Sataphobia
As we were celebrating our 49th independence anniversary, I kept wondering whether the country is suffering from Sata-phobia – an exaggerated or illogical fear of president Sata’s leadership, or from Satamnesia – the illness of forgetting or ignoring acts of incompetence in the Sata administration.
Phobia is highly illogical. As a child, I had a face to face encounter with the cobra—the real cobra. I had gone picking wild-fruits (amasuku) in the forest in Matanda, Mansa, with my twin brother. Since I was ahead of him, I sported the cobra first, as it tried to strike at me. All I remember is that I was immobilized for a while before running for my life. Since then, I developed ophidiophobia – the extreme fear of snakes to an extent that today, I can hardly look at a snake whether alive, dead or fake. Well, that’s what phobia is all about—it’s illogical. As for my twin brother, he jokes about the experience.
Recently, I have been wondering whether President Sata’s critics have developed Sataphobia–after all, who does not fear a “Cobra.” But honestly, to describe his opponents as Sataphobic is to develop Satamnesia. The president does not know what he wants and what it means to govern. Since coming to power, his job is to fire one crony, and replace with another—thereby stifling policies at many levels. The truth is that governing through trial and error will not help our nation’s credibility in international circles. It is clear that our president lacks vision and direction.
Discipline and Ethical leadership
Moreover, the president lacks discipline and ethical leadership. How on earth can he treat his cabinet ministers like fools; how does he expect the world and ordinary Zambians to respect them if he treats them like garbage? Perhaps we are the ones who respect his cabinet, but the president knows too well that it is full of fools! That aside, does he really understand the implications of shaming his vice-president, ministers, and other senior officials on national security and foreign policy? His lack of judgment makes me so afraid—either his ministers belong to Chainama or our president does!
Clearly, President Sata does not understand the demands of the office he holds; he does not understand that embarrassing his officials in public shows how unprincipled and uncultured he has become. I know that some people see nothing wrong with his actions but so far, only desperate people can accept appointments to serve under his failed leadership. So, why is Guy Scott still his vice-president–the man cannot act as president; and he can’t represent him without being shamed. I guess he is just trying to recover some of the money he wasted to help King Cobra get to plot One — thereafter he will resign.
Satamnesia
But those who suffer from Satamnesia puzzle me the most. They overlook that 90 days are long gone; they forget that Sata used the independent media and especially Radio Phoenix and other privately owned radio stations across the nation to organize his party, and he supported workers’ strikes. They are unable to remember that he called Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiya Banda so many names, but now arrests those who question him. They overlook that the president can hardly differentiate between being a comedian and dealing with diplomatic issues. It’s not long ago that Sata brought ridicule on Zambia in his role in the Zimbabwe situation in Angola; it’s not long ago that he insulted President George Bush; it’s not long ago that he made embarrassing diplomatic “war remarks”— claiming that Zambia will host war refugees should Malawi–Tanzania go to war over boundary disputes.
Victims of Satamnesia are easy to spot– they disregard the fact that the president has no idea as to how to bring order in his own party; that he can hardly speak without being abusive and acts on impulse like a toddler! They ignore the fact that Sata lacks ethical judgment at many levels–making Idi Amin and Robert Mugabe saints. Equally, they believe with President Sata that the only way to fight corruption in Zambia is to have Rowan Wirriams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury–the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion to send missionaries to Zambia. I can go on and on, but it does not matter if one suffers from Satamnesia–facts evaporate like mist.
Frankly, if President Sata gets another term, I will mourn for mother Zambia; more so for countless selfishless individuals who died for our independence. I will mourn for Simon Kapwepwe, Harry Nkumbula, Lawrence Katilungu, Bishop Elias Mutale, Dean Mungomba and countless women who believed that mother Zambia deserves better.
Please let us put our tribal differences aside and work to save Zambia from President Sata–we did it to Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, and not so long ago, to Rupiya Banda. Unless one suffers from Satamnesia, President Sata is taking mother Zambia to 1973 and worse still, back to colonial rule! As for those who are said to be Sataphobic, you are not alone; your fears are logical and justified.
