In October, 2021, the Republican President, His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, during the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe memorial service held in Chinsali, called upon government and other stakeholders to honor the freedom fighters and their contributions to the struggle for independence. Arising from the call by the President, Provincial Administration took it upon itself to establish a provincial museum that will contain information and other collections, related to the fight against colonialism owing to the fact that the province has a bigger history as regards to the struggle for independence.

The construction of provincial museum which will be located at Chinsali Cultural Village will be done between February, 2023 to September, 2023. The Muchinga provincial museum will be commissioned by His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema in October, 2023.

His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia paying his respect during the memorial service of the late, Mr. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Chinsali district

The Ministry of Tourism assigned the National Museums Board (NMB) to offer professional and technical guidance and support to Muchinga Province on the need to establish the provincial museum. The NMB delegation led by Mr. George S. Mudenda, Acting Director General visited the province for the engagement meetings.

WHY ESTABLISH PROVINCIAL MUSEUM

The absence of a museum in Muchinga Province has militated the non-conventional preservation of heritage in Muchinga Province. Not only does this pose the risk of losing the Province’s heritage, it also creates a conducive environment for illicit trafficking of unpreserved and undocumented heritage. The establishment of a museum in Chinsali would enhance the preservation of both natural and cultural heritage, the promotion of tourism, the growth of tourism oriented enterprises, and the creation of jobs to alleviate poverty among communities of Muchinga Province.

 Political Will as a new province, Muchinga stands to benefit from the political will, which government has so far demonstrated in its effort to bring development to the Province, as witnessed in infrastructure development. The political will was demonstrated by the Republican President, when he directed the Provincial Administration to document and preserve the story of Zambia’s liberation struggle in honor of the gallant men and women of Muchinga Province who played various roles in the liberation struggle that led to Zambia’s independence on 24th October, 1964.

The Northern Tourism Circuit: the government tourism development strategy focuses on unlocking the tourism potential of the tourism region referred to as “the Northern Tourism Circuit,” of which Muchinga Province is a part.

The Natural Environment Muchinga Province is endowed with spectacular landscapes and wildlife, which if sustainably exploited, would offer adventure tourists hiking and biking opportunities. In addition, the Province has potential to provide walking safaris, game viewing and birding activities for nature enthusiasts and academic tourists. Highlights of the natural features in the Province include, but not limited to; the Mafinga Mountains, the Luangwa and Chambeshi Rivers, the Chipoma and Nansala Waterfalls and the three National Parks namely; Lavushimanda, North Luangwa and South Luangwa.

Regional Integration and Networking Opportunities Surrounded by four provinces and two countries, Muchinga Province has the opportunity and potential to turn these territories into its tourism market and foster integrated regional tourism product packaging and marketing. The Province can also learn from the experiences of its neighboring regions that have successfully implemented projects of a similar nature. From a social perspective, the Northern Tourism Circuit comprises of ethnic groups with shared cultural values and a common heritage, necessary for promoting unity in diversity and ultimately, socio-economic development.

KEY HERITAGE SITES TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROVINCIAL MUSEUM

Muchinga province has a number of Heritage sites that hold significant non-movable cultural and natural landmarks of the past that have aesthetic, scientific and cultural value. These, heritage sites are an exceptional resource in heritage education and interpretation that should be incorporated in the region’s cultural and natural heritage package that support the establishment of provincial museum, these heritage sites include: –

SHAMBALAKALE FARM HOUSE

Shambalakale farm house, was the property of Zambia’s first Republican President, the late Kenneth Kaunda. Shambalakale house was not only a farm house but was also meant to be a retirement home for President Kaunda.

In addition, Shambalakale can be classified as a historical site as President Kaunda hosted foreign dignitaries and held a few meetings there. One such meeting was held in 1974 with British Foreign Secretary James Callaghan to discuss matters relating to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).

RESIDENCE AND BURIAL SITE FOR THE LATE SIMON MWANSA KAPWEPWE

The residence and burial site for the late Simon Kapwepwe, the Anticolonialist, Freedom Fighter, Educationist, Politician and Author are historical sites. In 1948 Kapwepwe became a founding member of the Northern Rhodesian African Congress. Following Zambia’s independence, Kapwepwe served as second Vice President of Zambia from 1967 to 1970.

