Readers Have Their Say

Two and a half years ago, having recently arrived in Lusaka we went shopping at Manda Hill, to be met by a strange sight. Outside of Bata there was a man with a microphone dancing and singing Abba songs. The next time we saw this man he was wearing Union Jack glasses and jacket, this time he was singing Beatles songs. Not long after wards we spied him again, this time dressed as Bob the Builder. A lunatic, (perhaps!), but also someone who has brought a lot of fun (and hangovers) to Lusaka and other parts of Zambia including Central prison! He should have known they wouldn’t be able to afford a Jeff Lloyd Disco. He can claim to have brought Madonna, The Beatles, Abba, Elton John (do we remember Elton John!) and now Robbie, to Zambia, and he does a great rendition of “Can we fix it”. Anyone who has attended one of Jeff’s events will I am sure join with us in wishing him all the best in the future and we hope that before not too long, he will return. Possibly, dressed as Spiderman with Kylie Minogue on his arm, who knows.

From Lilayi Lodge and The Engineers, Good luck Jeff and thanks for the memories. Just two more things,

1 I’m sure Sam is still in the Secretarys office here at the Lodge

2 Have you got “Through the Barricades”?

Kevin and Julie Riddiford, Lilayi Lodge and The Engineers

More On Racism

I just wanted to let Lester Davidoss know that his letter in the Lowdown was very well written and it put a smile on my face.....I know Zambia has its fair share of problems but you know what they say...No place like home!

I have lived here in England a very long time and have been to almost all corners of the globe but at the end of the day the Zambian people are "generally" the friendliest. And no-one can argue with that. Fine blame the Government, Education, Politians,etc but with the heart of a Zambian you cannot fault!

However on the topic of Racism I don't think I can agree.

In Zambia the reason why there is a little 'Racism/Discrimination' is not so much because of the colour of the skin,but more so the amount of money/wealth that person may have. A Zambian sees things in the simpliest of forms. This is a good thing!

For example take two scenarios: If you walked into a bar in Lusaka and a bar in England (ok the standards might be very different) but the welcome you would get in a Black Zambian bar would be, 9 times out of 10, very warm and you would be guaranteed to make a few friends. Ok fine it might be because they might want a drink, might want a job, the bar man would know to serve you quickly as it’s a ma coloured he has some ma dollar or for whatever reason. But the last thing on the menu would be a cold shoulder.

Scenario 2:A bar in England, if you walked in looking smart or "posh" the first thing you get is the cold shoulder. People (whites) talking under their breath, not getting served in the so called "queue" only after the guy next to you was served because he/she was white, or because he/she was a local etc. Generally the total opposite to what you get in a Zambian bar...(I thought I would use a bar as we can all relate to one and the truth generally comes out after a 'few'.)

I know there are many points of view you can take and not take on the Topic of Racism in Zambia but at the end of the day all places have their faults. This place has all the money in the world and still has its share of problems. The People!!

I leave you with this question. If Zambia had half as much money as a England; would the beautiful, friendly, warm hearted Black Zambian cause problems in the form of Racism?

NO!

Dean Cochrane, UK