THE ADVANTAGE MY DISADVANTAGES

 Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. - Denzel Washington

That which does not kill us makes us stronger. - Friedrich Nietzsche

What naturally follows from these quotes is that suffering is good for you and makes you more resilient. However, there is little to boast about in suffering; it is humiliating and kills more dreams and people than anything else I can think of. My most humiliating moments, as someone who has known poverty for much of his life, have been a result of being in need. Even in my pursuit of higher education, my career was largely determined by the cheapest available course and the one where finding a job would be easiest. I could write extensively about my experiences with suffering and poverty, especially poverty. This is why I have a chronic case of peniaphobia.

I have been despised, accused, refused, cast aside, and rejected by both good people and a coterie of snobs, including those who always have their noses in the air. Despite all this, I choose to look at the brighter side and learn lifelong lessons with great gratitude. Albeit in retrospect.

There is an advantage to being disadvantaged. This definitely sounds like an oxymoron because it is. With the experiences I have lived, I have already been disadvantaged, and few things can really break me down. I have built a concrete wall of adversity quotient (AQ) – one’s ability to go through a rough patch and come out without losing one's mind.

People often judge an individual based on their intellectual capacity, cognitive abilities and family names. We are misguided by the assumption that someone’s success is determined by their intelligence and access to opportunity. These all are indeed an integral part of excellence, yes. Undoubtedly a huge blessing. But if you are unable to resist and hold out against challenges in life, you will not be able to utilize your intelligence and potential to the maximum extent.

Life is unpredictable and notorious for throwing a preponderance of curveballs, and we may encounter several challenges in our journey towards the end of the road. A perfect nonplus outcome. Thus, success is not only determined by achievements but is also dependent upon how capable an individual is at persevering in times of adversity. It is necessary to develop skills that enable one to overcome challenges, learn and grow from them. Running away from hardships is easy and effortless. But it requires courage, determination and serendipitous moments to fight your adversities and uplift yourself from life's stressors.

It's easier said than done, though. But with prayer and heart, there's no storm that can never be weathered.

A CALL TO OPTIMIZE THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF) MANAGEMENT

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is a transformative force that promises to uplift the lives of many people out of poverty, particularly those at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum. This is because it is remedying the problems of access to basic services, education and employment opportunities which all serve to perpetuate poverty.

As a legacy of the colonialism, significant development has been concentrating in cities and urban areas along the railway line stretching from Livingstone through Lusaka to the Copperbelt. Conversely, rural areas have witnessed limited participation in economic advancement. To address this disparity, successive governments have prioritized devolution as a fundamental aspect of their governance strategy. The objective is to cater to the specific needs and priorities of local communities by allocating funds for infrastructure development, social services, education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agriculture, and various other sectors. This is where CDF becomes pivotal as the aim of this fund is to promote citizen participation and engagement in decision-making processes concerning local development initiatives.

However, implementation has always presented challenges. To break free from this cycle and demonstrate their dedication to enhancing devolution, the UPND-led administration has increased allocations since their inaugural budget presentation from K1.6 million to K25.7 million in 2022 and to now K28.3 million. By the next election, constituencies will have received north of K140 million. This is a lot of money that should not only acceleration the wheels of the economy but also improve on human development and dignity by supporting community projects across all the 156 constituencies.

Around the world, CDF is being used to prevent the arbitrary exercise of power by central elites and to improve the effectiveness of social service delivery. Various countries such as Kenya, South Sudan, the Philippines, Honduras, Nepal, Pakistan, Jamaica, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, and Malaysia have adopted and are implementing their own versions of the CDF or similar programs. Zambia has taken huge steps on this by the launch of the decentralization policy and the commissioning of US$210 million Zambia Devolution Support Programme by President Hakainde Hichilema in May 2023.

In this article, I shall refrain from delving extensively into the challenges pertaining to the alignment of the CDF Guidelines and CDF Act, as well as the delegation of additional responsibilities from Lusaka to the districts. The reason for this omission is that the government has already acknowledged these challenges and is currently devising mechanisms to facilitate the necessary realignment. I will look at why there is need to urgently and deliberately introduce private sector led CDF management and remove certain functions from the fund.

INCORPORATING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FUND MANAGEMENT IS IMPERATIVE.

