“Every election is determined by the people who show up.”
?Larry J. Sabato
There have been many debates about “Dual Citizenship” by many Zambians living abroad. The stance is that their migration should not hinder them from securing the citizenship of their adopted country and their birth country. There are some intelligent arguments for dual citizenship and some are simply absurd. The most intelligent argument is premised on the economic value of Zambians securing both citizenship and the legal protection they would receive as citizens of Zambia living abroad but making economic investments in Zambia. The preference for most Zambians would be the adoption of a citizenship in their new country, but still make economic investments in Zambia. If dual citizenship is not granted, then their economic transactions will not carry the same protection that it would carry if Zambians living abroad retained their Zambian citizenship. An arrangement that grants Zambians an opportunity to carry dual citizenship without a doubt will enrich the economics and politics of Zambia.
The Zambian government should grant dual citizenship to Zambians living abroad but understandably those holding two citizenship will automatically relinquish occupying sensitive government positions. Of course one can NEVER run for president of Zambia if they hold two citizenship. This should be clear and straightforward, but what is not clear is the level of political involvement that Zambians in the diaspora have or should be allowed to have in local, provincial and national politics.
While dual citizenship favors the economics of our country, it doesn’t favor the politics. The general consensus is that Zambians living abroad will have economic and logistical leverage to influence politics in Zambia. This ranges from writing articles in newspapers and financing campaigns in Zambia. This influence is crucial enough to change the direction of the country and the leaders that have been elected to run Zambia. The greater problem, though, is that while diasporians may exercise great influence on the politics in Zambia they will not suffer the consequence of what their influence produces. If by financing a political party like the UPND, diasporians assist the party to enter office then what level of “responsibility” will they actually have if UPND doesn’t rule the country as their campaign speeches have indicated? As is the case for diasporians, the only thing that will change is their tone on internet blogs; but the people suffering will be the native Zambians who will be directly affected by the decisions that the leaders elected with influence from diasporians make.
Diasporians, or Zambians who live abroad, should therefore not be allowed to vote in Zambian elections. I’m sure many would disagree with this as disfranchisement but let’s be sensible and look at the reality of politics. If I live in Kabushi constituency it is important that I pay close attention to the leaders that I will elect to represent the parliamentary seat of Kabushi. The logic is that if a road is not paved, I have to drive my car on it, if the schools are horrible, my children will suffer from the substandard education, if Masala clinic doesn’t have medicine I will feel the pain of having to transport my sick child to Ndola Central hospital just to get some treatment. Whereas, if a diasporian participated in the election of an MP, they will not have to suffer any of those leadership short-comings of the people they elected. Their vote counts the same as the person who actually lives in Kabushi, but they will not carry as much responsibility for their vote. This is a matter of “real stakeholders” and “non –stakeholders”; those who are legitimate stakeholders should have the right to influence an election far much more than those who are not real stakeholders. As Larry Sabato said, “Every election is determined by those who show up.” But I would prefer that every election to be determined by those who actually live in the communities the leader is trying to represent.
Diasporians can participate in Zambian politics in realms that affect them. One of the biggest issues that diasporians have is dual citizenship; and they should be allowed to influence leaders who stand for and support granting dual citizenship. But an excessive influence in local, provincial and national politics should be cautioned; because the political interests of Zambians living in Zambia and Zambians living abroad may not be aligned; and we should favor the political interests of Zambians in Zambia because they have to live in the conditions that their political leaders create.
By George Mtonga
Some articles?? This is gonna be horrible weekend, the stories today are so depressing:
– Dora Siliya dead, no its MMD’
– Mmembe also with his
– Chissano not visiting Ba Sata
haaa let me go fishing.
Its so sad when ignorance like this is broadcast.George the laws you live under in the US do not apply in Zambia.An MP is not a passport to development of a constituency. If it were true, roads in constituencies would have long been developed and maintained,clinics would have medicines. So it doesn’t matter if I live in Timbuktu or Chibolya and vote for Lucky Mulusa- under our laws he still doesn’t have power to develope Solwezi. Secondly Zambians abroad are very patriotic.The monies sent to Zambia from abroad is the unseen force helping to sustain the Zambian economy.Who do you think injects capital into businesses mushrooming around the country? Not everyone is a beneficially of monies looted by politicians.When my grandmother needs medicine where do you think she gets her meds from?
