By Hjoe Moono
We have talked about the state of the economy and governance in general. Today, we seek, from you, the reader, decision maker and opinion craftsman, your indulgent reception of our sentiments on this occasion as we attempt to voice on the current national debate regarding the constitution.
Firstly let us state from the on-set that our current government, the PF government, which is the off-shoot of our own choices from the opposition parties of 2011, is expected, and should be supported, after introspection within itself regarding the expectations of the people with regards the constitution, to have a just claim to our confidence and unyielding support.
While the current state of affairs surrounding the constitution debate seem to provide political capital for interest groups outside government, especially the opposition political parties, let us not forget our national responsibility as citizens, whether in the ruling party or not, to have respect for the current government’s authority, and our duty to comply with its laws, which have governed us before the current regime’s rise to power.
To the government, there is a dire need and call from seemingly most citizens, for the government’s need to be aware, and we remain confident that the government is aware that one of the key fundamentals of our political system is the right of the people to make and alter their constitution of governance. However, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole nation/population or by its representatives, our current constitution remains sacred and obligatory upon all Zambians.
We have heard, and read media reports of some chiefs from a selected region disagreeing with the draft constitution (which is yet to be made officially public) and vehemently rejecting it (as reported by a private newspaper). We feel that it is rather unfortunate that a matter of national importance such as the constitution should be left to be determined by a minority group of individuals or party ignoring the national desires and aims.
We have also heard the Hon. Minister of Justice emphasise that the constitution is just one of the many projects the PF had in line for the Zambian people. While this is adorable, it may be prudent that our government realises that the constitution which the Zambian people are advocating for is one that will outlive all parties and leaders. One that will reflect not a party ideology but a national ideology. As such, it must be differentiated from a PF party programme and be made a national programme, one where non-PF members are expected to participate and lay forth a stronger foundation for the future of our nation. Such a constitution has been elusive since 1964, but now, more than ever, the PF as the government in power has the greatest opportunity to set Zambia on a path never seen before. Let us not let this great opportunity evade us as it did the MMD.
Let the issue of the constitution be an all national matter, rather than that of a party. With that in mind, if the PF handles this in an ill manner as it is currently being perceived, it will be deemed to be a party that will have put the will of a political party in place of the will of the nation, Zambia. The PF leadership may further be deemed, and perhaps rightly so, to have been a party that was initially highly ambitious preaching what the nation needed and managed to grab for themselves the reins of government, and destroying afterwards the very instruments and support which have lifted them into the domain of power and governance.
Notwithstanding that, we have every belief and confidence, that we as the general populace ought not to perceive the PF in such light, and as such, we ought to give them the support and confidence they deserve to deliver and protect the constitution, a people driven constitution. For us to move as such, however, it is important that public opinion on the working of government with regards the constitution is enlightened. The government would do well, as requested consistently, to provide a clear roadmap on the state of the constitution which has already been submitted in draft form and has been accessed publicly, albeit unofficially.
Calls by some traditional leaders to reject certain clauses or the entire draft constitution as reported in the media should not be entertained by all Zambians. Furthermore, we should not entertain leaders and groupings, whether political parties or NGOs or indeed publications, be it public or private, which excite a belief that there is a real difference of local and regional views in our vast and diverse nation.
One of the greatest dangers to our already well knit society is the expediency of political parties, NGOs and newspapers with vested interests and subnational leaders to acquire and sustain influence in particular regions and audiences and then misrepresent the opinions and ambitions of other regions and audiences. The ensuing misconceptions, hurt, mistrust and dislike from such misrepresentations have the potential to distance or breed hatred among those who ought to be bound by already existing friendly affection.
With that in mind, let us all accept that a government for the whole country is indispensable to the continued unity and development of our oneness as Zambians. No alliances nor pacts, no matter how strict and strong, based on regional bases can be adequate substitutes to the government.
The calls for alliances we are hearing in the opposition will inevitably fall after experiencing the interruptions all alliances and pacts have experienced in our country, those arising from greed without a clear plan for the nation ahead.
With all the above said, let us also add that we have to work together nationally, irrespective of our origins and orientation otherwise we won’t be able to solve the problems that affect us all in our country. I think it is important for people to learn from the lessons of our past, and make sure that we are in fact making ourselves a better country out of it, and not turning backwards.
We need to endeavour to make our country a place we can all be proud of and happily pass on to our children and our grandchildren. We all have the privilege of living in a diverse country, and such diversity should be cherished by all, for if well harnessed, it will make possible a life of extreme happiness and no regrets by all for all.
Our forefathers collectively fought racism. The independence we enjoy today in Zambia was a work of joint national effort irrespective of tribe or region of origin, gender or any social orientation, but of common dangers, suffering and ultimate national success. Our forefathers fought colonialism as one.
Surely, we should be ashamed of ourselves today to begin to fight one another on the basis of the language we were introduced to at birth; on the basis of our exposure to education, and on the basis of our traditional beliefs and ethnicity.
We still have many common enemies that attack and kill us all, these: Hunger. Poverty. Disease and illiteracy. Just as we collectively fought racism and colonialism, we should feel compelled to fight these, and not create a further enemy in the name of ethnic regionalism, which seems to be the new drug on the market. Let us avoid the cool danger of tolerating such even in our thoughts.
While it seems to be the last resort of defence for many in public discourse, such have a tendency to raise unnecessary and imaginary tensions in our well blended and crafted society. You have no idea just how many things in common we have compared to the perceived difference we create. Let us all work on our commonalities to better our country, our society, with genuine unity.
Post and pre-election, the policies and programmes of the victor party and government affects us all, and if positive, these must be supported by all, and if negative, they must be condemned by all. These are the checks and balances that are the responsibility of us all, whether in government or in the opposition, irrespective of race, gender, education status or region of origin.
We must not allow interests groups with an agenda to discredit the positive development emanating from the current government, and likewise, we must not allow those that spearhead and support government programmes and policies that may not yield positive benefits to the majority of citizens.
But as we speak for and against our government, let us not do so with moderation, let us speak, with strong conviction, with the loudest voice of support and criticism we have in us. It is the only way a listening government will hear us, if we do not have one that reads. Remember, Zambia will outlive us all.