The government should contemplate the involvement of private fund managers in overseeing the management of CDF. The fund manager can receive compensation of 5% operation cost provided for in the CDF Guidelines, which amounts to approximately K1.5 million. Most importantly, considering that numerous districts have multiple constituencies, the inclusion of Fund Management would also contribute to job creation and stimulate economic growth.

Here is a breakdown of the rationale behind my proposal.

Firstly, at the core of their operational procedures, Fund Managers prioritize value for money and a good return on investment as they need to demonstrate their relevance. Their effectiveness in managing funds proves to be an efficient and fruitful approach, surpassing traditional activity-based funding. By partnering with technically proficient and reliable fund managers, optimal utilization of public funds can be ensured, leading to successful project implementation and collaborative attainment of development goals alongside responding to beneficiaries’ needs. This aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP).

Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge that achieving national developmental goals requires innovative approaches that leverage private sector capacities, while fostering economic growth and development. Sustained development in the long run demands a departure from traditional government funding models, envisioning a future where the private sector plays a pivotal role. Without such efforts, there remains a significant disparity between the needs of the local communities and the current allocation of the CDF.

Thirdly, fund managers bring their expertise to the table by identifying viable investment opportunities, effectively controlling and monitoring risks. They can make investment decisions based on the fund's objectives, investment guidelines, and the risk tolerance of the investors. In addition to managing the CDF, fund managers can handle administrative tasks such as accounting, reporting, and compliance with CDF regulations.

The inclusion of fund managers in CDF project management also provides multiple benefits to the government. Firstly, it relieves the burden on Local Authority personnel, allowing them to focus on their other responsibilities, while also creating employment opportunities for graduates and addressing high unemployment rates. The private sector's dynamic nature and responsiveness to market demands make it more effective at generating employment. Secondly, fund managers have the potential to generate tax revenue through corporate taxes and employee income taxes, providing vital funding for the CDF. Additionally, their involvement can drive innovation and technological advancements through research and development, fostering productivity and competitiveness in the economy. These strategic benefits contribute to more efficient CDF project management and hold the potential to positively impact the country's socioeconomic development. 

GRANTING LOANS AND PROVIDING GRANTS SHOULD REMAIN WITH THE CITIZENS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION (CEEC).

As proposed by the Private Sector Developmental Association (PSDA) Chairperson, Yusuf Dodia, CDF should not be channeled towards the empowerment of small-scale businesses. It is imperative to allocate CDF resources exclusively for developmental projects in constituencies. It is essential to emphasize the clarity of the matter at hand: the allocation of 20% of CDF specifically designated for Youth and Women Empowerment, consisting of 40% in grants and 60% in soft loans is misguided.

Maybe this allocation is warranted due to the existing challenges faced by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). The commission requires significant reforms as it is currently grappling with numerous internal and external obstacles. These challenges include inadequate financial resources, insufficient office space, a shortage of personnel, non-repayment of loans by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), lack of autonomy, absence of CEEC officials at the district level, problematic appointments of CEEC officials, and political interference. These hurdles hinder the commission's ability to efficiently and effectively carry out its responsibilities.

To address these issues, the commission should be perceived as an independent and competent body that actively promotes the empowerment of marginalized or disadvantaged citizens. These measures will help the commission operate more effectively in its mission of economic empowerment. And more importantly, the commission can effectively take on the financing of SMEs, that will also benefit from CDF through contracts. It is a great positive-sum game. Its primary goal should be to address the constraints faced by SMES in accessing economic resources and developing their capacity for growth, all while mitigating various factors that have hindered their progress. Besides, there is an entire ministry for SMEs.

It is disheartening to hear stories of community members forming groups with the sole intention of obtaining CDF loans or grants, only to later misuse the funds by distributing cash among themselves.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, allocating K28.3 million to an agency which had previously struggled with managing K1.6 million just sets them up for failure. This also contributes to project implementation delays and potential neglect of other mandates by the Local Authority staff to solely focus on CDF projects which have more political pressure. However, although on paper there is a minimal role of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the implementation of the fund at the constituency level, providing for the constitution of local committees by citizens themselves, MPs still return a greater influence on who gets to be in the CDF committees and which projects gets prioritized due to the lack of safeguards.

