Veteran Politician Vernon Mwaanga has observed that the public is getting disillusioned with the role of political players in providing political leadership in the country’s social and economic development due to the failure by politicians to turn their promises into practice once they assume power.
Speaking when he officiated at the Launch of the survey findings on political party manifesto fulfilment done by FODEP Mr. Mwaanga called on political parties to ensure that they try to fulfil what they promise the electorate as the survey has indicated that elected leaders are voted into office due to what they promise the voters.
The veteran politician said though manifestos are statements of general intent by political players, it is health that they try to address the challenges and issues affecting the masses and fulfil the intentions once elected as voters elect them based on their promises.
He noted that politicians have continued to ignore their pledges once elected into office something he said should change going forward as it has a bearing on the voter turnout during elections.
And Mr. Mwanga said fulfilling promises to the electorate is a bench mark for the survival of political parties as voters will always chose a different party once they feel cheated by the people they put in office.
Mr. Mwaanga who spent over 5 decades practising politics added politicians should also learn to listen and show commitment to embracing suggestions from stakeholders such as FODEP who are providing avenues and creating opportunities through which citizen’s participation can be promoted in the country’s developmental programs as well as their rights to hold elected leaders accountable to what they say and do.
Speaking earlier FODEP president Shepard Chilombe said the report will contribute to information sharing and provide lessons to government, political players and voters.
Yaba! What hypocrisy coming from this consummate politician and diplomat. Mudala, couldn’t you just have consumed the free alcohol, women and food FODEP provided without dishing out the garbage? Which politician in Zambia has lived up to people’s expectations? You been there and done whatever could be done and you have come up with zero points for 50 long years.
I suggest that we quickly craft a law to arrest Politicians who cheat their way into Political office. Can the next sitting of parliament this month finalise this issue and we see if we can find some culprits already please.
True mark of a Statesman!
Not these others with insatiable bellies!
Thanks VJ!
Politicians lack table manners.
Can you tell us the details of this report. You see thats the problem we have in this country. If the report was entirely against pf it would have been headlines everywhere. The opposition will be shocked in 2016 because they have turned a blind eye to the fact that there is so much happening in this country in terms of development. oppostion parties should institute their own research about this. They will be shocked.
kenny so much hapening ha!!!.From borowed money at high cost to Zambian tax payers(KALOBA) at Euro Bond.once the kaloba finishes then the true picture will show.Already the Kwacha is showing indications of a country diving in economic recesion.Very soon PF will be History.Zambians like Malawians will shake this rasckles and hyeenas escavaging what ever Mwanawasa left in the National Reserves .
Sido thank you so much for your good analysis. i like that we are educating ourselves but look all the issues you are talking about are so crucial and important and what is unfortunate is that the majority of our pipo in rural areas care little about issues of the constittion,eurobond etc. These are mainly seen as issues of the educated and the elite. My drandmother in Shangombo wants water,roads and improved infrastructure and theae are things that pf seems to doing well. Thats why that fodep report seems to be saying that pipo are happy with what pf is delivering. the opposotion must wake up and educate pipo about issues you just higlighted. Last week on radio chengelo i was dissapointed by one man speaking who said he will will noe eat the constitution or walk and drive on constitution.
Please tell us about those “so much happenings”. Dont hide behind political rhetoric of PF which just says ” We are building schools, Roads blurr blurr. Give us concrete examples so that we can take you head on. There will be alot to talk about by the opposition in 2016. Mark my words. I’m a traveler and I know what I’m talking about. Very little is happening even with so much Kaloba!
Mamen….iam so surprised for you to say you travel and then you do not see anything.I travel alot as well.iam on the road every other week. it is not uncommon to hear pipo in villages saying “we have not seen anything like this. this govt is working” You see i want a young leader to lead us.iam personally tire of old men. Do you know that the bottom road is being worked on for the first time after so many years?do u know that the lusaka-chipata road is being upgraded to dual carriage way. do you know that apart from solwezi,choma is the next fastest growing town? Do you know that all new districts have unprecedented building projects.do u know that very few districts in zambia do have street lights now? that fodep report should open our eyes. Pf is a good at grassroot politics.
My point is that we need to take our messages away from facebook , radio and internet. Let us educate pipo so that pf does not get a second chance. These pf guys are not fools. They have planted alot of project across the country which will come to fruition almost at the same time in 2016. My friend analyst also predicted that they will also bring back subsidies at that time. I would like to see upnd talk more about what they will do. i tell you it will pay than just critising govt. Pf was very good at telling us what they will do and thats what won them votes. Chipimo started like that too but he has stopped and he is just politiking. let wait and see. Meanwhile i would like to see more studies like what fodep did from other NGOs. i predict the result will be the same.