'The hour has come at the Pit': The Mineworkers' union of Zambia and the movement for multi-party democracy, 1982-1991

Journal of Southern African Studies

Volumn 32, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 293-312

  Larmer, Miles ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA   (South Africa)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

CIVIL SOCIETY; DEMOCRACY; PARTY POLITICS; POLITICAL PARTICIPATION;

AFRICA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA; ZAMBIA;

EID: 33745114725     PISSN: 03057070     EISSN: 14653893     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/03057070600656234     Document Type: Review

References (212)

1. For example, Baylies and Szeftel's analysis of one-party elections in 1973 and 1978 suggested a lack of significant opposition to UNIP on the Copperbelt: C. Baylies and M. Szeftel, 'Elections in the One-Party State', in C. Gertzel (ed.), C. Baylies, and M. Szeftel, The Dynamics of the One-Party State in Zambia (Manchester, Manchester University Press, 1984).
2. Three significant studies have explored this period: E.O. Akwety, Trade Unions and Democratisation: A Comparative Study of Zambia and Ghana (University of Stockholm, 1994)
3. L. Rakner, Trades Unions in Processes of Democratisation: A Study of Party-Labour Relations in Zambia (Bergen, Michelsen Institute, 1992)
4. P. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora: Domination and Democratisation in Zambia and Zimbabwe (Uppsala, Uppsala University Press, 1996).
5. K. Woldring, 'Survey of Recent Inquiries and their Results', in K. Woldring (ed.), Beyond Political Independence: Zambia's Development Predicament in the 1980s (Berlin, Mouton Publishers, 1984), p. 205.
6. See, for example, P. Gibbon, 'Structural Adjustment and Pressures Towards Multi-Partyism in Sub-Saharan Africa', in Y. Bangura, P. Gibbon and A. Ofstad (eds), Authoritarianism, Democracy and Adjustment: The Politics of Economic Reform in Africa (Uppsala, Nordiska Africainstitutet, 1992)
7. cited in Rakner, Trades Unions in Processes of Democratisation, p. 114.
8. R.H. Bates and P. Collier, 'The Politics and Economics of Policy Reform in Zambia', in R.H. Bates and A.O. Krueger (eds), Political and Economic Reform: Evidence from Eight Countries (Oxford & Cambridge MA, Blackwell, 1993).
9. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 297
10. L. Rakner, Political and Economic Liberalisation in Zambia, 1991-2001 (Uppsala, Nordiska Africainstitutet, 2003).
11. The most significant exception to this rule is M. Burawoy, The Colour of Class on the Copper Mines (Lusaka, UNZA Institute of African Studies, 1972).
12. See in particular, H.S. Meebelo, African Proletarians and Colonial Capitalism (Lusaka, Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, 1986)
13. and R.H. Bates, Unions, Parties, and Political Development: A Study of Mineworkers in Zambia (New Haven, CN, & London, Yale University Press, 1971).
14. J. Ferguson, Expectations of Modernity: Myths and Meanings of Modern Life on the Zambian Copperbelt (Berkeley, CA, Los Angeles and London, University of California Press, 1999), p. 124.
15. Ibid., p. 19.
16. J. Aron, 'Economic Policy in a Mineral-Dependent Economy: The Case of Zambia' (DPhil thesis, University of Oxford, 1992), p. 205.
17. D.M.C. Bartlett, 'Civil Society and Democracy: A Zambian Case Study', Journal of Southern African Studies, 26, 3 (September 2000), pp. 429-46.
18. National Archives of Zambia (hereafter NAZ) LSS1/20/89, 'Trade Unions & Trades Disputes Amendment, 1964-66', Cabinet Legislation Committee undated, c. October 1964.
19. Zambia, Towards Complete Independence (Lusaka, Government Printers, 1969), p. 44.
20. N.N.J. Mijere, 'The Mineworkers' Resistance to Governmental Decentralisation in Zambia: Nation-Building and Labor Aristocracy in the Third World' (PhD thesis, Brandeis University, 1985), p. 317
