The Sacrifice Zone: Zambia's most polluted town | People & Power Documentary

[@saviourmukuka9780]

I grew up in Kabwe, Katondo to be specific. Which is one of the areas largely contaminated with 'lead'. I'm 22 now and studying MBA in Morocco in third year, it breaks my heart to see how difficult the situation is: especially coming from a family that struggles to have 3 meals in a day. I can promise, that when psychological needs are missing such as food, you barely get to worry about other problems such as lead poisoning. And talking about sensitization of the community about the problem at hand, I don't think much is done at least when I was there, I only remember one NGO, coming to our community school to tell us about how we can prevent ourselves from it. That was the only time, (once in 20 years). We have so many problems, not knowing when we will have a much better environment. One thing is for sure, there is a partial change coming in day by day, in a positive direction.

[@yobodaka1621]

💪✨💯🙏 we are lead poisoning survivors ❤ looking forward to see the complete change 🙏 born in makululu and now at the university of Zambia studying medicine 3rd year. It shall be well

[@andrewnguni2336]

Thanks clever man nice to know you are doing well now God bless

[@frankkabwe5821]

How many years does it take studying MBA?

[@KNC-Media-Zambia]

Kabwe is not a city..Still a town and is not the second largest city in Zambia.There are currently four cities in Zambia and Kabwe is not one of them. While the information is helpful getting facts right would have been better,then try to paint the usual African picture..of extreme poverty and a society that can’t think on there own...

[@Bio54633]

Your attack should have been directed at those accused of the pollution, not those bringing the issue to worldwide attention. Such emotional outbursts portray us as lacking in self-assurance, who always want to revel in victimhood. That Kabwe has been described as a city is barely relevant to the subject matter of the film.

[@ancietosmwansa3609]

Did you not hear her say town in the intro?

[@vinyl6131]

​@@Bio54633 KNC is right. Don't attack him. We appreciate the media coverage and trying to bring the issue to worldwide attention. But most of these world renowned media networks, especially western media, doesn't portray Africa in the best light. Look at the poor images of Kabwe they're showing. Look at how primitive the people they're portraying look. Is that really a true representation of Kabwe? And to say that is Zambia's second largest city is just so disheartening especially to a viewer not from Zambia. We appreciate the coverage and we're thankful. But don't portray us as primitive.

[@health_ontrack]

​​@@vinyl6131it is still part of kabwe because the reporter chose to focus on this and not where the rich reside. If theres a population that is suffering of course it doesn't mean the whole kabwe town. But thanks to the reporter for showing us the other side. 😢 Now it is time to act and not to attack our advocate!

[@vinyl6131]

@@health_ontrack Don't get me wrong. I'm not disagreeing with your point. I don't want this to turn into a pointless debate. Just read what I said earlier again. Try to be more careful this time and see what KNC was trying to say.

[@georgephiri8974]

My people focus! Aljazeera THANK YOU...bringing such to light is important

[@asogvideos]

Yeah thanks Al jezeera Now I know why my students are always lagging behind... seriously worrying

[@haroldchipango8658]

Zambians are busy arguing about Kabwe being 2rd city in the country and missing the point. Unless nga ni yomaps and the wife or ben lombe and the friend. This is serious and it should be a wake-up call for the government to take action.

[@noahsambo5777]

Can you imagine! Some people have nuts for brains

[@doostar6875]

tulli fipubafye. Especially young people. They dont even know that Kabwe had lead/zinc mines. They only know that Kidist has enlarged her hips, or that Mwizukanji had eggs for breakfast

[@chikochiringa7247]

Imagine

[@haroldchipango8658]

@@doostar6875🤣 very funny

[@loverovall72]

The Zambian government to take action?? 😂 Anglo left the mine in the 70's and the Zambian government nationalised the mine- they took it over and played a complicit part in this. The government firstly did NOT protect their own citizens AND contributed to the harm done- and then when help was offered the corrupt Zambian government simply pocketed that money. I can understand why that lawsuit was dropped. The whole situation is terribly sad and my heart breaks for those families 💔

[@vickie2222]

The fact that outsiders are the ones highlighting the problems in our towns speaks alot to the calibre of people we have in this country. We have journalists but they just report on political and entertainment news. Very sad indeed.

[@kwestzm]

the fact that most Zambians will only know about this after seeing this video is crazy

[@EmmaKabi]

Me am only seeing this now,,,,has ZNBC run such a documentary before?

