ZAMBIA’S PATH TO INDEPENDENCE: COLONIAL RULE BY THE BRITISH

Explore the transformative journey of Zambia from a British colony known as Northern Rhodesia to its celebrated independence on October 24, 1964. This post delves into the economic, social, and political factors that influenced Zambia’s path to independence, highlighting the pivotal role of key figures like Kenneth Kaunda and the impact of global events such as World War Two. Join us as we uncover the strategies, struggles, and unity that shaped Zambia’s quest for independence.

Zambia’s path to independence from Colonial Rule to Sovereignty

Today, we’re diving into a significant chapter of African history—the Zambia’s path to independence, a nation once under British colonial rule.

Our goal is to explore how Zambia transitioned from a colony to an independent state, understanding the key events and figures that shaped this journey.

Let’s start at the beginning. Zambia, known as Northern Rhodesia during the colonial period, came under British control in the early twentieth century.

The British arrival in the 1890s

The British arrive in Zambia in the 1890s, with the intention of colonizing the area in order to exploit its rich mineral resources of copper and coal.

The discovery of copper led to an economic boom, which attracted European investment and immigration, setting the stage for profound social and economic changes.

The British administration implemented indirect rule in Zambia, relying on traditional chiefs to administer local governance.

The British divided the area into:

North western Rhodesia 🙁 made of copperbelt and the provinces to the west)
North eastern Rhodesia 🙁 made of central province and the province to the east)

The British South Africa Company

• North western Rhodesia came under the direct rule of the British South Africa Company (Known as BSA) in 1895.
• North east Rhodesia only came under British rule in 1897, because many Africa tribes, such as the Bemba, ngoni, lunda and Arab Swahili, fought against British administration.
• The BSA combined north eastern and north western Rhodesia in 1911 to form northern Rhodesia.
• They called it Rhodesia after the founder of the company, Cecil John Rhodes.
• The company also controlled southern Rhodesia, the area that is known as Zimbabwe.
• The BSA company’s concern was to exploit minerals and the administer the territory by taxing the African people on behalf of the British government.
• They trade with African chiefs, and drew up treaties to grant themselves mineral rights. Foreign settlers and native reserves
• Colonization brought more foreign settlers, including administrators and missionaries, who established churches and schools.
• However, British education for Africa was mainly aimed to serve the British settlers.
• At the same time, the colonialists created native reserves-areas of land away from the European settlement, for the use of indigenous people.

Creation of a protectorate

A map showing Northern and Southern Rhodesia and other European colonies Features of colonial rule
The main features of British rule in Zambia were:

• The British used system of indirect rule. This involved ruling local people through arrangements with local chiefs.
• Local chiefs lost their power and independence.
• Zambia had to pay taxes to the British government.
• Zambia was not allowed freedom of movement.
• They require to show British official a pass called Ichitupa
• High-paying jobs were reserved for British settlers who moved to the new colony. Local people had to work in low-paying jobs.
• Living conditions on the mine were poor.
• Local people were not allowed to own their own businesses.

The colour bar

• Despite the laws of northern Rhodesia government that were supposed to encourage good race relation, a form of apartheid called the colour bar became wide spread
• Europeans were allowed to enter the shops , but Africans served through the pigeonhole known as the “the hatch system
• Whites enjoyed free medical services while Africans had none
• European wage were triple the wages for Africans but they were doing the same work
• There were few job promotion available to Africans

Resistance to colonial rule and achieving independence

• African grew very angry about the unfairness of the colonial rule, and began to resist British rule.
• In 1912, the mwenzo welfare society was formed by Donald Siwale to provide assistance to Africans.
• Later more welfare societies would be formed to help Africans resist colonial rule.
• The area that is now copperbelt province has many mines which the British controlled during colonial times.
• The African labourers at the mines were subject to terrible living conditions, and were not allowed to live with their families.
• This led to anger and unhappiness.
• The first miners’ strike took place at Nkana, loan antelope and Mfurira mines in 1935.
• The strike was stopped and numbers of miners were arrested.
• This led to miners being given permission to live with their families in Mine Township.

