Zambia first in the post Kaunda era

AS we come to terms with the reality of going to the elections without our founding father Dr Kenneth Kaunda, we are already in a politically charged season and evidently various people will retain the liberty to flex their political six-pack and join the battle front.

There are those who are willing to take it on a "do or die" basis even if it means spilling blood to realise their political prosperity. Others are willing to defy the laid down Covid-19 virus protocols for them to canvass for votes.

In some instances, others will go to any length of either using hook or crook, ballot or bullet. Evidently, national values and principles will be under siege and seek refuge at the mercy of few Zambians who will resist that temptation

Selfishness and greediness in attaining political power is nowhere among the founding values that President Kaunda and others gave upon this country.

We should remind ourselves of one of the popular proclamations that was espoused by President Edgar

Lungu regarding putting Zambia first.

This proclamation was made whilst declaring the national day of prayers at the gathering he attended on October 17, 2015. President Lungu had courageously put it (in paraphrase) as follows:

"Let us identify ourselves as Zambian first and foremost, before we begin to divide ourselves before we begin to divide ourselves into politics, region, colour.........."

As the day for elections quickly approaches and come to pass, putting Zambia first should be our preoccupation in our quest to seek or retain political power.

We can discern and listen to this from President Lungu and appreciate the importance of our belonging to Zambia. We have known and we will know no other country other than Zambia therefore even in the midst of fierce political competition, we should not forego our collective responsibility towards having a peaceful nation beyond elections.