[@nathanpezo2472]

I swear. 😂

[@kwestzm]

@@EmmaKabi Not that I have heard of, Which is a bad sign that our media houses do not really care about such

[@Rdgrzpxl]

I’ve lost all respect for ZNBC

[@thevoiceofinspiration674]

Sad that am one of those Zambians

[@DanielMwanza]

What's sad is that Zambian law firms are not the ones suing Anglo-American, its a group of lawyers all the way in SA. How an entire generation of our children have brain damage & successive governments have barely done anything to sort out the waste, I feel for my fellow citizens. Totally sad!

[@chisangamfula6421]

Exactly

[@kelvinmwambankhoma8480]

It's funny how we are missing the real point of the documentary. Forget about the city status of Kabwe and focus on the lead poisoning-that is the significance of the documentary and we as citizens should applaud the efforts being put in ensuring lives especially of the young ones are preserved by having those responsible pay the Compensation to enable the affected get proper medical help. And by the way those of you arguing the size of Kabwe do research and compare the town to others in terms of the radius each town you are proposing has in comparison to Kabwe. That being said Lead poisoning is killing the future of Kabwe therefore all efforts to bring them to book must be supported. Thank you

[@chikochiringa7247]

People just want to say abasungu this that and ignore facts... Kuti wapapa kwena

[@zedtech6594]

That’s the problem with us Zambians , we don’t see the bigger picture

[@Theonlything6341]

Perception is very important and if you don't understand that it shows your ignorance you don't want people perceive you in a negative why and there is nothing more negative than poor and uneducated

[@chunguchibwe5272]

😊

[@giftkapila648]

Thank you for making us aware, of what's happening in the country.

[@mwenyachisanga6727]

Thank you to Aljazeera to highlighting this in Zambia we have a lot of minerals and mining done here unfortunately the mining companies and Government do not consider the environment effect it has caused either from the past or present hope this video stays here for a long time for one day a Good Government might learn from it and protect it's citizen as they sign mining concessions

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching, dear Mwenya. 🙌

[@njavwa2886]

So we have two cases, a campaign to make Mopani in Mufulira account for the Sulfur Dioxide (senta) and this one for the people of Kabwe but guess what, we wanted to open up an open pit mine in the Lower Zambezi to disturb the natural flora of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Mining can be beneficial but the lasting effects are truly lasting.

[@lastenhimooya2817]

Thank you so much for this eye opening documentary. I hope we will take this with seriousness it deserves as Zambians.

[@kalengamumba1214]

Zambians? serious? This will be a forgotten story within a month

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching. 🙌

[@asogvideos]

​​@@kalengamumba1214we wont forget Im launching a campaign

[@baxtonsiwila9888]

Kabwe being compared to chenobyl 😢 yet people still live in the polluted area......OMG!!!!

[@magnifayamusic4364]

elo movies have been done about Chernobyl. Kabwe's people are resilient

[@skystreem4860]

I honestly found it abysmal to have such a comparison. These people have never lived in an area that is nuclear. you would literally get radiation poisoning, which is completely invisible whether you eat drink or standstill, you will die. I honestly feel insulted comparing the danger imposed by nuclear material and radiation versus water contamination

[@Idk1407-f4k]

@@skystreem4860ur stupid

[@lupleg]

Actually am all here though I have a research am doing about the same lead

[@obedrianssirwander1293]

Forget the description of Kabwe, pay attention to the necessary details. What makes information necessary? How helpful the information is/maybe...

[@Piet0224]

Lead exposure can damage the brain and central nervous system, causing neurological disorders like: Mental retardation, Behavioral problems, Nerve damage, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Schizophrenia. Serious solutions are needed mu chalo chesu

[@cchabuka4793]

Thank you Aljazeera for this documentary.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching! 🙌

[@karenngula1394]

My birth place❤❤ thank you for shedding light on the situation

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching, dear Karen. 🙌

[@JohnChampaMulenga]

In my country, we care alot about money not the health of it's citizens. These mine investors their own interest is making profits not caring for the workers' health nor the people who live within the areas where mine operations are taken. Money has blinded our government and these investors take advantage of it and they literally offer a huge amounts of money so the government can't refuse the offers. Hope this will awaken them.😢😢 It's sad

[@classicgreg412]

Thank you Aljazera, this is a catastrophe that has been downplayed. It's so sad how this problem has affected us while the authorities and culprits downplay it.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching!