How do you think our poor relatives are affording mealie meal and high fuel prices? Its the monies we are sending.We abroad feel the pain our relatives experience.So if someone with superior intellectual capacity than the current crop of leadership shows up,damn right I’m gonna catch a plane and come vote to have some brains in the system.do you think we feel nice driving on smooth well marked roads while our relatives die on those potholed roads the chinese patch up every few years? We live in places where the Laws work and we want proper laws in Zambia too.Zambia is our motherland.It was,is and always will be -no matter where we are currently.
PF is in a terrible panic. Very soon they will start treating Zambians in the diaspora as illegal immigrants when they come to back to Zambia.
Why shouldn’t we vote sure? Ine nizabwela,kuvotela HH and UPND, mwanya ba PF. Kaili Reg na ma passport yabili nilinayo.
Ba PF bayopa ati tizaulula ati SATA IS DEAD.
Iyi yeve ni last kicks of a dying horse for sure.
Didn’t even bother to read all of it. Absolute trash. One would get more information about government and candidates abroad that any villager in lets say Muchinga Province. One would not be influenced by back handers and would probably be better informed via media, foriegn news etc. Just because one has dual citizenship doesn’t mean anything. Loyalties are an excuse. I mean, when will Zambia ever be at loggerheads with I.e. USA to such a point as to decide loyalties. Come on. Jealous people come up with this trash.
George loses his argument on a number of things:
1] Sabato’s comment is taken out of context – if a diasporan makes the effort to get to zed or turn up at an embassy to vote – then sabato’s comment is perfectly true: “Every election is determined by the people who show up!!”
2] “An arrangement that grants Zambians an opportunity to carry dual citizenship without a doubt will enrich the economics and politics of Zambia.” – he picks & chose what he thinks diasporans should do – bolster national purse, but leave it to a mob like PF to squander it!!
3] So he thinks we can comment as much as we like, maybe even raise funds BUT NOT VOTE, I’d rather we did none of the former BUT MAINTAINED OUR BIRTH-RIGHT TO VOTE
4] Granted, one cannot just parachute from abroad to become presido…
what George fails to understand is, as long a one doesn’t discard their citizenship, THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS ENSHRINED IN OUR OUTDATED CONSTITUTION, which PF HANGS ON TO WITH DEAR LIFE (Dare I say, it might be extinct in a certain sanctum in the heart of Luzec(Lusaka)) Mind you we are ALREADY DENIED THIS RIGHT BY THE INCOMPETENCY OF ECZ, for if they knew their mandate, THEY WOULD HAVE MADE THIS FACILITY AVAILABLE AT OUR EMBASSIES & HIGH COMMISSIONS like 20 or so YRS AGO!!
George Mtonga is not the sharpest tool in the shed. I have personally interacted with him and can tell you that he is not one to be taken seriously. He had a tough life here in the US and has decided to go back home. It looks like he is trying to stink the joint up for the rest of those remaining in the diaspora. Anybody who knows this goon will NOT take anything he says seriously. He is making comments about things that are way above his level of understanding. I believe he was working here in a BP Gas station.
Utter Humbug Mr Mtonga – believe me u have a seriuos Problem, IN YO HEAD! ALL CITIZENS have the right to vote in NATIONAL elections if Need be by mail or at the nearest embassy should they be abroad. Dual citizenship as such would be a right WITHIN the constitution…U are smug over the transportation of non-resident voters/criminals into rural and peri-urban constituencies by PF but find it fit to attack us? By God you’ve lost it big time baba – ati “real stakeholders”, who wanked-up this MCS/PF in the first place? who is suffering by proxy? Muziganiza before u start Scripting farts !!
Learn from progressive countries
Whatever! As if am missing out on anything by not being in Zambia under panga family? Where I am in the diaspora mealie meal is very affordable so what is so special about being in a country that is ranked one of the poorest in the world ruled by a Bemba ethnocracy?
Total mess George! Ties to Zambia through Diasporans are as you may think of the melanin which will be present in your offspring in your generation to another and more for millions of years more in a snowy and cloudy country. And that’s why £500M shows up in the pockets of their relatives, despite they have been thirty years away from Zambia and some have not stepped foot on the soil. Jewish influence to the land of their forefathers for thousands of years in the diaspora or exile whichever you may prefer has been evidently plosive and will ever be. It is your history and historical gene that works beyond who will suffer the consequences whose rescue has been the subsidy of the Zambian brothers and sisters in diaspora. This to the stupidity of extra savings by governments of Zambia.
Wrong heading of an otherwise good article.
For most people, face defines beauty. Your article has been spoiled by its ugly face.
