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Boxer Ben Muziyo holds Zambia’s dwindling medal hopes today when he returns the ring for a third time at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
This follows Saviour Kombe failure to qualify the 400 meters mens finals after losing in Tuesdays semifinal heats in Glasgow.
Kombe finished seventh in the third semifinal heat as Zambia’s medal hopes continued to fade at the ongoing Commonwealth Games that end on August 3.
The scenario was the same on the courts where Chongo Mulenga and Ngosa Chonga were eliminated from the Badminton doubles on Tuesday.
Chongo was also eliminated from the mens singles on Wednesday while Mulenga tumbled from the same event on Tuesday.
And so Middleweight Muziyo who is Zambia lone boxer out of five still standing enters the ring at 22h15 to fight Cedric Olivier of Mauritius in a quarterfinal bout.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s final hope for medals will come in the 400X 4 meters mens relay when the heats start on August 1.
Zambia has one just one medal from eight events entered.
The only medal so far has come in Judo where Boas Munyonga won a Bronze medal in the 81Kg category.
SuperSport says the FAZ Super League is improving.
Company Marketing Manager for Southern Africa Marlon Kananda said in the last three years SuperSport has noted an improvement in the administration of the league.
Kananda said the growth of the Zambian league has led to clubs attracting sponsors.
“In the last 3 years we’ve seen a lot of improvements in the administration of the MTN Zambian Super League, the league is growing and all the different stakeholders are on hand to play their part, the fans, the players, the administrators and the sponsors are all there to make our beautiful game live up to its expectation.”
Kananda, however, noted that the Super League was facing challenges such as infrastructure saying some stadia in the local league do not meet broadcasting standards.
“We have had our own challenges and it includes infrastructure, most stadiums are not meeting our broadcasting standards and we need to see an improvement in this area, this will enable us cover as many teams
at the teams home grounds,” he said.
Kananda added:”Our target for this year is to broadcast a minimum of 50 local games and also cover the Barclays Cup.”
Patriotic Front (PF) deputy national secretary, Bridget Attanga, yesterday dispelled rumours that Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba had been evacuated to South Africa.
Mrs Attanga was contacted after efforts to get Mr Kabimba via mobile phone failed.
Mr Kabimba who is PF national secretary was rumored to have been evacuated to South Africa on Saturday.
But Mrs Attanga dispelled the rumor saying Mr Kabimba was ‘very much’working in his office.
“Perhaps it is people who do not like him who are spreading such rumours but he is very much in his office working,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police Solomon Jere is reported to be admitted to the intensive care of Malcolm Watson Hospital in Mufulira.
The reports said Dr Jere was on oxygen therapy and that he was visited by Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani on Monday.
Dr Jere was promoted to the position of deputy Inspector General of Police on October 26, 2012.
Efforts to confirm Dr. Jere’s hospilisation failed by press time.
MMD die hard youth leader Bowman Lusambo captured during the gathering to demand for the release of the Zambian draft constitution.
Press statement for immediate release
MMD YOUTHS AGAINST DISABILITY TAUNTS DIRECTED AT HON. CHILANGWA
The reports emerging from Kawambwa in Luapula Province that some MMD youths verbally abused Home Affairs Deputy Minister and Kawambwa PF MP Nickson Chilangwa over his physical disability cannot pass without comment.
As MMD youths, we feel moved to apologise to Mr Chilangwa and place it on record our disappointment with such behaviour attributed to our members in Luapula Province.
We believe Mr Chilangwa is a competent colleague in politics and his physical disability should never be a political issue.
As MMD youths, we have always treated Mr Chilangwa with utmost respect and admiration for his strong will to grow his political career. He serves as a true example of courage and hard work to the youths beyond the disability movement.
The behaviour of the said youths in Kawambwa is unZambian and does not in any way represent the strong beliefs on equality that the MMD as an organisation espouses.
Our prayer is that Mr Chilangwa finds it within his heart to forgive his said abusers and help them learn from this act that stigma and discrimination based on physical abilities or the perceived lack of shall never be acceptable.
