Zambian Actor Owas Mwape Breaks Taboo by Discussing Son’s Drug Addiction

Prominent Zambian actor and filmmaker Owas Mwape recently disclosed on Facebook that one of his young sons struggles with drug addiction, an admission that challenged a societal taboo, as he sought guidance. The 52-year-old informed the BBC of his intention to leverage his status as a public personality to highlight Zambia’s drug issues and support other parents in the socially conservative nation who are apprehensive about the stigma associated with a child’s substance abuse. Mwape, who is a father to five sons and one daughter, stated, “I’ve discovered most parents hide such kind of things, they’re hiding their children.” He added, “It’s out there and on our doorsteps. We can’t run away from it. As long as you send your children to school, know that it could hit your household.” The acclaimed actor, known for films such as Mwansa the Great, consented to an extensive interview with the BBC to articulate the profound distress he experiences as a parent and the issue that has evidently fractured his family for the past four to five years. Mayamiko, currently 23 years old, was in his teenage years when the difficulties started. Initially, his father observed unauthorized withdrawals from his bank account, as Mayamiko had accessed his phone to take approximately $3,000 (£2,300) over a period of about two years. This was followed by instances of minor theft. The use of the stolen funds for drugs was not immediately apparent, but the situation escalated moments before he was scheduled to take his final-year school examinations, leading him to flee home and reside on the streets. This sequence of events evidently shocked and distressed Mwape, who found it difficult to reconcile this behavior with the son he characterized as lively and kind, noting that Mayamiko’s entire disposition alters under the influence of drugs. He stated, “It’s a very difficult thing to be a father in the moment that I have found myself in. It’s tough because every child is special and Maya is one of those special kids because he is intelligent.” However, he emphasized the necessity of forgiving one’s children to assist them, illustrating his point with an African proverb: “Your child is like an axe, it will hammer you and you pick it up and put it on your shoulder.” Mayamiko has since re-established contact with his father, though communication occurs on his own terms, utilizing various phone numbers, which complicates reaching him. Nevertheless, this has instilled hope in his father for potential improvement, even as he acknowledges that Mayamiko’s willingness to change is crucial for any rehabilitation efforts to succeed. During the interview, Mwape had successfully persuaded Mayamiko to attend. The discussion was candid and, at one point, evolved into an emotional exchange between the father and son. Approximately an hour into their conversation, Mwape inquired, “Maya, if we found you work to do and you start getting paid, are you going to work extra hard?” Mayamiko, speaking with some incoherence and frequent pauses, conceded that he desired assistance to alter his lifestyle and gain the ability to earn an income. His father then posed the follow-up question: “Are you promising us that you will stay away from drugs?” Mayamiko paused before responding, “Yeah.” His father found relief in hearing Mayamiko express aspirations, viewing it as a foundation for progress. However, Mwape’s greatest frustration stems from his second-oldest son’s consistent lack of clarity regarding the specific drugs he consumes, their acquisition methods, and his frequent evasiveness when questioned. He explained, “When you’re trying to speak to him, you can tell that things are not adding up, so that’s why for me I really need that sort of… intervention.” Upon further inquiry during the interview concerning the drugs, Mayamiko indicated he primarily used “cheese,” which refers to marijuana, or “anything.” This prompted Mwape, currently appearing in the widely watched Zambian soap opera Zuba on DStv, to post on Facebook, seeking information about rehabilitation centers with demonstrated success, as such accounts are not commonly disseminated in a nation where drug addiction is a highly private matter. Zambia has multiple private facilities, but no government-funded ones, and Mwape mentioned reports of some individuals sending their children to China for treatment. He remarked, “I couldn’t believe [it], there were a number of parents who came into my inbox with similar problems.” Mwape’s personal experiences have also shaped the themes of recent films produced by his company, which address topics often regarded as “un-Zambian.” He stated, “Girls 2 Ladies is about drugs in boarding schools.” He elaborated, “I’m not saying boarding schools are not good, but I think it’s important as parents now that we put a keen eye to try to find out what type of schools we’re sending our children to, [which is] one of my greatest fears even with what type of rehabilitation centre I should send him [Mayamiko] to.” His eldest son, Maxwell, recently directed The Flask, a stark portrayal of an alcoholic’s descent into addiction, scheduled for release next month. The research for these various projects has connected Mwape with Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), led by Nason Banda, whom Mwape commends for his progressive approach that prioritizes interventions for young people over incarceration, a prospect many parents dread. Mwape asserted, “Sending them to prison doesn’t help because there are still drugs in there.” Mr. Banda indicated that drug abuse is escalating in Zambia, with cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and over-the-counter medications like the codeine-containing cough syrup Benylin among the most frequently misused substances. He informed the BBC that his organization has observed a 300% rise in the number of individuals they have assisted over the last decade. He clarified, “Now that is just as DEC but we have several other institutions that assist with drug-dependent persons, so that is not the full reflection of the extent of the problem.” The director of the national anti-drug agency identified broken families, along with the availability and low cost of drugs, as primary factors contributing to drug abuse. He also noted that peer pressure and the romanticization of drug culture by adults have played a role. Mr. Banda affirmed the DEC’s dedication to combating drug abuse by focusing on suppliers, users, and the financial gains from the trade, further stating his desire for the government to establish a specialized rehabilitation center if funding permits. Mwape’s aspiration is that his candidness regarding his son’s struggles will benefit not only his family but also others, thereby preventing the nation from remaining in denial. While acknowledging that a parent’s pain is enduring, he expresses confidence in his eventual success and in Mayamiko’s recovery. He concluded, “Sometimes, battles are never won by simply getting into battle – battles are won by employing strategy and I know that all strategies that I have employed are definitely taking me to the right place.”