Wina urges politicians to be tolerant

THERE is need for politicians to be tolerant, cautious and decent in their political communications to promote peace, unity and development, veteran politician and freedom fighter, Sikota Wina, has advised.

Mr Wina said it was sad that some politicians now engaged their opponents in unbridled insults, derogatory language and slanderous remarks, all in the name of freedom of speech.

He said insults in political discourse would lead to nothing but chaos which would not augur well for the country’s democratic dispensation.

“This abuse of freedom of speech being exhibited by politicians if left unchecked, has serious consequences on society, especially the young generation,” Mr Wina said.

He explained that insults in the Zambian political landscape were alien to the values and norms of the Zambian society.

He urged Zambians to rise up against any politician who used insults. Mr Wina said Zambians should stay away from politicians, who used insults because their behaviour was a bad example to the young generation.

“This situation is even more alarming, where the youth of today are party to the insults in the name of politics,” he said.

He reminded politicians that the people of Zambia were more enlightened than they thought and would make a better decision through the ballot box in 2021 based on their visions and not insults.

Mr Wina advised politicians to emulate special virtues of forgiveness, love and tolerance of the founding fathers, in their personal conducts in order to inspire unity, peace, and patriotism.

“It is only by such exemplary conducts would there be peace, unity and development in the society,” he said.