Friday, March 29, 2024

Is Sata out to destroy MMD?: The Fallacies of Opposition

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Sata with GBM in Mufumbwe
Sata with GBM in Mufumbwe

By Rev K.Kaoma

The revocation of MMD’s official opposition status in the House of Parliament is saddening. With little astuteness, MMD could have avoided this disastrous state of affairs. Sadly, the party seems to believe that Nevers Mumba’s honorary doctorate, political experience and the title of pastor give him extraordinary powers to be all over the map – picking up every fight on the way. How on earth does he expect to fight two battles at once, President Michael Sata and his opponents within MMD? Pastor Mumba is an outsider in MMD and he will only lead the party with ultimate humility. More still, one does not need political science 101 to understand that unlike UPND and PF, MMD does not have regional stronghold at the moment. So unless he wakes up to this crude reality, MMD’s days are numbered on the Zambian political front.

It is a fact that MMD is new to opposition politics. The myth that it will bounce back to power in 2016 is not just naïve but delusional at its best. Sata’s PF was born at the time of leadership struggle within the MMD after its 10 years in power. He strategically built his following by appealing to the masses’ frustrations over perceived MMD failures. As soon as he realized that Mwanawasa had re-created himself from being Chiluba’s handpicked “playboy” into a champion of anti-corruption, Sata jumped on the bandwagon – throwing his once endorser, the late President Frederick Chiluba, under the bus. Sata even went to an extent of reconciling with his once avowed enemy, Levy Mwanawasa. This strategic positioning bought Sata popularity in most major cities and Northern parts of Zambia.

Unlike Patriotic Front, however, MMD lacks the strategy for winning popular support. Rather, its leadership holds the misconception that just as Sata bulldozed his MPs during Rupiya Banda’s reign, Mumba can do the same. This is a huge gaffe. Sata’s MPs were mainly in his strongholds – Luapula, Northern, Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces – so he could intimidate them. Those who disobeyed him risked their seats. “Rebel MPs” – as they were openly called – also knew it and successfully blocked their expulsion from the PF – making by-elections impossible. After the 2011 elections, most of them will never be heard of in Zambian politics again.[pullquote]The myth that MMD will bounce back to power in 2016 is not just naïve but delusional at its best.[/pullquote]

But Sata’s political context was so different from that of the MMD today, whose MPs are mainly from neutral constituencies (swing constituencies in American political language), which can flip to any political party. Such constituencies are likely to favor PF over UPND due to many dynamics that usually work for the ruling party – from police to organizational advantages. Since Sata has assured MMD MPs of adoption should they be expelled, we may see massive exodus to PF. However, Sata’s assurance will have little or no impact on UPND, whose MPs are mostly from its stronghold – Southern Province.

I have nothing against MMD and Pastor Mumba. If anything, I would like to see the party survive for the development of democracy in Zambia. I believe that MPs should have constitutional powers to change parties since it is within their democratic rights to do so. However, I am opposed to unnecessary by-elections. We should be spending that money on providing health care and feeding our starving children in the nation. MPs should be allowed to switch parties without fear of victimization – the situation which will reduce the state and party president’s powers, encourage MPs to represent their people’s interests and save us hard needed cash. I submit that this will have its own shortfalls[pullquote]in politics, there are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends – only permanent interests.” Each time MMD loses by-elections, PF gains not just an extra seat but the public perception that MMD is finished[/pullquote]

On a different note, I am very concerned with President Sata’s undemocratic pronouncement on the adoption of to be expelled MPs. Who counts in democracy – the president or the people? The imposition of Stephen Masumba on Mufumbwe even after he had lost the PF primary elections shows how the cult of the “big man” is undermining democracy in the country. It is shameful that playboy Masumba now owes his political life to Sata and not to the electorate of Mufumbwe. No doubt, Sata is using his power to get his cronies into government in order to reposition himself for the 2016 elections. This dejected situation will erase all structures of accountability and lead to massive corruption and mismanagement of national resources.

That aside, MMD needs to change its strategy. The majority of its MPs are likely to retain their seats should they re-contest under PF. After all, PF is strategically going after MPs in constituencies it knows it will win in by-elections. Here then is my counsel to my fellow pastor, Nevers – grow up when dealing with your MPs. Storming State House will buy you fifteen minutes of fame but not votes. As leader of a political party, you have no role in parliament. In fact, until you are lucky to be elected president, (which is not likely in 2016) your contributions will be through your MPs. By losing the official status of opposition, you weakened your position of influence in the nation.

