By Charles Kawesha, Livingstone, Zambia
Firstly I mourn the untimely passing of a political legend and leader Michael Sata. We will miss the King Cobra. May his soul rest in peace!
Let me register that I was shocked to the say the least to hear Mulenga Sata announcing his candidature even before his father’s casket could be lowered into his grave. Is Mulenga Sata such an opportunist and power hungry? I asked myself whether President Sata really wanted Mulenga to succeed him and why he never made him even Deputy Minister in his Government. It is un-African that Mulenga as one of the chief mourners should exhibit such naked ambition even before his father is buried! Mulenga is about to tarnish his President Sata’s image, a legacy he has laboured for all his life!
Let me firstly discuss 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 the passing away of President Sata, the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has been gripped with rumours of succession battles on potential leaders to succeed president Sata. 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 of 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 late 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
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.
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.
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 The Mulenga Sata candidature 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. Had late President Sata been alive, he would not have given in to 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.”
PF was Sata.
…these candidates and their vicious cedres (tu bene Max) will hack each other to death.
Mxxm.
Thanks
Mulenga Sata? From selling dogs for a living to councilor, to mayor, to Republican President? You’ve to be kidding me! Please Zambia WAKE UP!! I certainly need to visit Zambia this Christmas.
Just stay in the bush up there! we dont need your negativity!
Yours Sincerely,
Lee Habaponta , Bsc, Msc, Phd
We have never head of of that name in political world since 1964, let be since he is not appearing in books of politic he can give us money by campaning for since they people waint to feed.Ndondi kubeba is good slongn were people get and no campannig for him.
People like Mulenga Sata don’t even worry me, because the chap will never be president of Zambia. Actually the news that Mulenga wants to take over from his father is “good” because any news leading to PF self-destruction such as this one is welcome. The PF is dying with Sata. Just wait after the burial of the late president.
It is HH taking it, no matter what.
Mulenga Sata can just keep his Lusaka clean.
Anything to destroy pama fi party is welcome.Therefore “Mulenga Sata for president/
Well written and presented. Clearly plenty wrong with Mulenga Sata. From dog thief to presidential material- wow, is PF so short of leadership material? Anyway the panga family badabwisa absolutely all the time. What is abnormal they think is ok!!!
selling dogs is not a problem even his father was once a railway sweeper but later he became our president. the current prime minister of india was once a maid or cooker but later he is the leader of india. just say he is not suppose to use the name of his father but must make or earn his nown. Afterow zambia is not kingdom. mind you he is a qualified engineer. don’t be like fred Mmembe who once insulted president Sata with all sorts of abuse when they where eating from the late patrick mwanawasa. and now they are demonising Edga simply becoz he didn’t support their man kabimba and to make he matters worse he became the favourite to succede mr Sata.
People don’t even bother with Mulenga he is not qualified to be president of Zambia because of the parentage clause unless someone wants to hijack the constitution.
I see no difference between Mulenga and Edgar. Just because Edgar presided over the 50 celebrations does not make him anymore qualified than Mulenga or Kambwili. I can never vote for Edgar, I will rather donate my vote to HH.
Pure hallucinations!!!!!!
PF should think outside the box and see if they can bring Felix Mutati on board as their candidate for president. Otherwise you shall end up with some old hag again or some incompetent family member.
@PF Leader
But Felix Mutati is a MMD member of Parliament. Are you suggesting that people should ignore everything the stand for just to serve the interests of the PF? This is the kind of thinking that has left Zambia stuck in the dark ages of political prostitution that only serve the interests of the belly instead of the nation.
How about Chipimo? Mutati was MMD and nothing chills me as MMD people.
Listen to this dog seller turned mayor … you fail to clean lusaka and you think just because your dad was president you can just impose your self. Firstly, make Lusaka the cleanest and not the dirtiest capital city. Secondly, it just shows that zambians were hoodwinked in voting a dynasty and not a democratic party, tell that moron (Mulenga) that the good life has just come to an end. Tine to discover where to sell more puppies than before.
Mulenga Sata does not qualify to be president of Zambia under the current constitution. His mother was born in Malawi (even though she may be Zambian by naturalization). Why are we wasting our time and energy talking about his candidature?
The whole concept of Mulenga wishing to stand leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. At some later date or time and in his own right the idea could be considered. To decide to stand under the current scenario smacks of a situation where somebody would be taking unfair advantage of the late father’s popularity. Additionally, Zambians don’t like monarchist tendencies.