By Rev.Kapya John Kaoma
Who am I any way?
The biggest problem our country is faced with is that we have no credible opposition as a govt in waiting. there is absolutely none currently. MMD, UPND both cant be trusted and have no credible development agenda that is original to sell to the people.
MMD is totally distrusted and dented with corruption on unprecedented scale.
UPND is extremely tribal and does not have a nationalistic character both in its composition and development. it has tried some cosmetic changes but that remains cosmetic.
as for you mr kapya, you are most likely the worst enemy of yourself suffering from kapyamnesia and kapyaphobia.
by the way Dean Mungomba (MHSRIP) never fought for independence
awe ba general, look at UPND again and show me the tribalism you are seeing. Dont just say things people have already said without making an analysis yourself. the president of upnd is tonga, the vice president banda is from eastern province. ninshi chinshi mufwaya mwebantu. i dare you to show me the tribalism in upnd with solid evidence febana!!!
@gen
All of LUAPULA voted PF – was that tribal? I’m yet to hear you parrots call Sata and PF tribal because Sata got the Bemba vote in Luapula and Northern – and even Copperbelt! Pls be objective!!!!!!
UPND is tribal I need to be helped how is UPND a tribal party can someone really help me I think I am lost. What does it mean to be tribal? What are the characteristics that makes UPND to be a tribal party I will be very happy to learn that, Thank you.
I think @Gen, you suffer from a special condition called “Sataology”. A Sataologist is one who involuntarily believes in everything that Sata speaks to the point where anything Sata says automatically becomes his/her viewpoint. They fail to make objective and independent analysis by themselves.
I have encountered so many Sataologists – especially Kaponyas on the street. They so believe everything “ba mudala” says. It becomes the anchor points in all their debates.
Since Bamudala said “UPND is tribal, to you @Gen, UPND is tribal. If Bamudala says Chikwelete is District Chairman, then to you He is District Chairman. Next Bamudala denies appointing him, you are so convinced and start asking whether chikwelete is normal to claim chairmanship. etc. etc.
Have a life
ejaculatory responses to the indisputable tribal composition, character and agenda blinds and stifles your balanced view and analysis.
Because UPND has made some cosmetic, artificial changes by ringing in banda and nalumango does not in any way shape or form take away the tribal agenda, character or composition.
Their development program if they have one is predicated on tribal character, nothing national.
HH is inspired by past looting of wealth from the poor people of Zambia some of whom he sent to their early grave. he draws his political motivation from the prospect of more looting “once he enter plot one” (God forbid the country is cursed by that happening). he is undeniably driven by greed and insatiable appetite for to steal and then launder the loot
@Gen
I have followed your sentiment. You have good brains that you are failing to put into good use. More often your intoxication with cadre logical. You need to reconcile and respect national diversity.
How do you describe person appoints a PS, within 24 hours transfers him. Transfer someone next day he fires him.
This show 100% indecision making. You have no agenda for anything.
UPND is tribal, have youy forgoten how HH came to be leader of UPND sadlining the likes of Sakwiba. They had said, and court, “ONLY A TONGA CAN LEAD UPND”, with that my guy no matter what you say, they are tribal
@ Italian presidential material.
tribal character, composition and agenda is not synonymous with the diversity that all right thinking people advocate.
For any political group to win elections in Zambia, it has to have a nationalistic appeal, composition, character and agenda. this basic tenet is conspicuously and evidently missing in the UPND.
No one single tribe can deliver the presidency to any party and if you people in the UPND cant grasp this basic requirement, then you will eternally be in opposition.
This is the choice you have consciously made as a party policy and you seem happy and content about.
Ba Gen,You are suffering from Chronic intellectual constipation.You have the knowledge but you have chosen to ignore the real issues this country is facing.You seem to possess a PhD in Sataology.
Can you name the top brass of UPND ,PF AND MMD by position and province of origin.
Am waiting!
@ Zambezi Express. Leave Gen alone.
The gentleman is so steeped in chronic sataology to the point where he fails to see that the chief tribalist is right under his nose.