I totally agree. A very good article. I know a lot of you living abroad are yearning to belong for various reasons other than your birth right. But the truth of the matter is you can not fully comprehend the day to day reality of things. Online news doesn’t apply. Yes, a lot of you are supportive of your kin but if you really want to count how many?? And how much?? Percentages are very low. Many that have travelled know this for a fact…you know this too.
Anyway, I’m not against you having dual citizenship. But politics affect real lives and real situations ALOT more than what you read here or in any other media. For that reason I don’t believe you should be allowed to vote. Same way a man/woman can be married to 2 men/women but cannot dictate what goes on in the other hse
George, George, George. You sound like a resentful son who stayed home while his brothers and sisters went out to experience the world. You resent being the one left to tend to normal everyday problems at home while they live it up abroad. So this is your way to punish them for leaving. After all, why should they have everything?
Jelasi chabe, chisoni
I would like to disagree with George. The fact that diasporans invest back in Zambia is in actual fact a measure of their presence. No one loves to invest in a hostile environment. You can’t deny them a vote simply because they are domiciled in a different country at a particular time. Your Kabushi case is also warped. A voter in Kabushi should feel proud of development in Lusaka Central or Mapatizya because it all counts for development of the nation at the end of the day. The world is simply a global village. See how Ebola ia affecting the lives and lifestyles of people the world over. I hope George can have a rethink.
I get amazed by the arguments advanced by the Zambians in diaspora when it comes to dual nationality. There is really no argument to want to push for dual citizenship when no one forced you to abandon your birth nationality. You gave it up for your own personal desires and interests with no push from either the Zambian authority or your host nation. Very few are economically active to a point of having any real impact on the Zambian economy with the majority just doing it to have the best of two worlds. Selfish if you ask me. It is like divorcing your wife because she is barren but wanting to hold on to her just in case her fertility improves. No Zambian is ever hindered from investing in Zambia irrespective of where they live so no need for baseless arguments.
It’s a worry, think of this! It’s not different from our parents who left the villages to go to work on the mines or in the council. Let not diaspora confuse you here. They came back with bicycles and china plates and brought in motivation and exposure to the community.
No difference to this just broader and in international borders things are a bit broader and instead of a bus, a plane is the means, and instead of a bike, other competitive assets are the trend. Because of the internet and wealth transfers are sort of in abstract but actually positively impact on the life at home many times.
Get deeper and you will see more benefits than the surface brotherly rivalry which is easier to think of.
@Futiti,
You seem to be supporting my very point. You don’t have to abandon your nationality to contribute or invest in Zambia irrespective of where you leave. Our folks from the village didn’t have to give up their tribal belonging to go to and earn on the Copperbelt. None of them adopted lamba as their new tribe, to utilise the opportunities there and neither should our fellow Zambians in the diaspora. I am equally in the diaspora and would never consider changing nationality because there is simply no benefit for me or Zambia in any way. I travel back and forth as I wish and can put money into Zambia or the UK without any restrictions whatsoever. So why would I want to be a dual national?
“It’s a Worry”, YOU ARE INDEED A WORRY!!! YOU stand at the top of a hill & cry all day long about nationality YET YOU FORGET THAT THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF NATIONALITY IS A COLONIAL THING!!! You are so brainwashed – who drew up your borders??? Were you or even your forefathers present at that table when the borders were drawn up??? If your howling is to be taken with any grain of salt, you should simply TALK ABOUT IDENTITY!!! As far as am concerned, Zambia is a geographical location(using the colonial demarcation) which I IDENTIFY AS THE LAND OF MY FOREFATHERS, and luckily for me I HAPPENED TO BE BORN ON THAT SAME SOIL, the land that I stomped for almost 27yrs before I left, MY GENES CAN & WILL ONLY BE TRACED TO ARISE from Zed! IDENTITY is the KEY as well as the OPERATIVE word!
@Mailkalange
If you read the last line of my 1st posting, you will note that I suggest that all in favour of dual nationality have no compelling arguments and yours of national borders simply adds to that. “Colonial” is a relatively modern term referring to territories conquered by some nations to form empires. But borders and the like were present even in the times of Jesus if you believe in that. Travel restrictions between nations is another thing altogether which has no basis on colonial empires. The author of the article is right. The diasporians think that there is something special about them that will liberate Zambia only if they have dual nationality or influence voting. This is a fallacy and lets face reality that with or without dual nationality we cant change much in Zed.
‘There is really no argument to want to push for dual citizenship when no one forced you to abandon your birth nationality.”- It’s a worry.
