By Rev Kapya Kaoma
“We fought for Independence, we achieved Independence. But Independence is empty if it doesn’t deliver. If the ordinary people are not eating well, ordinary people are not getting employment, ordinary people can’t have health facilities, ordinary people can’t get education facilities, then that Independence is hollow.”
These were the words of the late visionary politician Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe – Zambia’s first vice President after parting with Kenneth Kaunda’s United National Independence Party (UNIP) to form United Progressive Party in 1971. Kapwepwe’s attempt to democratically dislodge Kaunda from power attracted the wrath of UNIP cadres – who sadistically harassed and threw rotten vegetables at him. Soon thereafter, UNIP cadres opted for one-party rule. In 1980, Kapwepwe died a disappointed person. Yet his prophetic words are true today as they were in the early 1970s.
Since then, only political cadres connected to power holders have enjoyed the fruits of independence. For ordinary people, independence is awfully meaningless. After 27 years in power, UNIP left millions of people in indescribable poverty. As for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy’s 20 year reign, millions of people lost jobs while politicians robbed the nation millions of dollars. No wonder Sata’s Patriotic Front rekindled our hopes in 2011. But so far, signs are that only cadres are getting more money in their pockets. Day after day, our children are going to bed without food and dying from curable diseases. Our towns have no safe drinking water and sanitation is at its worst. Hospitals have no drugs and colleges have no text books; yet politicians’ salaries are increased. Worse still, our country is failing to create good paying jobs for its citizens while neo-colonial “investors” abuse us at will. [pullquote]It is ironic that on October 24, 1964, we rejected British repressive rule but adopted the very laws and tactics colonialist employed on us.[/pullquote]
Unfortunately, Zambia seems to follow the law of nature – the older our nation grows, the more things deteriorate. At 48 years, Zambia has lost all her vitality. After 48 years of independence, the country can’t even perform basic DNA tests; later on provide quality health services in the nation. The best we have done is develop two distinct health care systems; one for the rich and another for the commoner. While commoners attend workforce and technologically starved government clinics and hospitals, the rich and well-connected cadres attend private hospitals. Should these hospitals fail to meet their needs, they are transferred to government funded University Teaching Hospital’s (UTH) “high-costs” or “fee paying sections.” If UTH fails to address their ailment, they are airlifted to South Africa for specialist treatment on public funds.
Who can blame those who celebrated Zambia’s birth in 1964 for looking back at the romantic era of colonialism? “Gone are the days,” they mumble, “when we ate three meals and received proper medical care.” Rather than celebrating black-rule, they are now missing the days when a white man ruled Africa – nurturing the myth that only a muzungu can develop our nation. Is this what freedom fighters envisioned when they risked all for our nation – a country where people will be haunted by perpetual poverty?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not endorsing the boycott of independence celebrations. Opposition leaders’ refusal to attend this year’s independence celebrations was an insult to those who sacrificed for mother Zambia. October 24 is a sacred event that ought to propel us into pursuing national ideals. So for Nevers Mumba and Hakainde Hichilema to politicize such an important event is immaturity at its best! That said, “What is independence without economic empowerment?”
I fully understand the role international factors play in economic development. However, Zambia’s underdevelopment is mainly our own making. When it comes to addressing poverty, our leaders are not serious. Today, our economy is worse than the one that existed in 1960s. The political atmosphere is not better than colonial rule. Freedom of expression and association are still luxuries in our great nation. Our social services are the most awful – ranking 28th among the world’s poorest nations.
Each government has promised to fight Zambia’s poverty and underdevelopment. No sooner than the people demanded their due share of the nation’s fortune than successive governments employed state machinery to bully them into uttermost silence. The police, anti-corruption commission, the army and courts – structures meant to promote good governance have promoted bad governance instead. They have allowed cadres to exist without the fear of the law. Criminals who stole millions of dollars are constantly reappointed to political office while poor people are incarcerated for expressing their views on matters of governance. The recent love affair between the PF and the Public Order Act is nothing new to Zambian politics. Both UNIP and MMD used this act to terrorize opponents while shielding their corrupt cadres. It is ironic that on October 24, 1964, we rejected British repressive rule but adopted the very laws and tactics colonialist employed on us.[pullquote]One wonders what qualified Vera Chiluba, Dora Siliya and now GBM and Kambwili to hold ministerial positions. The same can be said about countless ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and worse still those who sit in our embassies across the globe. Under the cadre political syndrome, unwavering loyalty and not job performance secures one’s position. Everything the “big” man says passes without question.[/pullquote]
As a consequence, we have a cadre driven government – the situation that has led to what I term, “a cadre political syndrome.” Shouting party slogans “the loudest” qualifies one to cabinet position – offices meant to formulate and direct policies. One wonders what qualified Vera Chiluba, Dora Siliya and now GBM and Kambwili to hold ministerial positions. The same can be said about countless ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and worse still those who sit in our embassies across the globe. Under the cadre political syndrome, unwavering loyalty and not job performance secures one’s position. Everything the “big” man says passes without question. It is this problem that has led to constant reshuffles and mismanagement of national resources in our 48 year history. Cadres with a sense of dignity to respectfully disagree with the appointing authorities are usually fired without notice. Yet those who sing praises to the president and misdirect policies at various levels of government simply recycled to other ministries.
