Zambia, a nation that prides itself on its pan-African roots and role in the fight against colonial rule, is facing uncomfortable questions about racism more than 60 years after independence. While overt discrimination is rare, many Zambians report subtle but persistent prejudice that makes them feel like second-class citizens in their own country.
Alexander Bwalya, a black Zambian who asked to remain anonymous, described a visit to a wine bar in Lusaka where he and his friends were told expensive bottles were out of stock—only to see a white family offered the same wines shortly after. When they complained, the white manager allegedly directed a racial slur at Bwalya's friend. "We were told, 'If you don't appreciate the service, you're more than welcome to leave,'" Bwalya recalled. He didn't report the incident to police, believing it wouldn't be taken seriously.
This is the same country where Kenneth Kaunda, a towering figure in African nationalism, became the first president in 1964. Before independence, black Zambians carried passes restricting their movement, and schools, hospitals, and mining jobs were segregated. Kaunda's "Zambianisation" policy replaced white executives with black ones, and he championed liberation movements across the continent. At his first press conference, he declared Zambia's mission as "building a nation founded on respect for all people of all races, all colours and all religions."
Yet a 2019 UN human rights committee report noted that Zambia, like other post-colonial societies, struggled to overcome the racial and class inequalities left by colonialists. With ethnic minorities—including whites, Indians, Chinese, and Arabs—making up about 9% of the population, the issue remains sensitive.
In January, a job advert from Recruitment Matters sparked outrage by stating it was not open to Zambian nationals, only expats or foreign residents. The company later apologized, saying the wording did not reflect their non-discriminatory policy. But for marketing professional Omar Chanshi, 37, such barriers are common: "There are contracts and systems... we just don't have access to as locals."
Historian Victoria Phiri Chitungu of the Livingstone Museum argues that Kaunda's anti-discrimination stance may have driven racism underground. "People started conforming to behave in ways that would not show racism. That doesn't mean it's now absent," she said. Chitungu and colleague Chanda Penda acknowledge that Zambia's racism is less severe than in South Africa but remains real.
Property manager Malama Muleba, from Lusaka, says race influences housing decisions: "If a person's skin colour is white, people look at it, they see stability." He notes that stereotypes about different ethnic groups persist, often based on past experiences. "It makes me feel a bit disappointed, but it's the reality."
Many Zambians highlight the link between race and wealth, noting that non-black individuals are often assumed to be wealthy and treated better. One word surfaced repeatedly in interviews—"queues"—reflecting how black Zambians often wait longer for services while lighter-skinned customers are served first.
Despite these challenges, there is optimism that conversations about race are slowly becoming more common. Zambia's government, however, denies racism is a problem in the country.