This defeats your argument. What do you mean by this? You do not accept my analogy of our parents leaving their ancestry lands to look for wealth or pursue knowledge. You alluded to the fact that. I was agreeing with you but, in actual sense you are stuck to thinking whoever leaves denounces their citizenship.
I will say this again, you are not looking at a broader picture. If you were, you will know that society is dynamic, that is reality! I am not sure how long you know our history. There were no names such as Mutale Nalumango, my apologies if this is someone’s real name. Zambians were against marrying anybody outside their ethnic group.
Lack of understanding of other ethnic groups and their values were the basis. Genuinely so, in those times of ‘ignorance.’ When people settled in towns and lived in the same neighbourhoods, their values have been shaped into mutual Zambian values as opposed to individual ethnic values. The children grow up and go to the same schools and use the same languages and in short appreciate one another. There is no barrier anymore.
Exactly what happens between nations and internationally. We acknowledge it is quite difficult to either acquire a scholarship or to get a job abroad. It is the wish of many to be recognised across borders as a useful global citizen, nevertheless, governments have stringent selection criteria. Those who manage to work in Zambia from other countries for example…
Winter Kabimba said PF was voted in power by dull people..not dual citizenship if I may add. On that note count me out.
Wen we spoke on the phone u sounded very intelligent. This article is the most rubbishiest ever! Like one pointed out. Don’t share the same paint of poor hospital standard but roads, name it. The monies we everyday send, is that used in actually many way with some of it ending up as tax. Are u not directly involved in bettering Zambia. The monies u send to helping out sick relative who in turn don’t get the medication deserved. What kind of thing king is this Ba Mtonga. U feel very detouched from Zambian reality!
VOTING IS MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT REGARDLESS OF WHERE I AM !
DUAL CITIZENSHIP WILL ALWAYS WORK IN FAVOUR OF OUR MOTHERLAND.
BA GEORGE MTONGA KALIJO MULEKE !
I find the article to be a multi-faceted presentation of different aspects of Zambians in diaspora and dual citizenship, from the author’s own perspective. To present such an article as solely talking about Zambians in diaspora not being allowed to vote in Zambian elections, is a distortion. A snake may have an elegant skin and body, but it’s usually its head that they watch for. This article’s headline is its undoing.
@ x- Moma1.1,1.2& 1.3 Thanx for the Contribution.
Mr Mtonga your article NOT impressing :
The issue of someone voting the Person they dont KNOW is not true, you r LYING. ALL THESE politicians we gauge them thru thier talk UNLESS YOU SAY WE ARE NOT ENLIGHTEN ENOUGH TO ANALYSE these guys. To b candid we KNOW ALL DEFICIENCIES of these guys Starting frm Sata, Scott HH upto least of them.
In fact the people who r Out r ones shaping Zambia & the FACT IS WE CANT LET ZAMBIA b messed up by anyone its for generation to come.
Sorry to say I AM GREATLY DISAPOINTED of a THIEVING OLD MAN SATA honestly ‘young boys’ steal to become ‘Big Boys’ BUT Sata HAD PASSED tht age of Drinking,womanising having fun & so forth,FTJ I understood him coz he was young.
This article demonstrates your level of ignorance Mr Mtonga. You present very uneducated arguments and assumptions. Rather just quit man.
Sometimes I CRY ALOT ‘am I born frm an Animal or Sata is the one Born frm an Animal !!
A normal Old man going to the GRAVE CAN’T ACT the way Sata is acting EVEN IF YOU ve to steal for the FAMILY.
To be candid SATA WAS THE ONLY RIGHT PRESIDENT to ve given us the CONSTITUTION SINCE IT wuoldn’t ve AFFECTED HIM DUE HIS age= Its just LOGIC brothers & Sisters.
YOU SEE THAT’S THE THING! IF ONE READS ON THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE ABROAD AND OVERSEAS (A&O) THEIR ARGUMENTS DON’T SOUND LIKE ENLIGHTENED PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY, THOSE WHO LIVE OVER SEAS. THOSE WHO LIVE SAY IN BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA ETHIOPIA ETC SEEM TO BE MORE INTELLIGENT THAN THOSE WHO LIVE IN UK, USA (MINUS GERMANY). THEY CAN’T ADVANCE REAL REASONS FOR DUAL CITIZENSHIP OR RIGHT TO VOTE. DUE TO THEIR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ON CURRENT AFFAIRS, THEY END UP JUST INSULTING THE ONE ASKING THEM TO GIVE REASONS FOR THE ADVOCACY. I DO NOT MIND GRZ GRANTING DUAL CITIZENSHIP TO ZAMBIANS ABROAD. BUT, MY SERIOUS CONCERN IS THE DIASPORAS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DISADVANTAGES OF SUCH A POLICY TO ZAMBIA.
