By Dr. Chiyaba Njovu
Lessons for the future of Zambia
We are told that if we use history, we may lose one eye but if we forget history we may lose both eyes. It is not my intention to discuss the three individuals who have occupied the office of President of Zambia since our independence. However, as they are part of our history, there is a need to make reference where this becomes relevant. The history of the three Zambian presidents must help in guiding us into what must be demanded from whoever takes over as Zambia’s fourth President.
As a nation, we know where we have come from; we know what amounts to good leadership and we know what amounts to bad leadership. We can analyze, assess, evaluate and later extrapolate what outcomes certain policy measures are likely to yield. In other words, our requirements are well known. What is not known at this stage, however, is how best to meet these requirements. No politician ever answers this question; I am yet to hear one answer it. What is required is not only a political solution to our problems but a pragmatic one if Zambia is to build on Dr. Mwanawasas legacy. It has to be pragmatic leadership because of the constraints defined by the circumstances in which we have found ourselves. We need a leader to steer Zambia to its destiny a better place for all. He/she will be constrained in many ways but a good leader unlocks constraints and converts them into opportunities. That is the challenge.
I recall listening to Dr. Kaunda in 1991, just before the multiparty elections. Dr. Kaunda advised Zambians against making a mistake in choosing the leadership. He repeatedly used these words and I quote; “Countrymen, not anyone who smokes dagga and shouts can lead. Leadership is a serious challenge that requires sober minds“ At that time, most of us dismissed Dr. Kaunda’s sentiments as partisan and self preserving. But with hindsight, Dr. Kaunda was being sincere to the nation. He cared about the nation and was concerned about what was about to happen. He knew from experience the characters of most of those who were aspiring for office at the time. History is there for all to judge. Zambia had a huge opportunity to build on Dr. Kaunda’s legacy and could have developed faster than we ever thought. But what happened? We were driven ten years backwards.Unfortunately, we are at the same cross roads now as we were in 1991 but under different circumstances.
We have the advantage of having experienced change of leadership twice and I believe we are better equipped to objectively define our destiny. We can only deceive ourselves if we voted on tribal or partisan lines as the Office of President affects all irrespective of tribe or party affiliation. We need to elect a leader who will look at Zambia as a nation he/she would wish to live in as an ordinary citizen and still enjoy the quality of life as a human being. We need to reflect on Dr. Mwanawasas message and assess the characters of the people aspiring for leadership and whether they are suitably qualified to handle the challenges ahead. In as much as democracy does not always guarantee victory for the most competent leader, I would love to believe that Zambians have learnt enough not to allow themselves to be manipulated by people we all know will not deliver on their promises. They have made far too many promises in the governments they have served that we can now see through them like a transparent glass. For them, its presidency at all costs! These are the people we do not need. These are people who will use the Presidency to fulfill their deflated egos.
We need a leader and not anything that can shout. A leader, who would spend time analyzing existing systems and work on measures to strengthen these systems for the benefit of all. Our nation currently needs strong systems and not good people. A good system managed by knowledgeable people can reform bad people and make them productive or else they loose out. That is what we need. Proper leadership, with a vision and attention to detail. Leadership of a nation is a serious undertaking and that as Zambians we must know that anyone who applies for a job they know they cannot do is committing a crime. It is fraud as the nation would pay him/her handsomely for the services the nation may never receive.
Dr. Mwanawasa may not have lived to achieve all that he desired for mother Zambia but his legacy must be guarded jealously if Zambia is to prosper. Let us think objectively and help build a Zambia in which we shall all be proud to live. Dr. Mwanawasa, we shall always remember you as an inspiring leader who worked under very difficult circumstances. I do not need to elaborate on this fact. In Gods eyes, everything that happens to you is in your interests. Everything happens for a purpose. Once more, may his soul rest in peace. Good luck mother Zambia.
For those interested follow the link below to see the second part of thr presindents body arrival in Zambia
.megavideo.com/?v=JALLUEYG
Not hm again
thanx #1,iam watching it now
The Rupia Banda Government has in the last six months failed to give the students allowance, deserting more than 400 students based in Russia leaving them to face the savage winter on their own without financial or material help. In a bid to buy school materials for the new academic year that opened half a month ago, this has led to various types of ativity among students male and female.
yaba baisa futi nama story yabo aba.