People like Gen would go to any length to defend “their” (indoctrinated) viewpoint. That is why, when all fails, they resort to vulgarity or even violence.
General, I did not say that Mungomba was a freedom fighter just as Bishop Elias Mutale. This is what I said, “I will mourn for Simon Kapwepwe, Harry Nkumbula, Lawrence Katilungu, Bishop Elias Mutale, Dean Mungomba and countless women who believed that mother Zambia deserves better.” Mugomba died due to the torture he endured during the Chiluba administration’s accusation that he was behind the attempted coup plot. Please re-read it before you comment.
Thank you reverend. Finally a piece that speakes sense. I will mourn for my country and the people who fought for a better Zambia
Zambians love freedom and democracy. I saw it with Kaunda, FTJ and lately RB. I have absolutely no doubt that come 2016, MCS will be shown the way. And it does not matter what the pf zealots and coribants rant and rave!! Mark this day when you have read this prophecy.
You cannot survive in Zambia if you suppress any freedom and more so Freedom of Expression and/or speech. This is the touchstone of Zambians; freedom loving and willing to fight for it. Ask KK; he wept when we jettisoned him out of 27 years at plot one. FTJ would attest on how we stopped him from benefitting from Sata’s engineered third term bid. And this very MC Sata wont be elected president in 2016. I know it. I know Zambians treasure freedom more than oppression of pf and Sata. That is my prophecy.
@Mya, @ Pujuti, well spoken. A message of hope is a message of power.
The arch of the moral universe maybe long but it bends towards justice and no lie can live for ever….
2016…
I personally think ba Sata is not standing in 2016. I agree that he has his short comings, but we will remember him for his patriotic approach to things. In two years he has accomplished a lot – infrastructure development (roads, districts, rural health centres etc), put in very progressive policies such as lowering lending rates in banks and micro lending institutions, tax on raw material exports, increased royalty tax in the mines etc. And people for the first time in 20 years Zambia will have a people driven constitution brought about by Mr. Sata’s govt. The man has his weaknesses just like of us on this blog, but honesty dictates that you also appreciate his strengths and the good he has done to Zambia. ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION.
Spot on!! The author of the article has highlighted a few facts especially in the line of phobia and amnesia. Enough is enough mwe. Nobody should live in fear in their own homeland.
Zambians love freedom of speech. Look at how the blogs are flourishing. MC Sata wont be elected president in 2016 for fighting Zambians from enjoying these fundamental freedoms.
What are they saying HH is not tribal but SATA is,You guys you use your heads they are not with you for decorations.Do you remember what Sampa said?You nid to have bemba blood in you,for you to be a president by either marrying a bemba woman or being married by a bemba man.He is cabinet is full his auntis,uncles,cousins,nephews,brothers,sisters and his in-laws,even in the diaspora it’s the same.There’s no minister in cabinet who comes from N.Western Prov,Y?Do you know that he insulted them?Only Masumba who wants to be vindicated from his forgery scandals by sata.What did chikwanda, GBM,late Sakeni (MHSRIP),Milessampa?Can you jst keep quite b4 you Masumba that completely.In Southern,Western and some parts of Eastern,Central are you there?What did you tell Kabimba?Tamwakwata fye amano…
Zambia is suffering from Sata opaqueness,Sata fatigue and Sata’s analogue mindset unable to communicate with our digital GPS.
Point on Reverend am really puzzled to see how we Zambians forget important things so fast, when Pf was in opposition they used the private media to reach out to the masses and actually called RB, Shikapwasha and the then ZNBC DG all sorts of names for not according them coverage on public media. I thought with this background the PF will try to be different and allow the media operate with little no no interference. When Mwamba gave nationalwide coverage to the three private media houses i took it the govt was taking a different and positive route from the previous govt on the issue of free press alas the route is the same negative one but even more negative. Shame PF you will regret this in future, dont think you will be in power forever learn from the MMD that made laws to suit itself
Good point. What is clear is that SATA is just a chancer who has no sense of direction he is a rude, self centred person who thinks others do not matter. It is unfortunate that Zambia has jumped from the frying pan right into the fire by voting for this inconsistent head of state. He is not even aware of his own environment. He thinks he is alpha and omega.