“There are some intelligent arguments for dual citizenship…. The most intelligent argument is premised on the economic value of Zambians securing both citizenship and the legal protection they would receive as citizens of Zambia living abroad but making economic investments in Zambia. The preference for most Zambians would be the adoption of a citizenship in their new country, but still make economic investments in Zambia. …”
DUE TO TIME I WILL CONTINUE LATER DISCUSSING THE ABOVE QUOTATION.
To put this in perspective… I live and grew up in the USA….. Maybe thatwill change how you wi look at the article.
Then your article is pointless. If you are too lazy to understand your culture and have confidence in it and feel you can make a difference then you arguement is baseless, lopsided and wreckless. If you can’t see why you are or are not Zambian then you are lost and these are the personal issues you should be dealing with. Not writing unresearched articles or text book related trash that is not reflective of those who love their countires and for convenience have a foriegn passport as well. Find yourself then start trying to “inform” people of you intelligence.
Here is the thing… you can get dual citizenship… but if you.have lived outside zambia for 5years straight you should not be allowed to vote in local provincial….election… maybe presidential yes…most of you have no clue whats going on in Zambia… yet you want to have the same influence.. no that is infact selfish and a reflection of your arrogance…..You dont live in these communities what entitles you to.influence their future… your entire politics is a website thats the closest you ever get…. so stop being selfish….I have lived in the usa all my life.. I know my community.here… what if a zambian decides to come.and influence what you guys do in the organizations you create abroad…. come on…
Mate you have no clue. You didn’t even grow up there. What qualifies you to question people and harp on about dual citizenship and voting. Go to school or get a proper job. Useless
FYI: There are no provincial elections in Zambia Mr. Mtonga. Levels of government are local and central (national); hope that helps. All the best everyone
One Zambia One Nation
@George Mtonga, please don’t just have an opinion, have FACTS too! Like what @Glitch has told you, the fact that you didn’t even grow up in Zambia should be reason enough not to be so opinionated about issues you barely understand. Please take a seat!
You seem confused by the concept/meaning of DIASPORA versus DUAL CITIZENSHIP. I don’t think the two are synonymous. You can be a Zambian in the diaspora without necessarily holding dual-citizenship. So when you say “Diasporians, or Zambians who live abroad, should therefore not be allowed to vote in Zambian elections.”, which Zambians are you talking about here? Is it all Zambians living abroad (diaspora) or just those who have acquired dual citizenship? The more reason you should avoid talking about things you don’t understand!
But you’ve never lived in the “communities” so how can you comment let alone “scribble” an article about it? …unbelievable. ..
The truth of the matter is that most of the people living in the diaspora are a bitter breed especially the men. It’s either they were unemployed or failed to make ends meet in Zambia. They some how got sponsored with an air ticket to migrate. Upon arrival they discovered that life was not easy there because they have to do cheap jobs they wouldn’t have done in Zambia. If they are married the bread winners are their wives. Some are simply baby sitting because they can’t find good jobs. This is one of the reasons why they vent their anger on every government in power through bitter bloggs. They’re but shooting themselves in the foot because no sitting government will ever sacumb to antagonists. Some of them haven’t been back for many years because they can’t afford it.
Please don’t generalize,if your boyfriend is like that doesn’t mean all Zambian men abroad are like that.Zambian men abroad are risk takers. Leaving home and going into the unknown is not for the faint hearted . In fact the men abroad want to see Zambia succeed what they find frustrating is the dullness exhibited in the leadership in Zambia.
Ex-moma U r spot on. Couldn’t have said it better my self. Her boy friend may even be a toilet cleaner in the diaspora!
The truth certainly hurts. I lived there and a lot of frank people would agree with me. There is nothing wrong in being a toilet cleaner but there is everything wrong in denying the truth. Some of these fellows when they die, don’t even leave some money to bury themselves. You have to donate cash to repatriate their remains. Some of them can’t even afford to travel and bury their loved ones in Zambia and yet they want to behave like they own the lives of hard working Zambians who have decided to remain in the country to contribute their skills and talents. Let those who love Zambia come over and contribute. You can’t do things remote control by blogging vile.
