2021 YEAR-IN-REVIEW
WE said goodbye to 2021, it is now “last year.” Let us now look back at the year that brought us joy and sadness, wins and losses, smiles and frowns, simply put: 2021 was a rollercoaster ride.
This 2021 year-in-review is a reflection of all that we have faced in 2021. The highs and the lows. The hope, the disappointment and everything in between. A lot of things happened this year, it is imperative to highlight some of the events that made headlines.
January 2021: Zachariah Chavula dies
Zachariah Chavula was a talented and renowned radio presenter with unmatched creativity. He was Hot Media CEO until his death on the first day of this year. His death left a huge gap in the media industry. According to his uncle and business partner Oscar Chavula, HOT FM was Zachariah Chavula’s brainchild.
February 2021: Hatembo’s Saga
Pheluna and Milton Hatembo dominated the news with their court case over a farm 1924 in Kalomo. When they lost this farm case, they refused to appeal and went missing from the public eye and their family.
Many Zambians wondered where they were and at one point FDD President Edith Nawakwi even pleaded for their release if somebody had kidnapped them.
Some conspiracy theorists claim the Hatembo siblings were being used as pawns in a game of political chess.
March 2021: 147 Illegal immigrants arrested
On March 26, 2021 the Department of Immigration announced the conviction of 147 Ethiopians for the offence of unlawful entry into the country contrary to section 11(1) as read with section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
April 2021: Covid-19 third wave
The start of April was the period when the Covid-19 third wave dawned on us. It was the deadliest of all Covid-19 waves we have had.
Before it, we never used to put faces to the Covid-19 cases and deaths but everything changed when it struck us. During this wave Zambia recorded larger numbers of severity and deaths.
A lot of prominent Zambian figures were lost during the Covid-19 third wave. There were so many funerals in and around our communities that there was a shortage of coffins and burial sites were ever busy.
May 2021: Kazungula Bridge commissioned
On Monday, May 10, 2021, the 923-meter Kazungula Bridge project was officially commissioned by President Edgar Lungu and his counterpart President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana. The opening of the Kazungula Bridge, linking the two countries over the Zambezi River, means travellers no longer need to rely on pontoon boats to cross either side. The Kazungula Bridge is a state of the art masterpiece.
June 2021: Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Ireen Mambilima die
June of 2021 was the darkest month for the nation as we lost our founding Father Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and our first ever female Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima.
The deaths were only separated by three days. Dr. Kaunda died on June 17 at Maina Soko Military Hospital while Justice Mambilima died on June 20 in Cairo, Egypt where she had gone on national duty. It was hard for every Zambian to digest the news of these deaths. May their souls rest in peace.
July 2021: KK’s burial
On July 7, 2021, President Kaunda was interred at Presidential burial site Embassy park. His burial ceremony brought together former President Dr. Edgar Lungu and the incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema.
The two men warmly greeted each other, a thing many Zambians appreciated and gave credit to KK’s uniting spirit that unites people even in his death. The One Zambia One nation motto will forever live.
August 2021: Elections
Blimey! August was the most anticipated month of 2021 such that on August 12, Zambians woke up very early to go and cast their vote in huge numbers. They endured long queues to exercise their civic rights.
On August 16, Justice Esau Chulu declared Mr. Hichilema as President-elect and on August 27, he was sworn in as the country’s seventh Republican President at Heroes Stadium (I just remembered the welcome “radies” and “gentrimen” song).
Some African Heads of States and dignitaries attended his inauguration ceremony including Patricia Scotland of the Commonwealth.
September 2021: HH visits White House, meets Kamala Harris
On September 19, President Hichilema left for the United States of America to meet Vice President Kamala Haris at the White House.
After the meeting, the White House issued this statement “The Vice President applauded President Hichilema’s focus on prioritising necessary reforms and his efforts to stabilise the Zambian economy.”
October 2021: Patson Daka, Enock Mwepu and Fashion Sakala’s month.
October was a big month for Zambian soccer “golden boys” as they all scored big for their respective clubs in the United Kingdom. It all started on October 16 with the Leicester City striker Patson Daka scoring against Manchester United after coming in from the bench in a match where his side won 4-2. Ten days later Brighton and Hove midfielder Enock Mwepu aka “computer” scored a wonder goal from outside the 18yard box against Liverpool and the following day Glasgow Rangers’ striker Fashion Sakala scored a cool hat-trick against Motherwell.
Keep flying the Zambian flag high our golden boys. Zambia is proud of you.
November 2021: Levy Mkandawire dies
On November 18, 2021 Zambians were shocked by news of the sudden death of Kabwata Member of Parliament Levy Mkandawire who died in a fatal road traffic accident. The matter is in court.
December 2021: Fuel Ssbsidies removed
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) on December 16 announced the increase of fuel pump prices following the new dawn administration’s decision to remove subsidies on fuel.
Zambians are still complaining about this decision because prior to the August 12 elections they were promised cheaper fuel and a lower cost of living by President Hichilema. The increase in fuel pump prices means the cost of living will go up in 2022.
There you have it, these are the highlights of 2021. It was a year like no other. It was a tough year especially during the Covid-19 third wave. Last year also taught us quite a lot but we made it through to its end, we ought to be grateful to God for that.
We are now in a New Year. Let us look forward with hope and enthusiasm and most importantly let us put God first in everything we do.