“What Has Gone Wrong with Our country?- Pst BJ Ngosa

Prominent Zambian gospel minister and recording artist Pastor BJ Ngosa has added his voice to growing national concerns regarding the trajectory of the country's social and political landscape, posing a poignant and reflective question: 'What has gone wrong with our country?' In a widely shared public statement that has since resonated across various platforms, Pastor Ngosa addressed the emotive issue of nationality, citizenship, and belonging, drawing from a deeply personal experience involving his longtime friend and former schoolmate, Celestine Mukandila. Pastor Ngosa noted that his personal relationship with Mukandila, which included officiating at the burial of Mukandila’s mother at Mutumbi Memorial Park, compelled him to speak out against what he perceives as a troubling resurgence of exclusionary rhetoric. The cleric underscored that Zambia has historically prided itself on being a peaceful sanctuary built on coexistence, migration, and shared heritage. With many families possessing ancestral ties and historical roots spanning across neighbouring borders, the enduring motto of 'One Zambia, One Nation' has traditionally served as an anchor safeguarding the nation's diverse populace from sectarian friction. The core of Pastor Ngosa’s appeal centers on instances where questions of nationality and eligibility have been reignited against individuals, despite relevant institutions having previously examined and cleared the matters. He cautioned that weaponizing ancestry or nationality for political expediency threatens the fragile fabric of peace that has sustained the republic since independence. In a nation where intermarriages and cross-border lineages are common, the pastor argued that shared history should serve as a bridge for unity rather than a wedge for division. Furthermore, the clergyman's remarks touch upon a broader national sentiment regarding the state of public healing and reconciliation. Pointing out that the country is still navigating various