Party defections will never go away; at least that’s how it seems every election cycle. The rituals and resources spent on wooing defectors if spent on sinking bole holes in shanty compounds, painting schools in rural areas, providing roofing schools in villages, should have been a reminder to all of us that we are our own worst enemies than the colonizers. Truth be told, we are living in a country whereby more resources are spent on politics than improving the lives of the poor among us.
I want to draw your attention to us (as a people) moving from simply talking about ending party defections to doing something that’s relevant.
Preconceived notions of Africans as being lazy, wasteful, and/or always asking for a handout from donor nations to do things they can do for themselves is etched in the minds of our own politicians. It’s etched in the psyche of just about our current politics, and what’s disturbing is that it is even etched in the minds of many voters. Sadly and sinfully, we have allowed the actions of a few selfish politicians to give representation to the masses that our political system is nothing but a circus. Let me say it this way: why have we allowed the same people who are experts at destroying and pillaging Zambia’s resources to convince us that they know how to fix the economy when they switch political parties? Why would you support a candidate relatively uncritically and unconditionally when he/she has never done anything tangible for your community?
[pullquote]why have we allowed the same people who are experts at destroying and pillaging Zambia’s resources to convince us that they know how to fix the economy when they switch political parties?[/pullquote]
This concept falling for defectors every election season is both ridiculous and corrupting to the future of Zambia’s economic and political growth and prosperity. Unless we undo this thinking, our hard earned freedom from colonialism will not be able to thrive today, nationally, and internationally.
Let me pose this to you: Why is it that Zambians voters continue to patronize defectors that don’t do anything for them or develop their community? I’m at a loss for words. Could it be the fact that our current political system has been operating with a slave or colonial mentality – accustomed to receiving nothing from others (defectors) that don’t even care about the voters?
Not only in the business community do we demand better services, we must demand better results from those within the political system too. Campaign lies that cause us to degrade and demean ourselves will never do any good in helping change the perspective the global village has on us and about us.
Defection rituals are like reality or circus shows, most definitely a joke. Is it really necessary to make yourself look like a fool to make a living in politics? It’s fair to say that I’m not talking about every politician out there, but there needs to be a sense of self-love and self-worth to not sell out or prostitute oneself from one party to another just to make ends meet.
In order for Zambia to deal with the whole issue of defections, we can’t merely pray it away as some Christians want you to think and believe. We must address it mentally, emotionally, and physiologically. We must have an open dialogue in the churches, schools, social media and homes to explain to each other why we must not be marginalized and devalued by politicians who don’t care about us. In addition to this, we must undo the negativity and low self-esteem we come to accept as normal towards one another. Think about it for a moment. When we participate in the foolishness of bringing each other down for reasons pontificated by defectors, it opens the door for other peoples to treat us as stupid.
We do have more people of goodwill and many stakeholder voices to bring about change and I’m urging all of them to reach across the party ideologies to engage in intellectual policy discussions this election season. We know the problem of defections affect all parties, now it’s time to educate our fellow brothers and sisters in ending this sickness. Will it be easy? No it won’t. Will there be opposition? Of course. However, the struggle to end defections is a never-ending process. Remember, if you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.
Sadly and shamefully, some of these defectors have been with more than 3 political parties in the last 5 years. Let’s face it – the greatest threat to Zambia’s security and future is not inflation, foreign investors (Chinese) or lack of hardworking Zambians. It’s not people coming from neighboring countries (Rwanda or Congo DRC) for opportunities. The greatest threat to Zambia is the unity (collectiveness) of like mindedness. Think about it for a moment. If Zambians once again like they did pre-independence came together as a united nation, the following things would happen: 1. we will own and control the businesses and politics in our nation, 2. we will create generational wealth for our children and our children’s children, 3. we will eliminate the slave mentality complex which seeks to empower defectors to profit from our political system, 4. we will promote and elevate our own political discourse, and 5. we will control the image of how we portray ourselves to the outside world.
It’s time for Zambian to stop living from election cycle to another. Living at the mercy of the current political system will forever keep us locked up emotionally, physically, and psychologically to the mediocre dreams and selfish political ambitions of the defectors.
Lastly, I would sincerely say, lazy dreams don’t amount to anything but poverty. Defectors are lazy vision killers and destroyers as they don’t have their own bigger dreams except to feed their bellies and political egos. We can learn a lot from the wisdom words of Proverbs 6:6-11 “Go to the ant, you lazy person; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? And poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
To be our best and free Zambia from the chains of our modern-day Zambian post-colonial masters-defectors, we must say to ourselves, enough is enough.
By Nsambila Mbolela a native of Mufulira, Copper-belt
