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Part 1-Reflections

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Reflecting on Dr. Mwanawasas farewell message to the nation

By Dr. Chiyaba Njovu

When I first heard about our late president’s pre-recorded message to the nation, I wondered what the message was all about; could it be related to his desire for his preferred successor? Could it be about his views on the corrupt people or just what could it be? Just why did he record this message? Well, after reading the message in full from different parts of the press, I have come to realise that people perceive power and indeed use power differently. Some people perceive power as a status symbol, others perceive it as a control tool or a measure of their greatness and yet others perceive power as an honor to have their chance to help better the society they lead. Reading that message again, I have come to realise that people do perceive and live their lives differently. Some people live their lives by the day and cannot care less about what happens tomorrow. Others lead a purposeful life that makes them reflect on the past, present and possibly the future. They care about others and value other people. Dr. Mwanawasas message teaches us two things about him. It tells us about him as a person and him as a person in power.

Dr. Mwanawasa as a Person

As a person, Dr. Mwanawasa lived a purposeful life. I am saying this because I had an opportunity of meeting him in different capacities, as an ordinary citizen and as republican President. He spent time thinking about his immediate family, his relatives, his friends and the nation. He demonstrated these traits in different ways. He guided people genuinely with all his heart with the view that they too could develop and live meaningful lives. He openly told people what his views on an issue would be and encouraged people to think seriously about their actions each time. He advised people about the dangers of living beyond ones means and the dangers of an insatiable desire for wealth. In other words, his desire was to see his family, his relatives, his friends and the general populaces in Zambia aspire for better lives. He espoused the value of the rule of law in society at all times. He wished people a life of opportunities for themselves, a life of desire through hard work, honest and sincerity. He fought against injustice, poverty, ignorance, exploitation of man by man and disease. He viewed these as traits that were obstacles to people’s desire for meaningful lives. He viewed a society devoid of these vices as a better society. He reflected on the plight of the poor; cared about the children, the orphans; the disabled, the sick irrespective of who they were and indeed all the disadvantaged people in society. And above all, he detested treachery and dishonesty. In other words, he did unto others as he would expect them to do unto him.

Dr. Mwanawasa as a leader

As a leader, Dr. Mwanawasa had the desire to help better the society he presided over. He reflected on the plight of the nation in keeping with his purpose in life. He gave deep thoughts about the nation and what he could do to help better the nation. He identified key issues in a better society, opportunity creation through prudent resource management; honest in public office; integrity in dealing with others and indeed care for the human being irrespective of their status in society. A look at his actions in life confirms this in many ways. And this is what won him international accolades. He was modest in all his dealings. He was never afraid to tell anyone his piece of mind and was prepared to say sorry whenever he made a mistake. He never showed any desires for materials, and encouraged people to lead modest, humble but genuinely honest lives. Though he had access to all the trappings of wealth one can imagine, he never showed any desire for glamorous things and went on his business as if he was an ordinary citizen. He worked as hard as anyone on his businesses and showed that, like anyone else, he could earn his living as an individual and not using his office.

Fight against corruption

His fight against corruption was motivated by his desire to make Zambia a better place and not malice. It was a fight to demonstrate that people in leadership must respect public resources. It was not a fight against any individual and there was nothing political about it in his mind. It was a fight to serve as a lesson to serving leaders and those that aspire for leadership. Though we are all entitled to our own opinions on this, an objective assessment of the facts emerging from the courts of law and the conduct of those accused of corruption only serve to confirm that some people committed crimes for which justice was demanded. There is nothing wrong in spotting a crime and demanding that the culprit be brought to book. This is what justice demands. This is what Dr. Mwanawasa demonstrated. He demanded justice for all irrespective of ones status in society. It is such bold and courageous actions that can help shape Zambia into a better nation. A nation governed by the rule of law; a nation where people respect each other as human beings; a nation where people could be proud of doing business without the fear of being conned. A nation where each individual feels proud to own what they would like if they can genuinely afford it. I am a strong believer of the hard work culture. I respect honest hard working people. I respect people who genuinely work for what they own but I detest dishonest people no matter what favors they would shower at me. I detest acquiring wealth dubiously or indeed taking advantage of ones position to acquire wealth. Dishonesty is a cancer that has destroyed many families and indeed many societies. Dishonesty coupled with an insatiable desire for meaningless wealth has created wars and shuttered many societies. I have had the privilege of traveling extensively and have visited countries where these have happened and would never wish such a scenario for anybody. A corrupt nation cannot inspire people. Corruption creates helplessness and hopelessness in the disadvantaged and blinds the tricksters from reality. A corrupt nation is a doomed nation and there is no better way to describe it. These are all lessons we can learn from Dr. Mwanawasas leadership. We shall dearly miss him. May his soul rest in peace.

