PEOPLE, POWER and LAWS
WEARING masks that cast them as nationalists, disguised as patriots, buoyed by their titles and speaking as self-appointed authorities of the masses but ever self-serving, many citizens that detest President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the person, and his reign, now want to bring him down using Amendment Bill No. 10.
On the other hand, using Amendment Bill No. 10, the Republican President now has a grand opportunity to sculpt and fashion the kind of future for Zambia replete with unity, peace and prosperity premised on the very expectations of all the citizens. But then if President Lungu wants to fall with his PF, he must follow, to the letter, the prescriptions that those who spitefully oppose him are now writing for him. Note that as a basis for occasioning change, spite or ill-will against anyone will never be the right motive. But then carefully note that many of those who are calling for the wholescale withdrawal of Amendment Bill No. 10 are doing so because they strongly hate President Lungu and his PF; not that they are driven by the love of Zambia and its people. Besides, their view of the future is NOT national but it is terribly tainted/corrupted by both their covert and overt sectarian and partisan interests. Frankly, the process that has now led to the birth of Amendment Bill No. 10, though imperfect like many human undertakings, has its own merits for its marginal participatory nature. Of course, note that others also participated by staying away, which in any functional democracy, is expected and required conduct of citizens. What the focus for all citizens must now be is the substance of Amendment Bill No. 10, what it contains. And it has been agreed by the PF and everyone else that not all clauses should be adopted as submitted. This is clearly a worthy position to build national consensus and unity upon. Further, it is worth noting that prior to the preparation of Amendment Bill No. 10, nearly all citizens were agreed that our Republican Constitution was riddled with flaws, that, to use legal jargon, it had lacunae, and that it required refining. Now tell me, why would any sane and well-meaning citizen call for the withdrawal of the whole bill when, with submissions still being welcomed/taken at Committee and other stages of Parliament, there still is room for changes to be made to each individual clause? Such a stance boggles the mind, but then, folly, malice, egoism come close as an explanation to act as a mental consolation. For instance, as an example of the nefarious character of Zambia’s opposition, when the PF opposed the re-introduction of deputy ministers, which they themselves opposed, it caught them flat-footed. How the hell, they ruefully wondered, can we be speaking, the ruling party and us, as if itself an undesirable thing when you consider the national interest, the same language? This opposition by the opposition to something which they themselves advocated just because the PF now also supports it reveals with clarity the real nature of these actors - duplicitous creatures.
Let the process go on.
The Republican Constitution ought to be refined. If President Lungu were to withdraw Amendment Bill No. 10 as is now being demanded by many purveyors of doom, some being agents of hegemonic aliens, to halt the refinement process, conduct which is at variance with lettered minds like doctors, we should, would label him weak and NOT fit for the purpose. Let the refinement process go on. And let those opposed to it going on also continue to oppose. Nonetheless, the country must run. This, President Lungu must know. He must know that those opposing him today would do the same if they were in his shoes. Note that it is in Parliament where you find the representatives of all citizens/ constituents in Zambia. It follows then that we must allow these representatives to, on behalf of the 150 constituencies (comprising all citizens of Zambia), to deliberate on this bill. This then depicts the folly of democracy that we must live with for now. To digress a little, pick a lesson from China which now clearly illustrates that for a nation to prosper it does NOT really require democracy. But then this is a matter for another day. Let all those with other brilliant ideas submit them to the appropriate Committee of Parliament prior to the initiation of the in-house debates. For example, Zambia must proscribe the funding of political parties by foreigners. Further, another clause to be included should be the regulation of the funding of civil societies. Though such funding to CSOs is welcome, it must never be used to foment anarchy, to destabilise and undermine national sovereignty by hidden foreign forces. Marriage must remain the union of a man and woman. Consideration should be made that, if anyone below the age of 35 cannot stand for Zambia’s presidency, then why should someone above 60 do so? See? Or better still, why not just allow anyone of any age to stand and let the people decide? It would also be wise, to rid the political playing field of nefarious self-centred persons, improve performance and increase participation of citizens in their own governance, to introduce a clause in line with that which already exists in our Republican Constitution for presidential term limits to the office of councillors and MPs as well. For instance, the clause could read that, for anyone who has twice before or thrice before, as the consensus might inform, been sponsored by his or her political party to the position of councillor, MP or republican president, such a person shall NOT qualify for additional sponsorship. This refinement of our Republican Constitution must indeed continue. And note that, even when we refine it this time, it will still require further refinement, for as long as our laws remain at variance with the universal dictates of our collective survival and prosperity. The age of marriage must NOT be increased to 21 as this will merely increase the number of legal bastards in our country. Note that the urge to mate is greater than that to obey our Republican Constitution. On the other hand, pregnancy and marriage must cease to be viewed as hindrances to the pursuit of education and other such desirable basic human goals. We are watching you President Lungu. Govern this country firmly but fairly. Your governance should be devoid of cowardice and malice. Let it produce the required national unity, peace and prosperity.
We will support you.
Be deaf to malicious gossip as Marcus Aurelius was advised by his teacher. Keep your eyes on the ball. But in the meantime, find ways of placing more money in people’s pockets and making maize meal affordable for all citizens. Mtengo wa mgaiwa wanyanya, amfumu!
Lord hear us. Zambia must go on. And it will. Someday, all forms of poverty will end in our country. Of this, I am certain.
The people of Zambia own the land, all fixtures beneath and upon it, the water, the trees, the animals, the air and the minerals. President Lungu everyday remind the people about this, just how wealthy they are, and judiciously harness all these resources for the wellbeing of all citizens. In conclusion, let your governance be a stark reflection of the needs of your flock.
Frankly, the process that has now led to the birth of Amendment Bill No. 10, though imperfect like many human undertakings, has its own merits for its marginal participatory nature.