The Federation Of Welfare Societies and the ANC

• In 1964, a group of Africans formed the federation of welfare societies, led by Daudi yamba.
• This federation brought together the welfare societies from mwenzo, Livingstone, Ndola, Choma, Mbala and Chipata.
• It was more organized resistance.
• The federation of welfare societies, the African mine workers ‘union and the African representative council and the came together and launched the first political party, the northern Rhodesia national congress in 1948.
• The first President was Godwin Mbikusita. He was succeeded by Harry Mwanga Nkumbula when the party changed to Africa National Congress in 1949.

The Federation Of Rhodesia And Nyasaland

• The northern Rhodesia gained hope from development in other countries.
• They celebrated the coming to power of Chairman Mao in china, the topping of the king Farouk in Egypt and the independence that was granted to some African countries.
• In response, the colonialist created the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasa land in 1953.
• The federation was made up of: Northern Rhodesia(Today Zambia),Southern Rhodesia(Today Zimbabwe) and Nyasa Land(Today Malawi)

Formation and banning of the ZANC and other parties

Shop boycotts.

In reaction to the condition of colonial rule, the (ANC) organized boycotts of European shops which served African through hatches.
The boycotts discouraged people from using these shops

Younger leaders

• At the Africa national congress elections in 1958, younger leaders were elected to the executive committee.
• However, many young members of the ANC thought the president was working too closely with colonial leaders. As a result, the Zambian African national congress (ZANC) was formed in 1958.
• The ZANC’s executive committee included Kenneth Kaunda as the president, Simon mwansa kapwepwe as the treasurer and munakayumba sipalo as the secretary general.

Banning of the ZANC

•However, in late 1958, the ZANC was banned. This meant that it was illegal to belong to the party.
•Most of its leaders were arrested and accused of preparing to cause disturbance during the elections that year.

Other forms of political parties

The banning of the ZANC led to formation of number of new parties, including the African freedom movement (ANFM), united national freedom party (UNFP) and the Africa national independence (ANIP).

UNIP

•The UNFP and ANIP merged in 1959 to form one party, United National Independence Party(UNIP).
•Mainza Chona stood as the president for Kenneth Kaunda who was still in prison.

In 1960, Kenneth Kaunda was released from prison and became the president of UNIP; Simon kapwepwe became the vice president.

Civil disobedience

•In 1961, resistance to colonization reached its peak. It burst into campaign of civil disobedience called chachacha in the northern, Luapula and Copperbelt province.
•Roads were blocked, bridges were destroyed and government buildings and property burnt.

Co-operation with other African countries

• At the same time, the oppressed people in different parts of Africa began to work together.
• Politically aware African students living in England, including Kwane Nkhuruma (from Ghana), Jomo Kenyatta (from Kenya) and Hastings Kamuzu Banda (from Malawi), formed an organization called African committee.
• The committee aimed to support the cause of oppressed Africans.
• They distributed liberation messages through literature to their neighbors back in Africa.
• By 1962, the colonial government gave into the demands of the Africans. Elections were held that year which African could vote.
• There was no outright winner, so the UNIP and ANC agreed to work together and formed a coalition government.
• Nyasaland (Malawi) left the federation and became independent the same year.
• The federation was finally disbanded or broken down in 1963.
• In the following year, elections wereheld in new Northern Rhodesia.
• The UNIP emerged victorious and formed the new government after wining 55 out of 65 parliament seats.

Zambia becomes independence

On 24th October 1964, northern Rhodesia gained independence from Britain, and became the republic of Zambia with Kenneth David Kaunda as the prime minister.

•The name Zambia came from the county’s biggest river, the Zambezi.
•The Zambezi was known as “yambezi” (meaning the source of everything) among the lunda people who inhabit the kalene hills, where the river has its source.

Significance of This Gallant Path to Independence

The transition from a British colony to a sovereign nation was a testament to the resilience and unity of the Zambian people.

Zambia’s journey to independence was shaped by its economic significance, the impact of global events like World War Two, and the strategic leadership of figures like Kenneth Kaunda.

The nation’s path was marked by peaceful negotiation and an inclusive approach to ethnic diversity and political unity.

Thank you for joining us in exploring Zambia’s rich history. We hope this deep dive has given you a clearer understanding of how Zambia carved its path to independence.

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