But this syndrome is not limited to PF. Those who follow Zambian politics know that Nevers and HH are equally supreme rulers or dictators, whose rulings are final. As party presidents, they dictate who contests elections and remote control their MPs in parliament. To be a democratically elected MP is to dance to the tune of the party president – independent thinking is downright disobedience. Be it PF, MMD and United Party for National Development, opposing the party president warrants expulsion from the party and ultimately losing elected office.
Sadly, the cadre political syndrome perpetuates poverty and underdevelopment. One can forgive UNIP for appointing so many cadres to public office. Many Zambians were illiterate and very few understood democracy; later on how the Western economic systems worked. In 1964, we only had 100 university graduates and approximately 1200 School Certificates holders. Today, things have changed. Independent thinkers abound. They are the ones who should head the courts, anti-corruption commission and all sectors of the economy.
Regrettably, such thinkers are dismissed on the basis that they were not among those who shouted party slogans “the loudest” when the party was in opposition. At 48, it is time we got rid of the cadre political syndrome and made independence meaningful for all. Let us visualize the dreams of freedom fighters for mother Zambia. “Like our noble eagle,” let us focus on making all Zambians proud and free.
Th same wt de church 2de, lders ar thoz loyal 2 pastas. Plticians bth in rlin n opsion serv their slfsh intrsts. Only rvolution 2 us wl save us.
Write in english please….
Please don’t invent words from your own dictionary; being mature is also about knowing when to use text language and proper English when articulating points on a public forum,
low education, poverty, selfishness, greed, tribalism, alot of political appointments into gov’t, lust for power are some of the things that have bread cadrism.
what a piece. adding any comments may just dilute so i just say it a true reflection of not only Zambia but Africa as a whole
I do not agree with the assertion that this is a true reflection of “not only Zambia but Africa as a whole”. I reflect with a lot of sadness that the mess Zambia finds herself in is plainly self-inflicted. In the past 48 years of so-called independence, there has never been any political will to talk about on the part of leadership to propel the nation forward. The deterioration of basic infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, electrical power, water and sewerage), diminished investment in human resource development, failure to divesify the economy culminating in perpetual dependence on mining, failure to manage and protect the environment etc, are few examples that speak volumes of lack of political will typical in the governance style of all past and present regimes.
good writing and well said.will not dilute it by adding more but “later on” should be “let alone”.
TOO GOOD, FANTASTIC, this is a true PATRIOT, please print this all over ZAmbia, please.Independence is hollow.!!!
Zambia is set on a path of self emancipation critical to its survival. Everyone is tired of the myopia ever risked with.
Omg the clinic discharged you; time for you to get back as you have started hallucinating again.
What true words this man has spoken, a sad reality indeed.
Next time carry your own bed to the chipatala……..very sad indeed
A clique that collects all money and live in Luxary, atti , eating APPLES on Manda hill, stupid,
No more no less you have said it all
This was written by Guy Scott. The fact that you are nostalgic of your white fathers’ rule doesn’t mean we all are. An honest man dare not equate Dora Siliya to those other three ministers. Read her profile. She is a career woman with advanced education and professional capabilities. You’ve been had by Membe. What kind of a white man are you?
I am not Guy Scott and will never be white. As for Siliya, having a masters does not qualify her for cabinet position. unless you are a cadre goverment.
It shouldn’t matter who has written the article as the sentiment remains the same and the underlying theme is we can do better.
I am the author of the article. I must point out that I am Zambian, grew up in Mansa and went to Kawambwa High School. I am not Guy Scott but Kapya Kaoma, an Anglican priest from Central Zambia under Bishop Derek Kamukwamba. Let me now address the issues you have raised. Can Dora compare to the likes of Dambisa Moyo or Professor Michelo Hansungule? Let us face it, we have great minds that can develop Zambia. Let us just use them. As for the one pausing as Rev. Kapya Kaoma, please stop.