THE PITSTOPS AND TERRORS OF PARENTING

Few days ago, was my birthday and I had some deep reflections on my life and mostly on my parenthood. I have kids that I don’t know how to raise and this none ending learning curve is a tall order. How will they turn out to be when I am gone and forgotten? How do I insulate them from the growing ills in this world which aren’t showing any cultural inertia? Will they sustain a heritage that values community, loyalty, and tradition?

In all this, I was being reminded of the quote from a postapocalyptic novel by G. Michael Hopf which sums up a stunningly pervasive cyclical vision of history and reinforces my fears. "Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” The idea, which I have developed and perfected me over the years of my existence on this God's green earth, posits that harsh conditions make for morally pure and strong people, while wealth and sophistication make for decadent and weak societies. 

Though this is a sweeping generalization by G. Michael Hopf which may not always be true, I am of the belief that the claim in question holds more veracity from what we have witnessed both in our lives and that of others. While it may be also true that not every successful person underwent significant adversity, truly remarkable individuals in various respective fields were forged in the crucible of affliction and trauma. The act of emerging from a place of darkness or using tragedy to cultivate one's character, as opposed to succumbing to it, confers immense benefits. We are captivated with the stories of Jesus Christ, Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Kapwepwe et cetera because of how they used every stone and mud thrown at them to build walls and lift themselves from the valleys to the mountain tops. Having worked so hard not only for their own recognition but also for that of their fellows because they were never born in privilege, nor with a silver spoon in their mouths. The notion of extreme ownership for one’s actions is relevant in this regard, as it entails adopting the mentality that one is responsible for everything that happens, and therefore, never a hapless victim of circumstance. This potent mindset elevates one's capacity to an exalted level, as the victim mentality limits one's efficacy and autonomy. Know that you are the master of your own fate, the captain of your soul, as penned by the poet William Ernest Henley in the famous poem, Invictus. 

In my growing up, my mother employed a firm approach to toughen us up, insisting that weakness would not be tolerated in the face of adversity. My mother, if you dared to come back home in tears after a perceived defeat by my peers, would not hesitate to pummel you while questioning your lack of retaliation. This was also a time when the saying "it takes a village to raise a child" was not only true but was at the apex of its usages. During this era, any elderly person nearby could fulfill the duty of molding a child's character by instilling discipline whenever they deemed a misdeed.

My own experiences of hardship and struggles growing up have driven me to an obsession of wanting to shield my children from such adversity. However, without experiencing the darkness, how can they appreciate the light? How do I improve my kids' lives without spoiling them with material possessions they demand? How do I instill in them the sense of resilience and tenacity that I acquired through my own struggles?

In times of adversity, fortitude, self-sufficiency, and collaboration are the hallmarks of those who endure. It is during these periods of hardship, whether it be the crucible of poverty or some other crucible of strife, that super-ordinate objectives emerge as a potent force for unification. Empirical evidence in social science attests to the efficacy of such objectives in uniting men and women, urging them towards cooperation and collective action.

Fast forward to the present, and as a parent myself, my children are the ones disciplining me with blackmail and all sort of manipulations. I need to bribe them or/and provide incentives for even the most basic actions like bathing, eating, or going to sleep. Their first greeting upon my return from work is, "what have you brought for us?" And they have the resilience and stubbornness of a donkey.

It's a common theme among parents – me inclusive – to strive for providing a better life for their children than they had themselves, yet they often fail to consider the type of children they are raising and leaving for the world. Many of us are absent parents and deep in a sunken place with an obsession to work and provide for our families that we even forget to be parents. We are guilty of leaving parenting to cable tv, domestic workers and school teachers. And we get surprise when kids turn out to be strangers to us? 

I’m not an apologist for crude parenting, nor am I here to glorify suffering. No. I hate poverty with all my being. But I “glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” – Romans 5:3 – 4. The reality is that parenting, like marriage, has no one-size-fits-all approach, and we must find what works best for us in our unique circumstances. 

It is undeniable fact that life is full of its own challenges which will be presented to them at every corner. What we should do as parents is to prepare them so that they can have the ability to express and process their emotions, learn and grow from every curveball. Not creating wimps.

We must also acknowledge that our children will inevitably form their own identities and personalities, regardless of our efforts to shape them. As parents, we can only do our best to guide and mold them into becoming responsible, compassionate, and capable human beings. And if God wills it, they will turn out to be successful and responsible citizens. The suspense, unpredictability, pitstops and terrors of parenting just adds to the flavour of life. Life would have been boring if all things were predictable.