The MMD in Government ensured that Zambia moved with the rest of the world in ensuring just and fair society for all including the disabled. The part enacted a number of legislation and reforms to ensure that the lives of our friends with disability lived acceptable lives.
We also wish to condemn attempts to link MMD President Dr Nevers Mumba to this unfortunate incident. The media reports appear to be calculated attempt to draw Dr Mumba into this situation. Dr Mumba had nothing to do with the incident and should be distanced from this sad event.
Issued by Bowman Lusambo-MMD Die Hard National Youth Coordinator 29/07/14
Koffi Olomide and dancing queens during the wedding ceremony of Bona Mugabe, Daughter to Robert Mugabe , President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Simba at President Mugabe’s private residence in Harare, Zimbabwe on March 1,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Jean Ndayisenga Mandela, the photo journalist who was allegedly assaulted by Congolese Rhumba king Koffi Olomide has written to inspector General of Police Stella Libongani requesting that his case be reopened and Koffi be arrested.
In the letter made available to the media, Mandela appealed to Mrs Libongani to intervene in the complaint of assault and battery against Koffi in order to allow justice to prevail.
The alleged incident happened in early hours of Saturday, December 29th, 2012 at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka during an end of year concert.
Mandela contends that the case was mishandled by the Lusaka Central Police Station and closed which has disappointed him hence his decision to bring the matter to the attention of the Inspector General.
“So you can order this case to be reopened hence the justice could prevail on this matter ; this incident happened in early hours of Saturday, December 29th, 2012 at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka .
This is case was mishandled by the Lusaka Central Police Station and closed which has disappointed me hence I bring this matter to your attention.
The facts of the matter, at the end of the Olomide’s tour in Zambia that began at Taj Pamodzi Hotel on Friday, December 28th, 2012, Koffi Olomide kicked my face using his left leg when I was trying to get him a picture as he was exiting the stage. Olomide also slapped and battered one of his dancers, a lady, whowas the last to leave the stage; this incident happened in full of view of the member of the public and police officers that were deployed to maintain law and order. The assault on me resulted in mental distress, injury to my face, a broken left middle finger, a damaged camera flash and malfunctioning of my photo camera until it went off permanently.”
“I reported this matter to the nearest Police Station and a docket was successfully opened by CIO Augustine Hamoonga at Kabwata Police Station (since it was at the same Kabwata Police Station where I managed to get a “Medical Report Form) and the docked was later transferred to Lusaka Central Police Station in the afternoon of Saturday, December 30th, 2012. Arrived at the Lusaka Central Police Station, I was informed that there was no officer available to act immediately on that matter since it was in the aftermath of the “Police Annual Ball”.
He wrote, “I have to notify you that Olomide performed on the same Saturday evening at the Lusaka Government Complex, as nothing had happened despite the incident being reported on electronic, online and social media. On Sunday, December 30th, I tried to make a follow up with Lusaka Central Police station which was in vain. It was on Monday, December 31st 2012. New Year Eve, that I found my docket with officer Sibutoya. Officer Sibutoya asked me to provide a transport in order to apprehend the suspect who happened to be staying at Taj Pamodzi Hotel prior to the incicent, we found that he had already left since he was due to perform in Kitwe the same night. Officer Sibutoya promised that he was going to alert his colleagues in the Copperbelt in order to apprehend Olomide.”
He added, “The Zambia Police Headquarters had already started to confirm this “assault and battery incident “ and a “dully opened docket” against Olomide in separate interviews that were reported in local and international print, electronic and social media as early as December 29th , 2012 and thereafter ; alongside the Zambia Police quotes were the testimonies of eyewitnesses that came out publicly to confirm that “assault and battery incident “as Nawa Muyatwa , a Security Manager at of Kaya Gold Music , Ciko Eric Mukoka a ZNBC employee on duty , Henry Phiri aka BJ who was the Director of the Ceremonies just to mention but a few.”
