Effects of ICT to the Zambian tradition

Despite culture being dynamic, Zambia/Africa has strong value system on traditions. However, the old generation say that Information Communication and Technology (ICT) has broken the traditions. Because of this, a platform between the old and new generation has been created to critically look at the effects of ICT on the traditional value system. Since the introduction of technology in Zambia, according to senior headman Macha, the following have been observed; young people have broken the traditions for example when a phone rings a young person would quickly answer it while seated with elders without an excuse, this offends elders as they feel not respected, pupils sometimes have more knowledge than teachers especially those pupils who spend much time on research, this has made teachers feel inferior since they believe that they the only masters in teaching

The new generation has a strong argument, they say that ICT is a critical and valuable ingredient to the preservation of our precious African culture,  ICT is the only solution to preserve the culture and, information can be shared and transmitted within seconds at global level. In Zambian culture, information has been monopolized by the old people such that when an old man/woman dies he goes with information to the grave leaving the young generation without a (traditional library)

Upon hearing such conversations from the community I approched his royal highness chief Chikanta who is currently serving as vice chairman in the Zambian house of chiefs and represented the following observation on ICT ; "we really appreciated what Information Communication Technology does because as tradition leaders, we are now able to exhibit our culture, traditions and customs to the rest of the world, this has made us to exist, to be recognized and participate at global level, my people are now able to check for the market price for their crops"

In conclusion, I have observed that whether in urban or rural areas, ICT is a valuable ingredient to the expansion of economic and social muscle in rural areas of Zambia