21. Basilio Kunda, interview, Chingola, 7 February 2003 (series of interviews with 62 former mineworkers carried out in 2002-03).
22. See for example, C. Gertzel, 'Labour and the State: The Case of Zambia's Mineworkers' Union', Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 13, 3 (November 1975), p. 295
23. International Marxist Group, Zambia: Humanist Rhetoric, Capitalist Reality: Africa in Struggle Occasional Papers No. 2 (London, 1975), p. 21
24. C. Baylies and M. Szeftel, 'Elections in the One-Party State', in Gertzel (ed.), The Dynamics of the One-Party State.
25. For colonial era parallels, see I.R. Phimister and C. van Onselen, Studies in the History of African Mine Labour in Colonial Zimbabwe (Gwelo, Mambo Press, 1976).
26. Rakner, Trades Unions in Processes of Democratisation.
27. Sunday Times of Zambia (hereafter SToZ), 5 July 1987.
28. Times of Zambia (hereafter ToZ), 24-28 July 1984.
29. ToZ, 23 October 1982.
30. See for example Zimba's demand that wages rise to match 100 per cent rise in prices: ToZ, 14 January 1982.
31. ZCTU General Council meeting minutes, 30 December 1983.
32. Ibid.
33. ToZ, 22 May 1985.
34. SToZ, 20 October 1985.
35. ToZ, 5 October 1985, 16 December 1985.
36. ToZ, 11 October 1986, 29 October 1986.
37. ToZ, 10 December 1986.
38. Roy Yumbe, interview, Wusakile, 7 November 2002.
39. See also interviews with B.J. Ngulube, Kitwe, 5 November 2002
40. Boniface Kumwenda, Chamboli, 2 November 2002
41. Mwansa Chipotyo, Chililabombwe, 5 February 2003
42. Kramer Nyondo, Kitwe, 13 September 2002.
43. N. Simutanyi, 'Organised Labour, Economic Crisis and Structural Adjustment in Africa: The Case of Zambia', in O. Sichone and B.C. Chikulo (eds), Democracy in Zambia: Challenges for the Third Republic (Harare, SAPES Books, 1996), p. 164.
44. Sefelino Mumba, interview, Chingola, 15 February 2003
45. E. West, 'The Politics of Hope: Zambia's Structural Adjustment Programme 1987-1989' (PhD thesis, Yale University, 1989), p. 383
46. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 88.
47. SToZ, 1 February 1987.
48. ToZ, 5 March 1987.
49. ToZ, 4 April 1987.
50. Nordlund argues whilst these strikes were of 'economic origin', their impact was politically significant: Organising the Political Agora, p. 91.
51. World Bank Country Economics Department WPS 222/ C. Colclough, The Labour Market and Economic Stabilisation in Zambia (Washington, World Bank, 1989), p. 1.
52. ToZ, 12 October 1989.
53. MUZ HO, 'Supreme Council Minutes, 1983-88'
54. N.L. Zimba, Address to MUZ Supreme Council (SC), 30 September 1988.
55. Zambia Mining Year Book (Special Edition), 1982-86 (Lusaka, ZCCM, 1987)
56. ZCCM Archives 10.2.8A, 'ZCCM Annual Reports, 1985-1992', ZCCM Annual Report 1985.
57. ToZ, 22 May 1982.
58. ZCCM 16.2.9C, 'GIRM Committee and Related Correspondence, 1986', 2nd Mines Joint Industrial Committee (MJIC) mtg, 16 May 1986.
59. Aron, 'Economic Policy in a Mineral-Dependent Economy', pp. 202-05.
60. Ibid., p. 205.
61. ToZ, 28 April 1989.
62. ToZ, 1 October 1982.
63. George Lombe, interview, Mufulira, 27 February 2003.
64. See also interviews with Patrick Kanyanta, Kitwe, 7 November 2002
65. Harrison Nkonde, Mufulira, 1 March 2003
66. John Chalwe, Chililabombwe, 12 February 2003.
67. ToZ, 29 March 1984.
68. MUZ Luanshya, 'General Correspondence, 1980-85', Memo, All Check Point Clerks to Personnel Dept, 3 October 1983.
69. MUZ Nchanga, miscellaneous documents, Memo, Chief Shop Stewards and Shop Stewards' Underground Mining Department to Mgt ZCCM Nchanga Div., 30 March 1990.
70. MUZ Nchanga/11B, 'Public Meetings, 1972-86', Mimbula-Fitula Sub-Branch Public Meeting, Kaunda Square, 24 February 1985.
71. Basilio Kunda, interview.
72. George Mukoma, interview, Chililabombwe, 11 February 2003.
