Government Denies Banning Musicians From State Functions

LUSAKA – The Zambian government has moved swiftly to quash persistent rumours circulating on various social media platforms alleging a ban on specific musicians from performing at official state functions. In a joint press briefing held yesterday in Lusaka, officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts categorically dismissed these claims as unfounded and misleading, asserting that such policies do not exist within government operations. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, addressed the media, stating, “We have noted with concern the spread of misinformation suggesting that some of our talented Zambian artists are being sidelined from national events due to their perceived political leanings or expressions. Let me be clear: this government does not engage in such discriminatory practices. Our focus remains on promoting Zambian talent and culture, and all artists are evaluated based on their artistic merit, relevance to the event, and professional conduct.” Mr. Chileshe further elaborated that the selection process for performers at state functions is transparent and aims to showcase the rich diversity of Zambian music and arts. He urged the public to disregard speculative posts on social media, which he described as often being driven by agendas to sow discord and mistrust between the government and the artistic community. “We encourage artists to continue their craft and engage with the Ministry through established channels, rather than relying on unverified social media reports,” he added. The allegations, which gained traction over the past few weeks, suggested that musicians who had openly expressed views critical of government policies or who were associated with opposition figures were being deliberately excluded from performing at national celebrations, presidential inaugurations, or other high-profile state-sponsored events. This narrative had sparked considerable debate among citizens, with many