‘UPND still pushing colonial mentality’

WE shall only exhibit true independence when politicians stop unnecessary bickering by invoking foreign entities to dictate to us how we should run this country, a senior citizen Allan Lupenga has said.

Speaking to the Daily Nation yesterday, Mr. Lupenga said while Zambia attained independence 54 years ago and has enjoyed peace ever since, there was need to psyche some politicians to leave their colonial mentality and instead direct their energy towards developing Zambia. Reacting UPND’s announcement that it shunned Zambia’s 54th independence anniversary celebrations because there was no freedom, Mr Lupenga said Zambia would have been a better place if politicians were all committed to improving the welfare of the citizens and by working together, regardless of their political affiliations, in finding common solutions to problems facing the country. He noted that contrary to working together, some politicians in Zambia had wasted too much time pointing fingers at each other instead of brainstorming on how challenges facing the people could be alleviated. He said it was clear that some people had failed to forego the colonial mentality. “When we fought for independence, we wanted a free Zambia where we run our own affairs without interference. We were looking forward to a time when we would develop this country using resources available and equitably sharing the national cake but today, we are not where we were supposed to be mainly because of lack of cooperation among political players, “How do we expect to end poverty when some politicians are only interested in tarnishing the image of the country?” he asked Mr Lupenga said Zambians were capable of solving their internal problems but some politicians were busy courting foreign entities to press sanctions against the country at any slightest given point. He challenged those vying for national leadership to sober up and realise that beyond being politicians, they were Zambians and that they needed to put the interest of the nation ahead of theirs. “Are we not ashamed that 54 years after independence, most of the roads, health facilities, and schools we are using today were constructed by our colonial masters? What do we have to show that we are truly independent?” he asked. He said only when politicians saw it fit to bury their political differences and come to the table to discuss national building, would Zambians claim to be truly independent. “We don’t need Britain or any foreign country to come and teach us how we must develop our country. Those consistently tarnishing the image of this country must stop it henceforth,” said Lupenga