Breaking the Silence: Zambian Actor Reveals Son's Drug Struggles

Zambian actor Owas Mwape shares his painful journey as he confronts his son's drug addiction, challenging societal norms.

One of Zambia's most celebrated actors and filmmakers, Owas Mwape, has broken a long-standing social taboo by revealing his son's struggles with drug addiction. Recently, he took to Facebook to seek advice and support, using his platform to address the pressing issue of substance abuse that many parents in Zambia are reluctant to discuss. At 52 years old, Mwape, a father of six, aims to open a dialogue about an epidemic that lurks closer to home than many are willing to admit.

Mwape reflects on the silence surrounding addiction, stating, "I've discovered most parents hide such kind of things, they're hiding their children." His eldest son, Mayamiko, now 23, began showing signs of addiction during his teenage years, with incidents of theft and a significant amount of missing money from Mwape's accounts. The situation escalated when Mayamiko, facing the pressure of final-year exams, ran away to live on the streets.

The poignant interview with the BBC revealed the heartache Mwape endures as a father. He describes Mayamiko, whom he once viewed as intelligent and generous, as transformed by drugs. "It’s a very difficult thing to be a father in the moment that I have found myself in," Mwape explains, emphasizing the need for forgiveness and understanding in healing.

Through social media, Mwape sought out success stories of rehabilitation centers in Zambia, pointing out the stigma attached to addiction in a country where many parents hesitate to acknowledge or address the issue. He discovered that he is not alone; numerous parents confided their similar struggles with addiction, revealing a pervasive problem.

Currently, there is no publicly-funded rehab facility in Zambia, causing some desperate families to seek help abroad. Mwape's experience has given rise to a growing influence on his filmmaking, with projects addressing the issue of drug abuse in Zambian society. He previously produced "Girls 2 Ladies," tackling the topic of drugs in boarding schools, and his son Maxwell directed a film on alcohol addiction titled "The Flask."

As Mwape grapples with his son's situation, he seeks guidance from Nason Banda, head of Zambia's Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). Banda highlights the alarming surge in drug abuse over the last decade, citing broken families and the easy accessibility of drugs as key factors. Mwape feels a deeper commitment to advocating for better understanding and treatment of addiction within his community.

With a cautious sense of hope, Mwape expresses his belief that his son has the potential for recovery and a better future. "Sometimes, battles are never won by simply getting into battle," he states, reinforcing the importance of strategy and support systems in overcoming addiction. Mwape hopes that his willingness to speak out will not only aid his family's healing but also inspire other parents to confront the issue head-on.