Let me remind you that MMD MPs are after securing their jobs as opposed to seeing you in plot one. Politicians, it is said, always think about the next election. It is now on you to sell yourself to the people; telling them why they should vote for you. Again, you do not have the economic or geographical capital to bully your MPs – Sata does. You yourself did exactly the same when you accepted to serve as republican Vice President – dumping your own party for the sake of Kwachas.

Finally, learn to read the mood of the nation with humility. Liberate your MPs from your authoritative grips – political parties are not churches where people are afraid of going to hell should they differ with their pastors. Let MMD MPs cooperate with PF on popular issues and oppose it when the nation needs them to do so. Remote controlling them will only lead you into losing credibility and destroying your party. As it is said, “in politics, there are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends – only permanent interests.” Each time MMD loses by-elections, PF gains not just an extra seats but the public perception that MMD is finished. The choice is yours – go ahead and expel all MPs working with PF or show maturity and leave them to work with PF so that MMD can reorganize again. Humility and not arrogance is the mark of a great leader. I pray and hope you are listening.

74 COMMENTS

  1. PESTER NERVOUS MUMBWE has no humility to take your advive Reverand…you have prayed in vain and put your hope on CHUMBU MUNSHOLOLWA.

  2. My bro, your fellow pastor can’t read the mood of Zambian as at now. May be he needs holly ghost fire , holly ghost fire for him to strategize  wisely. He is always behaving like HH who is bitter and frustrated by the loss of the 2011 elections. I think if you and other pastors pray for him, he may change.

    Peace and Prosperity To Mother Zambia.

  3. PESTER NERVOUS MUMBWE has no humility to take your advice Reverand…you have prayed in vain and put your hope on CHUMBU MUNSHOLOLWA.

  4. he who laughs last laughs the longest/loudest/best……..hahahahahahahah…MMD…katwishi…wonderful piece of writing Reverend..

  5. your advise Rev has fallen on deaf ears and that is the truth the Pastor has lost all his senses now that he leads a former ruling political party. we are yet to see another political party formed or change of name from MMD to another in the name of rebranding the party. otherwise MMD time is no more thats the end of it.

    • Dont forget that PF without Sata will crumble, unlike MMD, PF is built around one man, so consider that before you write off MMD.

  6. Ha..ha..ha..! Are you despising his honorary doctorate? Mnnnn…..your title REV is not Biblical. Only God deserves reverance…..ONLY God is REVEREND!

  7. Indeed it is a balanced article.Pastor Lucifer nerves mumba does not know what he is doing and where he is going-directionless!!Rev. advise also juvanile ecilema with his upandown party to behave.Provocations won’t take him anywhere.There was “peace” in Mufumbwe because icilema and his upandown party was not fully involved in the elections.icilema should learn to read the national mood or regional mood.This selfish behaviour is teaching the youths wrong ways of perceiving political issues.Arrogance of riches should not be tolerated in Zambia.Zambians,especially youths should be careful with so called rich people, they will buy into perpetual dependants if not beggers.Read the European and Americac history and you will how cruel the rich were.Find out also how the Workers’ Unions came.

  8. Ba Mumba, cant you see that you hve crash landed politically! Open your eyes iwe mumbwe and go back to your flock! They will surely receive you back!

  9. An excellent article and well thought out. You should advise HH also, as the two do not seem to understand the game of politics. Sata waited for 10 years in oppossion, so they should wait and contribute to the countries development rather than opposse things to gain political mileage.

  10. So ba Rev K. Kaoma, lets us fast foward to 2016, on which political party will the MMD “rebel” MPs stand? If they apply to stand on MMD, will they be accepted? PF? Either way, the MMD is just delaying the inevitable. Sorry guys but I think you are caught in between two very hard things. Kuyabebele.

    • No one not even you can predict the future. The Rev. is giving you what’s reality and you would rather delve into the future you are not privy to.