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

86 COMMENTS

  4. Dr. Njovu, have you thought that Levy knew that he would die soon and opted to die at State House? And who would have told him? His doctors in London. If that is the truth then, did he love us so much that he would want to die as president or he knew that being president would allow his death expenses to be footed by the state?
    If his life was too short, what do you think he spent his last days doing? He probably spent those making sure that his family were left in a much better position. So time will tell us Levy is the kind of person you say he is. I was not fooled by his death. I think he ripped us before stepping aside to kick his bucket!

  5. Such good and sweet things people write and say after one is dead. I wish all these people who said nice things about LPM were genuinely coming from the bottom of their hearts.

    Rest in Peace LPM…

  6. Well the article makes good reading especially on corruption which is more prevalent worldover. As to the rest, the author is entitled to his own opinion.

  8. The chap spent first five years chasing the wind (chiluba) and only realised last two years ati i need to do smething for the pipo..
    Ala kuti wafwilamo mukupepeka bakabwalala ubushiku…
    lets VOTE wisely uno muku we need development fastfast ….
    Vote PABWATOOOOOOO PABWATOOOOOO

  11. imwe ashukilepofye SAKALA na BULAYA….wht corruption fight do yo tok about..go to police stations, NRC, passports, RTSA, education ala pipo are corrupt chani chakumutenge….
    we need a reader who can fight and flash out corruption head on starting from offices starting from cleaners…..not just yaping to DONORS so that they give yo cash to invest in yo farm…

  13. mwe corruption isa the man embarrassed zed how do you drag a former head of state to court over a plasma naine nalikwata sure.we lost a human being not a leader get real zed pipo he wont come back to haunt you just be honest and give a true opinion

  14. Boss, are trying to teach Zambians of your little sense or teasing us??? are we fools that we cant reflect on late President that u should reflect our behalf??? dont provok us boss we are mourning???

  16. you guys must be Fools. Why is it that no one is talking about his nepotism tendencies. The popular FAMILY TREE. so he was just a mere corrupt mortal. If he wanted to fight corruption why didnt extend the mandate of the TASK FORCE to include cases during his tenure of office. It is because he was scared of being caught and since he new he was dying by 2005 he was sure he will not be around to answer any charges.

  18. you are a silly analyzer coz LPM did everything for his relatives and close friends not the nation nowonder Ka namulambe and sex shakafuswa were bosting.so mr forget nii pabwaaaaaatoooofye

  20. #11 i support you. You have even left the magestrate court, local courts and the high court to name but a few, go their and you will see for your selves.

  23. Katwishi wasosa. We have been taken for a ride. Us Zambians are just lukewarm. We even go to the extent of lying about the dead. Everything attributed to LPM he never did them. The boom in the mining sector started way back in the chiluba regime. For example Lumwana mine construction was started in 1998 and Kansanshi opened in 1997. All other mines were sold off by Kafupi and they started operating. In addition the booming copper industry was aided by external factors such increased demand from CHINA and INDIA. Even a Mad person could be in plot 1 but Copper would still have performed as they did with a dead person (2005).

  30. I wish you could have those reflections before 19 August, while he was still alive. But now its no use he gone forever! NO TURNING BACK! ONLY CUNNING MOLINI WILL READ IT!