[@TRE-099]

Zambians in LUSAKA gather here, something needs to be done,👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿

[@gracekapela6947]

We are survivors 😭✊

[@matthewpule]

really thank A Jazeera or this documentary. please keep doing this. this case needs to be taken to trial. Hope our government does not sleep on this matter.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for taking the time to watch our documentary and share your thoughts with us, dear Matthew. 🙌

[@mohammadmatin8030]

Wishing all the best for 🇿🇲

[@tuxi187]

Kabwe 2nd Largest city ? That information is incorrect

[@eyeofrafilms]

Such statements are made to attract viewers and bring awareness to the horrific situation that’s occurring in Kabwe…Peoples lives are at risk!

[@marvinchewe3952]

Kabwe is the fourth largest city in Zambia

[@noahsambo5777]

I would worry about the lead if I where you

[@davekc2482]

That's irrelevant look at the reason for the documentary.

[@Randomvideos-fx1dk]

🤣that’s what you’re concerned about it being a town ulichipuba iwe worry about the matter at hand lead poisoning

[@isaacsakufiwa0102]

Very sad story!! These mining companies must be watched for some of these negative environmental impacts

[@justinkatangila5417]

I was born in Kabwe and i use to go to the mine site and pick those lead stones little did i know that i was effecting myself i was poor in terms of my academic performance 😢😢😢😢😢

[@twinbanda]

Nice research.

[@patriciakalota428]

I started my education in kabwe at the Dominican Convent School, I never knew much about lead and zinc then. Many years later I came across this during my work with a faith based organization. The reports were heart breaking 2014-2016; 10 years later not much has been done. Suggestions were made to totally resettle everyone in that area. Again I am not sure if our people would agree to resettle in rural Kabwe because they are so used to town. I pray for the best and permanent solution 🙏🏾

[@zamlocalupdate.3004]

We thank you for this documentary, hope the new dawn government will take keen interest in this matter.❤

[@joelsilomba3199]

mining does northing for us,it just breeds wars corruption and environmental degradation.

[@Idk1407-f4k]

And this.

[@JohnMushitu]

I had no idea just how bad the lead poisoning was, till now

[@Lumi913]

Have grown up in kabwe my whole entire life......we are used to it

[@lubilo]

Am sure now you know how serious this is start educating others on it . Not everyone has the access to this information

[@Randomvideos-fx1dk]

You’re not used to it dumbass you’re at risk read about what lead does to the body The body doesn’t get used to it ubupuba sana this isn’t an infection where your immune system gets used to it read your microbiology or biology on the immune system

[@Idk1407-f4k]

It’s sad tho. I wish I could change it for you :/

[@iseebee1494]

Looking at comments focused on whether Kabwe is a city or not makes me think the lead poisoning has gone further than Kabwe. Focus people - you are at the wrong funeral. Kudos to UPND for beginning to do something but thats not enough. We voted for them because we wanted more accountability. Dont say poor civil service delivery when you are in control.

[@AndrewPeterson-d3w]

Blessings and Prayers for Zambia!

[@Patrick-vj7bh]

Lived in Kabwe for 24 years. Take this information with a pinch of salt! One thing that’s for certain is that The poverty is real. Everything else, I am not sure I believe

[@lewismbulo970]

Who really cares about Kabwe being a city or not we should be concerned about the Lead crisis

[@SuperDale40]

The city status does not matter. What matters is the pollution

[@ZamEntBase]

We Zambians are not even in the fight against effects that's led to lead poisoning. It is a South African Lawyer holding a case for the people of Kabwe against the Anglo miners. This is SAD.

[@marvelous3480]

Hmm kanshi kwaliba nefi 🥲…Jade

[@christking2206]

Hello Zambia. I'm a Man living in the Philippines, Please welcome me. I'm here to Advocate on supporting Government and Justice. Sincerely Yours, Christ King M.T.

[@manganiphiri4331]

This is really disturbing especially since no one in Zambia is talking about it. People should be evacuated from the mine site.😢😢😢😢

[@simbayihamaundu3552]

It's all because we worry about local politics other than serious issues that affect our communities in our country

[@Idk1407-f4k]

And giving medical care

[@MrRodge19]

But why didn't you hide the identity of the man who was afraid to be killed by others. He was afraid and still gave you information and you should have hid his identity

[@MwakaAmukusana]

a wake up call to the environmental department to do something and help my Beloved town.

[@magnifayamusic4364]

Dear imperial west. We Will not forget this. The people of Kabwe are resilient.

[@raphaelkloyenga6561]

Zambia my country 🇿🇲 rise up to good health stop polytion

[@stayinspired9528]

And nothing government can do and this. So horrible 😞

[@CosmasChungu-n4n]

This 'lead' issue in kabwe needed this documentary by an international channel it was also documented by the Zambian local channel some years back , with the help of a big international channel and the south African lawyer it will carry weight to take the former mining company to court.