The message in this article is quite clear that we are a docile society and not reactionally. We are easy to convince and not born to fight when wronged. For as long as we continue to accept the wrongs of our leadership, we must forgo national development. It is not the whole bunch of the leadership that is doing nothing, however, there are others who are doing an excellent job and would like to see Zambia develop. If we don’t make noise and insist on removal of the bad eggs, Zambia will not develop at an acceptable rate. It is time we changed as a society on how to deal with our leaders. We should not give them a break but hell.
I totally agree with your suggestion that “It is time we changed as a society on how to deal with our leaders.” Zambia lacks strong institutional structures that are a prerequisite to ensuring that those mandated to assume the reigns of power are directly accountable to the citizenry. The failure to enshrine such ideals in the constitution (which for unexplained reasons has taken over two decades to conclude) will result in catastrophic consequences for Zambia. Continued maintenance of weak governance structures has over the years provided perfect shield for successive regimes against accountability where rules of the game can be changed at will to serve usually selfish interests of a selected few. I submit that this status quo has to be completely overhauled for survival.
The current govt is th worst .Ethnic discrimination is at its peak and th president holds th barest of education.this sata govt does nt giv us hop as only bembas are worth being in positions of influence.sata is a curse and not a blessing to zambia.
Kapwepwe words still haunt us. Despite his humble education he was able to see well ahead of even the most educated people.
I was hoping we would have a crop of new Kapwepwes and Nalumino Mundias. But someone is spoiling the game.
excellent piece of art.well written ,well drawn ,shown and well expressed.you aswer the question,WHERE DID WE GO WRONG ALL THESE 48 YEARS?
This article just reminded me why i stopped voting.
You remove one cadre driven government, another one pops up, and what makes it worse is that, you will actually hope and think this one will be better than the previous one.
It doesn’t make sense after you put someone in power and that same person comes back to insult and use words like, “Who are you to question me?” We meet these “honourables” and all i see is a$$ kissing right from the moment they show up….!
Whichever leader Zambians will bring, i will make sure i work hard enough to counter the effects….! In addition to that, stocking up of weapons in readiness for the Zombie Apocalypse….!
Proper article !!!!!!!!!! Thank God we still have people of substance,i was losing hope.
Point of correction, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (shimpundu) was not the first but second Republican Vice President.
The first was Reuben Chitandika Kamanga.
Get your facts straight. kamanga was Prime Minister and never vice president.
I am the author of this article and I agree with the point of collection. Reuben Kamanga was vice president of UNIP and some people see him as the first vice president. At this time Kapwepwe was foreign minister. Generally, Kapwepwe is held as the first vice president. Please bloggers, stop using my name. The saint is right.
Please capitalise the names, Rev. So far your K is always k and the only name in capitals is Guy Scott :)
Kamanga’s bio says he was the first vice president from 1964 to 1967 and was followed by Kapwepwe in that position. And that is what I remember . The prime mister position was introduced much later in 1973 and Mainza Chona was the first prime minister of Zambia. Could the author point the readers where to find the “straight facts” he refers to.
I am the author of this article and I agree with the point of collection. I tried to post this comment in the morning but in case people missed it. Reuben Kamanga was vice president of UNIP and some people see him as the first vice president. At this time Kapwepwe was foreign minister. Generally, Kapwepwe is held as the first vice president. Please bloggers, stop using my name. The saint is right.
HAMBILWI- ABANA SIR WELCOME BACK..SIR ADVISE Mr.HAMIYANZE TO LOOK AFTER HIS WIFE PROPERLY….BECAUSE THE YOUNG MAN IS VERY SELFISH, GREED ,TRIBALIST AND ARROGANT.PLS DO YOUR BEST SIR.
HAMBILWI- ABANA SIR WELCOME BACK..SIR ADVISE Mr.HAMIYANZE TO LOOK AFTER HIS WIFE PROPERLY….BECAUSE THE YOUNG MAN IS VERY SELFISH, GREED ,TRIBALIST AND ARROGANT. PLS DO YOUR BEST SIR…MAY GOD GUIDE YOU.
