POSITIVE VIBRATIONS No 91
Decency
WE have come to the close of 2017 on a reasonably balanced and decent note. Appointments and disappointments, societal dynamics and many others, had a fair share of our lives. Going forward, 2018 is our baby.
So, let’s see what 2018 will bring. In particular, let us see how our politicians at all levels, will conduct their day to day business. It is important that we critically examine the behaviour of our politicians so that those who follow the young and our youth are not misled, not forgetting that the majority of Zambians are not members of political parties.
Our young people are the leaders and ingredients of our future. What they see and what they read may only serve to haunt citizens who may be misled to think that political gymnastics and uncouth behaviour is the acceptable way that leads to success. Nay! Not at all! Zambia is a country of laws and civility must not be a rare commodity.
In fact, all one needs to do is to visit the social media and see how reckless comments create havoc. You see, by its very nature data and many times, information is asymmetrical and renders itself to abuse.
Just look at the recent “citizen arrests” and the plots we hear that, He/she will see. Where is our country headed to?
As they say, and it is very true, every coin, has two sides, hence the importance of verification and fact finding. You can only act when your information can stand the test of time and not where it collapses a few hours or days!
In fact, behaviour is one aspect of our lives which may point to either decency or lack of it. In the same way that there can be no honour among thieves, it is very difficult to understand politicians or any individual who mutates, as a result of the loss factor. Mutating as a result of changed circumstances may be acceptable or unacceptable. Fact: Losing is a fact of life!
The defining line of what is acceptable or unacceptable is contained in the rules of any game. Every game, whether chess, rugby, soccer, karate, politics etc, has rules and the players must follow the rules and respect all officials. You may not like the face of a referee but that is a personal dilemma which has nothing to do with everybody!
In the last few years, we have seen attempts at re-defining concepts and terms (such as corruption and the rule of law) to the point of creating confusion. This development, I wish to contend, is a major departure from the rules of any established society. Our Laws, and not what you and I want provides adequate definitions, which the Courts, (EMPHASIS) interpret.
Every person appointed or elected to any position cannot reasonably expect to be in that position forever and ever. It just does not happen and it has never happened.
Here, what I want to defend is truth. It is a fact that any appointing authority, subject to other rules and regulations – if at all, has equal inherent powers of disappointment. It is as simple as that. A fact known by every appointee, I included.
The point is, even when you begin serving a contract term, the appointment will be clear on when the term expires and in the case of certain appointments; other residual considerations in the public domain should not be ignored. The point is, ending in whatever manner is an inevitable outcome of a tour of duty!
In the last 50 years or so of Zambia, appointments and disappointments have been made. Generally, no reason is given to explain an appointment and so is the case with a disappointment. But in all cases, even with very little information, speculation is abundant, oftentimes feeding “hungry” souls to the detriment of society.
The advent of the social media has made it possible for some players to offer unsolicited views and opinions, including politically motivated or jaundiced opinions that either justify or condemn certain actions in relation to disappointments.
President Edgar C. Lungu has constantly indicated that in his quest for inclusive development, nobody will be left behind. This is the way to go, notwithstanding pockets of extremism.
My understanding of the statement from President Edgar C. Lungu is that, his government, will at all times endeavour to provide services to all Zambians in conformity with provisions of our laws, rules and regulations, and without fear or favour capturing the important concept of proportionality.
I am convinced that as a wonderful people of diversity, we must promote decency in public life. I see no reason whatsoever for the law to be ignored at anytime. Effective law enforcement is critical to the stability of any nation and Zambia is no exception. Remember, nobody is above the law – not even policemen/women or volunteers!
It is the portion of decency which will ensure that we uphold values of fairness, integrity and justice. It is a portion of decency which will stop us from vomiting insulting words and unleashing anger-based opinions.
By the grace of God, we are in 2018. This is no accident. It is by His mercy and design. Of course, if you are not a believer, you will not agree but/and; I respect your view point. No member of the human family though, is justified to injure another, notwithstanding the circumstances. The year 2018 affords us an opportunity to make amends with whosoever; if we must, as a confidence and unity building measure. This Zambia is for us to build and ONLY a spirited Zambian drive will produce the results we admire elsewhere. The grass tends to be greener across!
As we pursue decency, we need to accept facts, supported by our laws. It is a fact that Zambia as a country conducted national elections on 11th August 2016. As in any competition, the election produced a winner as declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in its legal mandate.
It is fact that the election of 11th August 2016 was contested in court. It is a fact that the matter which was in Ccourt was in the first instance discharged as per details available in the court records.
It is also a fact that after the matter was disposed of by the Constitutional Court, it paved way for President Lungu to take the Oath of office as Republican President of Zambia. This was a public affair held in Lusaka, at Heroes Stadium.
In the aftermath, there has been an unfortunate but legal attempt to challenge the decision of the Court. The rest is not a space deserving detail.
What I know as a matter of fact; a fact which can be independently verified is that as I have said before, the President of Zambia is HE Edgar Chagwa Lungu. He is deputised by Her Honour, Vice President Ingonge Mutukwa Wina. Veep Wina, is the leader of government business in the House with Ministers assisting her execute government business.
It is very interesting to note, that the Veep and Ministers have freely interacted with their colleagues (MPs) from both ruling and opposition. This is as it should be.
A point of concern is the fact of treating similar situations differently. Differently largely because of wearing political spectacles, albeit, with no added value or benefit to Zambia!
To make my concern much clearer, I am still at a loss on how MPs, as legislators, can undertake/promise to uphold our constitution, yet find themselves in circumstances that offend the Zambian Bill of Rights.
These are circumstances wherein decency is required to stand supreme; consistent with the parliamentary title of “Honourable.” Trust me; there is honour in being decent and this observation cuts across the floor of the House.
I have always wondered whether citizens, just like our leaders too are willing to walk the path of decency. It is vitally important for citizens to embrace decency and the rule of law for the simple reason that if the majority Zambians were to embrace decency, we will be moving towards a truly Smart Zambia, reflective of the core values captured in the relics of our National Anthem.
Decency, which is a very strong moral value, has everything to do with productivity. It has everything to do with reduced levels of graft and has everything to do with the way we treat each other.
The Zambia that we want is the country that we must build. What does it take to build a nation? It takes the efforts of all citizens working together in unison with a SMART goal in mind. Make no mistake, together, we can build and at the same time “pettyagendas” can be destructive.
There are many countless benefits in electing to build rather than destroy. One of the benefits is harmony. There is benefit in harmony as opposed to acrimony. As a matter of fact, there is more benefit in peace as opposed to conflict.
Acrimonious situations or scenarios are problematic. They are problematic because they reduce proponents to a scheming culture; which because of the transposed trappings of prejudice, produce nothing but compromised results.
My fellow Zambians duty is calling. We have a duty to protect our institutions.
See you next week.