I beg to differ ba Judy. There is everything wrong for someone to leave Zambia to clean toilets abroad. That’s why ,as you put it, “They don’t even leave some money to bury themselves”.That is wrong! My other point of departure is that it’s not true that “Most of the people living in the diaspora are a bitter breed ESPECIALLY MEN”. Such people are not in the majority. Most Zambians who go abroad for employment are well qualified professionals. That’s why Ex-Moma says, ‘Please do not generalise….’ Your own experience could have been bitter but not most of us. I put it to you that this blog is neither vile nor is it intended to “Do things remote control”… I travel to Zambia every 3 months to check on my investments.
Mr Mtonga your article could be alright but the moment you refer to one political party as an example to explain your point, defeats the purpose of your article. It should be underscored your article is political hence the taste of this comment.
Otherwise good luck!
Mtonga, just who the hell do you think u are to stop me from voting because I leave in RSA? U r not more Zambian than me! My family leaves in Zambia and when the cost of living goes up I also feel it coz I have to support them financially. I am an “Economic refugee” because as a degree holder I was paid a fraction by my country of what I now earn here. I am putting mini buses on the roads of Lusaka which some of ur relatives use….and you are audacious enough to campaign for my disenfranchisement. Please shut up George for you have nothing better to say. Uleke ku vota wamene Iwe…kupusa!
Error: family “lIVES” not leaves. …I meant to say,sorry about that…I am not like many George!
These( above article) Ideas are dominant in backward states. People that have traveled and even nations worth anything have dual citizenship because they have recognized the importance of this. It is only in Zambia and under PF that politicians feel frightened unnecessarily. Some senior PF cadre even went on to allude to the fact that they want to “protect the jobs of Zambians”. Clearly a shallow understanding of this legislation.Any way some day we will have a progressive Govt in power and all these fears will be history. South Africa (Economic power house of Africa) has dual citizenship. It’s citizens leaving abroad vote in national elections. So this says a lot about our own politicians and their cadres.
So if you live in Malawi just next door to Zambia you cannot vote! Even if you regularly visit your concubines in Zambia. Anyway, with the status-quo voting has lost value and credibility.
Oh dear Georgie Boy! You clearly set out to infuriate citizens abroad. We will always have empathy for our relatives back home and will vote in the best party to protect their family(concur ex-momma). @Charlie I feel your pain……those upper case letters speak our of our ‘shouty’ exasperation with this sort of logic. Americans vote at the USA embassy at general elections. We need the same. Don’t bother running for ‘anything’ in any election Georgie Boy, cause we’ll make it painful for you!
Seriously though, most Zambian politicians have ties to UK. Where they come to hide our money. Sata must have residency as he worked, driving tube trains in London. Good ol’ Scotty still feels tied to Scotland. We are already dual citizens without it being in our constitution.
George, it is clear, you have lost your Zambian heritage because you were not raised as a DUAL citizen. You were born and raised in the USA. You can’t feel the same way as Zambians who were born in Zambia and left when they were in their late teens or early 20s. For those of us who fit that bill, we are sort of ‘disjointed,’ because we had enough time to be ‘proper’ Zambians in our younger days. NOW HERE US THE THING GEORGE….please listen……..That is why we want dual citizenship. So that people like your parents can induce in you EMPATHY for your people. Give you true pride in your true origins. It is not about economic contributions or voting rights, but simply the right to belong everywhere you lay your hat!
However, I agree with the current 5 year residency rule; preventing diaspora people from running for presidency unless they are properly inducted back into Zambian culture and way of being. I would say some people like you George who do not feel particularly Zambian enough to want to a dual citizenship should never be allowed to run for office. Some diaspora people change like chameleons into, “I was born here” people. These are people who have never connected with their diaspora roots. You can never be whole if you reject your roots. Whatever you morph into, a dual citizenship allows you to be completed. That’s a psychological argument for diaspora people.
There are too few Zambians living abroad to significantly influence the politics in our country in terms of a voting block. Every Zambian, though, has an inalienable right to vote whether they are resident in Zambia or not. However, I agree with the idea that the risks are more with people living in the country than those who have dual citizenship and have the possibility of living in another country.
Again, anyone who is going to be against my proposal will have two qualities, and don’t forget that i grew up in the USA and live in the USA, you will most likely have an unjustified sense of entitlement based on the idea that since you live abroad you have a clear perception of what you can do for Zambia. This will only be premised on the fact that you are economically off than most Zambians, which invariably gives you more influence because you occasionally send some western union to Zambia. You will have spent most of your time blogging, probably unable to travel to Zambia, because you won’t be allowed to go back to the “ABROAD” that you have taken refugee in.
