EXCLUSIVE: SOCIALISM TAKES FLIGHT. FRED M’MEMBE TRAVELS IN BUSINESS CLASS

An OZ reader, with a sharp eye for irony, recently spotted man of the people Fred M’membe, Zambia’s Socialist Party leader, boarding a business class flight to Dubai. Based on a review of recent Emirates tickets, such a ticket can be expected to cost $2,700 USD or approximately 76,680 Zambian Kwacha at April 2025’s exchange rate.

The anonymous source, barely hiding a smirk, noted M’membe was swiftly escorted ahead of other passengers, sparking both chuckles and questions about a socialist leader’s premium travel choice. This OZ exclusive lays bare the irony between M’membe’s anti-elite rhetoric and his sky-high indulgence.

The sighting occurred on a recent Dubai-bound Emirates flight, with M’membe headed for the business class cabin, where passengers stretch out on lie-flat seats, sip free-flowing champagne, and indulge in chef-curated meals served on ‘fine bone china’. “He glided through like he was running the show,” the reader quipped, amused by the VIP treatment. In Zambia’s challenging economic climate, where the cost of living pinches hard, a $2,700 flight lands like a plot twist for a leader known for his attacks on privilege.

M’membe, a vocal advocate for equality and critic of privilege, has long championed socialist principles. This business class trip, possibly tied to political or business engagements in Dubai, feels like a cheeky sidestep from his usual narrative. While practical reasons might justify the choice, the optics of a staunch socialist indulging in such luxury, especially while many Zambians struggle, invite scrutiny—and a wry grin.