  11. OH THIS IS A SWEET ARTICLE. IF ALL OF US WERE WRITING LIKE THIS, LT COULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PLACE. BUT FOR NERVOUS MUMBA. THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL.” MENE,,, MENE,,,, TEKELE MUMBA” MUMBA HAS BEEN FOUND WANTING.

  12. This Rev Kakoma… Do u know that the MP’s serving in PF are there to undermine MMD. they will never toe the party line. U are better off with committed MP’s than sellouts. I said it here that next to be arrogant is Taima.
    It has come to pass, he was just waitng to see what Masumba’s Outcome was to be.

    Now he has grown big headed as well.

    Nevers sellouts will destroy u more than Kicking them OUT.

    • I am the author of this article. think you are missing the point my friend. Toeing party lines is not good for democracy – democracy strives on compromises.

    • Mpangula, democracy is the concept of give and take. Being in opposition does not necessarily mean you have got to oppose everything. Even when George W Bush left the office in 2008, Obama despite castigating him on everything he had done especially the war, was wise enough to retain some of Bush’s top government officials like Dr Robert Gates, Secretary of Defence. We need to work together for the common good of our country despite our differences in how we perceive things. 

  13. When will UPND and ZWD find anything positive about this Government and country??? Because they can not dispute Prof. Clive Chirwa’s qualification and capacity to perform, they can also not sing the tribal song, so now it is to come up with something totally irrelevant. What would stop the President to emply a British to do this job?? The only thing a foreigner would need is a work permit!

    So, even assumming that Prof. Chirwa has become a British citizen, forget about dual citizenship, why can he not be emplyed to do this job, if he has the expertise???

    This is the bitterness and anger that people tell you about, gwo up!!! Am also posting at Tumfweko and LT in case you fail to publish as you usually do!!!

  14. “Political parties are not churches where people are afraid of going to hell should they differ with their pastor”. I hear you Reverend; I hope ba Nevers has taken your advice. He could be thinking that Movement for Multi-Party Democracy is Victory Ministries.

  15. The best MMD could do is to scamper away into oblivion quietly like a tired incarnate spirit. It would be in national interest. But hanging around the political scene hoping against hope that their fortunes will be reignited and bounce back in power is, to borrow the Rev’s word, “delusional”. How do these people (MMD) fail to see that people will never vote for them ever again. With Sata in the saddle I fail to see how they will out-think him. They are political underdogs who would best pack their bags and assimilate in other parties. The tag MMD now only gives off a stench that every correct thinking Zambian runs away from. 

  16. Advise Hakaivotel Humwine; sorry ingombe ilede Hikamuvotela. HH thinks he can win presidency with his tribesmen and cows votes.

  17. One of the worst articles I have had the displeasure of reading
    What a waste of my 5 minutes that is I will never get back
    I want to be compensated 

    Thanks

  18. The law says NO Zambian should HOLD due CITIZENSHIP. That is the law.

    If Prof Chirwa has broken the law the law should visit him.

    Prof Chirwa I admire what he has achieved, but law is law and dont blame UPND or ZWD.

    Chirwa should know having dual Citizenship is a crime.
    No wonder why he has been championing the dual Citizen issue.

    • Why would you prefer to dwell on negatives instead of what the Professor can bring to the fore, to help mother Zambia? How are we going to develop with this kind of mentality?

  19. Mushota should be recognized and given a job in govt its time the govt called her back and develop our country. I need some comments like Clive Chirwa!!!!

  20. Nice and precise article. If Dr. Mumba is not careful, he will be digging his own grave by virtue of expelling his MPs for the sake of political mileage. Why can’t he use them to gain insights on what the gvt entend to do and implement it so that his name will be a household in Zambia. Here I find the ego problem in the once upon a time powerful man of God. By being voted as MMD party president, he thinks he is already State President. please ba Mumba face the reality and know that you are not even near Skanze Camp. venture into constructive politics and you will soon be a potential candidate in 2016, however, am afraid your days in politics are long gone and the church is also not willing to embrace you unless you reform.
    God bless mother Zambia under the leadership of Michael C. Sata.

  21. The only person who will destroy MMD is Fredrick Titus Chiluba- Remember he allowed MMD to be hijacked by those who were never part of our revolution. This charade has ended with MMD being headed by a comical charecter in the form of one Nevers Mumba. He thinks politics is about opening your mouth 24hours. If we are not careful MMD will join Unip into the National Archives. We dont want a ruling party to hold absolute majority in parliament. MMD this is the time to kick this chap Mumba out to where he belongs NCC or whatever. The guy tried to stand on PF in Chinsali in 2006, but the people of Chinsali refused because they know him too well.

