By Hilary Mulenga
The current strides by the former ruling party MMD to reorganize itself into one formidable opposition party is a good sign for Zambia’s democracy. With the unaccepted loss it suffered in the last general elections, we expected the party to lament over its problems and eventually die slowly like the UNIP of yesteryears.
We expected the members of MMD to play a blame game for the loss. Yet, what we are seeing is a rare ray of hope for the party that needs a lot of
organization to see its way back to the top of national politics.
Without divulging into the manner in which MMD will reorganize itself,it is sufficient to say that a good opposition party will put necessary pressure on the PF government. In a democracy, one does not end at choosing one party over the other. The chosen party needs others to provide it with checks and balances. As a nation, we will be committing a political suicide if we put all our eggs in one basket.
That is why a strong opposition is a necessity in contemporary politics and in every democracy.
The thought of MMD as a better opposition party is too irresistible.The party has more Members of Parliament than any other opposition party. It has structures through which it can reorganize itself. Moreover, the MMD has much experience in national politics than any other opposition party.
Some people are predicting that UPND will be the main contender in the next election. Whereas the UPND was always fairing well alongside PF, it cannot be taken for granted that UPND will automatically take the place of PF as the main opposition party. The issues surrounding UPND puts it at a disadvantaged position.
First of all, a lot of Zambians see in UPND betrayers of their hopes.When it was clear that Zambians needed an organized opposition to oust MMD from power, UPND cast a big blow to their hopes by shunning the infamous Pact. Allegations that UPND even campaigned for the MMD when it realized that it would not win the elections have not been adequately denied.
Also, the issue of the UPND being a tribal party is one headache that the UPND leadership has done little to alleviate. Allegations that Sata is practicing tribalism in his appointments and decisions are not an effective strategy for wiping away the tribal tag that many Zambians associate with the UPND.
Other opposition parties simply do not stand on the same par as the MMD owing to their insignificance in terms of membership and organizational capacities. They have a long way to go. Thus, the equation favors the MMD as the leading opposition.
However, the MMD needs to deal with the ghosts of its past. One battle it faces is in reassuring the electorate that it is ready for a massive revolution of its internal structures. That will begin with the person the MMD will put as its flag bearer. Politics is a game of numbers but also it’s a
game of surprises. Who knows, the MMD might just bounce back!
NO WAYS
WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER
the pf is the worst party we may have had a ruling party in Zambia..may all the kolwestans regret when the bemba kingdom falls..
u v got a point….national leadership has bn placed in wrong and irresponsible hands
Politics is a game of numbers but also it’s a
game of surprises. Who knows, the MMD might just bounce back!
these people are still dreaming hahahahahaha mmamamamamama ine uhu
the master dribbler is dead why didnt you ask for his tactics of dribbling when he was alive. sata got them and he is in plot 1. can you elections with the boring – pande or the confused- muteteka or the dull- nevers or the aldulterious- mutati. forget you guys you are dreaming .
TO TELL THE TRUTH, I THINK MOST ZAMBIANS WANT TO TURN A LEAF AND FORGET ABOUT mmd. Rupiah remains a subject of ridicule and jokes, how do you expect him to reform an unpopular party like the mmd. MMD leaders have no track record of agitation, most are a bunch who jumped on the bandwagon when the trail blazers left.
MMD can go to hell, though the thug sata is seemingly not impressing i do not foresee mmd back, its gone chapwa.
MUTATI…MUTATI…MUTATI….MUTATI!!!
MUTATI…MUTATI…MUTATI….MUTATI!!!
#3 don’t associate pf to all bembas. you are being vindictive. And take note because of your tribalism, your tribe will never rule zambian because God likes at your heart. May God deliver you and clean your dirt mind.
the pf wil be retired come wat may in 2016. it is too tribalistic
Kabinga pande is the most level headed person to lead mmd in my view.
