VICTIMS OR AGENTS OF CHANGE!
imprudent act reasonable (c) were all “procedures followed” (d) was there any impropriety on the part of the actors/enablers? (Was this a form of expression permitted by law?)
Beyond these legal requirements, are the basics of culture and tradition:
To what extent was Tonga culture (Monze is Tongaland) observed? Since Monze is home to other Zambians not necessarily governed by Tonga culture and tradition, the question is whether the cultures and tradition of non Tongas was observed or whether what happened is the “dictatorship of the majority.” Every majority owes a minority a duty!
Now, as a matter of principle, unless necessary, I do not mention names. (President Lungu’s case is different and unique because of his TOWERING legal standing recognised by Law)
In view of several political incidents around the country, it is clear to me that we face a miserable future, unless all leaders at various levels and of many other entities beyond political arena can stand up in defence of Zambia.
It is a form of negative confrontation (With no added benefit by either the perceived perpetrators or the actual individuals who elect to display a strange kind of patriotism) at variance with democracy. In this and as in other confrontations, I see FUNDAMENTALISM or EXTREMISM emerging. If this vice is allowed to fester, it will destroy Zambia, resulting in pain/anguish.
No political party in Zambia was formed on the basis of either butchering our peace or ONLY to SERVE a particular region of the country. If that were to be the case, many people would choose not to belong to any such political party and I would go so far as urging Zambians NOT to support any regional formation.
We need to be clear with one thing. That thing is the democratic record that Zambia can rightfully boast of. From
1964 to date, we have had elections after every FIVE years. Never mind the fact that Dr Kaunda was standing with a frog. That is choice that Zambians made either passively or actively. That pattern of tacit oppression was broken in 1991, leading to the landmark change of government.
I do not agree that we should entertain anarchy in our politics. We need to be loyal to a cause and not a CULT or the fact that some political formations are now more of a RELIGION than anything else. Otherwise, where is the anger coming from?
Who does not know that the most vicious and hotly contested war was cooled down by reason? Some believe that violence or smart criminality forces acceptance. I do not agree. We should not allow UNREASONABLE thinking to dictate/manage our politics and
this is a matter which belongs to NO political party but all Zambians.
I find it absurd and traumatic that an “ACT OF HOOLIGANISM” can be defended. How and why? The fact that a defence is on table from several individuals is worrisome and a declaration of hooliganism, which has NO PLACE in a democracy.
Again, I am at a loss to explain what is causing so much pain, unreasonableness and anger? Yes in reality fundamentalists and extremists across the board exist but I do not expect any LEADER to be part of extremism because if that becomes the case, thinking around issues of process and delivery accountability, become extremely difficult. Process and Delivery accountability are critical pillars of any TRANSPARENT process.
Who hatched the plan to boo the President? As long as the perpetrators and abettors remain unknown, we are in trouble with accountability and the RULE of LAW. (The Police are very useful in tracing criminals and imputing criminality in this matter by raising questions such as, “but where was the Police?”; is problematic)
In as far as alternative views from Southern Province are concerned, it is extremely UNREASONABLE and UNDEMOCRATIC for anybody to state that the province is a NO-GO ZONE for any other politician other that those from the dominant party in the area.
Southern Province is an integral part of Zambia and is a Party for ALL Zambians and the previous or former (highly credible) members can confirm this statement.
NO PART OF ZAMBIA IS “FENCED”!
The culture of violence wherever by whomever, is a worrisome phenomena; which is ALIEN to our culture and tradition. (IF and ONLY when under attack, one may defend themselves. In this case, who was attacked?) nonpartisan chiefs and community leaders can attest to the fact that VIOLENCE and INTOLERANCE are not part of Tonga culture.
I am consoled that some chiefs, including Chief Monze and others have roundly condemned the mischief. I agree that the mischief must not detract Government’s resolve to engage the province just like any other.
Here is a bit of CIVICS for all to appreciate. Zambia has TEN POLITICAL PROVINCES, which form a single constituency for the President. That is how our political system is designed and nothing stops anyone to push for changes to this system. (I always say that if it is not broken, don’t fix it and do not take into account irrelevant considerations)
So, Southern Province is one of the 10 provinces, which is President Lungu’s constituency. As he has been doing, he MUST service the area because HE IS A PRESIDENT FOR ALL.
Those aspiring to be President of Zambia one day; can also legitimately claim access to this single constituency – and they are many! If this is the case, away from any form of emotion or sentimentalism the task ahead calls for total and absolute responsibility. It calls for statesmanship and calls for maturity and respect to all citizens irrespective of race, creed, origin and any other.
It is this reason why I am beginning to entertain the idea that what we are seeing as “VIOLENT POCKETS” is a manifestation of dirty seeds of a “PRIVATE AGENDA,” which agenda has its eyes on “POLITICAL POWER.” So still on our CIVICS, I advise those who do not agree with me to chat with conflict resolution experts or/and look at Para three in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was written in 1948 – many decades before I was born.
No self respecting and responsible citizen, will rise up to the occasion of defending wrong! I rest my case.
Respect and responsibility have everything to do with what one has been doing in the last 10 – 20 years or so. A person does not have to talk about who or what he/she is or has done. Facts, which tend to be stubborn and cannot be disputed but ONLY Justifiable, are on hand to settle a matter.
If we must do justice to Zambia, the Fourth Estate will benefit us greatly if professionalism is rooted. There is NOTHING wrong with an individual Journalist believing/ following a partisan agenda. BUT there is everything wrong in IMPORTING that partisan agenda in the professional lane/ work of a Journalist. Friends, you will all agree with me that unearthing scandal is not the same thing as administering unfairness. I insist, if justice and equity is part of your faculty of thought, you cannot be “scandalising” others with your “dirty tentacles!”
The importance of country- wide support means that you can only win a Zambian Presidential race, if you can attract support from all the provinces. Undoubtedly, it would also be easier to govern if a President-elect, has a majority in Parliament. Conflict is retrogressive and very easily accommodates irrationality. ALL POLITICIANS MUST TAKE HEED. So is provocation; notwithstanding source, which feeds from evil agendas. Change, and any change MUST BE MANAGED. See you next week.