The Patriotic Front’s Use Popular Music in the 2016 Elections in Zambia: A Literature Review

Abstract

This paper reviews recent studies that examine how music has been used for electioneering in in the 2016 general elections in Zambia. After a survey of several papers addressing music and elections in contemporary Zambia, a total of three papers specific to the 2016 elections are examined, these are: "Music and its Role in the Electoral Process of Zambia" by Namuyamba et al (2018); "The Discursive Role of Music in African Elections: A Perspective from Zambia" by Mambwe (2019); and "Singing Dununa Reverse: Interrogating the Symbolic, Political, Cultural and Patriotic Perspectives in a Zambian Political Campaign Song" by Lumbwe (2017). From the three papers examined, there is an acknowledgement of the power that music has in communicating key messages in elections. Music has become an important element Zambian electioneering as parties have recognized how effective they can reach masses. Further, in the electioneering context, music can be used and examined differently. The papers analyzed demonstrate that there exists latitude in what music can achieve for political communication.

Gatekeeping Through Music: A Case of the Patriotic Front in Zambia

“…Mambwe explains that by saying "the (football) game is hard or difficult" the song "intended to taunt Hichilema and the UPND … that the game of politics is not for the 'fainthearted'" and will make those that are not strong feel the heat and sweat. The song specifically called Hichilema, an "under-five" in politics, the term popularly used by Sata to describe Hichilema (Kalobwe, 2021).…”

Populism, Media and Elections in Zambia: The case of the Patriotic Front in the 2011 and 2016 elections

“…For example, Gorzelany-Mostak observes that during elections, "electoral candidates employ a range of tactics to harness the sound, symbols and rhetoric of pop culture" (2017, p. 4). Nchindila (2008), Mambwe (2019) and Kalobwe (2021) have highlighted how popular music has been used in Zambian politics, especially during elections, primarily to sale the candidate, highlight the achievements, make promises, persuade voters, and even taunt opponents.…”