Instead of implementing its key pre-election campaign promises such as reducing the cost of living, the UPND is busy fixing problems it has created since 2021 due to its high levels of incompetence.
Lusaka, Oct. 21 – The most important lesson the UPND has taught Zambians is that, the desire to form government must never overshadow the purpose of politics, which is to find practical solutions to our various day to day social economic development challenges.
Also Read: HH’s haphazard IMF policies on agriculture have undermined food security.
When you fix your eyes solely on power, you end up like the UPND which was in the opposition for 20 years without a practical alternative development agenda to any of those by the previous regimes. Instead of implementing it’s key pre-election campaign promises, such as ensuring a stable exchange rate, it’s busy fixing problems it has created since it formed government due to its high levels of incompetence.
Also Read: UPND and its baffling performance! By Chishala Kateka.
If politics is to serve humanity, it should promote democracy and in my view democracy is under threat under the new dawn government which has chosen to prioritize the needs of our puppet President over those of the majority ordinary citizens, to the extent that even Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu believes Zambia is tilting towards a dictatorship to serve the political interests of one man.
Democracy is not, by definition, government by the winners. It is, however, about allowing a diversity of voices to be heard not only those of the Executive. It is all about having an equal say, an equal right to determine what political action is taken in the interest of all.
The 2021 general elections have done more harm than good to Zambia. This western idea of the necessity of “multiparty elections” for other nations is an oligarchic myth. It leads people to believe they have a choice in the political decisions being made and thereby maintains the political status quo. The UPND government which has prioritized the objectives of foreign interest groups is a great example of the oligarchic myth of the current political system.
Consequently, in order to keep democracy alive, we have to learn that democracy cannot be reduced to voting alone. What we need are sensible forms of citizens’ participation. The call by the leaders of opposition political parties for a National Indaba would be a great starting point for Zambia.
Also Read: Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hichilema.
Until we come to a complete understanding that multiparty democracy in Africa was not introduced to promote good governance, we shall continue investing our meagre resources in changing presidents at the expense of economic development for our majority poor people. Does it make sense to spend K5m on a by-election in a Constituency without clean drinking water? What do people need more between representation in government and access to primary health care?
The current political system is nothing but a tool by our former colonial masters to put Africa in check. It has since lead to inefficient governments, endless power transitions and social chaos.
It’s for this reason that I say, democracy as the possibility of the people making collective decisions for their common good is something that cannot be taught or imposed by the West. Understanding, therefore, the interests of the West in Zambia is what intelligent Zambians must always preoccupy their minds with.
What is so special about the people of Zambia to the US government that the people of Libya, Iraq or Haiti did not deserve?
What we need is a new home bred governance system that must prioritize development over politics of patronage. For this reason, we must seriously reflect on President Chishala Kateka’s Press Statement. It is, indeed, imperative that we implement a national program of action along the three main thematic areas she has highlighted:
▪️ Creation of a locus of national unity that is not superficial. Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s Choma Declaration created a united Zambia we were once proud of.
▪️ Restoration – we need to restore the ‘Soul’ of the nation. Let’s preach and live patriotism. Zambia can only be developed by Zambians.
▪️ Setting the Development Agenda. Politics should not be a self preservation tool but a vehicle for development.
Also Read: Zambia is in a crisis! By Chishala Kateka.
Equally, there’s need to accept that Zambia is underdeveloped because we think every politician is a leader. But what is leadership in the context of a Head of State?
It’s the ability to identify and put those with the necessary technical know-how and ability in key positions needing such expertise, not political cadres or tribesmen and women as the case is with President Hakainde Hichilema.
Surely what leadership has he so far provided in the health and agriculture sectors, two key life saving sectors? His Minister of Health opposed key policy directions raised by, probably Zambia’s best Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya only for President Hakainde Hichilema to pronounce them in his speech to Parliament as the UPND action plan in the health sector.
Also Read: Hichilema must be commended for heeding Dr. Chilufya’s counsel in the health sector!
There’s an urgent need to turn our focus to identifying individuals with strong leadership qualities in their fields and put them in appropriate political positions to support a clearly defined national development agenda! Unfortunately, President Hakainde Hichilema can’t do this judging by his affinity to tribalism and cadreism when it comes to appointments!
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