GBM, Wynter, Kambwili, Edgar, Miles Sampa and now Mulenga Sata. These guys should campaign and debate openly for the top position just like the Republican and Democratic candidates do in the USA. But of coarse in Zambia, one would be accused of trying to destabilize the party if one openly campaigns against another party member.
The “Pabwato” dynasty desperately looking for a competent captain as the water gets turbulent. I am skeptical the vessel can be saved. They had seen the storm build-up. They turned a deaf ear to the relentless warnings by numerous pundits. Now it is looking really ugly. PF is doomed.
@Suntwe,
Funny enough even the father was from a “sweeper” to a “President” unless we want too believe that sweeping was white peoples and selling dogs is to white people LOL
Be realistic and look at what the president achieved prior to his presidency. He held various govt portfolios. How many years past before he became president. Don’t ponta most of you chaps in the diaspora have been working as cleaners before you got the other jobs. Let’s just say Mulenga is barred by the constitution period.
in fact pf does not need to be retained it was a one man party whose owner has gone if things were not ok during his time who do you think will correct thing when you can see that they are busy fighting amongest themslves forget them lets pick on others full stop
Mulenga Sata is the best candidate who will fit the position of the republican presidency. Am voting for Mulenga. I will launch a campaign for him soon after the casket of his father has been put into the earth. I dont care whatever he was selling before. What I care is bout quality. I fact I dont waste my vote on candidates who were born in riches. There is a saying “from rags to riches”. His background represents the majority poor Zambians, therefore he will be able to relate with them very well. Viva Mulenga Sata. If he changes his mind and Guy Scott happens to stand, I will vote for the white man as a departure from tribal politics that wrecked this nation. The late will be happy to see either his son or Scott succeeding him. If not, Dr Kaseba will also be the best candidate.
Mulenga Sata is not a good example of a from rags to riches story. His father was in government from Unip to MMD to pf! We know that Sata has many properties in Zambia> Mulenga’s mum has lived in kabulonga for years. You are free to support him but I think he is not ready and is already behind in the game. Plus he is not in central committee. That is why he is desperately rushing to announce his candidature and mobilise cadres. He should have announced after the burial and allowed his cadres to make the calls.
Mulenga Sata is and will not fit to be president of Zambia.
You are just a sick man…..for you everything is tribal ….fool. Why can;t you discuss issues. Was MCS a successful president? By all definitions his sytle of presidency was bush/Villagish. Three years no press conference, the prizes of all commodities sky rocked, do not even talk about Mellie meal…..everything was around the the Link 2000. What about life and living?No people we do not need a monarchy like in Swaziland. We have alot of indigineous Zambians who can do a better job than the circus that we were subjected too. Everything was comedy and uncoordinated jokes.
@Jojo if Mulenga represents the majority of poor Zambians, ( I seriously doubt that given that his father was president for three years and he obtained every advantage politically (Mayor and Lusaka district elections unoposed) economically(running for political office requires access to inexhaustible amounts of cash) and otherwise ( given the platform to shamelessly launch a campaign to occupy his fathers position on national tax-payers media)… but lets assume he represents the poor why him and not the ordinary poor fellow eeking out a living in obscurity doing the best he can for his family – that would make for an excellent rags to riches story. In short give us a break, Mulenga Sata is a cold calculating opportunist who should never be allowed near power or we live to regret it.
Looks more of M Pezeni son or nephew than what he is lol. moneeeeey
Listen to your selves Tongas batupuli castigating Mulenga, UPND will wait for another 47 years to come close to lead this great nation Zambia.Keep on dreaming batupuli
What is ‘batupuli’?
Surely bra if everything will be on tribal lines then Zambia is going nowhere. This attitude of falling onto tribe is what has brought us to this point. You are still denying that MCS was sick (UP to the grave ,Don’t Kubeba) This party MUST go down together with the owner. Just imagine: A party that was built around telling lies!!!!!
@ mei matungu.
To opine that PF is finished is to tell a blue lie. PF is the party of the here and now! Pundits in the know are both openly and quietly joining the party in droves, each passing day!
IF MULENGA SATA wants to run for President of our dear nation Zambia, let him explain to the nation what he went to do at Dangote Industries Zambia Ltd in Ndola at the midst of a Labour standoff which eventually worsened after his visit and remains unresolved upto now. In what capacity did he go there. Is this the type of leaders we can trust and want???. He reminds me of Austin Liato when is was Labour Minister then.
UNPD will never win an election in the next 20 years. Zambians can not make such a mistake of putting the tribal party in power lest they start tribal cleansing against other tribes. Edgar Lungu will take over.
batupuli means ma po lo. UPND will come to power one day but not under HH.