Dear writer,
Use phrases that exist for valued understanding of your article. Coining phrases directed at a suject of the article makes it biased. Critically analyse your intent before publishing for the sake of readers. Your ‘opinion’ leans towards dividing the readers into your two choice phrases on the subject.
Article is clear. Words are developed by thinkers.
OK …but let me know when they are adopted in any dictionary. Clarity does not mean objective. Even the nonsense I write on this site is clear but is it objective?
What’s your point? I mean really, please give us a break!
The purpose of words in any language is “communication”.
Tell me honestly, have you not understood what ba Rev is trying to put across. If you have not then you need special help.
Its just shameful that we take time to go all out attacking our leadership regardless of who is in GRZ. I may not like the current state of affairs but, Im definately positive of my reasons to go voting and choose what I really want come election time. Right now, I sit it out and wait because already the choice was made . The various negative articles are only a sellout to the world that we are unable to govern ourselves. It is better to note the pros and cons and then weigh the two for better judgement. Let whoever holds office finish his/her term and then let them know if they did the work you put them their for or not. Like it or not, its still or leadership and we have to bear with it until such time when we have the right to franchise. shalom
“The president does not know what he wants and what it means to govern” over and above this, we are dealing with a sick man ( scatter brain) and serial adulterer alias chigololo whom we entrusted with the instruments of power under the guise of 90 days deception. We must strategise of how to redeem our country from these hyenas and vultures. MCS has no sense of right judgement. He thinks he is doing chintobentobe! Guess, what will serve us, hey we tested freedom before and no one, absolutely no one can grab it from us. When you test freedom, your inclination is to desire more of it.
Nice piece of article, I hope he won’t unleash his Chola Boys to come and arrest you, Mr. Rev!
Reverend
Thank you sir! The diagnosis is both collective Sataphorbia and Satamnesia indeed. Mwanawasa was called all names (in songs at rallies) including iwe chite “leta bwembya tume ishilu!”, using a machete at a rally to split a cabbage (put Mwanawasa) into two and using FM 5 and Radio Phoenix as platforms to rip the MMD government. Sata is a classic example of a narcissist and he enjoys our national amnesia and cursory approach to matters that border on life and death as a people.
When Sata came to power one of the first things he did was to cut the pump price of petrol in a populist stunt and blamed MMD for the high pump prices; months later he hiked the fuel pump price and again blamed the MMD for having used subsidies on fuel as a means to stay in power. Satamnesia worked…
How many of our leaders are working for Zambia or for themselves and their foreign friend camouflaged as investors? Zambia must come first regardless of the implications. And that is what HEMCS believes in. Can anyone ell me if there is any other country in the world were they export soil. This was a scandal of the century.
Sunkutu, the article is not selective but speaks from a wider general perspective of what PF and your Sata is about. Your selective argument shows that on a whole, you cannot defend your president and party. It would have been totally cool if you referred to the reverend’s article and then dismantled it one by one with sharp hitting comebacks and justifications including the one you have alluded to, the soil thing. Selective arguments means you are grasping at straws when it comes to defending your party and president, though I must applaud your resolve.
Here comes the confused reverend again.
Confused in what way? Did you read the article? What’s your opinion of what he has articulated, irrespective of his confused state of mind? Is he talking hogwash and nonsense? Can you confidently say that whatever he has written does not contain an iota of the truth? Am not being sarcastic here Songo, I really want to know coz am at a loss to understand how you came up with that one straight conclusion after reading the article which am hoping you did read.
Calling the reverend ‘confused’ but supporting Ukwa? How long was that Muwana chap in his job for again?
Striaght to the point. awe mwalasa…Ba Rev. Kapiya i would like to have ur contacts mwandini awe u are brave. we need such people
“His lack of judgment makes me so afraid—either his ministers belong to Chainama or our president does!” Iwe reverend ulekwata umuchinshi.Kanshi insoka ngayalikusumafye iyo mwe.Lol
Kindly use civilized language for all Zambians to conceive what you are on about.
