Friends and relatives: Lessons from RB

Dear Editor,

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda had a close friend whom he knew from their UNIP days. They became very close after their days in government. So, when he was elected President in 2008, his close mate was elated - rightly so - that his close buddy was now in the driving seat of the country. He was one of the first to visit him as President.

“I want to be minister of Defence or Home Affairs or Foreign Affairs...” the friend told the President, choosing for himself the three most powerful positions in government.

But the problem was that this friend had no proper qualifications apart from having served in UNIP structures and rose within the ranks and file of the one-party state system. He only had “standard three” or something like that!

The President explained how difficult it would be to choose a very close friend as minister at the expense of qualified people in the MMD who were already in Parliament.

“We need to find something else...” the President said.

The friend understood the predicament of the President but instead proposed that he be appointed ambassador to either UK or US - one of the powerful diplomatic posts thus far.

“Even India as last resort,” the friend said.

Reluctantly, the President said he would think about it and asked me to get his CV for onward transmission to the Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja at that time.

The President walked his friend to the car park - a rare gesture by the Head of State - where they hugged goodbyes.

As we were walking back to the office, the President whispered to me in low voice.

“Baba...nikuzipima mu life,” he said, meaning one must measure himself and his qualifications before asking for certain roles or permission.

“He can’t even be deputy ambassador or counsellor in those countries...,” the President said, before jokingly saying maybe he can be appointed First Secretary in Sudan!

“Never put your friends in difficulties by asking for favours which you do not qualify for...,” the President said before ordering me to abandon the mission of sending the CV for consideration.

“I will talk to him again...” he said, adding that matters of the State appointments can never be on friendship especially if one is not qualified for the job.

You see, I learnt from RB, that each time you go and ask for a favour from friends or relatives, always have the requisite qualifications to make the life of your friend easy.

In short, “Kuzipima” or measure yourself - qualifications and experience- before you ask your friends in powerful positions for a job or contract. Make the life of your friend easy.

This applies to other things like business. Never ask for business when you have no capacity to deliver..you want a road contract but yet you do not even own a shovel or wheelbarrow!

DICKSON JERE.