  31. What a load of bull!! You and your mate at the post – that night school educated tosser, Mmembe, can’t teach no one anything.

    Come back and add real value pa zed not being an armchair analyst you always were.

  32. An inappropriate commentary indeed, this does not mention the FAMILY TREE at all but there again, YOU wouldn’t know much about that, you are away watching us, in Zed fight the tree and all it stood for!

  33. why do yall think every zambian abroad is illegal?.. some of us are here for school ka.. and if some are illegal ..let them be they living a good life ala!..nishani ma jealouse..

    oh and this artical was way to long way to boring! rip lpm

  36. Corruption fight!!!he was just protecting the family tree.Lets look ahead Zedians.We need to develop Zed not Levey’s legacy.

  37. #5. One True One Lsk; I couldn’t have put it any better myself! That’s why I keep saying since we have to speak ill of the dead, let’s knock these b@#$%*ards while they’re still alive!

  39. #37 above should have read: #5. One True One Lsk; I couldn’t have put it any better myself! That’s why I keep saying since we can’t speak ill of the dead, let’s knock these b@#$%*ards while they’re still alive!

  40. You pipo make me laugh….especially the author of this article. Dont try and look intelligent here. Listen Zambians, all the presidents record a farewell message whilst they are in power, reasons….just incase they die while in power. So, even kafupi and kk did the same. We’ll never get to see theirs because they are going to die (God forbid) out of office. All that is protocol!

  42. This is a very good article written at a wrong time.The good Doctor should have written it while LPM was still living. Give me my roses so that I can smell them goes the saying.

  43. The marriage of convinience between PF and UPND should be sunctioned and supported by all progressive minds. UPND and PF must dislodge the MMD from power this November 2008. After victory is attained, this is how power should be shared; SATA should be made President to control Cabinate and the police service, while HH should be made Vice President to control the Defence and Security. Also HH must control Finance, trade and industry upto 2011. By this time HH would have gained enough experience to become president. HH must serve under Sata after the October 30, 2008 elections and become Zambian President in 2011. VIVA SATA VIVA HH

  47. It seems you are a Doctor like the late, without reading for it. We are tired!!!!!!!!!!!!We still see corrupt guys, those accused roaming the streets, Katele Kalumba, Kashiwa Bulaya and fuel is very expensive, UNZA still closed, corruption in government departments. We tired of LPM

  51. Why put a dead person on a pedestal kanshi? Just tell it as it is or was. UNZA is still closed, heaven only knows when it will be opened in the meantime people are busy talking about the legacy, legacy.By the time they open probably next yr, one can even forget 1+1= 2.
    What a country, what a govt. Shame on MMD. Pabwato fye nomba.

  53. Trust me a lot of people have pre death feeling way before their time of death. this is a mystry which God alone can tell coz we do not have witnesses to this effect. theres a book i was reading about pre death experiences which can tell u a lot about this.LPM might have had that feeling.Dont doubt it just believe it.

  55. #15 Aaron Obama. DR NJOVU is not an illegal immigrant. He has a very responsible position wherever, he lives. However, this is not to say I conquer with his sentiment on Levy. Unless one doesnt visit Zambia. Zambia is now one of the most corrupt countries in the world. This most happened in the reign of levy. In fact he started it by appointing his relatives to key position. Everywhere you go in zambia theres this “NICHEKELEKO” phrase. Its unbelievable how pipo r surviving with such corruption. Copper cathodes were never stollen in zccm days. But thats nolonger news stealing copper nowadays.