Mandela wrote, “On Tuesday, January 1st 2013, I was shocked to learn through the same media reports that Olomide has left the country without being apprehended by the Zambia Police. On Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013, I reported to officer Sibutoya, he promised me that the case is active and Olomide was due to put on “Interpol alert”. Unluckily, at the evening of the same day (Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013), around 2000 hours, on my way home aIong the Chilumbulu Kafue roads link, I was attacked by at least 5 people armed with AK 47 and opened fire on me, I felt down immobile (feigning dead) until they left after getting my back and camera bags that contained my laptop, external harder driver disks, a photo camera and other camera accessories. This incident was reported to Kamwala Police post the same evening and it was handled by CIO Shadreck Jere. My camera was later on identified in mid 2012 in the Lusaka streets. Unfortunately, the Police officers could neither use the camera recovery to track the culprits nor the Police could help me to establish if there was a link between the “assault and battery incident” and the failed assassination attempt.”
He wrote, “On Tuesday, July 15th, 2014, (it was after 563 day by day after the day of the incident) I received a call by Commissioner Charles Lungu, Investigations Director and Interpol Head through the Police spokesperson Charity Munganga Chanda; during out meeting I retaliate my wish to “let the Law takes its course” and I was referred back to Lusaka Central DCIO F. Mumbuna. This came when, ZNBC and bill board advertising forthcoming performances of Olomide as the first one being scheduled at Mulungushi International Conference Center on July 31st, 2014; prior to this Commissioner Lungu call, I had tried to contact officer Sibutoya and failed both at his office or by his phone.”
“Lusaka Central DCIO F. Mumbuna confirmed to me in possession of my docket containing: My Statement, Medical Report, and Ciko Eric Mukoka testimony and asked me to produce more eyewitnesses; this DCIO F. Mumbuna insisted on the same, in the presence of Media Institute Southern Africa – Zambia Chapter Program Officer Kasonde Nkole who accompanied me on a “Finding Facts Mission” over the progress of a “photojournalist assaulted” case on Wednesday, July 16th, 2014. While I was trying to bring in more eyewitnesses, I learned through the “Media Reports” that the Zambia Police has “dropped the charges against Olomide.”
Koffi is expected to arrive in Zambia today for a series of performances.
President Michael Chilufya Sata this morning appeared in public and has sworn- in Mr. Musa Mwenye SC and Mr. Abraham Mwansa SC as Attorney- General and Solicitor- General respectively.
During the swearing- in ceremony held at State House today, President Sata congratulated the duo and encouraged them to work in the interest of the Zambian people.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence Hon. Edgar Lungu, Minister of Information Dr. Joseph Katema, Minister of Justice Hon. Wynter Kabimba and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr. Mutembo Nchito SC.
Others were Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Roland Msiska, deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Ambassador Peter Kasanda, Public Service Commission chairperson Dr. Kawaye Kamanga, Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary Mr. Joseph Akafumba and Cabinet Office Permament Secretary in- charge of Administration Ms. Margaret Miyoba among others.
President Michael Sata during the Swearing in Ceremony of of Mr Musa Mwenye Attorney General and Mr Abraham Mwansa as Solicitor General at State house on Wednesday 30th July 2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.President Michael Sata greets of Mr Musa Mwenye Attorney General after the Swearing in Ceremony at State house on Wednesday 30th July 2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.President Michael Sata during the Swearing in Mr Abraham Mwansa as Solicitor General at State house on Wednesday 30th July 2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.President Michael Sata during the Swearing in Mr Abraham Mwansa as Solicitor General at State house on Wednesday 30th July 2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.
President Michael Sata during the Swearing in Ceremony of of Mr Musa Mwenye Attorney General at State house on Wednesday 30th July 2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.President Michael Sata talks to Ministers and officials after the Swearing in Ceremony of of Mr Musa Mwenye Attorney General and Mr Abraham Mwansa as Solicitor General at State house on Wednesday 30th July 2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza.
Ariel recently released his latest single “woman” . He had this to say about the song .
Woman was inspired by my Mum and other great women I’ve come in contact with and have built me up as an individual.