Residence of the late, Mr. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe

Grave site for Mr. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and his wife

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE KAPASA MAKASA AND BURIAL SITES

The residence of the late Kapasa Makasa, former Freedom Fighter, Educationist, Author, Church Leader and Politician is a place of memory in history narratives. During the freedom struggle, Kapasa Makasa once served as Chairman for African Congress, Chinsali branch (1950-1951).

Residence of the late Freedom Fighter, Mr. Kapasa Makasa

Grave site of the late Freedom Fighter, Mr. Kapasa Makasa and his wife

LUBWA MISSION AND BURIAL SITES FOR PAUL MUSHINDO

Lubwa Mission was established in 1905 by the United Free Church of Scotland (later renamed the United Church of Zambia). Lubwa Mission became the springboard for a number of local people that came to be anti-colonialists.

Having attended school there, and some having worked there, these local men and women became enlightened and attained an awakened mind that made them a force to reckon with in rejecting and fighting racial discrimination and colonial oppression. This led to the birth of nationalist political movements that gave impetus to the liberation struggle.

Within the grounds of Lubwa Mission, is a burial site where, among others, the late Rev. David Kaunda, a Christian missionary and the father of Zambia’s first Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda is buried. Also buried here is Rev. Paul Mushindo, an educationist, writer and prominent figure during the pre-independence era and beyond. Not only was he one of the Zambian pioneer missionaries, Rev. Paul Mushindo translated the bible from English to Icibemba over a period of 53 years. He was also instrumental in the formation of the United Church of Zambia. As a Minister of the Church, Paul Mushindo once staged a lone protest against racial discrimination within the church and was arrested as a result.

The burial site of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s parents (Davind & Hellen Kaunda) and Rev. Paul B. Mushindo

FORMER LUMPA CHURCH SITE AND ALICE LENSHINA MULENGA’S GRAVE

Grave Site of the former Lumpa church and burial site of Alice Lenshina Mulenga, a self-claimed Prophetess, whose church rejected all earthly authority, including paying taxes, thereby coming into conflict with the Northern 14 Rhodesian African nationalist political parties and the government. The conflicts culminated into a confrontation with authorities that came to be known as the “Lumpa Uprising.”

Burial Site for the former Lumpa Church Learder – Alice Lenshina Mulenga

KILNS AT CHIPOMA FALLS

Chipoma falls is a historical site and it was used as a dwelling place for Iron age people dating back in 17century as is evident in the 12 quins that are believed to have been used for fogging Iron ore into hunting of animals. There three types of Kilns ranching from 1.8M, 1.2M and 1M of height and these queues were built using clay soil.

One of the kilns at Chipoma Falls which was used for fogging Iron Ore in 17^th Century

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED MUCHINGA PROVINCIAL MUSEUM

Establishment of provincial museum falls in the category of regional museum and it will encompass both natural and cultural heritage aspects.

BENEFITS OF THE MUSEUM TO MUCHINGA PROVINCE

• Museum is more beneficial to the people of Muchinga as it would add to the available tourist attractions and contribute to tourism development in the area.

• The Museum would offer economic benefits by way of job creation, both directly through employment offered by the museum and indirectly through provision of tourist services and sale of goods, such as local crafts and souvenirs to tourists.

• Museum offers social benefits by serving as a collective memory for the region, in addition to preserving heritage for both present and future generations.

• The ultimate social benefit is the local community’s endorsement of their own cultural identity that promotes a sense of belonging and representation for all ethnic groups in the province, thereby fostering regional pride and unity in diversity.

• Going by the growing number of institutions of higher learning in the Province, the museum would be a valuable research centre for learners, researchers and enthusiasts, thus contribute to economic development.

• Academic tourists and cultural enthusiasts with the desire to learn about the Muchinga’s social and cultural history would give rise to demand for more goods and services.

PROPOSED PROVINCIAL MUSEUM DESIGNS