HAMBILWI- ABANA SIR WELCOME BACK..SIR ADVISE Mr.HAMIYANZE TO LOOK AFTER HIS WIFE PROPERLY….BECAUSE THE YOUNG MAN IS VERY SELFISH, GREED ,TRIBALIST AND ARROGANT. PLS DO YOUR BEST SIR…MAY GOD GUIDE YOU ACCORDINGLY
Hichilema whose party UPND is not taking party in the bye-election but backing the MMD is expected to be in the rural constituency until the day of voting. [sic] zw/d
MMD taking advantage and opportunity for political gain IMO. Very clever. Both Mumba and Hichilema are aspiring presidential candidates. Hehehe but here is only one seat for president in plot 1.
True, as Zambians we really need to address this issue otherwise Zambia will be ruled without logic and violence may be the norm of the day since political cadres do not think intellectually and rationally but think only according to their party even genuine constructive criticism is interpreted according to their party loyalty. Using jobless youths to defend parties must also be stopped , we say no to violence in Jesus name. Jesus deliver Zambia from such practices and raise up the right intellectual leaders who will delver Zambia from such practices and will serve Zambians free of partisan practices.
Nice article indeed ba Reverend .Can`t agree more.
Make this the quality and level from which articles are sourced and laid out, whether for or against any viewpoint and raise the level of debate. I always wish the writers would blog amongst us to make it more interactive and defend their stance or provide additional points if needed. Respectfully applauding you for both writing and not allowing credit to be frivolously and imaginatively awarded to Guy Scott just so a blogger can twist your message and make an unnecessary attack. Read. Absorb. Respond respectfully.
That is assuming someone has not hijacked your name of course :)
Thanks A Phiri. Somebody already did. I am the author of the article and I appreciate your words.
Good article but not sure why Dora Siliya was bunched with those semi illiterates. Ba Rev. do a bit more research. She might be arrogant and accused of stealing but she is well educated and the brains we need. Check facts! Support educated women!
good article – but how do we change this cadre mentality?
Well meaning people with no political allegence must be engaged in the drafting of the republican constitution that will ensure clear separation of powers among the arms of the state and safeguard them, to a high degree, against political interference. This will be but a first step. A lot still needs to be done such as sensitizing the citizenry that in a demoncratic system the power rests with the people to decide the direction the nation should take. The last is a mammoth task that, in order to achieve, requires a certain level of literacy across the populace.
vibusa 27, I am the author and thanks for your comment. However, it seems that in Zambia, a masters degree means well educated, which is not the case. Of course not. Again I am not against women and I admire people like Dambisa Moyo, Prof. Nkandu Luo among many great women Zambia has produced. Tell me, what qualified Dora to head the transport sector and later on education? How can she direct policy in areas she knows too little? I need to be educated.my friend. Thanks for your comment nevertheleess.
rev,pls.who told you a minister has to be an expert in the ministry that they lead?there are experts who guide the minister in terms of policy,stop behaving like pf catholics preists who were against rb,dora is quality,
I gree with #18,the Saint. Kamanga’s bio says he was the first vice president from 1964 to 1967 and was followed by Kapwepwe in that position. And that is what I remember . The prime mister position was introduced much later in 1973 and Mainza Chona was the first prime minister of Zambia. Could the author point the readers where to find the “facts” he is referring to in his response.
Well articulated….I will soon be back to recruit such independent minds. Bash mediocricy ,viva development and zambia’s emancipation! we are gearing up…
Nice and well thought article brother. I just hope you will continue being objective in your articles. You are really our pride in our family . I am now in Solwezi as usual on assignment. May God bless you.-greetings to my nieces.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
Thanks my kid brother for reading it. I am proud of you and always wishing you the best. You have made us proud as well and we love you so much. We are all doing fine. I will be presenting a lecture at London School of Economics soon. I will keep you informed. How is our kid sister? By the way, the two books will be out soon.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not endorsing the boycott of independence celebrations. Opposition leaders’ refusal to attend this year’s independence celebrations was an insult to those who sacrificed for mother Zambia. October 24 is a sacred event that ought to propel us into pursuing national ideals. So for Nevers Mumba and Hakainde Hichilema to politicize such an important event is immaturity at its best! ….this is what i was looking for….too childish for sure.Sata is not the one who made you not to enter plot one so boycotting such event shows bitterness
Well balanced thought provoking article; this is the first article I have read from the first letter to the last without speed reading …. more of these articles please.
29 Grayoldman Julu, I am the author and I have already accepted the correction. Someone is posing with my name. I am blogging as author. Thanks for your comment.
Minor mistake – does not take anything away from your good article.