In Africa, we have a saying that it takes the whole village to raise a child. Ultimately, we are usually raised by our mums and other motherly figures around us with the help of our fathers and other men. Therefore, this song woman is a celebration of our women in a generation
Where we have so many songs demeaning them and telling them what they are not. Lastly, the Bible talks about honouring our parents, I chose
To honour and celebrate mine by showing them how much I treasure every moment I share with them. Watch out for the video to this single.
The last time President Sata was seen in public.Here President Michael Sata interacts with heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Zambia at the commemoration of the Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka May 2014
The Non Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has appealed to President Michael Sata to clear all the negative speculations about him by making a public appearance.
NGOCC Board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo told Qfm news that President Sata will do the majority Zambians proud by making a public appearance.
Ms Grillo said Zambians are becoming depressed for not seeing their President who they love and cherish.
She said that President Sata should know that Zambians miss him and are eager to see him address any national event just to end speculations about him.
Ms Grillo further added that Zambians are not satisfied with statements suggesting that the Head of State is well and working.
She said people want to hear it from the President himself that he is well.
MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu says his party believes the opposition UPND considers it a threat ahead of the 2016 general elections.
Mr Lungu says this is the more reason why the UPND has been busy poaching its members with a view of weakening the former ruling party.
Mr. Lungu has told Qfm news that his party has received information that the UPND has been allegedly offering incentives to MMD members to entice them to join the UPND, but that most of them have declined to do so.
He has however advised MMD members not sure of their existence in the party to leave and join the UPND and leave committed members to reorganize the former ruling party.
The MMD national Secretary says regardless of the UPND’s maneuvers, the MMD does not consider the Hakainde Hichilema led party as a threat to its chances of bouncing back to power.
He says this is because the MMD is a party that has been tried and tested before by the Zambian people.
Mr. Lungu adds that his party can claim with evidence that it governed better than the ruling Patriotic Front when it was in power.
But UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has already challenged the MMD to produce evidence of its allegations that his party has been bribing MMD members to defect to the UPND.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says there is no provision in the constitution that requires an appointed Attorney General or Solicitor General to take Oath after ratification by parliament.
LAZ Vice President Linda Kasonde said the only requirement that the constitution provides is that the appointment has to be ratified by parliament.
Ms. Kasonde however stated in a statement released to media in Lusaka yesterday that both offices are constitutional offices and therefore are public offices.
She said this means that the two offices are accountable to the public and should preserve the sanctity of the constitution.
Ms Kasonde added that it was also important to note that the Oath of a person who sits in Cabinet is vital and mandatory because Cabinet, in the conduct of its business, is guided by three principles.
Ms. Kasonde said the principals include collective responsibility, confidentiality and declaration of interest.
She said evidently, an oath is necessary if Cabinet functions are to be discharged in light of the three principles.
She however stated that even though the Constitution of Zambia does not provide for the taking of Oath when the Attorney General and Solicitor General are appointed, by convention it is mandatory for such appointed persons to take oath for the appointment to be valid and complete.
Ms. Kasonde explained that according to Section 8 of the official Oaths Act, if a person has taken an Oath for a particular office and subsequently appointed to another office, such a person need not take another Oath if the Oath he is required to take for the new office is the same as the one taken for the previous office.
She said in this regard, since the Oath taken by an Attorney General and a Solicitor General are the same, adding that if the current appointed Attorney General took an oath of office as Solicitor General, he need not take another Oath for the position of Attorney General.
She said that being the case, the current appointed Attorney General does hold the substantive office validly and can subsequently exercise his duties as such.
Ms. Kasonde however stated that on the other hand, a newly appointed Solicitor General needs to take an Oath of office before he starts discharging the functions that office if he has not taken a similar oath previously.
The Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission yesterday faced a tough task of guiding residents of Garden Compound in Lusaka who wanted the commission to review their individual cases that have either been disposed of by the courts or were still dragging in the courts of law.