73. Cameron Pwele interview, Lusaka, 17 March 2003.
74. MUZ HO, 'MUZ Supreme Council Minutes, 1981-87', SC, 22 June 1984
75. ToZ, 7 May 1984.
76. MUZ Nchanga, 'Executive Committee Meetings, 1982-87', Executive Committee Meeting, 7 September 1982.
77. MUZ HO, 'Supreme Council Minutes, 1981-1987', Emergency MUZ SC, 16 November 1984.
78. ToZ, 14 November 1984
79. David Ndalama interview, Chingola, 13 February 2003.
80. B.J. Ngulube, interview.
81. See also interviews with Boniface Kumwenda
82. Oswell Munyenyembe, Mufulira, 26 February 2003
83. Cameron Pwele
84. David Ndalama.
85. ToZ, 22 March 1982, 8 May 1982.
86. Mary Palesi, interview, Ndola, 7 March 2003.
87. George Mukoma, interview.
88. MUZ HO, 'Supreme Council Minutes, 1983-88', SC, 13 May 1985
89. MUZ HO, 'Supreme Council Minutes, 1981-87', MUZ Committee to review Mukuba Pension Scheme, mtg 18 May 1985.
90. ToZ, 2 June 1985.
91. Ibid.
92. Mary Palesi, interview.
93. ZCCM 1.9.4D, 'ACME, MJIC Meetings, 1983-87', ACME-MUZ special mtg, 1 June 1985.
94. MUZ HO, 'Supreme Council Minutes, 1981-1987', SC, 13 June 1985.
95. Kramer Nyondo, interview.
96. ToZ, 21 January 1985
97. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 87.
98. ToZ, 6 September 1985, 27 August 1986.
99. ToZ, 5 October 1989.
100. ToZ, 10 October 1989.
101. ZCCM 1.7.1B, 'GIRMs Papers, 1989-90'
102. Copper Industry Service Bureau (hereafter CISB), 'Summary of Protests by Women at Nkana Division', 7 October 1989
103. see also ToZ, 11 October 1989.
104. MUZ Nkana, 'Branch Officials' Meetings with Management', Kitwe Senior District Governor, Senior MET and Nkana Division Officials, Nkana and Mindolo MUZ mtg, 9 October 1989
105. MUZ Nkana, 'Complaint Files, 1985-87', Nkana Branch Chairman Jackson Kaoma, Emergency Branch Executive Committee, 7 October 1989.
106. Interviews: B.J. Ngulube; Boniface Kumwenda.
107. Evelyn Musonda, interview, Kitwe, 27 December 2002.
108. Harrison Nkonde, interview.
109. Japhet Sekwila, interview, Mufulira, 25 February 2003.
110. Joseph Mulenga, interview, Kitwe, 8 November 2002.
111. Ibid.
112. See for example, MUZ HO, 'Supreme Council Minutes, 1983-88', National Chairman opening remarks to SC, 15 July 1988.
113. See for example, Akwety, Trade Unions and Democratisation, pp. 56-7.
114. Frederick Hapunda, Minister of Labour 1982-86, quoted in Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 112.
115. Timothy Walamba, interview, Kitwe, 6 November 2002.
116. Agnes N'gandwe, interview, Mufulira, 26 February 2003.
117. Edward Kabundi, interview, Chililabombwe, 18 February 2003.
118. Borries Ntankula, interview, Kitwe, 5 November 2002.
119. ToZ, 9 August 1989.
120. ToZ, 8 August 1989.
121. ToZ, 30 December 1989.
122. George Lombe, interview.
123. Timothy Walamba, interview.
124. Evelyn Musonda interview.
125. 'Simakuni' was likened to 'inkuni', Bemba for 'firewood', symbolising that he was a 'firebrand' union leader. The use of a Bemba term for Simakuni, a Tonga, is indicative of the cross-ethnic discourse prevalent in MUZ.
126. Ibid.
127. Mary Palesi, interview.
128. George Mukoma, interview.
129. MUZ Nkana, Miscellaneous Documents, MUZ 1990 Biannual Conference, Report to Nkana Main Branch Executive
130. ToZ, 19 March 1990
131. MUZ Mufulira/5/A/2/90 - 'Biennial Conference, Correspondence File, 1990-1998', MUZ 1990 Biannual Conference.
132. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 99.
133. SToZ, 31 December 1989
134. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 93.
135. SToZ, 13 May 1990
136. ToZ, 14 May 1990.
137. ToZ, 20 June 1990.
138. ToZ, 26 June 1990.
139. Ibid.
140. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 101.
141. ToZ, 21 July 1990.
142. ToZ, 6 August 1990.
143. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, p. 106.
144. ToZ, 26 July 1990, 25 September 1990.
