Examining Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s call for political leadership that champions dialogue and service for the nation, rather than one using the struggles of ordinary Zambians for self serving political ambitions.
By Moffat Nyangu.
Lusaka, Oct. 31 – Allow me to add my voice to the recent debate that made rounds back home in Zambia where a decision by a rather reserved but astute politician, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, to call for a reset in our politics and recalibrate the national agenda toward service delivery and poverty eradication through dialogue with the Executive, has drawn misplaced condemnation instead of the needed reflection it deserves.
Also Read: Resetting Zambia’s Political Compass: Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s Bold Call for Unity and Development! Dr. Chilufya’s call to reset our politics and recalibrate the national agenda toward service delivery and poverty eradication through dialogue and unity deserves full support to foster national development.
In a country where alliances are brokered for personal political ambitions and loyalties often traded like goods in a market, I am not surprised to see the politics of Zambia’s new “Mwanawasa”, devoid of insults and acrimony, being misunderstood. In Zambia today, even the age-old tale of betrayal seems more of a calculated transaction, where one can justifiably end up as “isampo” – a business commodity.
While interparty MoUs are signed and hands are shaken, ordinary Zambians must pause and ask themselves: are these deals truly about serving the people, or are citizens themselves the commodity? This is the hard truth that Zambia’s new Mwanawasa, Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, is urging every Zambian to confront. Dr. Chilufya has chosen to use his role to engage the Executive with the purpose of recalibrating our politics to reflect real service delivery, promote unity, and a poverty alleviating agenda.
In contrast, we see other key opposition figures, like Dr. Nevers Mumba, using the plight of ordinary Zambians as a means to an end. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue with the Executive, they leverage the public’s struggles for political mileage. Dr. Chilufya, however, is taking a different approach, one rooted in Statesmanship. He envisions an opposition that engages the government not with theatrics but with meaningful, solutions-driven debates.
There’s need to seek a dialogue with President Hichilema on Zambia’s vast resources – like the emeralds that make Zambia the top exporter in the world, with over 3,000 Kilograms a year fetching up to $40 million per kilogram. And what Dr. Chilufya is asking us is clear: how can this immense wealth trickle down to the child in rural Zambia?
“My appeal to all is to reset our politics, detoxify the environment, recalibrate our collective agenda to service delivery and poverty eradication. Let’s create a critical mass of leaders and engender a robust, resilient and sustainable path to prosperity for our people by translating our natural resources into wealth. Let’s embrace meritocracy; we have sufficient human capital to drive the agenda if only we agree to work as a team; let’s not frown upon intelligence and hard work,” Dr. Chitalu Chilufya stated in his recent press statement.
Also Read: Press Statement: I Have Not Defected to the UPND! The notion that an opposition MP cannot engage with the President in the line of duty is incorrect. My appeal to ALL is to reset our politics and recalibrate our collective agenda to service delivery and poverty eradication.
Dr. Chilufya’s approach goes beyond political rivalry; it is about prioritizing the future of Zambia and ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the shadows of political deals. He calls for unity and service-oriented governance, a vision where Zambians can see a tangible benefit from the nation’s prosperity.
In a country abundant with wealth, Dr. Chilufya believes that only by resetting our politics and working collaboratively with the Executive can we achieve true progress. He reminds us that real change comes from dialogue and unity, not from stirring unrest, and encourages us to support his stance – a stance for meaningful opposition that pushes for service delivery and poverty eradication, so that every Zambian feels the impact of their country’s riches.
About The Author: Mr. Moffat Nyangu holds a Master of Arts in Political Science in the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences from the Arizona State University (Carey). He also holds qualifications in Journalism and International Relations.
About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest provides in-depth analyses and commentary on issues of national importance, alongside articles on personal development and health. We believe journalism can be a force for socio-economic change.
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