By Gray Soko
The revolutions that have swept North Africa ( Tunisia, Egypt and Libya) and the Middle East ( Yemen, Bahrain , Syria and you may add Israel) will for a long time to come be subject of serious political reflection. Some people have suggested that even the best intelligence agencies in the world were taken aback by the intensity of the people’s resolve for change.
One thing which is clear is that human beings have an inherent desire for freedom from oppression, deprivation or poverty. There comes a time when man can no longer sit on the fence, living in a state of denial and realizes that average, mediocre life is beneath his dignity. Having realized this, he is willing to confront and change his situation.
Change always involves taking a risk and often the impulse to change gets muted by the “safety” or “predictability” of the status quo. The person then becomes afraid to want more and fight for more. Don’t rock the boat, the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know are the common cliché’ for inaction. The fact however remains that you can only change or correct what you are willing to confront. This must be the dilemma facing some of us. We really desire a better and prosperous life but settle for less through compliance and acceptance of limitations imposed by others instead of being innovative.
We should not perpetually look for people to blame for our continued underdevelopment at the personal, community or national level. We should not fear change but embrace it for without change there can only be stagnation. Politicians should not instill fear that change will necessarily bring instability or chaos but emphasize the positive things that reasoned change will bring about. Change does not have to be initiated by the opposition either, all well meaning politicians with a passion for the country should embrace change.
Radical transformation is necessary, we cannot hope to build a modern country on the inherited colonial framework ( a shambles of local government, bloated civil service structure, dysfunctional rail/road transport network, urban/rural dichotomy etc ) which is not working for us. We should not be perpetually exhausting resources without corresponding productivity and prosperity.
Do we expect continuity with the status quo or change for a better Zambia after 20 September ?
Number 1!
When is Malawi and Swaziland going to see the CHANGE that happened on the ARAB spring revolution scale? All people who came from Malawi do not function at a higher level but are DISFUNCTIONAL and have a low IQ like William Banda the Infamous VIOLENT MMD leader.
We Zambians need to deport William Banda and RB back to Malawi where they came from, but at the moment we can not because there is a lot of HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES in Malawi.
Hope there will be some DEMOCRATIC protests that will see DICTATORS in these countries go for GOODIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
By the way Did William Banda and RB learn their authorisation of MMD VIOLENCE from Malawi?
We Zambians are very peaceful and DEMOCRATIC!!!
NAFUTI NAFUTI
Ba Soko the change that occured in the Arab world happenned in zambia in 1991.So you and your PF cohorts are 20 years behind.We are in a democratic dispensation and change can only come through the ballot not bullet.
LT you should learn to differentiate incitative writing an normal writing.
There is no need for revolt where you already have democracy.
Why bring the picture of revolt in the arab world run by long time dictators?
LT, have you assessed the spirit behind this article?
Have you acertained the objecting of the article.
Do you think it is justified to commit suicide because you are suffering?
LT must answer such questions before publishing any article on this site.
Danger is not meant for purpose of joking.
Well said, and people still do not want change based on hatred, MMD has given us 20 years and its time to change…Viva PF Viva Sata…..
Gray, well reasoned article. When we are at the brink of change , they instill fear in us that it may bring instability and incite one group against the other. This is why our leaders have kept us in poverty, illeteracy knowing that an educated, affluent society will be difficult to manipulate during elections. It beats logic to see leaders distributing relief maize during campaign and people don’t see anything wrong with that, but sing praises that MMD is a caring party. Shame on our leaders! Remember God has given you this trust and you shall give an account of how you have executed your duties OR you push pipo against the wall and one day will react ant turn against you. YOU ARE TREADING WHERE EVEN ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD!
# 4 TRUE! THE ARAB REVOLTS ARE 20+ YEARS BEHIND OURS. LET’S MOVE FORWARD, NOT BACKWARDS
It is absolutely *****ic to compare what just happened with the Arab Spring to the Zambian situation. We had our own revolutionary Spring in 1990/1991 when people sacrificed, some with their lives, and kicked out one party state and transformed our political landscape to multi-party democracy. You don’t need a revolution in Zambia, you just need to go and vote. Rupiah Banda has been president for just about 3 years. Even the dullest primary school student knows that there is a difference between 3 years and 42 years which Gaddaffi ruled Libya. In all these Arab countries, it the INDIVIDUAL LEADERS they have kicked out; WE DID THAT IN 1991 – unless you were not born then. GRAY SOKO’s analysis is intellectually immature, amazingly naive, and I suspect he was a toddler in early 1990s.
#4 has a point in as far as political freedom is concerned but I don’t think the change Zambia needs is political. It is about prosperity and even the government does acknowledge the unacceptable poverty levels.Even in the Arab world, it is not all about political freedom but prosperity for all.Lets not not have phobias about “change” or “revolutions”. The “industrial revolution” was not about bloodshed. The Israeli protests were not because there is no democracy but infact because there is democracy.They were asking for change in their cost of living.
