The 'Most Toxic City in Africa'

For over a century, Kabwe city in Zambia has suffered severe lead pollution from a former mine, poisoning generations. More than half of the kids here have lead levels in their blood over 20x more than kids in Flint, Michigan at the height of its water crisis. 28 years after the mine's closure, the problem is far from being solved.

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[kalomboC]

It's one thing to watch documentaries about happenings in other parts of the world, but when it's a town in your country, where you have friends and family living - it hits different 😔

[davieschama]

Being born and raised in Kabwe, I can attest to the fact that this issue of lead exposure has been an ongoing crisis and majority of the everyday people are not even aware of the contamination through the air they breathe or the water they drink and the devastating effects lead poisoning has on them and their children. Almost 30 years since the closure of the mine little or no effort has been made to remedy this huge problem.The deliberate cover up of the extent of lead poisoning, the lack of proper health care to tackle this issue and inaction and incapability by the people responsible for this, is just utterly wrong and immoral. Thank you VICE for bringing awareness to this issue because URGENT measures need to be put in place by the government and other supporting organizations to mitigate these effects.

[squirrelgirl]

It blows my mind how Africa is so rich in natural resources but yet the ordinary people there NEVER benefit from this, in fact they always seem to pay the highest price (their health, their children’s health, poverty, etc..) for rich people to become more rich while they suffer. It’s very pronounced in Africa and many people there have suffered for a huge amount of time so others can have yet more money. This is actually happening all over the world to all us ordinary people no matter how good one thinks they have it. Obviously many people have it better if not living in super toxic environment or poverty or not having the diseases but w that said all the world governments are poisoning all of the people on purpose and doing straight up psychopathic things to the everyday ordinary people all so they can have more money and more power. It makes my blood boil and my heart break, especially when I see people suffering like this and it’s always the same thing no matter where, what or who……everyday people suffering, often in cruel and unspeakable ways, so that the mega rich and powerful and elite can have yet more. I hope I live to see the day that they pay for what they’ve done and us the people take back what has always been ours to begin with. Anyways I wish everyone the highest love and blessings….

[euphoricocean]

Ahh, so this is what happens when you let corporations work without regulations.

[williamnamabende]

As a Zambian, i feel bad. Am surprised how this issue is not even talked about in the main stream media in the country. Government needs to be petitioned by all well meaning citizens to thoroughly clean up the town.

[chocolatesugar]

can you do a video on how Africa is so rich in natural resources but yet the ordinary people there NEVER benefit from this?

[jakec]

The mining companies should be held responsible and liable. That's when these types of things will stop. It's the same story over and over. Some company comes in, exploits resources, harms the area and people. They leave with the profit, destroying the place and land.

If these companies start to be legally and financially responsible, I think this will make a big difference.

[thevoiceofzambiavz]

I'm a Zambian 🇿🇲 and this really breaks my heart to watch and see my people 💔😢 suffer

[Toxity]

Ive been to so many African Countries. From all of those Countries my heart will always be with Zambian people. Friendly and humble. Always smiling . I love Zambia, and this breaks my heart

[kakomamululu]

That's awkward! I actually live in this town!!!

[lwendooverland]

Thank you VICE for bringing awareness to this issue people have to know about this in Zambia.

[MichaelMengo]

I find it so interssting as a Kenyan i can understand some of what is being spoken

[Yaovan]

A brilliant report, however depressing the content is. Kudos, Chika. All the best wishes from the (healthier) mountains of Aburi. We hope to see you back soon. Cheers.

[goodnewstemple]

Great report by vice to create awareness to this health crisis. Kudos to chika for taking the risk to go to the most toxic city in Africa. May the WHO and other Health care industries fight to save this city. Let their plight move humanity to rescue missions.

[drewmccartor]

If you want to do something to help address lead pollution and childhood lead poisoning, consider supporting the international non-profit organization Pure Earth, which focuses specifically on reducing lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries and has completed dozens of lead pollution prevention and remediation projects, including the remediation of residential yards across Kabwe.

[joey]

What I find entirely sad is the fact that their own government is insincere and of zero help. That's the very very sad part 💔

[ROARSOAR]

Unbelievable..Government must take responsibility and remedy and further risk to the citizens. Innocent lives being lost and being called the most toxic city in Africa sends chills down my spine.
This lead exposure has been an ongoing crisis of community contamination is utterly wrong and concrete measures must be put into place by government URGENTLY

[Anonymous-zxdo]

Vice News is my favorite news source.
Thank you to everyone one involved in producing these informative videos, especially the reporters out in field.

[ghostprotocol]

The guy saying they work the whole day with only breakfast... what a tough life .. 😕😕 an empty stomach hurt so bad..

[M]

I’m just back from a charity trip in Kabwe, truly so sad to see how this issue has impacted young kids. It’s disgusting that they haven’t been compensated for.