Instead of making recommendations to the commission on how to transform the country’s legal and justice sector, residents of Garden compound, most of who were seemingly angry, brought up cases in which they were alleging that they had been mistreated either by law enforcement agencies or by the courts of law.
In separate misplaced submissions to the commission, the residents complained of many issues ranging from landlords evictions, Zesco power load shedding, magistrate and local courts justice corruptions to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) not taking their complaints seriously.
Commission Chairperson, Frederick Chomba, repeatedly reminded the residents that the commission was not set up to conduct trials on individual cases but to undertake a comprehensive public inquiry into the state of the legal and justice sector in Zambia and to recommend appropriate reforms that will ensure a more efficient, affordable, accessible accountable and responsive legal and justice sector.
Justice Chomba stated that the commission is expecting the public to submit their views in line with the terms of reference given to the commission.
The chairperson referred some of the complainants who presented their cases back to the courts to appeal while those that claimed to lack legal representation were referred to the Legal Aid Board for
assistance.
Among the petitioners who appeared before the commission were Ernest Kamanga who asked the commission to take up the case because it had taken too long in courts and Rastod Tembo who asked the commission to resolve the land disputed with his neighbour, a case he said the local court justices made him lose because he refused to bribe them and instead reported to the ACC who refused to attend to him.
Emson Mwale also complained of continued load shedding by Zesco in Garden Compound compared to other townships enjoyed power throughout the day and night without interruption.
Meanwhile a volunteer Paralegal Officer working the Zambia Civic Education Association has submitted that government should take up the role of providing shelter for children whose parents have been displaced or evicted by the landlords or land owners.
Ketu Imakando, a resident of Kabwata Township, told the commission that children’s rights in the compounds she operates from are violated everyday due to evictions that leave children in the cold while others are denied their rights to education.
Ms Imakando explained that children of squatters who are displace or children from families that have been evicted by their landlords for failure to settle rentals should be given shelter by government.
She suggested that landlords should also be stopped by government to evict defaulting tenants who have small children to avoid violating children’s rights.
But Director of Public Prosecutions, Mutembo Nchito, observed that such action would encourage tenants from paying rentals and in the process disadvantage landlords who have their rights to their property.
Mr Nchito noted that people should not claim their rights at the expense of other people’s rights hence the need to encourage tenants to avoid defaulting in payments of rentals.
Let me salute Field Ruwe for his insightful writings. Partly my contributions have been inspired by his expressed thoughts on several matters. Last week I discussed why Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba cannot be a good President for Zambia. My next epistle will analyse a thIrd contender within the rank and file of PF.
Back to my discussion today…
What is a Political Dynasty?
A “Dynasty” is defined as a succession of rulers from the same family or line; or a family or group that maintains power for several generations. A Political Dynasty entails the “concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related to one another” i.e. a political dynasty controlling the state, rather than the other way round. In truth, “Political Dynasties” is a term that is as old as politics itself. For the ancient civilizations their rulers were concerned with maintaining their legacy, the crown would be passed from parent to child to ensure the family name continues on down the ages. When the Western world talks about “Political Dynasties” they refer to them as “misappropriation of power” by family. In American politics, “dynasty” is a dirty word. The Founding Fathers, after all, went on record as wholeheartedly objecting to power flowing through blood rather than ballot, declaring in the U.S. Constitution that “no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.” The narrative of one of the country’s most prominent political families, the Kennedys, even avoids the dreaded d-word. Rather than referring to the New England clan as a dynasty, it’s romantically painted as Camelot.
Mulenga Sata as new PF presidential candidate?