[@masausobanda3756]

And our politicians don't even talk about this

[@chewechisanga1841]

Zambia needs to tighten taxation and environmental protection laws on mining firms. Otherwise, it shall be the same story for more decades to come.

[@tangaz5819]

This was done in 1996 but for investment, the mining companies got exemptions.

[@victorngoma8886]

Sean tembo has been strong over this issue but people of Zambia are still sleeping.

[@njavwa2886]

@@victorngoma8886This case has been opened even before Sean Tembo came on the scene.

[@victorngoma8886]

@@njavwa2886 yes but who has ever spoke about tighten taxation mines. You see this issues has caused a lot of harm to kabwe residents yet we still welcome the very company that did worse things.

[@njavwa2886]

@@victorngoma8886 Levy did propose proper taxation of mines, right now we have the Minerals Regulation Commission, you cant say this is because of Sean Tembo who came into the scene almost 10 years

[@patsonzgambo9672]

any town being compared to chernobyl is extremely worrying. sadly you can say similar things about the copperbelt and north-western cities and towns. this needs a lot more awareness and action.

[@grandsonphiri8351]

Indeed , Chernobyl is not the safest town to be compared to .There have been some online petitions against lead poison in the past two years ,but have received somewhat less attention.May this issue be given the urgent attention it deserves .

[@turnerzambia]

Hopefully this pollution will be dealt with

[@Randomvideos-fx1dk]

⁠bonse mulifipuba you’re arguing about it being a city or town instead of talking about the matter at hand of lead poisoning imwe mwefupuba arguing about it being a town or city

[@wallacelungu9836]

Of how tragic this story is and also how informative it is - I honestly did not know this goes on in Kabwe, There is still shallow minds discussing how Kabwe is not the 2nd largest city - I pitty dumbassess

[@willowtdog6449]

This is completely unacceptable! Why do we let our companies still exploit the most vulnerable people and places in the world? Why show those locals’ faces? If they die because of speaking to you because you didn’t protect their identities, what will you do? Disgusting.

[@chz6820]

There is nothing to hide naimwe, the childrens are already Destroyed. Let the truth set us free.

[@MumbiNgosa]

This is so dead serious. This documentary should help to bring up a solution...

[@mikephiri1256]

If the company was nationalized isn't it it then the duty of the government to clean it up.

[@jayryder3294]

Its so sad to see outsiders seem to care more than our own people, same thing about the debt with blackrock, people who are not even on the same continent are at tge forefront while our government pays zero attention😢

[@Fortis8Fortuna8Adiuvat]

Smh this is the same thing happening in Kafue with the steel factory.

[@mikephiri1256]

I went to college in Kabwe and I would never want to stay in Kabwe. That place is too toxic. You can see it in the people.

[@malisancube01]

This is terribly sad

[@percysjohnsonmwapemukubwe.3705]

Damage has been done

[@template9166]

I grew up in Kabwe, a lot of my friends have too. None of us exhibit any of those things. I have friends who are doctors, engineers and all and they grew up in the mine area. I don't believe this lead story. We made it just fine 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@gatshenindlovu8224]

This need to be attended to by government

[@lawrencechristopher5949]

Kufikako namu kalale not fye ku mushi chaba shani

[@director_7even]

Evacuate the people, or close the mine, These Things need ACTION

[@wezithegreat]

Sad that am zambian and I didn't know about this.

[@marvelous3480]

Zambia ku chalo🇿🇲

[@chikochiringa7247]

My Zambian people 😅😅 Forcusing on the size of the city the lead poisoning is not important at all.. Kuti wapapa😅

[@Randomvideos-fx1dk]

😂fipuba kaili they just know how to talk about yomaps his wife and chile one

[@lindamzambianinaussie5482]

First of all Aljazeera, Kabwe is not the second largest city in Zambia and for anyone who cares to know, this is not a new issue. Lead pollution in this town has been a problem for years

[@noahsambo5777]

The fact that it's not new is what's worrying AJ have done what media has failed in Zambia

[@lindamzambianinaussie5482]

That’s right Noah. But some people are trying to make it look like it’s because of UPND when in fact not😊

[@mosesmulenga8902]

There is a crisis of lead poisoning iwe ulelanda pali size of a city let's be serious

[@asogvideos]

Anglo give Kabwe and Zambia $1b for repercussion 👇🏽

[@mwexo.g9295]

Kabwe is a sunda station (where people wiwi from when travelling) not a city please only rappers like Jemax lives there

[@aaronmorgan2476]

Debeers?????!!!! Help the community???? 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂

[@Copa20777]

WILD

[@gamingandmovies5973]

Before any company sets up their operations, the environmental health department is mandated to carry out environmental impact assessment (EIA). Normal procedure and protocol is never followed, and that's why we have this enormous challenge.

