A political activist Dante Saunders has observed that Zambia will continue lagging behind in terms of good governance and democracy as long as the country does not enact the new constitution that reflects the wishes of the people.
Mr. Saunders notes that a good constitution is a bedrock of good governance and an inclusive democratic society.
He explained that a good constitution is a driving force behind good governance, economic development as well as the lifting of the country’s social life as it gives equal rights to individuals in the country.
Mr. Saunders further said without the constitution individuals elected to run government tend to run the country as if it is a personal to holder business were they make decisions meant to benefit themselves first before they benefit the masses.
“The constitution is a driving force behind good governance, it the driving force behind lifting of the economy and development as well as the driving force lifting of our social life.
“When you have a bad constitution people run the country like its a personal to holder business. They don’t respect the people who voted for them, they think that when there are in government then they own the people of Zambia,” Mr. Saunders said.
He also noted that there is nothing to celebrate for a country that has been independent for 50 years to ranked 13th in the continent in terms of good governance and democracy when it should among the top 5.
He said country has never been at war since independence hence should be striving for the top sport as opposed to the 13th position adding that the country has all the prerequisites to be the most democratic nation as it is a peaceful nation but that the lack of a good constitution stands in the way as the current constitution gives too much powers to an individual instead of institutions of governance.
Saunders is right.Zambia is hostage to Sata’s selfish interests and will lag behind nations with progressive modern constitutions like Kenya has.
Are you talking about the same Kenya whose constitution fails to stand when incumbents refuse to hand over power with impunity when defeated?
Who has read the new constitution?
What are the sticking clauses…..
Mwilatubepa Political failures. Even without a new constitution we are seeing development. Bushe mwikala mu Zambia?
Well, development on credit: borrowed funds? PF should tell us when they are going to pay off the loans, and where they hope to get that money from. Zambia should learn from her past mistakes. We borrowed before and failed to pay back, and we were squeezed, economically. Surely, we still want to go into the $7.2 billion debt burden?
the question is when you were in Government during Kaunda error why didn’t you advocate for a new constitution? why is it so urgent now? yapping yapping yapping. you want to look noble to the community when in fact you are opposite. Better keep quite.
The Kaunda era was an autocratic state: it was not a normal republican democratic state where the public (the citizens) were to be in charge of government directly, or through their elected representatives. From 1991, Zambians have strived to achieve democracy, which is still alluding them to date, because it is held at State House. People of Zambia wish democracy to be released from the individual Presidents to the people of Zambia!
@Kays, unless you mean it literally, I am sure you meant Kaunda era and not ‘error’; however it aptly qualifies to be an error. @Maano, it is eluding, and not alluding (remember primary school ‘but’ and ‘butt’?).
Anyhow, having said that the longer this constitution debacle draws out the more ridiculous will be the demands of those who have not very clear agenda for this subject matter. In fact one would almost think Zambia has never had a constitution!
I believe this government must make the necessary amendments so that the provisions to change as many of what we see as repressive statutes as possible are made. After that, I know, we will still have whiners claiming not all has been done. And remember, referendum is NOT yet a law! Push for that too!!
Where there is no vision, people perish!
Mwabantu give these people the constitution! We are tied of scapegoats manje. Even those who failed exams will start blaming the constitution. Yaba. Pa Zed cabe there is no end to the comedy.