Zambia World Wide

Reading the article on Borderline language reminded me of an incident in Kitwe.

In 1982 I went back to work in Kitwe, having been in Zimbabwe for 10 years. I had to go to the post office to collect a parcel. I was asked for ID by the clerk and all I had was my old (|Rhodesian) driver License. I had not yet had time to change it. 

The clerk made some very rude comments about white racists etc etc in Bemba. The people behind me in the queue were shocked and embarrassed, and one lady protested at the things said. 

I had had a bad day and forgot where I was; without thinking I slipped into the vernacular and told the clerk what I thought of his ancestors and of his future prospects in his own language. I had forgotten that I knew so much Bemba and surprised myself. I was also a bit embarrassed at losing my "cool".

The clerk made a quick apology, handed over my parcel and scuttled away. I turned around and the every cheery Zambians in the queue actually clapped and congratulated me on putting a "stroppy official" as they said, in his place! 

( but i couldn't look the old lady in the eye).