  58. Reading some of the contributions, you think Zambia is full of illiterates. LPM was not popular on the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces because it is full of thieves and mishanga sellers with no proper upbringing, spiritually and morally. Losing elections in these provinces does not mean no occupation of plot one. The rural areas delivered his second term because of the basic principle of improving the lives of the poor people. He brought subsidies for agricultural necessities which were popular in rural areas. You people are just vindictive and vernomous for him trousing the mishanga seller-in-chief, SATA. Grow up and smell the coffee. LPM rejuvenated the economy which was runsacked by devil

  59. As a future politician in Zambia, Iam at pains to comprehend the grudge against educated Zambians living abroad. These same people would have wanted to come for education and then work to gain experience before heading home. Just because you didn’t make it you shouldn’t feel jealous and try to belittle the achievers. Most of you are quite sad people and I will pray for you for salvation. Some of us are still abroad because we are getting experience and making ourselves economically viable so that when we join politics we will not steal, but serve the people. Unlike you, who will swindle the state funds. Politics is about servitude and not as means of living. Time is coming for the annointed.

  61. Another fake Dr. After elections another president in “Z” will become a fake Dr. just like his predecessors and the pastors you have (e.g. Pule, Nevers e.t.c…) Please save our ears from flattery especially of the dead.

  62. Part 2 – Reflections: listen to “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley. Me blood a rush thru me veins when the man say “..have no fear for atomic energy, coz none of dem can stop the time!!!”

  63. I cry for my country when we have people being so antagonistic to those who mean well. Can’t we have an educated conversation without resorting to the ba kabova language. Dr Kaunda and LPM invested so much in education, please lets use proper names and good english. Lets rise above ignorance and look with hope for the future. We should look at what is happening in America with Barack, and not induce our personal psychosis through dagga and reggae music to inspire us. Get education pleaseee.

  64. But Ba Njovu, kuli bwenesha uku. And is that picture from Zambia? There has been alot of wise words said about Mwanawasa, and who in hell are you? You look like you paid somebody at LT for your useless looooong article. Congratulations for being honored DR, by an NGO.

  65. You Dr Njovu stop licking the dead, you ar wasting time coz good enough has been said by people about Levy. your analysis sucks.

  68. Dr. you should have proper facts. You don’t know that LPM relatives have formed security firms and imposed them on companies? You don’t know that corruption has more than doubled?
    Some pipo though corrupt can not be touched and this is under LPM administration – let us not praise pipo even where they have failed.
    Mark Chona is now a champion – ask him why he went to Australia.

    Mundia Sikatana was retired on medical grounds when he was minister and in his ministry Kapita is still serving. Who can explain why have 2 ministers in the same ministry?

  69. All you (ZANU) PF thugs. What’s all this hate LPM you’re exhibiting here. The man meant well for Zambia and its citizens. Now talking about your gang leader Sata, lets wait and see how many thugs and thieves he’s going to bring into govt if at all he’ll win. Yes! You shall surely remember LPM (RIP). Not now.

  70. Guys have you seen Reflections part 2.I want to open it but i failing to do so.Maybe the man is apologising this time.Anyone to help me when you appload it finally

  71. GLUCO #69 We dont hate LPM. We will definatelly remember Him for the following;
    1.He brought some kind of investor confidence
    2.he allowed Chinesse to abuse Zedians
    3.he fought chiluba in the name of corruption
    4.he opened Lumwana mine
    5.he opened kasenshi mine
    6.he sold zanaco
    7.he died in paris while uth is in a deplorable state
    8.he died at the time doctors were on strike
    9.he died without a good succession plan in mmd especially that he banned the position of vice president
    10.he died when fuel was 10pin
    12.he kind of respected KK
    13.He reconciled with Sata and Nevers
    I can highlight alot of the things we will remeber him for

  72. #71 Zambian Analyst Please go on, bauze ba Ngwere. You are my hero. Most guys on this blog can only see as far as their norses. YOU ARE MY CHOICE FOR ‘FREE MAN’ OF THIS BLOG.

  73. Perhaps some of you were too young or were not yet born or you cant just remember.Can i remind you or let you know that LPM’s fight against corruption did not start with him as head of state.Before MMD could even unfold fully LPM was in court fighting corruption against the then GVT ministers and other officials.He then became a founder member of the ruling MMD.He resigned after corruption scourges in MM which he helped found.Hecame back hoping as president he would be able to lead the fight and he did.There is no other president who prevailed to lead the nation against corruption in our country.His fight should therefore continue even without him and it can only be good for every Zambian.

