FOR ZAMBIA, FOR LOVE!

This year’s Independence Anniversary is commemorated under the theme: Zambia @ 58: Promoting Inclusiveness towards a Sustainable Social and Economic Recovery. However, a selected and anointed few will be invited to State functions where cakes decorated in the Green, Black, Orange and Red – bought using taxpayers’ money – will be cut and eaten live on TV so that the majority of Zambians can watch and just whet their appetites. Drooling over these cakes will be their patriotic contribution. Zambia is 58 years old. 58 years of self-rule and what do we have to show for it? In the immortal words of one famous politician: not much, not much. why? Because of our own failures to seize opportunities that are littered around our yard. And also because of the fact that we are just a single household in the global village, many of failures to realize the returns on independence are absolutely due to our neighbors' orientation.

 

Can I leave for another country? Maybe yes. Maybe not. I think I’m in love with this country. Despite the dirty, dust, diseases and poverty marinated in corruption, lack of opportunities and bad politics. I am in an abusive relationship with my country and my body, emotions and socioeconomic status have plenty of scars to show for it.

My seemingly irrational attachment to Zambia can be perplexing to the uninitiated. Psychiatrists have a name for this kind of behavior. They compare it to the wartime shell shock exhibited by soldiers and explained that the hostages became emotionally indebted to their abductors, and not the police, for being spared death, and dubbed the strange phenomenon “Stockholm Syndrome,” which became part of the popular lexicon in 1974. Is there something wrong with me? 

The answers are that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me and even if I had a choice of hating this country, my umbilical cord was buried here. Forever attached to this country. In the words of Eric Donaldson, this is the Land of My Birth.

We need to develop a generation of patriots who will not just work for self-aggrandizement, but also realign the country on the development path. Patriots that will work to eradicate the vices that have confounded our beautiful country for the past 58 years. Friends, being Zambians has meant always that we need to perpetually navigate varying frontiers. Marking territories of successes, living in the present known and hoping for the better unknown tomorrow.

Patriotism is important for the protection of a country’s culture and historical heritage. It is to take pride in representing one’s nation. Patriotism decides the fate of the nation and is critical building block for development and growth. Patriotism is self-reinforcing: if those who are in leadership were patriotic, they would be prioritizing Zambia and Zambians in all they do. In turn, we would all be proud to Zambian. But there is always a law of diminishing return in the application of patriotism.

Though patriotism has been eroding since 1964, it still smoulders. 

Granted, we still have a lot to do to improve the lives of all Zambians. We should celebrate the progress made whilst at the same time incessantly work on the existing gaps. They are not mutually exclusive.  Let us count our blessings. When the entire Southern Africa was in flames during the liberation movements, Zambia was a haven for South Africans, Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Angolans including Namibians. And in almost 31 years, we have peacefully changed presidents 7 times and allowed ourselves to be superintended on by 4 political parties.

My Zambia is a beautiful country, she is the crown jewel of the SADC and our people are free, no oppression here apart from the self-inflicted by politicians we choose to put in power. We have our valorous women who are as pretty as they are hardworking. The men with an immutable responsibility of providing protection and livelihoods. The vigilant youths who will not hum and haw to kick out any acrimonious politician from power if they are deemed to have forgotten their mandate. With minor vicissitudes, this is homogeneous from Muyombe to Shang’ombo and Livingstone to Chiengi. From the top of the Mafinga Hills at 2329m above sea level to the bottom of the Zambezi river at 329m above sea level and the Liuwa plains, from the Kobompo river to the valleys of Chama and beaches of Samfya.

For me Zambia, is like the Eagle’s hotel California: I can check out any time I like but I (think) can never leave.

Today we cherish the ones who made our independence possible. We salute those who work tirelessly to perfect the Zambian dream.

Happy 58^th My Zambia. I stand and sing for you, proud and free.

Effective Utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund

The Government Of Zambia recently announced that the CDF Act No. 11 of 2018 will be repealed and replaced to speak to what is currently obtaining.

This is progressive and should be supported by all lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. By the next election, constituencies should receive north of K150 million. This is a lot of money that will not only acceleration the wheels of the economy but also improve on human development and dignity. 

However, as they begin relooking at the CDF act and the guidelines, let them also think about engaging the private project management sector to provide for fund management, project proposal appraisals, monitoring and controls. This has dual benefits: the already stressed Local Authority workforce won't be overwhelmed and the private sector is relatively miles ahead of the public sector in ensuring value of money and returns of investment. In addition, government will be creating employment for those that will start managing projects.

For years, Councils have been riddled with CDF mismanagement and were failing to liquidate K1.6 million, I don't think they can manage K28.3 million. I don't have confidence that they will efficiently and effectively manage the K28.3 million. It's a pipe dream to expect so much from them. At least for  now. 

Each constituency can be contributing 10% of their CDF money towards this project management vehicle. CDF is a game changer but we must be intentional in putting up systems that will unlock the full potential and maximum returns on the huge financial allocation.

Humans don't live for centuries. We can't wait for progress. We need a leadership focused on the future, not the past. For progress, cannot wait - Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu

We've a generation that fallaciously claim that we don't owe anyone anything. We owe success to people that have invested and believe in us. We owe people common courtesy and decency. We owe people respect. We owe people apologies and explanations. Accountability is a honourable virtue. 

Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, you are who you are because of how you relate with those around you. We exist in shared space; we can't have absolute positions on many things. Therefore, it is illogical to act like you live alone on an island when you live with and among other people and other things. It is this kind of individualistic thinking that is causing all the ills in the world like environmental degradation, poverty, wars and disease. 

We owe each other what is dictated by our shared existence. Our humanity is contingent on the humanity of others.

In Chichewa, we say kali kokha nkanyama, tili awiri ntiwanthu. This essentially mean that when you are on your own, you are as good as an animal of the wild. But when there are two of us, we form a community. We're formidable!

There is a word – Ubuntu – recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us. - Former US President, Barack Obama, at the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg.