UTILISING CHANCE AND OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY occurs to all human beings at one time or the other. Some utilize it properly and others not. Penumbra aside, a marksman/ woman will hit the target if they keep the focus and play by the rules of the game.
There are many games organized around like minded groups or clubs. Politics is one such game. Football, Karate, Jujitsu, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Golf etc are the others. Without exception, they are all governed by a set of rules, which apply without fear or favor. We all know how FIFA (Global soccer governing body) is going on about INTEGRITY, in a bid to clean itself and the soccer game of graft.
There are several common denominators of all games. First, they all have rules and subscribe to a code of conduct. Second, they all have supporters, third, they all are subjected to either scrutiny or criticism, fourth, they serve a similar constituency; fifth, they are all provided with a legal framework by the State and there are many common denominators. Integrity
Doing the right thing when nobody is looking, or serving any situation as a Trustee
is a sign or mark of integrity in a person. It may be that there are different opinions about such but then those opinions, which I respect, are more appropriate when dealing and managing private properties.
Anybody showing concern with how a person uses his or her money will probably be doing so out of moral considerations than anything else. Now, I have said before that invoking morality generally attends to either bad or good. But, there is standard which society imposes through respective laws, regulations and procedures.
The fact that one uses a Lawyer or Law firm is neither here nor there. For those who may not be familiar with various schools of thought on “what is law” one school posits that Law is that which is pronounced by the Courts. Now, Lawyers will know that this position will be good sometimes and it can be very bad at times, particularly when you have an illegal government or illegitimacy at the helm of things. That said; we know that in the realm of politics, many things and pronouncements are made to introduce or create a scenario of illegitimacy on the sitting government. We see it in the United States of America, we have seen it in Italy, in the UK, in Japan, in Sweden and plenty other places in Africa. Zambia is no exception!
We can learn something from both mature democracies as well as the management of the game of soccer. The lesson is that we must not in any way and howsoever done; entertain impunity. Confirmed wrong is wrong and curing wrong all because of perceived massive support, is extremely bad.
From a governance point of view, there can be no good reason to support the removing of a democratically elected government, all because of great grass-root support. How many coups on the African continent were received with jubilation? Regrettably, the situations of the celebrating masses have not changed!
One can go practical. Take Zambia; when the Kaunda government fell. A few politicians quickly moved away from UNIP and joined the MMD. The same happened when MMD lost power. Individuals, groups and cadres crossed to join the PF, the party in power.
This kind of deficiency in integrity looks like it is with us for a while, as long as politics of patronage are strong in our communities. It is actually dishonest to point at wrong doing in the ruling party leaving the ghost of dishonest in opposition political parties. Opposition parties seek to form government.
Zambia’s political palaver
In this piece, I will focus more on the “game of Politics”, with particular interest on what is happening in Zambia Today. In doing so, I am mindful of the loud and silent strategies of political management, inclusive of regrettable and dangerous or opportunistic alliances; in the context of chance and prospect.
Why Chance and Opportunity/ prospect? It is because it speaks to what, how, why and when we rightfully or wrongly manage each and every opportunity. Opportunity happens and occurs to all in different degrees. These statements may appear hypercritical, but one can remedy the situation by accepting the universal fact that each coin has two sides. The middle always, offers balance!
In short, no one will fail to offer an explanation as to why suddenly they look different from yesterday. But when put on a scale of justice, equity will bring out truth and by the way, it is a measure of civility when one accepts an adverse verdict be it in an election, litigation or any dispute for that matter.
Wanting to have anything at all costs is highly problematic; because if it is in a competition, you might as well not compete but just grab victory for keeps. (that is the danger of democracy!). Forcing one’s way may entail manipulating whatever can be manipulated. If it means causing mayhem, so be it. In this category are those who would see their face appearing on a ballot box as a waste of time. Just bulldoze your way into power, says an irrational thought! But, this is impossible because of what I said earlier. Every game has rules.
In this case, there shall be periodic elections for any allegeable citizen to participate, howsoever. There are elaborate procedures, rules and regulations, including electoral laws as provided for by the Constitution, which allows for the governance of Zambia Instability and Dishonesty We heard of the reported instability and ritual murders in Chingola where there was no house hosting a funeral of a murdered person by the reportedly heartless criminals. We continue hearing of gassing and beatings – some killings as well, by mob justices, who epitomize impunity. Ritual murders or gassing are serious problems, which should not be ignored.
But in the context of Zambian politics, I want to ask: We all know that we have the Zambia Army, we have the Zambia National Service and we have the Zambia Air force. All these fall under one command and the Commander in Chief, is the Head of State. For avoidance of doubt, at the moment, it is President Edgar C. Lungu. So my question is: Why should we have these services, if they cannot be handy when the Zambia Police is clearly overstretched? Further, is there anything wrong or illegal about joint operations, responding to national security?
Last week President Lungu was meeting up with EU Diplomats and took the opportunity to state that the position of government on what is happening is known because there have been many pronouncements by His Ministers and others such as the Police Command. Therefore, he will address the Nation at an appropriate time and this in my view accommodates all expectations.
In as far as the line of command is concerned, and in as far as procedure is a factor, I agree with President Lungu. That is the way to go and it means a lot for our political menu!
Barring mischief, I really do not think it is a matter of opinion because, the only person who can legally and formally or ceremonially address the Nation on any matter, is the Republican President. He is the only Leader who can Command the armed forces to act as well as carry out State functions, which his Colleagues in the opposition cannot! Of course there are those progressive opposition leaders who participate in National affairs. Some do not, participate and their understanding of opposition politics, is making governance very difficult for the sitting government.
President Kaunda in opposition ran battles with President Chiluba, who was the sitting President. President Sata ran battles with President Mwanawasa and continued with President Banda. By contrast, President Lungu survived internal strife from some of his colleagues. There are many including those who made a sharp U turn after seeing where the wind was blowing. But now they are out of government but still throw stones, including manufacturing falsehoods.
The paradox is that President Lungu – (I suppose in pursuit of National Unity), truly buried the hatchet and favored those who swore and insulted him, through significant and evident appointments. I will be surprised if the extremely power hungry political foes (with sharp elbows) masquerading as supporters; are not just hibernating, and producing lies, like the Cartel is doing. Remember the misfortune of the accomplished Shaka the Zulu King, who was killed by his brother!
Taking a deep Look at the mountains that President Lungu climbed over in the intense struggle for the Presidency, what is happening to Zambia today is not really strange. What complicates matter is that the unending scheming in the midst of order.
I have said before, and I will repeat (a) The seeds of our destruction were sown in the past (b) societies collapse more from internal strife as opposed to external aggression. Just look at how Zambians are killing and butchering each other over mere allegations (These find a fertile landing with heightened emotions!) Chance and Opportunity Whose chance and whose opportunity?
I am in awe that individuals have abandoned basics of chance and opportunity. They will do anything to feed their ego!
So, should Tax-payers support wickedness?
See you next week.