145. ToZ, 21 December 1990, 10 January 1991.
146. ToZ, 2 March 1991.
147. Interview with Arthur Wina, Lusaka, July 1991.
148. ToZ, 21 November 1990.
149. Rakner, Political and Economic Liberalisation in Zambia, p. 68
150. ToZ, 14 February 1991.
151. ToZ, 27 October 1990
152. SToZ, 26 May 1991.
153. ToZ, 24 June 1991.
154. ToZ, 27 December 1990.
155. Akwety, Trade Unions and Democratisation, p. 102.
156. SToZ, 30 December 1990.
157. Akwety, Trade Unions and Democratisation, p. 65.
158. Nordlund, Organising the Political Agora, pp. 104-5.
159. ToZ, 6 June 1990.
160. ToZ, 18 May 1991.
161. ToZ, 16 June 1990.
162. ToZ, 6 October 1990.
163. SToZ, 4 November 1990.
164. ToZ, 6 November 1990.
165. Albert Chali, interview, Chingola, 4 February 2003.
166. 'The Hour' was the MMD's slogan; its use in this context demonstrates the politicised nature of this dispute.
167. Sefelino Mumba, interview.
168. Ibid.
169. MUZ Nchanga/17A, 'CISB correspondence, 1987-91', Nchanga Main MUZ, n.d., list of those dismissed in November 1990 strikes
170. Sefelino Mumba, interview.
171. Sefelino Mumba, interview.
172. MUZ HO, 'MJIC papers, 1985-91', Special MJIC, 26 June 1990.
173. MUZ HO, 'MJIC papers, 1985-91', 8th MJIC, 28 November 1990.
174. Interviews: Agnes N'Gandwe
175. Peter Lusaka, Chililabombwe, 18 February 2003
176. MUZ Nkana, 'Main Executive Committee meetings, 1990-91', Nkana BEC, 15 March 1991.
177. George Mukoma, interview.
178. ToZ, 24 March 1990.
179. MUZ Nchanga, miscellaneous documents, MUZ Press Release, GS K. Sheng'amo, n.d., following Central Executive Committee meeting, 8 January 1991.
180. MUZ HO, miscellaneous papers, MUZ SC 16 October 1990, J. Simakuni, opening remarks.
181. For example in Ndola: SToZ, 13 January 1991.
182. ToZ, 4 May 1991.
183. SToZ, 5 May 1991.
184. Boniface Kumwenda, interview.
185. Kramer Nyondo, interview.
186. Harrison Nkonde, interview.
187. Evelyn Musonda, interview.
188. Albert Chali, interview.
189. SToZ, 28 April 1991.
190. SToZ, 27 October 1991.
191. Albert Chali, interview
192. see also Peter Lusaka, interview.
193. Boniface Kumwenda, interview
194. see also Peter Chileshe, interview, Chililabombwe, 12 February 2003.
195. ToZ, 30 October 19/91.
196. Abel Chisanga, interview, Kitwe, 5 November 2002.
197. Interviews: Oswell Munyenyembe
198. Raphael Mwanza, Mufulira, 1 March 2003; Kramer Nyondo; Patrick Kanyanta.
199. M. Bratton, 'Economic Crisis and Political Realignment in Zambia', in J. Widner (ed.), Economic Change and Political Liberalization in Sub-Saharan Africa (Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Press, 1994).
200. George Lombe, interview.
201. ToZ, 8 August 1991.
202. MUZ HO, 'MJIC papers, 1985-91', MJIC, 5 November 1991.
203. ToZ, 5 November 1991.
204. Ibid., 5 December 1991.
205. MUZ HO, 'MJIC papers, 1985-91', MJIC, 11/10/91.
206. MUZ HO 15/13/81, 'Other Govt Ministries and Govt Bodies, 1981-2001', President Chiluba to General Secretaries of Trade Unions, n.d. (c.December 1991).
207. M. Larmer, 'Reaction and Resistance to Neo-Liberalism in Zambia', Review of African Political Economy, 103 (May 2005), pp. 29-45.
208. P. Bond, 'Radical Rhetoric and the Working-Class during Zimbabwean Nationalism's Dying Days', in B. Raftopoulos and L. Sachikonye (eds), Striking Back: The Labour Movement and the Post-Colonial State in Zimbabwe (Harare, Weaver Press, 2001).
209. M. Larmer, '"The Politics of the Stomach": Zimbabwe's Trade Unions and the Movement for Democratic Change in 2002', South African Labour Bulletin, 26, 4 (December 2002), pp. 61-5.
210. Larmer, 'Reaction and Resistance to Neo-Liberalism in Zambia'.
211. A. Duncan, H. Macmillan, and N. Simutanyi, 'Zambia: Drivers of Pro-Poor Change' (Oxford, Oxford Policy Management, Oxford, 2003).
212. Rakner, Political and Economic Liberalisation in Zambia.