MANY MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB
ZAMBIA and by implication, Zambians face many Mountains which must be defeated. We have the Constitutional debacle, The Youth demands, the Women demands, the demands of the differently able; entitlement(s) promoters Etc.
Add to these Mountains are problems which are not of Zambian making. Not even the most powerful Air force in the World can create its own weather conditions. When it is biting cold, this is what it is. When it is foggy and visibility an impossibility; that is it! These follow laws of nature and are not subject to government or personal controls, but possible mitigation!
The entitlement promoters pose a particular challenge and threat to Government. Just like the infamous cartel, they also seek and work towards “State Capture.” This group of false businessmen and vultures of political convenience are a real menace to National Development. Some are loud and some very quite – using proxies!
You see, when rainfall is bad
for Zambia that is it! It is bad and the responsible thing to do is to accept that there is a problem as opposed to finger pointing that produces no beneficial results.
Those concerned about issues of equity for National Development must take a leaf from the Presidency and in particular the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the Office of the Vice President.
They distribute food to all disaster areas, irrespective of voting patterns. (I only mention voting patterns because if we do not arrest the entitlement zealots, we could run in trouble).
But there are things which have nothing to do with nature, and Zambians have a duty and obligation, again, beyond the democratic reality of political competition. The whole talk about development is a Zambian thing which cannot be a responsibility of another country or citizens of other countries.
For this reason, ALL must support the position of President Edgar Lungu to spread development nation-wide; so that people only remain behind because of personal choice(s). The extremist path of Political Machiavellianism is unacceptable; and a betrayal of the Zambian dream!
So in terms of the National real issues, irrespective of what one may desire, the making of a Constitution and other laws, is a purely Zambian affair. To the extent that a Constitution is a political document, political views - some very sharp and some just unreasonable, will be a factor and should not offend anybody. Ultimately, my view is that it is inevitable to have a Constitution which is based on wide consultations bearing in mind that NOT ALL CITIZENS will agree on everything contained in the document. That is life.
In as far as Bill 10 is concerned my understanding is that it is at a stage of enactment because adoption has formally taken place. If we go back to San Francisco in 1948 when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was being formulated, there were many areas of disagreement.
You will also understand that this is the time when Colonialism, was seen as a normal undertaking, discrimination, an official policy and many other challenges, such as trading in human beings, then considered semi-humans, because of pigmentation, were real obstacles!
But the whole essence of the San Francisco meeting was to produce an international agreement – and BRAVO, this happened. One of the areas of tacit compromise was that the document would not have legal force. Civility won the day! Importantly, over time, the document (UDHR) has assumed a powerful moral force and apart from setting a standard,
the document inspired other subsequent legally binding international legal instruments.
Yes, the Constitution is a legal document. I hold the view that looking at its formulation from partisan political spectacles, will not do. It is dangerous and an affront to democracy. Simply put, democracy is about duty, responsibility and not exempt from the Human Rights standard that “your rights end where my rights begin.” It is as simple as that.
The fact of disagreement, over Bill 10 must never degenerate into name calling. Disagreement or dissent has nothing to do with the fact that Zambians need to talk to one another and ultimately have a Constitution as proposed by Bill 10.
As in any legal document, we must provide for amendments, since a Constitution is a living document, which is never cast in stone.
From where I stand, the National Democratic Forum (NDF) and the submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee, which received petitions from stakeholders, have resulted in a better and
good document addressing several problematic areas. As in anything else, it would be fallacious to suggest that the document is perfect!
On another very important note, the country must also respond to the Youth demands of participation in governance. In my estimation, the voices are getting louder. The question is not whether the Youth must get the demands they are making.
The question beyond unquestionable youth power is: What is good for Zambia? Second, why do we still have people who are beyond the age of 35 masquerading as Youths and holding positions meant for the Youth?
This is a very important question. I think there is a difference between “youths” and being “youthful.” The question of youth participation is both political as well as strategic. Politically, it sounds great and easy to implement. Strategically, it raises more questions than answers and could easily lend itself to ill-informed political blackmail.
President Michael C. Sata is on record as queering his officials who shave their hair
bold regularly to look younger (Men). This includes those who take pride is using chemicals to keep their graying hair dark. (What is the difference between the men who use chemicals to deceive and hide their true looks and women who invest in lightening their skin?)
The point really is that we must move away from physical deception and misrepresentation so that we are able to deal with the Youth challenge as an ISSUE, without detractors or contaminants. How can a 40-year or 50-year- old be saying “we the young people? Of course he/she is younger than the guy who is in his 60s, but the truth remains that you are crowding the YOUTH ISSUE and space. The fact that one feels youthful and acts youthful is no reason to crowd the ISSUE!
A combination of greed and unfounded suspicions/rumour in most African countries are partly responsible for political and economic challenges. Egos, and large ones for that matter, connive with vanity to produce anger, hate, disease and grinding poverty.
It is possible that here in Zambia, we may be dealing with a variant of irresponsible citizens, masquerading as Youths. It is a danger point which overshadows the real problems of effective youth participation. Trust me; the debate is a roller coaster.
I am persuaded to think and support merit as a threshold to participation, contrasted with the suspect demands based on age and station in life. Remember, Africa and indeed Zambia’s population is quite young and I hold the view that the older generations must take responsibility and guide to secure stability and assure peace; a value generally associated with wisdom.
Note that there are young people, who are wiser than old guys, but these are in the minority; as evidence presents. (How many young people ascend to real power in their 20s? Do not talk of lack of opportunity. Merit always stands out, when a standard!)
A point to note is that YOUTHDOM is a phase. Young people must choose between youthful activities and responsibility. You can’t have both! I really do not agree with “double tobela” and you do not have to agree either.
Who can argue that prominent personalities took a very active part in fighting for Zambian independence? But those close to these personalities will attest that they have had to make very difficult choices. Some have engaged in dangerous activities, using officialdom. There is a season for everything, just like power without control, is fatal.
I also do not agree that we should shelve older guys, who clearly are a reservoir of knowledge. Some played a key role in “demolishing” the second republic. Are we sure we can have an Army commander who is below 35 years? I would ask the same question for the Air force Commander, Zambia National Service Commandant, the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice and many others. Why do you suggest retirement over performance?
The Women and differently- able demands are similar and require better and deeper
debate.
The Nation is confronted with opportunistic demand from self styled promoters of entitlement. These have perfected the art of deception and manipulation, calling it lobbying. Lobbying for what?
Promoters of entitlement have perfected the art of “State Capture” because their Agenda can only survive when they control the State. For these, their programme is very, very quiet and it takes an incisive and penetrating eye to see and appreciate the damage they cause.
Can you imagine a person who seeks to hold political office confusing National development, with voting? What is the relationship? Are we suggesting that Elections are about distribution of National wealth? My understanding is that the Zambian President is a President for ALL. His constituency is Zambia. If you check, his campaigns are country-wide!!