Ba Soko. Why are you comparing our situation with the middle east? I don’t know what picture you are trying to paint boss. This article may even incite violence. Please we don’t need articles like this sir.
Mr.Soko, what should be changed? And who should change what? It is easy to talk about change happening somewhere else whether for the good or bad. Change must start with the individual before it goes to society and systems of governance/government. It is not getting rid of Rupiah Banda that will make Zambia prosper, but meaningful change at individual level. Zambians must ask themselves what positive change they have done in their society and how they want to do it better?
Did you retrieve this from a newspaper publication before 1991?
You talk so much about change…and yet you don’t seem to perceive the change taking place! Change is always happening whether you see it or not! We are not interested in going back to a one party state if that is your latest idea for change! The ballot is the only power to change government!
What desperation is this!
As a voter, Iam looking for a new vision for Zambia. I think the next government (MMD, PF or UPND) should not continue on the same economic path which after close to 50 years Zambia has not significantly changed and has in other aspects stagnated or gone backwards. This is the change I seek, not complacency. Voting does not necessarily change anything, those voted into office must embrace and implement change.
It is change in the way the government runs where only one man has more powers than the rest. The separation of powers has been compromized. One person calling for malicias to hurt people and the president is laughing. We need a government where the wrong doers will be answerable to an independent judiciary. A judiciary not run by the president to free plunderers at the cost of a poor national. A government which will be putting development for people not cosmetic development in the time of elections only to be abandoned after elections. Of course we have multiparty but look at the way strong opposition is demonised for a small mistake they may make and they over look their mistakes. This is the change want and not through bloodshed but through the coming up of people driven constitution.
continuity
Long before this article, I have heard the phraise: “time for change.” The advocates for change seem to argue that MMD has been in power for far too long and should now be replaced by PF. While it’s true that MMD has been in power for far too long, these people are forgetting that RB is not MMD. He has been in power for only three years and has brought in his brand of leadership. In all fairness, RB must be judged on the basis of his performance as a leader during the 3 years that he has been at the helm of power and not on the basis of the performance of MMD over it’s 20 years of reign. If the long reign of MMD is the yard stick for change, then even Sata himself is MMD and must not be re-admitted to come and steal more just because he re-branded himself as PF.
Long before this article, I have heard the phrase: “time for change.” The advocates for change seem to argue that MMD has been in power for far too long and should now be replaced by PF. While it’s true that MMD has been in power for far too long, these people are forgetting that RB is not MMD. He has been in power for only 3 years and has brought in his brand of leadership. In all fairness, RB must be judged on the basis of his performance as a leader during the 3 years that he has been at the helm of power and not on the basis of the performance of MMD over it’s 20 years of reign. If the long reign of MMD is the yard stick for change, then, logically, even Sata himself is MMD and must not be re-admitted to come and steal more just because he re-branded himself as PF
Ikandulwa why do you reap your self, are you being paid for this? When I was doing my english studies this means you have failed, bring in new points if you have any.
LT, it’s spelt garbage not gabbage, like you’re saying cabbage. For an esteemed Zambian publication, some of the spelling errors are so embarrassing. But I agree with most of the commentors on here, Zambia doesn’t need a revolution. You’ll find, in about 5 years time, most of those Arab countries will be worse off than when they had their secular dictators…those rebels are just Kaponyas with guns. A Zambian revolution would easily turn us into another Rwanda or Sudan. I don’t want my beloved country to transform into an African stereotype.
“Do we expect continuity with the status quo or change for a better Zambia after 20 September?” What a silly question Mr Grey Soko from Mpika, that is actually one question. Of course everyone knows that both “options” are offered only by RB and MMD.
#10 CITIZEN – Israeli protests do not constitute a revolution. These terms are very specific and you can’t just band them about carelessly. The Isreali protests are the kind that happens everywhere. In the UK only recently there were riots. In Zambia, people protested against Chiluba’s third term bid – you could hardly call those revolutionary. At every election people can choose to elect a different president than they had, but that is hardly a revolution. Change yes, but change happens in so many ways. The best way to campain for another Party right now is not to say “Oh, we need change, so let’s vote for that one..” The best way is for the aspiring parties (PF etc) to explain to people how they intend to change Zambia. BUT so far it’s been all rubbish. Opposition are clueless.
Good afternoon
The article is OK and there’s no need to castigate the author here. The problem is that we Africans like to settle for less – to be satisfied with little. A major change may have taken place during the 1991 transformation to multi-party politics but democratically speaking, we are still far from being where we should be. Many Zambians are still lack ing in basic things like well-paid jobs, decent housing, healthcare, education and proper nutrition.