Everyone has said it all. You couldn’t have written any better and factual article Rev. Kaoma. Don’t even bother to listen to any critic throwing mad at you or impersonating you. What you have written is the truth about our country and basically africa in general. Keep posting more informative articles like this. And for those worrying about the first Vice President, Reuben Chitandika Kamanga was the first Vice President of Zambia and you can find all this information at the lusaka museum. Kaunda in his quest to unite all tribes and all provinces appointed people from all provinces after independence and most of these leaders were highly educated by the 1960’s standards.
The thing we are all going to write responses and cheer the writer and yet go back and support the mediocre stuff. Useless really and academic. Perhaps we all need to support the Barotse cause for some people to wake up from their deep lethrgic slumber really.
Nice article. We adopted the same laws that were meant for us African NOT to move forward. And we use the same laws today. Ironic
THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT
As much as i agree with the author’s line of thought lets not overlook the fact that the public is as much to blame for the rot as the awful rulers.Civilians bribe police,bribe to get a job vote for their tribesmen and if given a rd contract they are shoddy.We may question Vera’s suitability but a guy from Mansa once given the same option will look the other way to benefit.Those street vendors who gain from Sata’s approval of their filthy menace are as guilty as Vera accepting something she shud not.I guess the gist of my message is this same ills obtain amonst the populace and the leaders are a sad reflection of us.Be the change you want to see in zambia.
Appoint the Rev. Kapya Kaoma to a position in government and see how he will perform. I can assure you, he will be worse than GBM. These things are easier said than done. Get to his church and examine his administration of the church. Very small unit but so many failures. Please, I am not saying this article is hollow, it has a lot of merit, but trying to embarrass people who cannot defend themselves from your article opinions is unGodly. Why are Dora, GBM and Kambwili mentioned? Just drive your point and people will respect your views.
Yes, in the current form Independence celebration is hollow and you said this. Why insult HH and Nevers Mumba for not participating in a hollow thing? You contradict yourself. You celebrate something that is meaningful and beneficial NOT a cover up for peace and unit. Which peace are you talking about when there are no medicines in hospitals, patients on the floor, no food, no education, poor road networks, etc. So what did you what HH to go and celebrate at State House? Symbolic. You are just one of those who HATE HH with capital letters. What a Rev.!!!
This article has some Hollowness if your use some intelligence spectacles.
Nothing new. All said is known and has been (known) for decades. Just another armchair critic. Its coming up with practical ideas, plans, visions etc and implementing them that will change our nation positively and not by articles however good or bad they are written or perceived. Zambians are schooled with many impressive certificates or is it degrees but are lamentably not educated.
How can you come up with “practical solutions” if you cannot first identify the “problems”?
Nothing new. All said is known and has been (known) for decades. Just another armchair critic. Its coming up with practical ideas, plans, visions etc and implementing them that will change our nation positively and not by articles however good or bad they are written or perceived. Mnay Zambians are schooled with impressive certificates or is it degrees but are lamentably not educated.
Ba Zambia 34 and 35, you are missing the point. I am the author of the article and would like to respectfully disagree with you. There is nothing ungodly in giving examples of some people who are not fit to direct policy in the nation. Let me make it clear, what does GBM know about defense? I hold a PhD in environmental Ethics and director at one of the think tanks in the U.S. I am also a fellow at Boston University but would not say I am qualified to run the ministry of defense. Cabinet position directs policy and knowing your limitations is the best judge of one’s character. Only cadres will accept any form of appointment.
I disagree on the issue of qualifications concerning the ministry an individual is appointed to. The catch, in my view, is as you have correctly pointed out that one must know one’s limitations. That said, I believe a good leader is one who is not scared to surround himself with people who possess the right knowledge (in this case) in matters pertaining to the respective ministry. History attests to the fact that Henry Ford was not an exceptional automotive engineer but he was not afraid to assemble the best minds he could get. He identified this as a factor that stood at the core of the survival and progress of his automobile empire. We need to emulate this and ensure that our leaders are of such calibre that they are not afraid to surround themselves with suitably qualified personnel.
Intresting story, mostly ministers are just ceremonal, the PS WILL do the job, the ministers in some ministries just represent the head of state and are mouth pieces, at one time we had no minister of defence for a long time in levys time, technocrates always do most of the job.
Very good article. I was around before Independence doing standard one at Roan Antelope Primary School. All my friends who died in 1970s if given a chance to resurrect, they would refuse and opted to be reburied. This is how the nation has deteriorated economically. I propose few solutions, 1. de-politicise the civil service which UNIP did in 1972. We need career civil servants. 2. reduce MPs salary and remove gratuity introduced by MMD ( I must be corrected!). We need MP who wish to serve the people and not their pockets. Currently, People enter politics for money. Have you ever heard of MPs going on strike?