‘Who knows, the MMD might just bounce back!’ With the mature manner in which it is handling its affairs, there is no doubt about that. The only question is whether it will be in 2016 or earlier!
It must be noted that both PF and UPND are tribal parties. MMD is the only party that is non tribal.
MMD can never bounce back, remember DORA is still spokesperson how can surely MMD maintain such crooks and hoping to crook us again in 2016, hey the party to win in 2016 is ZED Viva DR Mutesa ( He is not a briefcase Doctor like the kafupi’s , Kaunda, RB AND soon Cobra) he is the man zambians need.
The only way the MMD can bounce back into power is by appealing to the whole country and that means being intelligent in the way they choose their leader. Other provinces have now learnt their hard lesson from Sata and will not vote for another northerner again in the near future. There is no way MMD will win against Sata if they put a Bemba as president – Sata will carry the day and win by a large margin, while in most provinces people will stay away and not vote. UPND is rubbish right now because of HH: HH is uninspiring as a leader and he is as tribalistic as Sata, actually maybe worse. Basically, I predict that PF and Sata will win in 2016, unless MMD acts intelligently. Meanwhile, let us wait for the convention.
MMD confessed that they became deaf to concerns that were being raised by the majority Zambians and the young electorate and PF is already becoming deaf with an “I don’t care” attitude since the mandate is for the next 5 years and think it’s enough time to re-energize to what earned PF the election. Muzadabwa! Then you will join MMD’s “We ignored the people’s cries!”
As for UPND if HH was magnanimous he could have told himself “I am better off tending to my businesses!” and let go! UPND would then try to tailor new cloth
Its not easy to say that MMD can bounce back – no way. If anything PF is trying its level best to weaken this so called big party. As for UPND they should just wind up and park Zambians are not tribalists and the party has shown all tactics of being tribal. They are now hammering PF to be tribal in a so called defensive so that people scan divert attention to PF being tribe. Its really childish for UPND to try to hammer PF on every move they make and say its tribal. Its actually UPND which is a tribal party and knowing Zambians they can never allow UPND to come closer to state house. Its time Hihichilema resigned and maybe put a different tribe for its leader. I end here.
MMD is finished. The members are just assuring themselves. Who can vote for them?
The dead never come back, so is mmd. Only jesus did. Even unip was saying the same shortly after losing elections. It has now been burried six feet down for 20 years now. Forget of mmd bouncing back. The dead are dead awaiting resurrection by Jesus Chcrist, amen.
PF is already unknowingly preparing its grave, even its kaponya supporters will soon start crawling on their knees begging for MMD to come back. They are now applying donchi kubeba potion on themselves.
if only super ken had immediately gone into retirement and passed on the reigns of power to fresh blood democratically elected ( at there wasn’t a shortage of these in UNIP at the time); yes UNIP would still have been alive and well today. debate this!!
To be honest, personally I’m not ready for another MMD soon. The evils they committed, even including just this year when they knew there were elections, are just too big. MMD KILLED PEOPLE. God knows what we would have ended up with if they had won another term. Their economic policies were good, I can’t be-grudge them that and they left a pretty strong economy let’s be fair. However, they were wolves in sheep-skins. We need a completely new party to come and challenge PF. UPND will take a long-time to win elections because of the tribal label they have now. They should ask Sata how many years he stayed in opposition because of being labelled tribal. It is only after he changed his strategy that’s when other tribes warmed up to him.
MMD is NOT YET finished, please. Wait until after the convention. That is how UNIP died. After their post-election convention the party split into a million pieces, some of which have floated away completely and are in MMD and PF. Those are the elements that caused MMD to lose elections and PF must watch out.
mmd is done? people are fed with anything affiliated with it? this will also the mark the down fall of upnd as hh is forming partnerships with them? heritage party is the next party to rule…..join us now or simply watch from the sidelines and speculate!
All you suckers mourning about MMD why hang on to a broken finished corrupt party which took you to the road that leads nowhere in 20 yrs,Give PF 5 years if they prove to be assholes just like MMD then replace them with a New Party led not by the like of HH,or other old geasers who have dirty hands from corrupt politics.