Ba Njovu twaleni ama pose na tu history twabupuba ukutali. How do you idolize KK of all people? You think we are silly as you are shame!! Go Sata Go Sata…why are not also telling us about Rupiah’s financial mismanagement whilst at NAMBOARD and how he fed on US bloody money meant for Jonas Savimbi when he was foreign affairs minister. We know how KK dismissed Rupiah so just shut up.
Thanx No1, do you have part 3?
#4 i support you 100%.to hell with the Rupia Banda Government and that Mrs Njovu at the Moscow embassy.Moscow Zambian embassy was made from the family tree.now that the roots to the tree are gone,we hope things for students here in Russia will be better.By the way why not just build better universities at home than sending us here in winter colleges so that we freez broke!!!!!!plz help us guys before we become baggers pa Russia.5 months no money + snow!!!!!!!!!!
I FEEL SORRY 4 DA RUSSIA GUY,these fools are busy increasing their salaries n they cant help u shame on rupiah banda
#8 Putin. Sorry man! I fully understand the predicament. All is not lost. But I must be very honest with you and take me seriously. MMD will not listen to you. They are busy stuffing the money meant to come to you in their pockets as it is clear from the stories I am hearing from home that MMD does not stand a chance this time around. In short they are making sure that they leave with at least something. The best thing for you to do is to use the same energy to write (txt, email, etc) to your relatives and friends to vote PF. When in office PF will disburse all the monies owed. Not only to your universities but even other authorities in similar situation as you…
…They will also open the Lusaka campus UNZA. They have also promised to increase the salaries for nurses, doctors, teachers etc while decreasing tax so that workers are not deprived of whatever they earn with their blood.
This is no joking matter. Start acting now and dont waste your time on something which will never be done. If you are lucky they will do it for the sake of elections and forget you after they have won.
LT we opened this article to read “insults” from bloggers. If you read all comments above, no read that article Part 2. Just imagine if you have only 11 customers stop to read only newspaper headlines and no one buys any, but only asks for a piece to fold tobacco, then you better start Bibles. That Njovu need to pay you for damages of losing customers.
Zambians must be careful.Really careful.Lets not look at short term benefits but put into serious consideration about what our children would fin zambia like thru any mistakes we make in our vote.
As per my thinking we need to get a leader with a nice profile in as far as love for the nation is concerned.Lets put names aside and see what our presdoz to be have proved to be.’VISION BY WORD OR BY DEED’.We need one whoz gonna go beyond Dr.Mwanawasa.As a principle of development,,if the next is equal to the previous one no matter how good he was then we never at all call that development ,it means we are stagnant.Analyze things and not words.One has to go beyond the late president if they think
they have a vision coz ,as the word defines itself,it’s just like a prophecy.Less than LPM will be titanic an Barbilone at the same time.We always say action speaks louder than words but in some circumstances we do forget it and the regret.
God Bless Zambia.All the former presidents have contributed a lot to Zambia .What we should do is to analyze the contributions they have made as well as the destruction they have brought within the time they were given to rule our Nation.How many hospitals,schools roads have been built in their time,
Dr.Chiyaba Ndhlovu has just put it straight on what KK warned and i believe his article has got nothing in relation to liking or hating KK. KK was speaking for Zambia and never in anyway became an underdog to any nation big or small.We knew how to store our harvests and he respected farmers etc.he had his weeknesses.Chiluba was charming,good speaker too he loved zambians he gave out houses,he chased docs,liquidated ,privatized our companies changed the feel of democracy,LPM made investiment too easy and later realized responded swiftly
and put measures to control it coz any one even from a village in their countries would be investors in zambia.He cleared up the mess.Slow to respond especially where foreign investors abuse locals in terms of racism,low wages an bringing in staff from their countries when Zambians cud do it.He cleared up the mess.etc.
Gravel roads have become more than good rivers .When MPs are voted into office they stay in lusaka and forget about pipo who voted them into office.
ANyway you have a better understanding than me,so take what is real and throw away my rubbish,,,,ma labishi
“They will also open the Lusaka campus UNZA. They have also promised to increase the salaries for nurses, doctors, teachers etc while decreasing tax so that workers are not deprived of whatever they earn with their blood.”
Yes indeed. Because PF is full of angels of God and not politicians right…
1 zambia ba fi kala
No insults please! Zambians at home, vote wisely.