Thanks for your observation. I remember Luanshya was great those days but today it is a mess.
Ba Author #36 the point you are missing is that heading a ministy is not about school and/or training certificates/papers. Its providing leadership to achieve the results in the long run. There so many stories in the world of people with no education/papers who have risen from the ashes, street, ghetto etc to run successful businesses. My response to your article was not about who is in what ministry or their qualifications it was that all you have done is remind the masses of what they already know and is obvious. And so I was saying coming up with practical ideas, plans, visions etc and implementing them will benefit Zambia in the long run and not the quality of an article. In as much as I appreciate your effort and article it is an end and not a means to an end.
Revd Kaoma is correct Ba Zambia 34 and 35. Cadre mentality should completely be jettisoned in our country’s politics as I have argued above. We need qualified people, especially civil servants who ought to rise through the government machinery. During my days, no one was “imported” outside civil service and promoted who had no govt experience and had not gone through NIPA. A Permanent Secretary was indeed permanent, no matter the change of govt. Cadre disease which infected Zambia in 1972 took root in 1975 up today. All this cadre disease must GO NOW in govt.
The author,though mostly on point and well meaning is somewhat misleading.A country’s economic destiny is not purely dependent on its politics.To give the wrong impression that if only we had the right folks we’d be o.k creates a dependency syndrome.What absolves the poor zambian of his poor choices,lazyness and irresponsibilty for their poverty?China’s system is full of party cadres at the helm but still the Chinese work hard.Iraq had Baath party cadres but still the average Iraqi is better than a zedian.Lets not heap all blame on cadreism bcoz zambians have wrongly become dependent on GRZ to solve all their ills.
“neo-colonial “investors” abuse us at will.”
Define abuse. You yourself are abusing the term and misusing it. For example, asking a worker to put in an honest and hard day’s of work is not called abuse. It’s called doing what you’re getting paid for. Stop distorting facts please.
Ba rev, a Sebente posted comments on this article talking about the need of practical ideas, vision but these have been removed, why. Talk about removing comments that positively criticise you and you remove them, typical zambian mentality obtaining. No 34 comments fulfilled in minutes. Cadre mentality of accepting those singing our praises and no one else. All the good work you did in this article are nullified by your actions. How sad.
Sheep 41, I am the author and need to respond to your point. What constitutes good payment for an honest and hard day’s of work in your world? Zambians I know are not lazy as you think, they work very hard but are usually underpaid for their hard work. It is one thing for you living in the diaspora to make such an argument but let us face the fact- miners are among the hardest working people. Sadly, they are usually underpaid. In addition, Chinese investors beat workers and go away with it. Only in Zambia is this possible. Sorry But I must disagree with your argument.
Dear Author,
Word of advice to you; I applaud you personally responding to posts and interacting with bloggers but let me assure you when the day shift clocks in tomorrow morning they won’t be as polite, to them its liken to waving a red cloth to a bull so if you intend to respond to posts tomorrow I suggest you take the day off.
Nah. Let him stand his ground. It all adds up to people who are interacting. Those swell looking ivory towers need to crumble. When they do (not if), the change will be spectacular and unstoppable. Mindset is only an issue for those who succumb to the notion that the right path is individual benefit and there is no purpose to a greater practical solution for others as everyone is jaded and ready to watch you fail. Someone in the past gave you the shot you have today and I’m sure you work hard for it. Pass it on in your own individual lives. Even if you never get thanked for it :)
Nana 51
As author, I do not have access to control who blogs. This is done by Lusaka times. So if one comments are removed, please contact Lusaka Times. I am open to all sorts of thoughts. Thanks
Great article, except I would have liked to see proposed changes to make and how to go aboout those changes. Identifyin the problem is one thing, but recommending how to resolve the problem is much harder. Zambian’s are hardworking? Yes and NO. Work culture is pathetic in Zambia; try applying for a simple document such as NRC; or title deed, and you will realise what i mean. Some poor Zambians are hardworking, e.g. the poor woman breaking stones in Lusaka to feed her family; but many young people would rather sit around their family entrances chatting than gardening to supplement their family income. “Its not what you are given but what you have that makes a difference” Mandela so said.
Dora Siliya is educated and intelligent enough to be minister or even president. it is her behaviour with men that is the problem. Dont compare her to Vera, kambwili, GBM etc.