Its this kind of mentality that has put our nation into chaos making Sata a law into himself believing his stork is a better cut of tribe above the rest of Zambians.
I speak any language i feel like using.Why should you force me to use a colonist language ? Get a life if you see tribalism in this.
This is spot on. We as citizens must share the blame. It is us who have allowed Sata to behave the way he does because he knows we are too docile to do anything. If we are a serious people, we would not have allowed PF to ruin our hard earned fortunes with impunity the way they are doing. Imagine a president who turns a cabinet meeting into a classroom! Very shameful indeed. The most sad part is that all the ministers just sat there like idi.ots accepting or the insults and mistreatment. It’s a pity that these same ministers will go out and defend Sata’s behaviour by claiming that Sata is a man of action. This just tells you the calibre of cabinet. Zambia has no direction because the PF have failed to attend to matters of good governance. The country is degenerating very rapidly
Spot on Reverend. Additionally, Sata is to Zambia what Idi Amins was to Uganda. The net effect will be the same, i.e. the brain damage in people’s perception of reality, of right and wrong, of respect for rule of law …etc will take a long time to truly correct and get back on track with the rest of the progressive World.
UPND stands to be labled as a tribal party because it has taken itself through a democratic process,for instance a National convention were people are elected on merit.and not just nominated to balance or rather sort out a tribal tag.Therefore right now as things stand only MMD is a Democratic Party in Zambia. Wen you talk of managing a nation is not like running a personal business.that is how Romney lost because he thought he had the money and thought it would give him an upper hand,but he lost it.Then my other question what would make trust Mr HH over our National affairs.when this man has not said a single truth on the Barotse issue,his tribal cousins.
He is already listed as a dictator on conservapedia.com. Zambia watch it!
spot on reverend, now let us please pray for our countrymen who have been so severely hypnotised by the deceiver!
Neither. On the ground one sees neither fear nor meets amnesiacs. People are both lucid and openly vocal. In political circles one suspects egos are bruised daily and the phobias and amnesia are a rampant epidemic but that has been evident as each government ruled with an identified viral infection in its system. Thankfully it’s not genetic and tends to respond to the antibiotic that is a general election before recurring in a different form.
Mr Sata has simply no leadership qualities especially at national level.
He is just a bully using threats, intimidation and publicly dressing down fellow leaders including his vice president. He does this because he knows well that Zambians are docile by nature. Imagine the amount of fear and insecurity those that work with him have to endure daily, it’s like living with terror.
And yet majority said yes………Let us bear the shame with dignity (if such exists) and allow for the time out.
Sick, REV
IF YOU ARE SECRETARY GENERAL OR SPOKES PERSON OF BWALYA, THEN YOU ARE JUST WASTING YOUR TIME.
LUAPULA, THE BIRTH PLACE OF KWACHA NGWEE, IS MORE MATURE IN ANALYZING THE POLITICS PF ZAMBIA.
JUST WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THE MANSA BYE-ELECTIONS, THEN YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT.
This article has been printed, laminated and framed and is currently prominent display on my wall.
Your article brouht a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. How truthfull. What a charlattan we have for a President. It is high time the PF Cabinet, even just one of them refused to be abused by this Dictator. And PF call themselves a Gvt ! What a circus.
THE PF CABINET MEMBERS HAVE NO SELF RESPECT
All of the above
If HH was a thief why is this government which is allergic to the same not prosecuting him?
A fool dies of thirst while standing in water. A kolwestan wuld die supporting a dead PF leaders
THE OPPOSITION IS MORIBUND
These terminologies awe sure! Kanshi nomba who is a satanist?= anyone who blindly follows sata
But you are the fools we told not to trust this monkey but you dared us and went to vote for the monkey. Why are you crying now? Learn to get advise. Vote wisely at 2016 and save zambia from madness.