Again, you are being selfish if you think that your VOTE should be counted and be weighted the same as the votes of…
Mushota is that you????
continued.. Zambians. Yes you should be annoyed at the fact that others like me, who would under this proposal not be allowed to vote in Zambia… are thinking like this.. But if a Zambian comes from Zambia looks at the way you all live abroad and goes back home and start influencing the votes that influence how you live abroad you would be pissed off.. if Zambians, who haven’t experienced being illegal abroad, starts giving their thoughts on immigration you will feel compelled to inform them that they do not know what they are talking about..
Two points HERE. IF YOU HAVE LIVED OUTSIDE ZAMBIA FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS you should not be allowed to vote.. in fact how selfish are you for voting over the internet in the comfort of your adopted home and structure the lives of Native…
2. If you want duel citizenship, the moment you are a citizens of another country YOU ARE NOT going to have the same entitlements as those who only have one citizenship. It is selfish for you to be in a position when things go wrong in Zambia you leave the country and when things are good you proclaim you “Zambianess” NO.it is a self-centered, aristocratic idiocy,…
You have two choices.. stay abroad and influence Zambian politics as it affects you being a Zambian abroad,.. this is fair.. and this is something you yourself should realize without the law telling you… 2.. if you want duel citizenship understand by virtue you will forgo certain sensitive government positions.. especially you internet intellectuals and politicians who swear that they have the solution to Zambian’s…
Thank you for visiting and reading the article and please come back as I will be exploring Homosexuality in the Diaspora. Thank you. Your comments and “intellect” is greatly appreciated.. I would advise though when commenting try to stay within the confines of the arguments.. in law school they teach you the art of debate and attacking the the personal attributes of the person providing the argument is simply a reflection of your own intellectual short-comings concerning the topic at hand.. so next time.. argue the merits of the argument… Shalenipo
Georgie, ifyamba fya ba sungu fya ku shupa, na ma drugs yabo nayo yakushupa, but as cantekerous as you are, never born in zed, never lived in zed, ule fwaya ukula sunda ichisunde sunde pa bantu ba fyelwe mu zed, we mwaiche, shi teka amatako panshi!!
Come on man. Give up. You have no basis in your arguements, experience or logic. You seem to be having an identity crisis and now blaming and trying to mess it up for everyone else. Thats selfish. Decide what/who you are and be happy. The issue here is choice and rights. As for everyone who has a problem with dual citizenship… this is out of fear and jealousy. And anyway dual nationality doesn’t define who you are. Living abroad should not exclude you from being a citizen and representative of your country of birth. Its like saying if youve you’ve been away from home for a while you can’t have a say on family decisions. Utter rubbish this article and the reasonings. Pointless. Anyway who cares what you think. You’re not trully Zambian.
I live in Australia but I agree with the writer. We can compare our system with third world countries. If UK allows it’s citizen with dual citizenship to vote and it works it does mean it will work for Zambia. What system work for Zambia than embrace that system than follow blindly. It’s like because your worker mate live in Ibex Hill and you think that’s where you should live too. Let’s be wise and not be greedy.
But I dont understand your reasoning sorry to say! One thing I get is that, this is just your opnion you have shared on LT though it doesn’t make sense economically and socially! Do more research on how many Zambians actually have ever voted, how effective their votes or non thereof counts. Inverstigate the advantanges and disadvantages of Dual citizenship for both the country and the individuals directly involved! Find out which persons normally opt to take on dual citizenship, their economical and financial status at present day.
After you have carried out a thorough research on this topic, compare other African countries who have adopted this factor how it has affected their economies and please make referencies if any! Looking forward to a more substancial article next time, thank…
Diasporians are as a group better off starting NGOs if truly the issue is helping the communities back home.. Not diluting the votes of native Zambians suffering every day from the political influence of money abroad financing politicians who go for treatment abroad while they leave the people they represent to fend for themselves… This is wrong… And anyone replying to this article seating in front of a laptop or an iPad abroad in the comfort of his adopted western culture is a selfish prick…. Only self entitlement and arrogance will justify a person living abroad for 5years.. Not even returning to Zambia to go online and vote in a community they no longer live in… this is wrong and no amount of insults or sporadic intellectualism.. Will ever make it right
Talk about influences from abroad!! OUR WHOLE ECONOMY IS INFLUENCED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY, they even HAND US A “BEGGAR’s BOWL”, stashed with Millions of dollars, yet you have the cheek to say, Quote: “Diasporians are as a group better off starting NGOs if truly the issue is helping the communities back home.. Not diluting the votes of native Zambians suffering every day from the political influence of money abroad financing politicians who go for treatment abroad while they leave the people they represent to fend for themselves…”, I quote it even though it is convoluted, but you dare to disparage diasporans!! Boy, just stick to eating “big Macs”
LOL!!..You’re a joke George even getting upset! Get your ass to Zed and live there, seeing you’re so opinionated about what others do with their passports, culture, citizenship or way of life. Nice try though but this ain’t the eighties or early nineties. People are better informed of ignorance and unfounded statesments and useless articles. Go find yourself son. Please don’t bore us with gay arguements when you dont even know any. Again it’s choice and rights.