  74. The most important message to take on board here is the future fight to better the lives of all Zambians.Whoever is going to be president in two months time should stand as a leader with a purposeful life of improving the lives of our people.We need a leader who will ead from the front in fighting for ordinary Zambians.We have only one Zambia and we need to be proud of our country.This pride comes with the desire and resolve to put our country where we want it to be.If LPM was wrong in one way or another he dealt with that in his farewell but the most important thing is to put someone wo will correct those wrongs for the benefit of all zambians.All in all i think LPM did his best.

  75. No 71 you are right… LPM was not a God, he had his own weakneses. If you could try to look at the % of development during his term, you will notice that it was less than 10%.Unemployment was very high during levy,s term compared to Kaunda. Most skilled and Unskilled pipo were unable to find work.during Kaunda’s term, both skilled and unskilled could at least find a good job to sustain themselves. Hospitals were lacking equipments that is why whenever he was sick he was taken abroad. I’m not taking about the last sickness that lead to his death. As much as we appreciate the little that he his for Mother Zambia, we have every right to say that he did not do much!!!!!

  76. Yes LPM did not leave Zambia perfect or how he wanted it to be.The damage to our our country has been relentless and he did his best to correct some damage.The issue now is where to from here.Wo is going to do better thatn LPM.Do we have better leaders who are selfless and will commit themselves to the service of their country without following the common road of corruption in which ever form it may lead them??.This is the major question every Zambian is supposed to answer.Its a question not for one person but the entire nation.I dont have the answer but together we need to search and find it

  77. Universities were no exception, they were closed more than a 1000 times meaning if you have to complete a course in 4years, you will complete in 6yrs. Let us not preach things that Levy did not do. He was a good leader but not they way you are writing about him. Spare us the nonsense.Currently most MPs in govt are Levy’s or Maureen’s relatives and freinds. What do you call that??????

  78. Anyone close to the ma who sleeps with his granddaughter please tell him to stop paddling on the daed body of LPM. If he cant go to back to UNIP let him just join UBWATO. By the way LPM was not a god for Zambia. I hate nepotism

  79. LPM has been attacked enough but he is no more.There is no point in fighting over spilled milk.The issue now is who is a better leader than him.It’s a fact that LPM was a better leader than plunderer Chiluba a lot of you are hero worshiping.As much as he wasnt perfect he did try to briong sanity into leadership.For now lets stop goping over same issues but concentrate on what te next leader has to bring to ur coutry.The problem of most Zambians is that we change to the level of the limiations a leader can have.We need to set standards,qualities,qualifications,attributes we need for a leader and not the other way round

  80. Already you are shouting this leader or that leader before you even hear what those leaders hope to bring to the country.Listen to their plans for the country,look at their manifestos and everything else before you can decide which leader is best for the country.we must move on from the kaponmya style of choosing people.Dont just choose because you know him or you like him but look at their capabilities.Thats what it means to be civilised

  81. Supporting leaders blindly s not going to help us neither is it going to help the future generation.we need leaders with a vision of tackling issues that affect our nation and out people.We need planners,thinkers who can forecast development at all levels of our economy

  82. Guys, dont you think these politicians are dull and cant just read the mood of Zambians? Why cant COBRA combine forces with HH if at all they want to upset MMD manouvres? Otherwise, lets forget about any new government taking over.

  83. We need to scrutinise everyone Sata,HH,Banda etc everyone has to go though the the test so that they can convince us that they can deliver.That way we will be setting a precedence for all future leaders.The reason why zambia has morethan 35 political parties is that eveyone thinks they can be president so thay can rob the GVT and not to serve

  84. Ba LT, we r tired of these political topics, Bloggers just talking anyhow,– Anymore interesting topics besides POLITICS? We r all not into politics, its boring sometimes!

  86. i slept over on the lounge and then suddenly heard LPM thanking the people who had mourned with his family etc – thought it was a dream but no, indeed the man had arisen from the dead.

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