Lufwanyama’s struggle for progress amidst emerald riches

By Pamela Kapekele in Lufwanyama

The Paradox of Prosperity and Poverty

Despite the promise of wealth that emeralds bring, the MakanDay team observed that Lufwanyama lacked basic amenities such as clean water, electricity, and healthcare. These basic necessities are often luxuries rather than essentials for many residents.

The stark disparity between the rich mines and impoverished communities paints a vivid picture of the unequal distribution of wealth within the district. While multinational corporations’ profit from the extraction of emeralds, local residents frequently struggle to meet their needs, trapped in a cycle of poverty perpetuated by limited economic opportunities.

This situation has not gone unnoticed by the head of state, President Hakainde Hichilema, who, on March 11, pledged to the people of Lufwanyama to attract more investors. President Hichilema assured that his government would engage potential partners for those holding mining licenses.

However, this statement by the President did not sit well with some locals like senior citizen Febby Shapenga, who has lived in Lufwanyama since the 1960s.

“A normal person cannot praise that statement,” Shapenga, who in her younger days worked as a small-scale miner, said. “If I was the president, I would introduce a fund to support these local miners that are failing to mine due to lack of resources.”

“Since 1972 most notable emerald mines have been owned by foreigners like amasenesene (West Africans) and now it’s the Chinese. What has been the benefits to locals? Instead of wasting money on fictitious CDF cooperatives, government must assist small scale miners with grants to boost their business,” he added.

The team had the honour of listening to Lufwanyama’s Council Chairperson, Annie Kapandula Kalamatila, a steadfast believer in the notion that ‘Lufwanyama will be great one day.’

Having dedicated eight years to serving the people of Lufwanyama, Kalamatila embarked on her journey as a councilor for Kansoka Ward from 2016 to 2021 before assuming her current role.

With passion, she shared her lifelong dedication to fostering positive change and improving the well-being of the local community. The team learned about her past initiatives, including leading a charity that facilitated the receipt and distribution of donations such as desks, chairs, and sewing machines from overseas.

She informed MakanDay that the district faced challenges in areas such as education, roads, infrastructure, and youth unemployment.

Kalamatila highlighted Lufwanyama’s fertile land and abundant water resources from various rivers. She expressed her determination to address these issues and prioritize improving living standards. Her focus is on enhancing education for young people, reducing high levels of youth unemployment, and upgrading infrastructure to support better service delivery and economic activities.

She emphasised that many children fail to attend school, and particularly girls drop out due to the long distances they must walk.

The MakanDay team observed several schools in poor conditions, raising doubts about their ability to provide a conducive learning environment.

“The clinics and health posts are equally far apart and this proves to be a challenge during emergencies,” Kalamatila explained. “The majority of the roads in the district are so terrible, presenting a huge challenge for farmers and other sectors relying on transportation.”

Challenges Faced by Lufwanyama’s Communities

The residents of Lufwanyama encounter numerous challenges, exacerbated by infrastructure deficiencies. Inadequate road networks impede transportation, making it difficult for residents to access essential services and markets. Furthermore, the lack of sufficient educational facilities restricts children’s opportunities to receive a quality education, perpetuating the cycle of poverty for future generations.

When questioned about the local authority’s efforts to urge the mines to contribute more to infrastructure development in the district, the council chairperson explained: “As private companies, we cannot exert excessive pressure on them. However, they do provide significant assistance, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. They even maintain roads leading to their mines.”

Victor Kalesha, a native of Lufwanyama and president of the Emerald and Semi-precious Stones Minerals Association of Zambia (ESMAZ), advocates for the modernisation of the district.

“It is disheartening to see Lufwanyama suffering from under development and yet people are living well elsewhere using wealth that they generated from here,” said Kalesha.

Calls for Change and Development

In the face of challenges, there is a mounting demand for sustainable development initiatives in Lufwanyama. Local activists and community leaders are urging increased investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare to enhance the well-being of residents and ensure equitable distribution of the benefits from emerald mining.

Efforts to advocate for responsible mining practices and corporate social responsibility are also gaining momentum, with calls for mining companies to play a more active role in the development of the communities where they operate.

A Glimpse of Hope for the Future

The Lufwanyama Town Council has made significant strides in its 2022 and 2023 capital projects, completing several essential initiatives. Notably, seven classrooms have been added to five primary schools, namely Kantende, Kansoka, Lwabufu, and Chilumba. Additionally, maternity annexes have been constructed at Kansoka and Fungulwe clinics, while two semi-detached teachers’ houses have been erected to support local educators.

Furthermore, preliminary works have commenced at the Mwitwe Bridge, addressing safety concerns posed by its deteriorating condition. The local authority has also turned its attention to the Kabangula Bridge, a vital link connecting the Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma areas.

Despite the challenges ahead, there is a sense of optimism that concerted efforts from both governmental and private stakeholders can bring about a transformative change in the fortunes of Lufwanyama district. As attention shifts towards Lufwanyama, the looming question persists: Will the promise of emeralds translate into tangible prosperity for all residents?