Diaspora Zambians are the next Forex earners for Zambia.
They are now the silent, invisible mine boosting Zambia’s forex earning.
The right to vote is every Zambians right. Living in the diaspora is a private choice, remaining in Zambia is a private choice too. No one should think by remaining in Zambia one is more Zambian than than those living out side. The Zambian economy failed those now in diaspora, hence their choice to look for a living elsewhere. But Zambian rights are theirs and they should continue enjoying it like anyone else.
Majority of those who have chosen to remain in Zambia are not contributing anything to the economy. Almost all these in the diaspora are the drivers behind the forex flowing into Zambia today.
Do not impose your choices on others. Each one has a birth right. Those who think they don’t believe in voting from afar its your choice and thats right for you. But please don’t extend your choice to others. It’s their choice to vote if they so wish.
Would you then agree if someone from the J witnesses also say please don’t participate in voting? Their reason to refrain is not your reason not to vote.
All Zambians who want to vote should vote regardless of where they are. All your thinking may seem right in your views but they are not always right for everyone. That why we have different economic status because we think differently and make different choices. And it brings us different results. If you can’t plan for my retirement why should you plan for my voting?
While I support freedom of expression, I am not in support of the preaching of hatred. And this is what it is George. A Zambian is a Zambian regardless of location and/or circumstance. Why should anybody’s opinion be less important due to location? So a Zambian that becomes a dual citizen or maintains only her/his Zambian citizenship, and yet lives outside Zambia, should not be disenfranchised but accorded equal rights.
Understanding your history helps to advance a nation forward. Good laws will always stand the test of time. We have seriously bad law makers in Zambia. The only Laws which stand to date are the ones created by the colonials to ensure we don’t progress. From public order act through to presidential powers, mines and even petty car theft Laws have been engineered to fix individuals or encourage poverty. It is well documented that the current president spent some time in the diaspora(uk to be specific) therefore wouldn’t it be hypocritical to stop others where one benefited? Freedom is not about how rich one is compared to the others but about liberty and justice to all citizens. Zambian’s need to love themselves first before we can move this nation forward.
“political interests of Zambians living in Zambia and Zambians living abroad may not be aligned; and we should favor the political interests of Zambians in Zambia because they have to live in the conditions that their political leaders create”
Zambian living abroad are ripping the benefits of getting quality education and fully understanding the economy of Zambia. That includes Zambian constitution. Our Zambian political interpretation is different because we are highly educated and have brilliant ideals to serve Zambian from all these bandages we have seen in the political system. I really don’t care if i lose my Zambian citizenship. I mean what define a Zambian?
Ba George Mtonga, your article makes sense to someone who is a farmer or not educated and has never travelled abroad. Smart people uses time wisely, bcoz they know it is money and lifesaving. I live in USA but my mind is home all the time, when there is nothing home they call me to help financial or just give moral support. Now, does that make me not liking my country or have no interest? Whatever reason Ba George you are advocating, to me it doesn’t make sense. I can still come home and become a MP without dual citizenship. What if am a frequent traveler, does that exclude me from being a real Zambian who uses his/her right to vote? I don`t think so. Zambia needs diasporans some who are doctors, nurses, teachers, and engineers etc, to help make Zambia a better place for investments.
Ba George, you have not researched enough about dual citizenship or you just don’t understand it. You can say whatever you want to with little article of yours. They’re lots of benefits of dual citizenship than negatives. You said that you were raised in USA, can you please use this media forum to highlight the bad as you mentioned in your simple article about “voting” with regard to USA and Israel dual citizenship?
Just out of curiosity; what do you think would be the view of the majority of Zambians resident in Zambia concerning this article? You cannot debate opinions coz they are subjective, only facts are debatable. George Mtonga is seeing himself correct and others are seeing him wrong coz that’s their opinion… and the circle continues
George is right u want to have influence on how am direct affected based on what? Reported speech iikona mudala.