Revisiting African Socialism: Why Zambia needs to define its democracy that must reflect our own fundamental values and principles.
When I warned Zambia about the dangers of voting for a political novice such as Hakainde Hichilema with no track record in public affairs management, my write-ups were described as being motivated by hatred.
By Mpandashalo Mwewa | Chief Editor.
Lusaka, Dec. 4 – Imagine a world where travellers would be the ones to employ pilots through a democratic vote. Planes would be flown NOT by the best qualified pilots but by anyone who offers the best campaign speeches such as:
▪️If you vote for me, you will always fly first class.
▪️If you vote for me, you will be served with the best meals and drinks of your choice.
▪️If you vote for me, your family will be entitled to free tickets during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
When I warned my followers about the dangers of voting for a political novice such as Hakainde Hichilema with no track record in public affairs management, my write-ups were described as being motivated by hatred.
Today, then, as Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa’s article stated, let’s reflect on how haters can describe Hichilema’s performance when it comes to the bigger national issues, such as:
▪️safeguarding our cherished democracy,
▪️getting the best out of Zambia’s mineral wealth,
▪️respecting the constitution and the rule of law,
▪️fighting corruption beyond rhetoric,
▪️genuine promotion of national unity and equitable distribution of appointments to public service positions,
▪️sorting out the cost-of-living crisis and the deplorable conditions of life for most Zambians?
Also Read: Sampa’s illegal convention may damage the political credibility of the UPND!
What Zambia needs to understand is that you can’t leave the management of the nation’s social economic development affairs to just about anybody. Is it not funny that professional bodies in Zambia demand some strict academic qualifications but are (mis)managed by a questionable political system?
Zambia has a lot to learn from China whose political system has a strong property of meritocracy which means that the Chinese government, in principle, is run by well‐educated and experienced officials who were carefully selected and promoted by merit.
This meritocracy has over the last decades has guaranteed policy integration that has systematically addressed comprehensive social economic development challenges in China. Although this system may not be perfect, it’s a political system suits the Chinese way of life. The Chinese political elites have learned much from the West but have chosen to localise Western ideas.
In Zambia, we seem to talk about problems more than we are willing to solve them. If countries had a way of getting married, Zambia would have been divorced several times for nagging.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda (KK), our first Republican President, did not just declare the Motto, “One Zambia One Nation” as a slogan, he put it into action following the famous Choma Declaration. But what is this same Choma Declaration?
Shortly after independence, there was political tension and fighting because Zambians belonged to various political parties along tribal lines, a situation which made KK comprehend how to bring to a halt such violence and division.
Mr. Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, whose party, then, the African National Congress (ANC) was the only other big party in the country, agreed to work together with KK’s United National Independent Party (UNIP) and proposed that since Choma was the major political centre of ANC, they should, after the whole agreement was reached, go and sign the agreement in that town.
It was signed on June 27, 1973, at Choma Secondary School. That is why it is known as the Choma Declaration.
As Zambians, we had agreed to work together, as brothers and sisters from various backgrounds, to build more harmony, unity, peace, development and stability. Because of the Choma Declaration, a lot, over the years, was achieved only to be destroyed by a foreign governance system called multiparty democracy.
Also Read: Tiananmen Square Protests: Where would China be today had it not crashed them?
The irony about all this is that it was the violence of multiparty democracy that forced Nkumbula and KK to abandon it and yet out of our insatiable appetite for power, coupled with the imperialists who were lurking by the doorsteps for our natural resources, we reverted to a failed formula instead of working on the succession modalities at the helm since noone liked voting for a frog.
Truth be told, multiparty democracy in Africa was not introduced to promote good governance. It was 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 prioritizes the immediate needs of politicians over those of a nation united with a purpose to develop.
We need to do more and talk less. With a people united at a political level, we will preoccupy our minds with development, in the manner China is operating today.
About Woodpecker’s Digest: We are an online portal for analytical commentaries on topical issues of national interest and for articles on personal development and health! Journalism maintains democracy. It is a great tool for progressive social change! We, therefore, see it as our job to put constant pressure on our leaders until we get answers.
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