunda was vilified as a Malawian, Mr. FJT Chiluba was labelled a Congolese, Mwanawasa was at one time said to be a Mozambican. Mr. Rupiah Banda was rumoured to be from Zimbabwe. Mr. Sata, a Tanzanian. Mr. Lungu, I leave that to Dr. Mwelwa. Even Mr. Emmanuel “Goebbels” Mwamba is persistently referred to as a Tanzanian by a certain Mr. Musonda on this forum though he does not have a shred of evidence to support his claim.
In the polical arena, expect all sorts of trash to be thrown at you whether you are learned (whatever that means) or not. It is the nature of politics in Zambia.
Of course talk of banning him from the Copperbelt is foolish because that cannot be enforced and it is illegal. It is cheap political talk we have heard from all cadres from UNIP through MMD and PF.
As for private life, there is no such a thing if you enter politics. That is why you need a thick skin to survive.
Therefore ba Dr. Mwelwa, the response to Mr. Sangwa’s candidacy is just the expected normal political response. It is no different from what Ms. Dolika Banda received when she announced she would contest the presidency. Equally there were people who made the same.comments you have made.
About Mwamba/Muamba I know his relatives/neighbors in Tanzania.We stayed together overseas. We are not all liars like you people.Its the truth Muamba is a Tanzanian. Sangwa is a Congolese.
Is Sangwa the only learned person in Zambia? That is self delusional?
This has nothing to do with being learned or not learned. If Mr. Sangwa presents a convincing programme on how he can improve education, health, agriculture, … I can vote for him. So far he has presented none. There will be a lot of nonsensical accusations, foreigner, banned from Copperbelt, not married, etc, all those are nonsensical and coming from people without substance. Let’s argue on real issues, not “copy paste southern Province” or similar nonsense which is coming up daily.
I urge Sangwa to open up the contribution lines quickly, people are quing up to star contributions, the train must start moving now, take Dolika as running mate and let those that are good at talking continue talking, yours will be the first people driven campaign in Africa
Mumbi Phiri Formula: Sangwa – Bemba; Dolika – Easterner. You only rubbish Mumbi Phiri at your own peril; she is uncouth and practices 1960s primitive politics but such Politics work and are effective with our gullible and illiterate voters. And they are the majority!
Let’s approach presidential candidates seriously. Dislike for HH due to his ethnicity shouldn’t overshadow that he’s the President for all Zambians. You mention Sangwa and Dolika possibly challenging HH/Nalubango, but other candidates like Kalaba, Mmembe, Lubinda, and Zero Tembo are also in the race. Supporters of Sangwa should present to us the manifesto and explain how he plans to address external debt, unemployment, and what sets him apart from UPND.
Who fears someone who wants voter to fund his campaign, ridiculous
Open the Sangwa people’s account now. I pledge 1000zmw per month!
Sangwa is not a UPND, and UPND has its presidential candidate, so what does the autjor expect to react to an opponen? Welcome him with al praises? Name me any country in the world where that would happen.
What the author doesnt understand is that Sangwa is actually a threat to opposition… he is a threat to Kalaba, Mnembe, including PF. They will have to share the 1.8mil.
UPND is intact with its 2.8
When a baby is shaking a big tree,it’s only the bums shaking and thevbig tree still remains the same.Who is Sangwa to be afraid?What has he done in his entire life to help Zambians?He want come out of his poverty using Zambians.He is not a straight man.All the way from Lubumbashi positioning himself to the president of Zambia?This time around Zambians don’t accept.We don’t want ro end up in a similar situation like the previous one where you cant bury someone cause the only relatives are his children a sister.Only his fellow foreigners masquerading as Zambians are behind him and not us real Zambians