The Bee’s Knees Factor: An Evaluation of South Africa’s Influence on Zambian Arts
Cheela Himutwe K. Chilala
Lecturer, Literature and Drama, Department of Literature and Languages
University of Zambia
Until recently when it was overtaken by Nigeria, South Africa has been Africa’s biggest economy. Be that as it may, South Africa still wields more economic influence on other African countries than Nigeria, and still holds and relishes its place and role in the BRICS group. Zambia is one of the countries whose economy has been greatly influenced by South Africa, in part due to its geographical proximity to the country. South Africa is Zambia’s biggest trading partner, though the partnership is asymmetrical, tilted heavily in favour of South Africa. This paper, however, focuses on the exploration of the question of whether South Africa has had the same impact on Zambian arts as it has on the Zambian economy. Many Zambians, for example, have been influenced by the movies coming out of Nigeria’s Nollywood. However can the same be said of South African film? Many Zambians are familiar with South African soap operas, especially Isidingo. Other areas of interest are theatre, comedy, music and literature. South African comedian Trevor Noah has a fair share of fans in Zambia, and South African musicians such as the late Lucky Dube have many fans in the country. In evaluating the impact of South Africa on Zambian arts, the paper will also concern itself with how South African influence in general has been viewed in other African countries, particularly in Zambia. Last year Zambian Vice President, Guy Scott, raised controversy when he said South Africans were “historically backward”; that they thought they were “the bee’s knees” and forgot that other African countries played a key role in their liberation from the claws of apartheid. The implication of Scott’s accusation is that South Africa thinks it is the best and has the best, and that other African countries should look up to it. In terms of the arts, what kind of relationship exists between Zambia and South Africa? Does South Africa receive as much as it gives in this relationship?