  22. MMD should have voted for Felix Mutati,Nevers will Never take the once greatest opposition and for ruling part back to power.

  23. Mushotata your are either no one is interested to know wheather you read or did not. You had a choice from a lot of articles to chose to read,
    I found the article more balance nand full of reality. I know of those former Rebel MPs in PF, no one has bounced back in powr, talk of Dr Peter Machungwa, Dr Chisha, Faustina Sinyangwe etc and the rest, all of them are no longer honorables.MPS..they had their time, and calculated that, if BYE-Election were to be held no one could have gone through hence they blocked. This time around, if MMD does not heed to the Rev. advice, they can aswell kiss good bye.

    • Probably this Mushota child is still mourning the unceremonious departure of her late father. We have not even bothered to delve into what caused his death, out of respect despite his emaciated frame at the time of death. Sometimes, the truth hearts and that’s probably why she sounds so robotic to important issues. I cant wait for her to go back to Zambia and see what she can do there.

  24. Hey Reverand you have spoken wise words.Nevers must grow up and realise that he is losing it every time he opens his mouth,especially threatening MMD MPs with expulsion.Food for thught Nevers,arogance wont take you anywhere,certainly not to Plot 1.

  25. Rev. K. Kaoma, you have given timely advise. It’s up to MMD president to listen. You have rightly put it that politics is not like a church where people fear to rub shoulders with the pastor. If Nevers Mumba still thinks that he can bulldoze his MPs the way he feels like, let me also assure him that he will only remain with two that I know- Inde bwanas only. Leading a political party is not something like a home where you can even have the audacity of threatening elderly people as if you just finger pointed them in those constituencies! Those are old styles of leadership in the political front. I wish Mutati was chosen president. The end of MMD is looming!!!!!

  26. Great post rev. Buyt I’ve always said and will continue to be of the opinion that, MMD is truly finished to say the least. What MMD needed was “fresh” blood and new ideas. Their agenda remains the same to date.
    Mumba has no credibility to lead and not serious propect of becoming the republican president in 2016 and even beyond that.
    MMD has caused it’s own demise. And I quote; It is a fact that MMD is new to opposition politics. The myth that it will bounce back to power in 2016 is not just naïve but delusional at its best, end of quote.
    I couldn’t agree with you on that anymore Rev. That is infact what has happened to MMD.
    As for HH, he has similar delusional foresight of becoming the next president with doing his “homework” first. RIP MMD.

  27. Reverand Kakoma, bravo once again for this article is just as in-depth and as thoughtful as the one before. Your positive and realistic contributions are bringing in a fresh of good air on this site. I was beginning to get tired of the unnecessary and tribal bickering. Keep it up Reverand, for Zambians including the president and his leadership, ought to be listening to these words of wisdom.

  28. President Michael Sata has revealed that Livingstone UPND MP Reverand Howard Sekwila is willing to work with the PF government.

    But Reverand Sekwila said his willingness to work with the PF government should not be misunderstood.Others willing to work with the PF include Mazabuka Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo, Namwala MP to mention but a few. It was agreed by all of us the 17 UPND MPs today at parliament that we should start coming out in the open

  29. What is the gender of this B**** or lesbian (he she is female) called MUSHOTA? Please, let me know the gender of this intelligent stupid fool.

  30. Keep holding that ground Sir. Hope all other contributors follow suit and interact positively. Good on you and good on LT.

  31. The most sad thing I have observed is that people in the Zambian politics don’t like to have an opposition.We barely forget that an opposition part plays a role of a watchdog on behalf of us all Zambians because they know what we can’t see and instead of build the opposition we enjoy seeing them being mutilated and by the time we will realize that the ruling part is fooling us and stealing our resources and also passing one sided inclined bills that is when we cry foul. In most cases we see this happening when one is sucked or expelled from his position.Sata only told us about MMD after Chiluba hand picked Levy for presidency.He unveiled the secrets of MMD which he defended during the third part debate not because he had the heart for Zambia but because he was denied chance to rule.