In a democracy, change is the most natural thing and it is inevitable. The challenge for our leadership is to combine peace and democratic governance with a good management of our country’s’ rich resources e.g to negotiate for better conditions for international trade. If they fail to deliver, they need to be changed.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have people talk a lot about change, What is this change we talk about and for what? Are we saying we should change from MMD to PF or UPND? If that is the change then lets continue with MMD but if you say change from MMD to Chipimo, Siulapya or the other people who we have not heard about then lets change since we do not know any wrong they have done politically so far. The rest from MMD,PF, UPND, Miyanda and the likes we have heard a lot about them and that will not be change but marabishi
Why do most bloggers here equate change to voting for PF? Even if you vote for MMD we still require lots of change in the various sectors of the country.The current govt is making headway but still leaves much to be desired.Take the above picture for example- what is the Lusaka city council doing? Look at the pathetic road network,look at our substandard airports,look at our education system, come on people think! Whoever forms govt on Sept 20 needs to lead change for Zambia.Good article
Ikandulwa 17 & 18// I salute you for the point you raised. People who feel MMD has not perfomed and cast whole blame on RB are being unrealistic. Sata has been in MMD much longer than RB. Zambians should actually hold him more answerable for the perceived ill-performance now that Chiluba is no more. What kind of hypocrisy is this, where the long time friend of a “so-called thief” is brought back in the name of Mr.Right to continue the loot? I am certain God is merciful and will not allow hypocrisy to prevail on the innocence.
In a true democracy, change is the ONLY constant. We don’t want a return to the one-party participatory democracy nonsense!
Isn’t this the same soko who early this week, wrote an article on DONT KUBEBA which was exactly the opposite of this? I beg to be corrected but if I may recall, he’s the same fellow and the article was clipped from somewhere, not original idea. But that aside, again I believe this is a cut and paste document just like the dont kubeba one; which I think LT should not entertain. This article has some subversive connotation and not good for this country. If soko and his sponsors have no idea of what change zambia needs, it is thru the ballot on 20th. Zambia is a full fledged democracy, no two ways!
# 9 & 21 kunta-kinte, well said, i totally agree! its high time other political parties come up with sensible ways to reduce poverty in zambia, once and for all! the western world economy is crumbling. there has never been a better chance for zambia and the rest of africa to move forward and prosper, the continent has all the resources to do this.
You are talking ni zi Change has to be a must progress depends on change of ideas not same things same party day in day out 20 Sept LETS SEE SOME CHANGE the way we are ruled the way we develop the way we talk
#27 Tina mwibepesha abantu the Donchi kubeba was written by someone else.READ READ.why dont africans like reading before jumping to conclusions.I think the article is clear and besides the only thing permanent in life is change.If you don’t believe me, look yourself in the mirror!
A Soko nkhami palilani kuti, ” he who pays the piper calls the tune.” You are now compromised. This is not the Gray Soko that we know! It appears someone has payed you and hence you can no longer think independently. This article, can attest to to what am saying. You see Mr Soko I personally think your independent reasoning is a gift that God has given to Zambia, but it seems you have started doing the, “if you can’t beat them just join them.” Don’t be a waste to your generation nor join the loud mouths who are always in the forefront speaking nonsense.
Why is that we live in so much filth? Are Zed people naturally dirty? Look at Zimbabwe, even with their serious economic woes they still manage to keep their properties neat and clean. In Zambia its filthy every where you go. Sad thing is, its getting worse. Lusaka used to be very clean years ago but its a squatter compound the whole city is…. too much mashilo. That’s a shame.
Some towns even used to be announced the cleanest eg Chingola.Its now dirty everywhere.Talk of disorder,people build anywhere they choose.No law and order.The whole system is collapsed.From head to tail.Shame
The picture is pathetic,but then why choose to stay in that horrible environment when the country side offer alot good places with fresh air. Lusaka is not Zambia or copperbelt is not zambia. Move arround zambia you find whites from Zimbabwe staying well outside the city, the so called towns. Infact change is a personal issue. No human being on earth can institute change in your life except yourself.If you expect change to come through a plitician like Sata you are wasting your time and you might die without achieving anything in life.Each one of us is a captain of his/her on life.
From UNIP/MMD Banda to UNIP/MMD/PF Sata, to be honest I do not see any change here, unless you mean changing to the waste. Sata as number 3 and chief advisor to the MMD of Chiluba was part of the same MMD which plundered our economy, there if talk of change to Sata unless you mean Sata and his minions should come back and continue where they left the plunder process. Actually, he is one person who is suppose to help with investigations of those economic plunderers, that is if he was not part, but since he took part, he cannot. Sorry, Sata supporters, your candidate does not the represent the change we want.