With increased speculation about the health and fitness of President Sata, the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has been gripped with rumours of succession battles on potential leaders to succeed president Sata. While PF SG Wynter Kabimba has outpaced himself and monopolized so much political power and trying to get rid of potential rivals for power like former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba Bwalya (GBM) and former foreign affairs minister Given Lubinda, PF insiders are talking about a surprise “political dynasty” in the making – the possibility of President Sata’s son Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata succeeding his father. Suspicions about a Mulenga Sata presidential candidacy have been heightened by his recent “meteoric” rise in power. After the 2011 elections he was an elected PF ward councilor and had earned his living through selling dogs. In the early days of PF in power, he was initially elected as Deputy Mayor of Lusaka, and following the anti Wynter Kabimba demonstrations and dethroning of Lusaka district chairman Godwin Banda he went through unopposed as Lusaka PF District Chairman. Again the President’s son was elected new Lusaka Mayor after going through unopposed. A few months ago Mulenga Sata was elected national president of the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) after all PF challengers withdrew at the last minute and he then beat his rival, former Livingstone mayor Aggrey Njekwa from United Party for National Development (UPND) by 11 votes.
It is noteworthy that within PF, Mulenga Sata’s opponents for all elected positions have had to mysteriously withdraw from challenging him, a fact that shows the Sata Dynasty as the “owners” of PF. Hence, everyone has no choice but to make way for the King Cobra’s son, “Prince Cobra.” It can be speculated that during the UNIP One Party Dictatorship former President Kaunda also embarked on a futile mission to groom one of his sons as “heir to the throne” when he put all his sons in politics– Panji, Waza, Kaweche and late Wezi – who were either district governors, MPs or senior UNIP leaders. But this “family scheme” could not see the light of day as it was prematurely aborted when KK and UNIP were kicked out of power by MMD in the 1991 multi-party elections. In fact one of KK’s sons Tilyenji is still UNIP president today and the party is dead. One just hopes president Sata is not following KK’s slippery slop.
Vice President Guy Scott, who is in Wynter Kabimba’ s camp, seemed to sense this “family dynasty” and let the cat loose out of the bag when he recently declared that Mulenga Sata was not eligible to stand as president of Zambia because one of his parents was a foreigner. The reaction from Mulenga was sharp and swift, castigating Guy Scott’s divisive leadership and vehemently declaring that both his parents were Zambian, hence he was eligible to stand as president. If indeed this card is in play and Prince Cobra is groomed to take over the family business from King Cobra, then Wynter Kabimba’s political fate is sealed and he may find himself dribbled politically, just likely Sata himself was dribbled by the political engineer late President Chiluba after using Sata to get rid of all potential rivals for power in MMD like Gen Miyanda, late Gen Christon Tembo, Edith Nawakwi, late BY Mwila and others. If president Sata so decides then Wynter Kabimba’s political fate may be sealed and he may be forced to break away from PF to form his reported “4th Republic Party” while Mulenga Sata may take over the reins of power in PF backed by his father and senior PF officials loyal to President Sata.
Political Dynasties in a Democracy
Examples of political dynasties abound, but in democracies, unlike dictatorships, the children of former leaders are “self-made” men and women, rather than merely groomed and imposed. They are often elected to power many years after their parents’ rule since they work their way up the political ladder with a lot of ups and downs, thus becoming self-made and earning the right to leadership in the eyes of the people rather than just inheriting power through bloodlines like in a monarchy or dictatorship. For example, current Botswana president Gen Ian Khama, son of founding president Sir Seretse Khama, only became president some 28 years after his father’s death after a very successful career as traditional leader, army commander and politician. The same is true of Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, son of first president Jomo Kenyatta, who only became president in 2013, some 34 years since his father died. In meantime, he had undergone his own transformation as a successful businessman and launched a political career in which he lost elections numerous times. In the USA, two sons of former presidents later went on to be elected presidents themselves – after being self-made and with years apart from their father’s tenures e.g. the Adams and the Bushes. In the 2016 presidential election, a second Clinton and third Bush potentials is in the offing if George’s Bush’s brother Jeb challenges Hilary Clinton. Hilary and Jeb are self-made politicians, with Hilary transforming herself from First Lady to New York Senator, runner up to Obama in the Democratic presidential nomination, and Secretary of State. If she is elected president she will be the most experienced president in US history. Jeb has been a very successful two-term Governor of Florida, like his brother George who was Governor of Texas.