  32. Rev Kaoma your article is baised towards PF. Only the wise can see through your naivety. American politics and Zed politics are totally different. MPs must be expelled becuase they are serving pf interests not mmd. Have you seen them campaign with mmd in bye -elections? They campaign for pf because there bread is battered in pf. Having mps in name only is fallace if they cant contribute anything to their party! Your analysis in lopsided in favour of pf like the last peice where you said mmd did not do anything for this country in 20 years. How long have been out of zambia? for yu not see how the transformation has been to date since 1991? You support that mps must change parties because of democrat rights, are yu sure? if your pipo change churches very often what would you think of such?

    • I am the author and need to respond. If I were biased to PF, I would not give ideas to MMD. You are right, like all MPs,  MMD MPs are after their bread and nothing more. They will get it wherever they can find it. For now, it is likely to be from PF and not MMD. So if you expel them, you risk losing many seats. Come next election circle, those seats will be used to re-elect PF and hand Sata another term. Sata knows that he has lost popularity among the Lozis, so he will make inroads in other areas to make up for those votes. My dear, politics can be contextual but the politicians will always look towards a next elections be it in America or Zambia. By the way, I am more in Zambia than you can imagine. I am political researcher and do extensive travel. Thanks for reading nevertheless.

  33. Nampundu, 44, If I were biased to PF, I would not give ideas to MMD. You are right, like all MPs,  MMD MPs are after their bread and nothing more. They will get it wherever they can find it. For now, it is likely to be from PF and not MMD. So if you expel them, you risk losing many seats. Come next election circle, those seats will be used to re-elect PF and hand Sata another term. Sata knows that he has lost popularity among the Lozis, so he will make inroads in other areas to make up for those votes. My dear, politics can be contextual but the politicians will always look towards a next elections be it in America or Zambia. By the way, I am more in Zambia than you can imagine. I am political researcher and do extensive travel. Thanks for reading nevertheless

  34. Huyu Sata ni dikteta anafaa ang’olewe kutoka kwa urais sababu ya siasa duni,kuharibu umoja na pia ushenzi wa matamshi ya ujinga akikutana na wageni nchi zingne.Huyu reverend Kaoma anafaa aone kwamba kwenda mbele sio kufika.Hiki chama cha wahuni kitaisha nguvu hivi karibuni.The vitality the PF is showing is just the burning of fuel all rockets usually show as they burn towards destruction.

  35. Totally agree with Mushota, what a waste of time with a PF cadre masquarading as Reverand when in actual sense seeking a job from Mr Sata.

    • It is unfair to make such claims without logical arguments. I am equally critical of Sata in this article. I am sorry, I am not seeking employment with Sata – I love what I do. Thanks anyway for reading my article. 

  36. for the first time i see an author of a biased artical responding. did you even sleep or you are just monitoring what was being posted all night.

    the other thing. the first version of MMD was run by SATA………….

  37. The author is a little harsh on Nevers mumba while giving a slap on the wrist for Sata’s more egregious errors.Sata changes tune to suit his day and threatened withholding dev’t funds if they voted opposition.Nevers cannot afford to play nice to an opponent who has no scruples thus appearing weak to voters.Just how Nevers is “arrogant” and Sata is not is somethin the author needs to clear for his own credibility.A great leader should not decimate the opposition for the sake of democracy & checks and balances.It shows lack of humility and division of country for personal gain.

  38. The author is a little harsh on Nevers mumba while giving a slap on the wrist for Sata’s more egregious errors.Sata changes tune to suit his day and threatened withholding dev’t funds if they voted opposition.Nevers cannot afford to play nice to an opponent who has no scruples thus appearing weak to voters.Just how Nevers is “arrogant” and Sata is not is somethin the author needs to clear for his own credibility.A great leader should not decimate the opposition for the sake of democracy & checks and balances.It shows lack of humility and division of country for personal gain.

  39. ## 52,

    Shame on you. Please dont bring your dullness here on LT as if you are on ZWD. Take your madness to ZWD where you insult any how…shaaa.

  40. Thanks Rev,

    Your writing seems to be good but I am sure that as a Pastor you may be in the better position to speak to your brother than speaking in public like this. If I had known your contact, I would speak to you than continue on this chat.

    Have a blessed day

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