REVISITING THE YEAR 2020

Chinsanka Kalela group that spiced the launch of WFD

Many in business circles are taking leave during this period. Some to go merry while others will go to reflect on what did or did not happen. They will dissect the year into days, hours, minutes, and seconds; and find strategies and tactics for the next year. 

 For many of us, 2020 was a challenging year due to an unfamiliar, deadly, and surprising pandemic called COVID-19. This disease attacked every nation of the world. Its impact was felt even by those who did not physically experience its venom. 

 To my family in the village, they wished the year had not even come. Climate change had subjected them to miseries as they had to cope with floods, starvation, and all that comes with floods. It was sad to see many of the families’ meager belongings underwater; while they slept in open markets, church buildings, and classrooms. Thankfully, Government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, with lobbying from the area Member of Parliament, chiefs, the clergy, and local administration, offered some help to mitigate the impact of these floods. Some churches, too, donated in various ways for which we are grateful. 

  It’s in 2020 that I heard, in political circles, our Member of Parliament, Hon. Kabanshi, getting some bashing in public from the Head of State for allegedly not pushing enough for development for the people of Luapula Constituency. We saw sometime later, dredgers being marshaled into Samfya in readiness to clear channels of Lunga District. We also witnessed the arrival of a Government based Non-Governmental Organization called TRALLARD to help people in areas worst affected by climate change. I had shared some of the things that happened earlier in the year on the blog, and what I thought we needed to do. In March 2020, after seeing pictures of flooded villages, I encouraged the people of Lunga to remain courageous and faithful to our creator. In the article, I said "Kakabalika" or the sun will rise and shine on Lunga someday! I can see some rays about to shoot! 

 We lost many lives in death. It was a challenging year for those who lost their loved ones everywhere. It was a year in which we lost some young and promising people in Lunga. In October 2020, I reflected on these deaths in my post titled, "Dark Season for Lunga". On December 12, 2020, as if to keep my memories stuck on the negative side of the year, disaster struck my family when we lost my grandson, aged 17 years, in death. It was a sad episode after trying all we could to save his life. So, is life!

 Not everything that happened this year, could be painted black, though. 

 The Lunga Development Association, a coming together of all Unga people dotted the world over, became a legal entity. The LDA's purpose is to work with political and other leaders in fostering development in Lunga. Every genuine Unga is, therefore, eligible to join. It’s non-partisan, non-religious, non-political. All are welcome.

 I interacted with very interesting people, full of ideas, who opened my eyes wider in the year. I had a rare privilege to work on the Fish for Food Security in Zambia Project: F4F RADIO SERIES, as an Independent Contractor. I was happy to be part of those who worked to prepare and eventually launch the World Fisheries Day on November 21, at Samfya Beach. It was a humbling experience to witness individuals, who truly care and think about fishermen as important economic spinners in Zambia, in action. Though political speeches centered on the ban and illegal fishing methods, I was convinced many others out there appreciate the fisherfolk in more ways than ONE. 

 Like people in business, I would encourage all my friends, fans, followers, and relatives to review our activities of the year so we can think, plan, and take action for the next year. In Zambia, I can safely describe 2021 as a political year. We, therefore, must plan to live in peace with all our brothers; regardless of their political affiliation. As we enjoy our festivities, remember that we have a full 12-month period ahead of us. We must therefore enjoy responsibly to avoid being part of the in-memory statistics in 2022. Keep reading this blog for Unga ruminations!