Patriotism

PATRIOTISM is the affinity to and identification with the national cause. It demands of every individual a sacrifice that places the nation above self-interest. Time has come for Zambian patriots to emerge from apologetic indifference to take their place in the collective effort of national development. Those who genuinely love this country and want to sacrifice for it must come together, and stand against the bullying, brash and often demeaning narrative mounted by enemies of development and progress. Patriots must translate their affinity for the wellbeing, progress and physical advancement of the nation, by countering the ever-growing chorus of negativity. Those who want to destroy the country must not be accorded an opportunity to propagate their misguided messages. For far too long the negative voices of self-righteous pundits who are irredeemably shallow and devoid of any positive character have been allowed to dully our national psyche, sapping at motivation and indeed morale. Time has come for a sense of patriotism to be inculcated in our society to provide the vital moral compass that should inform self-sacrifice for the good of the country. Love for and pride in our country should transcend our regional, tribal or indeed political diversity because the task of national development calls for greater sacrifice and unity of purpose. Only social cohesion, reconciliation and hard work will provide the atmosphere and impetus in which vision 2030 will be realized. No amount of recrimination, fault finding, or indeed righteous indignation will move the country on any scale of development. If anything, these will create national tension and thereby retard progress. Enemies of development will clutch at any straws including the now highly orchestrated campaign against the Chinese who have been vilified for no other reason than trying to help Zambia. Patriotism is not the same thing as blind nationalism which glorifies national or indeed regional superiority but is rather positive engagement for national development. Patriotism requires that the leadership is engaged in the “work in progress” nation building task. Progress and development will not come with the wave of a wand. It will only come with the dogged effort of each and every Zambian. It will come on the heels of a meticulous, calculated and orderly development plan as encapsulated in vision 2030. The vision must now be reduced to workplans that are dovetailed into the regional investment forum and expo that are showcasing the tremendous development potential that each Province holds. There is no doubt that there is a clarity of vision. What are required are firm decisions that will engender sustained development. We have the resources both natural, human capital and determination to expand the economy. An economy rich in natural resources, and those sectors can be expected to continue to expand, but a narrowly based growth path is risky, and the desired level of social and economic development cannot be attained on the basis of a very few primary products alone. Leaders at all levels of our society must become prime movers of the national cause rather than serve as armchair critics always willing to side with foreigners to criticize indigenous efforts.