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Share Mkushi’s Wealth with All Mkushians

The Mkushi Regional Mining Bureau (MRMB) has bemoaned the escalating pattern of illegal mining activities taking place in both Mkushi and Luano districts. The foreigners aka foreign investors have continued to raid the wealth of Mkushi’s resources – our timber, gold, emeralds, lands, etc. – since 1945 when the natives where pushed eastwards into sand soils leaving the best of our land in the hands of the whites. And after they have enriched themselves and their chosen cronies – they now want to take over bedroom responsibilities.

After many years, without the mention of any gold, the world knew that Mkushi was a treasure channel of mineral wealth. Additionally, the work ethic of the masses by far built the empires of the western exploiters. Yet the hardships inflicted on our people by all traders and investors, have driven, and continue to drive us from our native land. Mkushi does not need gold for its citizens to experience the good life now being touted as crumbs from the masters’ table. Mkushi is super wealthy with just the transparent and conscientious management of any ONE of our natural resources.

At present, illegal manganese mines in Zambia are not uncommon. And most mining companies with only exploration licences have entered full mining activities, and local authorities have not even benefited from mining activities, charging only 100kvacha (Kwacha Zambian currency) for every 30 tons of manganese trucks. And this is mainly because most of the officials in the administration are not indigenous at heart.

The mining activities in our land is not benefiting anyone at all, and a hundred years later we will be unable to give historical answers to our offspring when they will demands explanations for the holes and ditches doted all over Mkushi. The China man will most probably not be there to explain what happened. During that time there will be a huge demand for Manganese, and our children will ask; what are these holes and ditches, then we will answer back and say Mwanawakwitu dug all the manganese that was in the ground. Well, they will ask again; what happened to the manganese, then we will say he sold it to the Chinese.  And what happened to the money, then will say Mwanawakwitu took the money to Kaya Village and turned the Village into a city. They will ask a million questions.

For years down the line the people of Mkushi never benefited in any meaning full way from the wealth of our land and our minerals. The resources are being shipped out of Mkushi through its back door and only the politicians and a few others are benefiting.

Mwanawakwitu the miner is saying that our wealth is still haemorrhaging through the back door. He gives no plans on curtailing and stopping that massive loss of billions of kwacha. Understand that the current stealing of our natural resources is mainly being undertaken by small business men who have the capacity to buy out our politicians and law enforcement officers. Yet nothing is being done to closing that loop hole.

All we got from manganese is an endless chain of chronic diseases and effect of the mining activities in the area. Manganese effects occur mainly in the respiratory tract and in the brains. Symptoms of manganese poisoning are hallucinations, forgetfulness and nerve damage. Manganese can also cause Parkinson, lung embolism and bronchitis. When men are exposed to manganese for a longer period of time they may become impotent. A syndrome that is caused by manganese has symptoms such as schizophrenia, dullness, weak muscles, headaches and insomnia.

The people of Mkushi continue to suffer in poverty while their resources are being exploited and revenues externalized by greedy mine investors. The mineral resources are being exploited with limited benefits for the ordinary Mkushians; the men, women and children who live in villages and compounds continue to live in poverty.

Over 80% of our people are considered to be living in extreme poverty amidst this mineral wealth in Mkushi. The hour has come for us to engage into serious conversations on the subject of localisation of wealth.


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