“What is Namakando saying about his hero SATA? The comedy at state house. For the next three years Zambia has no position of “His Excellency”because the person we put there his head is too small, the hat (of His Excellence) is to big he can’t wear it. He can only pretend. Yes! No presidential material He is only so to those kneeling down to him for crumbs from the master’s table. The colossal comedies that we have witnessed over the last two years is like living for 100 years in the jungle of no rules no laws, no respect for others, no consistence, lies upon lies, shamelessness, infighting, thuggery by the so called cadres, bye -elections like never before in 47 years of previous Governments, nepotism, tribalism…. am breathless must end hear..
My heart quivers with rage. How on earth, my fellow patriots do we seek redemption in the comfort of our homes and offices hiding behind blogs and expect to be titivated from this scourge which has befell us? Being eloquent in speech or by scribing with ink will not emancipate this amnesia better even the phobia least we face our indequacies tthrough shouldering courage to overcome that which has subverted our ranks. The choice is yours though, come 2016 Vote wisely!!
Hypocrisy is one word that describes a person who himself used the private radio station and now he does not want others to use them. He has questions when others have money in the Bank account. He even breaks the law to obtain people’s accounts. this is the mam who increases his Salary three times in two years we are told. The first one was actually 100% increment. He even says “what kind of a nation are we? Indeed what kind of a “people”(nation) are we who can allow a person of this nature to preside over our important institutions Legislature, judiciary, and Executive wings?
The opinion of the author translates into reality whether one is a propponent or opponent of the Sata administration (and I use the term adninistration very carelessly). The wrongs in this govt far outweighs the right. And it is not helping the President to be so stubbiorn and impervious to criticism. This govt is a disaster whether one is for or against…
Ni ziii …
HH is the only hope for Zambia. What can you say when a president transfers a PS to another department and the following day, you hear that PS is fired. That is total incorrect judgment or total error. The second item is the reversal of 10% export duty on raw materials-copper concentrates. How can a budget go without the think tanks of Government analysizing it. Shame on the government. I had to think twice why the government had decided to reduce the export duty on copper concentrates. I had no clue….and said this is a total confusion of managing our resources.
Kapya leta u bwebya tumeshilu…
Tonga will forever be led….remember wat mwanawassa said…………………..”Tongaz are buttocks they will never come in front”
@ Gen your analysis is the most shallow i have ever come across. Are you confirming to us that PF is tribal since Luapula and Northern Provinces voted for it? was it wrong forHH to win elections at the convention with delegates from all the provinces. Are you sure Southern Province alone could deliver the UPND presidency to HH? @ Chiwanangala you dont even follow the politics of zambia. It was not HH who said only a Tonga should be a president of UPND. Non of us New HH before the death of Mazoka. Not even during the funeral of Mazoka. The people who said so were Ngande Manajiti and Siamukayumbu Siamujaye at the funeral of Mazoka. We first heard of HH during the UPND meeting in Mazabuka after Saki had already become the acting president. Dont tribal and then accuse others.
calm the storm and be of huminity and divinity
indeed..lets fight for our freedom..
ni sebana wikute!
@1.1 GEN,
addded to HH failures is his religious way of coping whatever sata did to go to plot one. It doesnt work that way. HH has no message that can galvanise zambia grassroot to support him. To make matters worse he believs so much in the hate messages puppies on ZWD, who dont vote, paste against sata. HH bitterness is his undoing.
I find it hard to believe that this article is being used to promote tribal differences. My plea is simple: let us put our tribal differences aside and work to save mother Zambia.
Thanks Rev Kaoma for your consistency in taking a stand on matters national. The ‘sower’ principle applies: freely sow your thoughts and concerns – they will tramped upon by others and at the same time, they will be of great benefit to others.
Mamen, thanks for this quote:
“It was not HH who said only a Tonga should be a president of UPND. None of us knew HH before the death of Mazoka…the people who said so were Ngande Mwanajiti and Siamukayumbu Siamujaye at the funeral of Mazoka. We first heard of HH during the UPND meeting in Mazabuka after Saki had already become the acting president”.
Over time, these words have been inferred on HH (I also started thinking likewise!).
It’s refreshing to see more objectivity and less insults in blogs, thus should it be!
Inskeep later asked Obama what he could offer to avert a shutdown.