True Colours Magazine

What really defined Zambia in 2025?

From cyber security laws and constitutional changes to public unrest and global visa restrictions, 2025 was a year of quiet shifts and loud moments.

True Colours Magazine Issue no. 6 ranks the 10 most consequential events of the year using political, economic, and public impact — not hype.

Dive into the analysis to see the full Ranks 10-6 and find out how each event scored. What do you think will be in the Top 5?

Download Issue no. 6 from www.tcmagazine.online

Let us keep INYANCING the economy, look at how prices of mealie meal actually dropped in 2025

True Colours - Tit-Bits

The Dancing Speaker

Over the last four years, despite her perceived links to the ruling party, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia has earned considerable respect for the tact and composure with which she has presided over topical and often sensitive matters on the floor of the House.

One incident that significantly contributed to her public acclaim was what came to be popularly known as nkani ya banana.

In 2022, a prominent female public officer found herself at the centre of a social media storm after allegations emerged that she was the woman featured in a viral video circulating online. In the video, a woman was seen exposing herself while suggestively sucking a banana.

Some political figures quickly seized the opportunity to scandalize the appointing authorities. Eventually, the matter found its way to the floor of the National Assembly, where a particularly zealous Member of Parliament (MP) raised a point of order.

Speaker: Order! Order! Honourable you may proceed.

The MP: “Let me take this opportunity to advise those outside who like using bananas that I have muscular youths in my constituency…”

House: Laughter

Madam Speaker: “Order! Order! Order! Honourable Member, can you please repeat what you have said?”

The MP: “Madam Speaker, those who are farming bananas can take advantage of our youths to assist in farming.”

Madam Speaker: “Honourable Member, how does the issue of bananas come into this?”

The MP: “Madam Speaker, I am promoting agriculture.”

As some members persisted in pushing the matter, the Speaker firmly brought the House to order.

“Let he who has not sinned or fondled himself throw the first stone,” she cautioned. One can easily imagine the stunned silence that followed in the chamber.

That was how the matter was effectively laid to rest. Many Zambians praised the Speaker for her tactful handling of a potentially embarrassing and inflammatory issue. The respect she earned on that occasion was well deserved.

It therefore came as a shock to many when she was seen dancing on the floor of the House following the passage of Bill 7. A number of observers felt that, as Speaker, she ought to have maintained strict neutrality and avoided any overt display of support for the ruling party.

“Chabulanda saana referee ukushana so,” some critics remarked — “It is shameful for a referee to celebrate like that.”

Nonetheless, others rushed to her defense, urging the public to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Referee nga balimusuminisha ukumako ama penalty elo aingisha, kuchita shani?” they argued — “If a referee is asked to take a penalty kick and then scores, what you expect?”

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We are pleased to return with Issue No. 6 of True Colours. As many of our readers may recall, this journey began in 2021, with the aim of creating a platform through which the Zambian community could be informed and enlightened through seasoned, well-researched analysis and perspectives on issues that shape our daily lives and national discourse.

In total, five issues were published during that initial phase. In March 2022, we took a strategic pause, driven by the desire to identify a more sustainable model for publishing the magazine. However, as often happens, one thing led to another, months passed, and momentum was temporarily lost.

The dream, however, never faded. We regrouped, reassessed our approach, and resolved to continue from where we left off—stronger and better prepared.

What we present today is more than a periodical magazine. True Colours has evolved into a fully fledged digital platform, accessible at www.tcmagazine.online, designed to deliver greater value to our readers and subscribers. The platform now features:
• Top online stories offering timely news, in-depth analysis, and diverse perspectives;
• Live reporting, keeping subscribers informed of breaking events as they unfold; and
• News snippets, providing concise and timely news flashes.
These features have been carefully developed to ensure that our subscribers receive real value for their investment.

This edition carries a number of compelling and thought-provoking stories. Our lead features include an analysis of the performance of the New Dawn Administration over its four years in office, as well as a review of key national and global events of 2025. For social media enthusiasts, we present the first in a short series profiling one of Zambia’s most prominent social media influencers, Mwizukanji.

As always, we also bring you our regular sections, including Book Review, Economic Monitor, Corruption Monitor, Titbits, Photo Focus, and Social Media Rantings, alongside other engaging content.

We invite you, our valued reader, to sit back, engage, and enjoy this edition. Your feedback is important to us, and we encourage you to get in touch via [email protected].