Well articulated and written article, I like the flow of practical examples. This is a well researched article. I think it is clear from what is resonating from many concerned, that Mulenga’ s intentions to take over from his late dad will not be in the best interest of most Zambians. He needs to grow politically and transform himself into a quality leader.
We tasted the Sata leadership for three years and all we got was unprecedented levels of tribalism and nepotism, complete corruption right from state house and total confusion even in the corridors of power. There’s nothing to write home about his leadership, MHSRP. This is the right time for Zambians to make the right choice of who should lead the country to prosperity. Abash the rule of a tribal hegemony. After all Mulenga Sata is not Zambian enough to be our president according to the current constitution and also thanks to his father who refused to give us a people driven constitution that doesn’t discriminate his son. Mulenga Sata is being un-African by concentrating on campaigns to rule before his father is even buried.
Its time for PF official to start packing their katundus we need a leader from another political party like HH of the UPND. Sata described them as useless and as such, they do not qualify to remain ruling as in the absence of their supervisor. Further, these are the same people who used to mislead the late Mr. Sata. Look at the parliamentary by-elections that the country has undergone since 2011, the high cost of living, poor agriculture policies, cadre violence, violation of human wrights, lies, the list goes on and on…………………. Ine nolu pwa lwandi ku mbala nakana uku tekwa naba ntala misoka.
Whilst we are busy mourning his father, he, himself, is busy campaigning for presidency. Does this boy have manners? After all, his father caused us serious miseries. All the good things we are now talking about his father are just out of compassion and not out of truthfulness as you can not talk bad things about someone who has passed on.
PF stronghold is in Northern/CB and Lsk, While UPND stronghold is Southern/Northwestern and parts of western province.Majority of PF voters are Bembas while UPND are Tongas.The PF Govt is full of Bembas while UPND Mps are mostly Tongas. When are Bemba supports SATA its not Tribalism but when a Tonga Supports HH its Tribalism,is it fair?
Are you sure about being strong in Northern Province after refusing to recognize the Chitimukulu?
chibesa, you are not discussing what is at stake. Who is talking about Tongas and Bembas here? Tribalism seems to be in your DNA tefyo. stick to the topic kolokombwa iwe.
This really sad news for Zambia. If Mulenga Sata comes to be president of Zambia I would sure change my nationality. We don’t want to worst another 50 year. This is the time to make things right for the nation. I guess these thoughts are coming from uneducated people who end up being poor. I would rather Dr Scott if he qualified than Sata.
Mulenga’s intentions are mot only legitimate and honorable in terms of national interest but also a must in order to carry forward the liberation struggle to its logical conclusion of eventual economic independence: I hope his late Dad told him this!.
He has two tasks at hand to deal with as of now: The succession problem in the PF has its origin from the beginning of the PF as a political force. The prominent feture of the Barotse question and all the today’s powerful Lozi forces behind the succession maneuvers. This is a very complex transition with very high stakes for the next fifty (50) year!
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You people against Mulenga, who is/are your preferred candidate (s)? You are not mentioning them why?
When did Mulenga say he will stand kanshi. I listened to the interview at the airport and never heard him say that. I am too learned to miss what Mulenga said. You people what is the problem?
Fellow Zambians, name calling is not good. Lets respect even as we advise each other. Back to the topic, Zambian is not a monarch and Zambians will not just accept a political dynasty. It will be too opportunistic for Mulenga Sata to imagine that he deserves the presidency simply because his father was a president. He simply has to merit it
KABILA SUCCEDED IS LATE FATHER IN DRC BECOZ THERE WAS NO ONE GLOOMED TO TAKE OVER.
OUR CASE IS SIMILAR; MULENGA SATA CAN SUCCEED IS FATHER AS PF PRESIDENT.
MULENGA IS A MEMBER OF PF AND IS A ZAMBIAN. HE HAS THE RIGHT TO CONTEST FOR PRESIDENCY.INFACT IS THE RIGHT MAN IN OUR SITUATION.
Read the constitution imwe bantu, where did you go to school? look up the words monarchy and democracy. mulenga is still in morning, mwaluba nentambi shaku lubemba just because you want the post you are not qualified for. losheni fye nomu chinshi please
aMulenga amai anu anachoka ku Malabi, Kodi mwaibala constitution.? you are of foreign parentage baba! This is the same rule they are applying to Guy Scott! go practice your Engineering, if you are really a qualified Engineer