By Chimwemwe Mwanza
It’s certainly easy for opposition leaders to criticise decisions and policies of a sitting government because their vantage enables them to serve as the bulwark to reigning in on excesses of the government of the day.
As the leader of the largest opposition party then, President Hakainde Hichilema executed this role with much perfection and humility. For more than a decade and a half, he consistently positioned himself as a voice of reason – often providing critical checks and balances to past governments. The tables have since turned and opposition sharks are consistently circling his cage baying for his blood. Surprisingly, it’s worth noting the ease with which his foes have exposed his vulnerability to criticism.
For somebody that promised to de-link partisan politics from government, a few of his decisions are baffling to independent moderates – except if you are a UPND faithful. This political summersault is an apt reminder to his faithful that the President is but a fallible mere mortal that is susceptible to error. Lest we forget, HH as the incumbent President is no longer a UPND but a national asset whose decisions should transcend beyond party zealotry. And not everyone critical of his decisions is after his job, for some, it’s more about patriotism than self-interests.
That said, why should he be complicit in activities that seek to appropriate significant national events to his party?
Case in point, Africa Freedom Day is meant to celebrate and honour pre and post-independence leaders that have helped to positively shape Zambia as well as the continent’s social and economic trajectory. Accepted, the President may also use this opportunity to reward and acknowledge ordinary citizens that have served the country well in their respective areas of speciality.
Of significance though, this day is meant to celebrate luminaries such as Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Kenneth Kaunda, Amilcar Cabral, Augustinho Neto, and Ben Bella, among others for their role in helping to free the continent from political bondage.
On the local political scene, it’s unthinkable to celebrate this day without remembering the role that the likes of Harry Nkumbula, Simon Kapwepwe, Munukayumbwa Sipalo, Mainza Chona, Grey Zulu, Alina Nyikosa, Nalumino Mundia, Mary Fulano and Chibesa Kankasa – just to mention a few struggle stalwarts that played a role towards liberating the country from colonial rule.
Presiding over the recent investiture ceremony at State House to mark Africa Freedom Day, the President honoured Mercy Changwe, commending her gallantry in defence of democracy and multipartyism. So, who is this Mercy Changwe that supposedly ranks high among a pantheon of African greats? What has she achieved thus far to deserve this prestigious award? A quick browse through Wikipedia or notable Zambian history books draws a blank to her name.
Then what criteria did State House use to accord her this honour? Ms Changwe – a vegetable hawker is supposedly a victim of PF brutality. She was allegedly assaulted several times by cadres from the former ruling party. Despite her ordeal she never renounced her membership of the UPND – this is according to State House.
Could this really have been a basis for conferring her with such a massive honour? Mind-boggling stuff, right? At another ceremony to mark Zambia’s independence day in October last year, the President bestowed the Order of the eagle of Zambia second division posthumously to the UPND’s Founder and President Anderson Mazoka for his immense contribution to Zambia’s plural politics and good governance.
Take nothing from Mazoka, he was a visionary that helped to elevate as well as transform Zambia’s railway transport sector but to deserve this award, ayikona man. The President further used the same ceremony to honour the UPND’s long time accountant, Backstone Mambo. As one of the founders of the UPND, Mambo was brutally assaulted by police when they raided the UPND offices – permanently damaging his spine.
Never mind the duo’s contribution to the UPND’s rise to power, the governing party seems to have thrown its ideals of meritocracy in determining such decisions to the wind. In the case of Changwe, there is no evidence whatsoever to prove or suggest that her non-renunciation of her UPND membership helped transform Zambia’s political landscape. Her decision to stick to her party despite living in perpetual torture had little to do with a national cause.
In addition, the President owes it to the entire Zambian citizenry across the political divide to make rational decisions. And the trouble with entrenching such questionable decisions is that future national investitures risk becoming a partisan affair. An alternative perhaps is for the UPND to start organising its own party sanctioned investitures. Just a thought.
About the author: He is an avid reader of political history and philosophy. The only thing he supports is Kabwe Warriors and Liverpool. Congratulations to Man City – deserving champs, it still hurts a little bit. For feedback, contact: [email protected]
BLAH BLAH BLAH
Ati Chimbwi No Plan….
I would be worried if she was honored by God. But from a human being? Nah
Well Written. Very balanced. I applaud you.
We warned you. They have now made national awards cheap by giving them to their cadres. What did this woman achieve that is exceptional and of national value? Fuseke!
Normalising Zambia from PF confusion was a bit project, and many people contributed at different levels and in different ways. It needed and took people who are principled and consistent; it was Zambia’s second liberation after 1964 and anyone that contributed, like Ms Changwe can be honoured. We’re proud of you madam!!!
No problem honouring those contributing to African Freedom – a continuous process which in future will cover even those currently not yet born. That lady fought for our political freedom .. to ensure that even when we again make a mistake of electing a barbaric government like the previous one (God forbid) the excesses will not be as much. I can only conclude that the article was by some previous panga wielding PF cadre who shamelessly hacked a woman (Mercy) leaving her for dead. Does the photo of a bleeding Mercy make you proud and happy? SHAME ON YOU!
Freedom fighters belonged to political parties, ANC, UNIP also. She demonstrated that anyone can support the party of choice even when attacked by PF cadres. Young men not young women attacked her.
Shocking for Chimwemwe Mwanza to miss the reason Mercy Changwe’s award is premised on bravery she demonstrated in the face of brutal attacks she endured on several occasions. The social media clips that have gone round of her being assaulted left to die is clear demonstration that Ms Changwe had resolved come what may, her conscience was clear what she believed. To your shame Chimwemwe, Ms Changwe in one of the clips asks ‘Is this Democracy?’, while blood dripping from her brutal PF beatings. What answer would you give to such an honest simple woman?
I think, to deserve recognition as a freedom fighter, you would have to have put your very life on the line, for every Zambian – man, woman, child – whatever tribe or race – humanity itself! Suffering a few harassment episodes at the hands of thugs does not constitute freedom fighting! If this were the case, everyone who was harassed by the previous regime should be accorded a National accolade. This lady’s fight was more for her own family’s survival than for a child in Nalolo, Kasempa or Chinsali. Let’s be realistic!
KK NEVER honoured Kapwepwe, Nkumbula etc because they were not in UNIP. This woman would never be honoured by any other party, if not UPND. She deserves it for standing for democracy. You do not have to be in Wikipedia to be honoured, but once honoured you may be in Wikipedia. Mama Julia Chikamoneka is not in Wikipedia!
UPND should have used party policy and machinery to compensate this lady. As it is HH is using govt for partisan agendas just like Lungu and in fact all his predecessors used to do. Doing the wrong thing over and over doesn’t make it right. Zambia will be lost because leadership is lost
Can you imagine another 5 years of lungu and PF………….?????
Zambia would have been like Zaire…….
Those who stood up to the brutality of PF and lungu , indeed deserve recognition…..
Also, where are the thugs who brutalised these brave citizens ????
Many were brutalised and maimed by PF , but ……….
Can the police give an account and update of where the thugs and their handlers who brutalised these people are ?????
Any blooger here who has ever experienced Political violence? The fact that we still hack each other with pangas means we are not free to think independently and still be respected.
Mr Chimwemwe Mwanza why do you have to announce to all that you are a Liverpool fan? Why do Africans think they must support a team from their colonial masters? These inferiority complexes are what brings us backwards. Try supporting only Africa
Such a shallow write up. Did you even do any research? All those individuals you mentioned were not independent of a political party. Many if not all were members of UNIP. Before you make your next writeup public, have it reviewed by a grade 11 or grade 12 student from a government school. So embarrassing to say the least.