Owas Mwape, a renowned Zambian actor, bravely opens up about his son's drug addiction, challenging societal taboos and encouraging other parents to confront similar issues. He uses his platform to seek solutions and create awareness surrounding the alarming rise of substance abuse in Zambia.
Breaking the Silence: Zambian Actor Owas Mwape Faces Family Drug Struggles
Breaking the Silence: Zambian Actor Owas Mwape Faces Family Drug Struggles
Actor Owas Mwape sheds light on his son's addiction and advocates for open conversations about drug issues in Zambia.
Owas Mwape, a leading figure in Zambian cinema, is shattering long-held societal taboos by publicly sharing the struggles of his son’s drug addiction, seeking help and encouraging open dialogue among parents in a conservative climate. At 52, Mwape, acclaimed for his role in films like Mwansa the Great, turns to social media to discuss the stigma surrounding substance abuse, revealing the pain and challenges he has faced as a parent of five sons and one daughter.
In an in-depth interview with the BBC, Mwape courageously outlined the spiraling troubles with his son Mayamiko. The younger Mwape, now 23, began exhibiting troubling behavior as a teenager when money started disappearing from his father's accounts, ultimately leading to petty theft and street living. Mwape's description of his son as intelligent and generous contrasted sharply with Mayamiko's troubled persona under the influence of drugs, leaving the seasoned actor heartbroken.
“Every child is special,” Mwape explained, emphasizing how the addiction struggles have torn his family apart over the years. He recalled how Mayamiko's sly behavior shocked him, stating, “It’s a very difficult thing to be a father in the moment that I have found myself in.” However, Mwape expresses hope as his son remains intermittently in touch, and during an emotional meeting, Mayamiko expressed a willingness to change, albeit hesitantly.
The father-son discussions unearthed layers of difficulty as Mayamiko navigated his drug habits, mentioning the use of "cheese," a slang term for marijuana. This prompted Mwape to seek information about successful rehabilitation options on social media, revealing the silence surrounding addiction in Zambia. Most parents seem apprehensive to share their experiences, yet Mwape found solidarity as many reached out seeking advice for similar issues.
His journey into this realm influenced not only his personal life but also his filmmaking endeavors. His company’s works like Girls 2 Ladies address the grim realities of drug culture within Zambian boarding schools. The growing frequency of addiction caught the attention of Zambia's Drug Enforcement Commission, led by Nason Banda, who confirmed an alarming rise in substance abuse issues alongside evolving drug markets.
Banda underscored that broken family structures, along with drug accessibility, are critical factors in addiction trends. He echoed Mwape's sentiments regarding the ineffectiveness of incarceration as a solution, striving for a more rehabilitative approach.
By speaking out, Mwape hopes to cultivate an environment where families can openly address addiction struggles without fear, aiming to inspire others who grapple with similar challenges. Although the pain of a parent lingers, he is determined that, through strategy and understanding, both he and Mayamiko can overcome the hurdles posed by addiction together.