Other famous political dynasties in democratic settings are more common in Asia. In Sri Lanka if you belong to the Wijewardena or the Bandaranaike family you are immediately accepted into the inner politics of the country. In Pakistan, the Bhutto’s in Pakistan have played prominent roles in shaping their political culture. In India, the Nehru-Gandhi family name continues to rule the country, with a few interludes like this year’s election f an opposition prime minister. Mulenga Sata, as a citizen if he is eligible to stand for President, is free to do so democratically and win the trust and confidence of Zambians, rather than merely being imposed on the nation by virtual of sharing bloodlines with his father current president Michael Sata.
Political Dynasties in Dictatorships
By contrast, dictatorships and monarchies are characterized by hereditary family dynasties were children are groomed and merely made to succeed their father leaders immediately upon their demise without working their way and earning the right to national leadership in the eyes of the people. In North Korea, the succession of power from found leader Kim IL-Sung to his son Kim Jong-Il and now to the grandson Kim Jong-Un is a classic example. Other countries ruled by political dynasties have included the Philippines (the Marcos’s and Aquino’s), the al-Assad family in Syria where dictator Hafez al-Assad was succeeded by his son Bashar al-Assad, and in Haiti where former dictator François Duvalier (“Papa Doc’’) was succeeded by his son, Jean-Claude (“Baby Doc”). Usually such societies rot from within and become conflict or war ridden and unstable. Examples of other “anointed sons” who never succeeded their fathers in dictatorships include Saif Gaddafi in Libya who was groomed by his father Muammar Gaddafi as heir apparent. Gadaffi is dead while the son is in prison. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak had groomed his son Gamal Mubarak as his heir. He was removed from power and both are in prison. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein had groomed his sons Qusay and Uday to take over from him. He was deposed by the US, Saddam was hanged and his sons were killed by US troops.
Why Mulenga Sata immediately Succeeding His father would be a big Mistake
1. Political dynasty is not inherently a good thing as it is often accompanied by picturesque formalities and steeped in custom and tradition. The root of it is the inherited power which the recipients may or may not be able to use responsibly. Mulenga Sata is likely to continue with all the traits and customs of his father’s governance style which may not suit the direction Zambia needs to go. The country would be frozen in time. Research in political economy emphasizes the tendency of elites to persist and reproduce their power over time, potentially undermining the effectiveness of institutional reforms.
2. Political dynasties aren’t necessarily good things as policies can get old and stale rather than having them change with the times. Mulenga Sata is likely to see himself as merely sustaining the status quo of his father’s policies, good or bad, since he will need to cover the “tracks” of the old man by any means necessary. Political dynasty is not good because it is very likely to form a dictatorship since it is already decided the member or the son of the person ruling will be the next head of government. Mulenga Sata would owe more allegiance to his hereditary roots than to the people in PF or Zambia, the very roots of dictatorship. The “My Party” syndrome is what rules all dictatorships and shadowy structures like the Mob / Mafia.
3. Reduced Meritocracy and increased Mediocrity: A political dynasty like any other corporation has a boss and relatives of the boss, the line of thought is pretty much the same, if an individual in a particular party has conflicting views he should go and make his own political party. In a political dynasty the only flaw is that there is little meritocracy. This type of dynastic government will be nudge in increasing corruption since the son will have to prioritize” covering dad’s tracks.
” Political Dynasty + Business Dynasty + Corruption = Poverty
Conclusion
Imposing Mulenga Sata as a PF or republican president is likely to cause a lot of opposition and rebellion within PF and the country since Zambians are not “dynastic” by nature. But if Mulenga Sata truly wins the hearts and minds of Zambians through his exemplary performance as Lusaka Mayor or MP for example, then he will have earned the right to be elected president in the eyes of the majority of Zambians. Otherwise his imposition may mark the beginning of the end of the PF and the risk of losing power to the opposition is very high if there is a rebellion within the party. It is also very doubtful whether Mulenga Sata’s candidature for presidency would appeal to majority of Zambians. I’d urge President Sata to resist the temptation of “imposing” his son as PF leader “succeeding” him directly.
Zambians may not take kindly to any overt transfer of power “within the family.”