[@Snoodscape]

Abena Zambia what's with the bad press we've been getting since ba Kainde took over.

[@lumambachiyabi4194]

I actually live in Kabwe Zambia right close to the mine area

[@moseschibale2755]

ZEMA are sleeping and people coming outside Zambia are the ones who telling us what a pit

[@palayalungu]

My heart bleeds for my country. We need a mind transformation, never again should we allow such dangerous operations to carry on.

[@davekc2482]

Zambians we need a mindset change busy arguing about trivial things the question is why is it that no zambian lawyers are interested in this matter and only foreigners are fighting for our own people? Why doesn't the government show interest and do something about the residents who live near this dangerous area? Look at those kids what kind of life are they going to have with such handicap?

[@justinbwalya2973]

They don’t care about people’s health as long as they are making money 😢😢

[@Lumi913]

The point missing in this documentary is that now we zambians have made this situation worse because of resurrected mining activities going on.

[@rasystudios5906]

Can someone help me understand this, isn't the black mountain in Kitwe and not kabwe ... How are the two connected?

[@easycompany7463]

Yes they are two. The one in Kitwe was a dump site for copper waste, while the one in Kabwe is a dump site for Lead waste.

[@auto-electrician-zambia019]

The comments are soo traumatising how does one focus on the size of the city/town with issue at hand🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️😥😥

[@Randomvideos-fx1dk]

Exactly what I’m saying Zambians are very dumb

[@TrollFarmer908]

This is very dangerous and sad for our beloved land😢 They came stole millions and left our land polluted,why isn’t there anything concerns from the Zambia government 😢??

[@NomsaLungu-o4m]

This is serious 😢

[@angelkamene]

ICC..Canada Zambian citizen initiate petition

[@brownskinlemon_9000]

The international courts of justice needs to look into the dangers of lead in Africa.

[@theezone40]

Not just my country but my town 😂 why y’all capping issshh

[@josephmanda8054]

Africa as usual a cursed land, while a few are enjoying the majority live in extreme poverty.

[@beshinerondozai4185]

the dark-side of capitalism, doesn't care about its own people and the environment . what's the point of extracting minerals when it doesn't affect the immediate context?

[@isaacmulindi9837]

Eaerth guardians enviromental literacy initiative for Zambia is looking into the facts

[@annaolivettajere9739]

Why wasn't the town isolated and residents moved.??

[@sydneyikakena6054]

Very sad

[@MatShams-g6n]

Get your facts straight kabwe is the four largest city in Zambia not second, The kids in this documentary were born decades after anglo American had gone. I get your point but you're barking off the wrong tree, You know who is responsible for this mess so stop telling lies

[@bonolomakgatadeluent3150]

Majority of the damage was done by Anglo fool

[@beelopama3467]

Whose responsible

[@realitytvzm]

The government was responsible Kwasila Whether it's largest or smallest city doesn't matter what matters is someone highlights the pollution .please don't think aljazeera is attacking HH

[@tangaz5819]

You know that lead doesn't go because they stopped mining right? Unless the place is cleaned up, that stuff lingers

[@themayor4608]

Lol 😂

[@peterbanda8638]

we need a good research has Zambians and find trees that can assimilate that heavy metal... funny thing is government has not been paying attention to that for many years and we don't usually talk about it in Zambia...

[@mikephiri1256]

Is that possible

[@paulakakandelwa2862]

this should be taken very seriously this can cause more damage thn one might think cause think about it the does not only affect the the town but also the entire country

[@Randomvideos-fx1dk]

If Kabwe is being compared to Chernobyl disaster just know things are crazy

[@honestchileshe7098]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭,i always cry for my poor local people in kabwe. Pipo are ready to destroy life for the sack of money at the expense of humanity. the question still stands does a human being still occupy any value in this world.

[@Rais-we1ne]

The government can stop all these if they care about the future of Zambians, the locals also need to have some sense

[@InnocentKayumba-q4h]

Kabwe needs 'reconstruction surgery' environmentally. Zambia 🇿🇲 needs environment al policy implementation schemes similar to New Zealand and Norway. Mining companies in the need to take responsibility for air and environmental pollution in our nation. 🙏🏿🇿🇲💯💯