User:Litunga

Larry Mukwemba Tepa is a Zambian humanist activist, software engineer, and founder of the Humanists and Atheists of Zambia (HAZ) and the Ethical Society of Zambia. He is known for promoting secular humanism, atheism, and human rights advocacy in Zambia, a country where religion holds significant cultural and political influence.

Early life and education

Tepa earned a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in Chemical Engineering from The Copperbelt University in 2018.[1] He later obtained a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Northrise University in 2022.[2] In 2023, he completed a certificate in Cybersecurity, specializing in Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare, at the Cisco Networking Academy.[3]

Career

Since 2022, Tepa has been employed as a software engineer at the Copperbelt University - Riverside Campus in Kitwe, Zambia.[4]

Humanist activism and organizational leadership

In 2018, Larry Tepa founded the Humanists and Atheists of Zambia (HAZ), the first organization in Zambia dedicated to promoting secular humanism and normalizing atheism in a country where nonbelief is often widely stigmatized.[5][6]

Under his leadership, HAZ organized public discussions, advocacy campaigns, and a youth conference in 2019 which faced backlash from religious groups and government officials.[7][8]

In 2020, Tepa founded the Ethical Society of Zambia, a national secular humanist community which also acts as an umbrella organization for mutual aid and secular service projects across the country. The Society promotes reason, compassion, democracy, sustainability, and human flourishing without reliance on supernatural beliefs.[9]

The Ethical Society offers a variety of programs including weekly gatherings on ethical themes, ethical education for all ages, social justice initiatives (focusing on poverty, gender equity, education, and environmental sustainability), community service projects, cultural events, and secular ceremonies for life milestones.[10]

In 2023, the Ethical Society received a grant for its Indigenous Language Literacy for Adult Education project, which aims to improve literacy and employment opportunities in local Zambian languages such as Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, and Kaonde.[11][12]

International roles

Tepa served as Regional Director for Africa at Atheist Alliance International from June 2020 to July 2022 and volunteered with Humanists International from May 2021 to January 2022.[13]

Views and advocacy

Tepa has criticized Zambia's status as a declared Christian nation, noting the preferential treatment Christianity receives in government funding, policy, and social privilege.[14]

He has highlighted the persistence of gender inequality in Zambia, rooted in religious and cultural traditions that privilege men over women, and has advocated for women's equal rights.[15]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tepa emphasized the humanist principle of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") to encourage community solidarity and mutual aid.[16]

Recognition

Larry Tepa is recognized as a leading secular activist in Zambia and Africa and is active in international secular networks.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Larry Tepa LinkedIn Profile". Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  2. ^ "Larry Tepa LinkedIn Profile". Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  3. ^ "Larry Tepa LinkedIn Profile". Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  4. ^ "Larry Tepa LinkedIn Profile". Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  5. ^ ""Humanism in Zambia": creation of a 12-episode podcast to spread humanism in the country". Humanists International. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  6. ^ ""On we go": Zambian humanists and atheists look forward to first national meeting – despite moral panic". Humanists International. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Will the Zambian government stop atheist gathering in October?". Zambian Eye. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  8. ^ "National Guidance & Religious Affairs – Office of the Vice President". Office of the Vice-President (Zambia). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Mission and Vision". The Ethical Society of Zambia. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Mission and Vision". The Ethical Society of Zambia. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Embracing Culture, Empowering Lives!". Facebook (The Pollination Project). 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Ethical Society of Zambia – Embracing Culture, Empowering Lives!". Facebook (Ethical Society of Zambia). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Larry Tepa LinkedIn Profile". Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  14. ^ "Interview with Larry Mukwemba Tepa, President of Humanists and Atheists of Zambia". 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  15. ^ "Interview with Larry Mukwemba Tepa, President of Humanists and Atheists of Zambia". 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  16. ^ "Larry Tepa from Zambia: "Ubuntu means 'I am because we are', let's roll up our sleeves and work together then"". 2020-04-21. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  17. ^ @larrytepa. "Larry Tepa on Twitter" (Tweet). Retrieved 2025-08-12. {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |number= (help)
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