I was on a call when I heard the news that Fumba Chamba, popularly known as Pilato, had been appointed the Permanent Secretary for Youth, Arts and Sports in Zambia. I remember jumping around, screaming, and blasting my social media with excitement and celebration. My text message to Pilato was a show of confidence, a pat on the shoulder, and a ‘thank you’ for leading the path for fellow creatives.
Pilato is not just a creative, but I think that is the part of his journey that felt like a validation for me – and those like me everywhere. Seeing one of our own assume that level of responsibility was proof of the “governance is for creatives too” narrative that much of our work centers on and even advocates for.
While I have seen other creatives around the continent hold political positions, it is not an everyday occurrence. Bobi Wine as a musician is an easy reference because the artist in him shines through in his passion and commitment to the democratic governance of Uganda. From knowing Nigerian director and actor, Desmond Elliot, through TV screens in our childhood, to seeing him take up office as a lawmaker – he too is another easy reference.
Of course, artist’s contributions are not limited to public office, or just about their art, but their vision of the countries they hail from and live in. DJ Switch in Nigeria was one of the artists on the frontlines of the #EndSARS protests; Lebo Mashile is a South African artist recognizable for her ‘lyrical and gutsy poetry which has captivated audiences in 28 countries over the last two decades.’ Zimbabwean Singer, Marve Tee, is a strong advocate for the rights of persons with albinism, particularly access to healthcare. On the Resistance Bureau, we even featured some of these voices in an episode, ‘The Art of Resistance.’ All these creative leaders are phenomenal artists, contributing to the positive transformation of our countries and our continent.
Pilato’s appointment, for me, is a reminder that creatives have a place in governance, and that progressive governments open up the space for creatives to feed in. This is important.
I first met Pilato in 2020, where I had the pleasure of hosting him on our Resistance Bureau show, which also featured the current President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema. In December 2021, I had the chance to meet Pilato in-person and moderate a session he was a guest in, during the Southern African Human Rights Summit in Mozambique. In 2022, I would work with him again on a digital campaigns training for young Zambians. Beyond these key engagements, he has remained instrumental in directing and connecting me to young people in Zambia who have been a valuable resource for my work and professional growth. Throughout, Pilato has been accessible, he has been motivational, and he has remained consistent in his commitment to young people in Zambia and elsewhere.
In short, Pilato’s win felt like a win for me, for the region and for the continent. I see young people and creatives represented in his journey and it fits just perfectly that he gets to play an instrumental role in shaping the politics of Zambia moving forward.
The essence of representation is the proximity of the experiences, interests, commitments, and priorities of the people that hold office to those of the constituents they serve. Pilato’s appointment is not just a drop in the ocean of a new Zambia seeking to galvanize its youth potential — it is the entire ocean in a drop, and it gives us a picture of the simplicity of our aspiration as young Africans, to see people who inspire us on a daily take up positions that amplify their contributions to youth development.
When I shared the news of Pilato’s appointment on WhatsApp, I also highlighted that it would be great for governments across the continent to start optimizing its youth base by purposefully betting on people who truly care about the future. African youth are not just Africa’s greatest asset, they will over the next decades become a pivotal global asset.
A part of me is jealous of young people in Zambia. But the greater part of me feels inspired and energized, because those young people are my friends, colleagues, comrades, sisters, brothers. And whatever positive impact Pilato will have on them will spill over to us too. I wish my friend and brother a teachable experience, one that will evolve him as he evolves others. I hope he teaches us the way, as we build ourselves to take up space in our own countries, the continent and the world over.
A win for Zambia, is a win for all of us. Amhlophe!
Mantate Mlotshwa is the founder of the creative brand U Motle, and an advocate for the meaningful contribution of women and youth to democracy and governance processes in Zimbabwe. She is also the co-producer and co-host of The Resistance Bureau. Follow her on Twitter: @MantateQueeneth