STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE BAROTSE SYSTEM AND THE FAILURES OF THE POST-COLONIAL STATE
Comrades, compatriots, and members of the press,
Today, we must confront a painful historical irony in the story of our nation. The British colonial authorities, in their pursuit of administrative efficiency, recognised the sophistication, resilience, and depth of the Barotse governance system. They did not destroy it; rather, they utilised its pre-existing structures and deep-rooted experiences to help govern Northern Rhodesia under a system of indirect rule.
In fact, the pre-existing administrative and legal maturity of the Barotse state was so profound that it served as the very blueprint for colonial governance across the entire territory. When the colonial government sought to formalise indirect rule for the rest of Northern Rhodesia, they enacted the Native Authority Ordinance (No. 9 of 1936). This foundational law was directly inspired by the centralised, highly organised structures of the Barotse system, copying its model of institutionalised traditional councils and leadership to apply it to other ethnic groups.
To avoid disrupting the original masterpiece that inspired their governance framework, the British simultaneously passed a dedicated, parallel law: the Barotse Native Authority Ordinance (No. 25 of 1936), along with the Barotse Native Courts Ordinance (No. 26 of 1936). These parallel laws did not invent new mechanisms. Instead, they codified the traditional Kuta (the Lozi parliament) under the Litunga, legally formalising the pre-existing hierarchy of the Ngambela (Prime Minister) and Indunas (Councilors), and granting them exclusive administrative, financial, and judicial jurisdiction. Even the 1911 Northern Rhodesia Order-in-Council respected this unique setup, ensuring that no land within its boundaries could be alienated without the Litunga’s direct consent.
Tragically, independent Zambia has failed to exhibit the same institutional maturity or respect for this historical legacy. Instead of integrating, honouring, and constructively engaging with the Barotse system, successive post-colonial administrations have systematically sought to marginalise, undermine, and destroy it. Through sweeping legislative overhauls—most notably the Local Government Act of 1965 and the Local Courts Act of 1966—the independent state actively repealed the specific Barotse ordinances, stripping this foundational traditional administration of its autonomy and forcibly imposing a rigid, hyper-centralised bureaucratic framework.
From a socialist perspective, our critique of colonialism remains absolute. The colonisers did not elevate or copy the Barotse structures out of benevolence; they did so to minimise their own administrative costs and exploit our resources. However, the tragedy of the post-colonial Zambian state is its failure to build a truly inclusive, decentralised republic. Rather than resolving the contradictions inherited at independence through genuine dialogue, mutual respect, and constitutional integrity, the centralised state has used heavy-handed tactics to suppress a vital component of our cultural and historical fabric.
The Socialist Party stands for justice, equity, and the self-determination of all working-class people within a unified, yet truly democratic, Zambia. We believe that national unity can not be forged through erasure or the forced dismantling of traditional governance systems that have held societies together for centuries. By treating the Barotse system as a threat rather than an asset, the current ruling class perpetuates divisiveness and stalls the cultural and economic liberation of our people.
We call for a radical departure from this destructive approach. Zambia needs a governance model that respects historical treaties, values traditional administrative wisdom, and fosters a national unity built on voluntary solidarity, not state coercion.
Thank you, and may solidarity guide our path forward.
Fred M’membe
SP President
October 12, 2026
Lusaka