Zambians bury MMD give this Party a big middle figure! The Hour is Over Dead.
Zambians needs to learn if history has taught us is that MMD is dangerous and no good for the people of Zambia.The leaders of MMD in 20 yrs the best they did is get rich.Look at Dora Siliya a Minister on a Minister’s Salary how do you explain the expensive cars,houses they have built and the money in their Bank accounts.These are blood suckers they are real Africans heartless and mean dont give a f—ck about the dilapidated hospitals and shanty towns around Lusaka with families struggling to put food on the table
I wonder which MMD will bounce back to power. Is it the one that has Liato, William Banda, Rupiya Banda, Peter Machungwa, Kaingu, and the whole roten gang. Oh I hope note. If this is the team that people who naively support MMD think will win the 2016 elections, then I bet I can say, keep on dreaming like your leaders are doing. Another party bu definately not the MMD, UPND, ZRP and all those good for nothing parties.
MMD is ticking and alive wait for the next election,when it will bounce back to power. the only best thing to do is to choose a leader who is selfless not Nevers never.
No. 3 Mwine, it is time you got it that PF is here to stay for 10 years because RB’s koswe part WILL NEVER RULE ZAMBIA AGAIN. It is even worse for HH, for me, his name stinks of mabisi, yak, yak. Dont make me puke please. Kolwestans are enjoying themselves right now and they are here to stay. As for putting money in our pockets within 90 days, how can PF do that when the money has been stolen by RB and his gang. Even HH balimulishamo. During campaigns, I did not hear him mention RB’s name in the negative.
Iyee finamayo mukasalapuka lilali? efilimo fyekafyeka,insited of cooking for the children home,filelolela fye ka toy drink.
2016 is a long way. The euphoria with PF will not last. By 2014, 2015 and 2016 people would have seen what Sata and PF are all about, just like they have seen a bit already in their first 90 days. 2016 will not be like 2016. People will vote for Sta based on performance, not rethoric (and lies). It will be harder for Sata and PF at 2016.
On the other hand, it will be easier for MMD – they will have new leaders, the hated Dora, RB, et al will not be there and people would have moved on. PF cannot bank on winning 2016 based on 2011.
At the rate Sata is going, his popularity will keep diminishing. Without Sata, PF is dead. Sata is master of rhetoric. Unless he delivers too, fewer people will vote for him at 2016 that at 2011. MMD et al will capitalise on that.
Corect: 2016 will not be like 2011. People will vote for Sata based on performance…
Correction #33
2016 will not be like 2011. People will vote for Sata based on performance ………..
Zambia has changed; remember the Anti-Rigging! This fight on corruption is good but whats the under current? Sata is PF & PF is SATA therefore no successor in event of anything! MMD with crooks forget! PF with lies & tribalism forget! UPND aah HH rest! The solution for 2016 is SATA/PF perform and have a clear succession plan otherwise NO OVER 75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is free advice to you Mr President; if you think you will make it with the whole bunch of dandaheads and criminals essentially from MMD jumping onto PF and pretending to very loyal mukapapa ica papa Banda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You cannot call it coincidence
1. Mr Chikwanda-Finance 2. GBM-Defence 3. Sichinga-Commerce 4. Wilombe-Prof 5. Suba (PS-Southern) 6. Nkandu Luo- Tasintta 7. keep scanning there is more than you can imagigine! Did you know who was the go in betwween the marriage of KKK and Betty in Mpika? And what then the Panjis of the resurrected world! Dont forget Banji was at the centre of summagling with the indian community; check ZRA records serve for bankrupcy! Is the legal affairs boss still practicing Law! LAZ must speak on this one! What about yaba fya fulishya mwebantu…………………………………….2016!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kamusi (No. 36) What exactly is your point?
For real MMD can bounce back if the president will not give them what he promised Zambian people.