“Dodging Mwamba’s Muddy Traps – Strategic Missteps in Political Engagement”
By Linda Banks
Emmanuel Mwamba has once again proven why he remains a formidable figure in Zambia’s political arena. The journalist-turned-tactician has an uncanny ability to set the agenda, pulling strings that leave even the most seasoned political players scrambling. The recent frenzy surrounding his seemingly innocuous question—“Where is the President?”—highlights the reactive missteps of Zambia’s political machinery, raising urgent questions about strategic finesse at the highest levels of government.
Mwamba’s genius lies not in confrontation but in subtle provocation. His methodology is straightforward yet devastatingly effective: light the match and step back as the fire spreads. When government operatives and officials respond emotionally or reactively, they validate his tactics, further fueling the chaos he orchestrates.
Take, for instance, the latest episode. A single post by Mwamba triggered an avalanche of rumors, debates, and conspiracy theories. Instead of maintaining composure, high-ranking officials engaged directly with him on his own platform. In doing so, they handed Mwamba exactly what he wanted: legitimacy and control over the narrative.
Linda Banks, a journalist and lecturer in Sussex, doesn’t mince words in her assessment of this strategic blunder. “Engaging Mwamba directly, especially from high office, is a grave misstep,” she writes. “The mud isn’t on him; it’s on you.”
Banks calls Mwamba a “master puppeteer” whose provocations turn even minor issues into national controversies. From questioning presidential whereabouts to commenting on uniform changes within the military, Mwamba’s posts are crafted to ignite political tempests. Yet, time and again, the response from the government has been emotional rather than calculated.
The Problem: A Lack of Strategy
The central issue, according to Banks, isn’t Mwamba’s provocations but the government’s inability to outmaneuver him. “Mwamba isn’t the problem—your strategy is,” she argues. The reactive approach taken by officials, including high commissioners and civil servants, has not only amplified Mwamba’s reach but also undermined their own credibility.
Banks outlines three key solutions:
- Ignore Him
Silence, she emphasizes, is not weakness but strategy. Starving Mwamba of the attention he thrives on would neutralize much of his influence. - Deploy Media Professionals
Instead of engaging directly, the government’s media team should handle public discourse. Trained professionals are better equipped to manage narratives without emotional outbursts. - Think Before You Speak
Words from high office carry weight. Phrases like “watch out” and “be careful” can easily be twisted into threats, playing directly into Mwamba’s hands.
A Call for Strategic Rethink
Banks warns that unless a significant shift in strategy occurs, Mwamba will continue to dominate the political discourse, often at the government’s expense. His ability to test boundaries and manipulate reactions will persist, leaving officials to clean up the mess while Mwamba emerges unscathed.
The article ends with a pointed challenge: “The question isn’t whether Mwamba will keep playing his game. The question is, will you keep falling for it?”
As Zambia navigates these turbulent political waters, the need for calculated, composed, and professional engagement has never been more critical. Whether the government can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
For more insights, contact Linda Banks at [email protected].
She looks just like that airplane behind her. You wonder how many passengers goes in there.
kikiki
You are giving credence to a non entity. Someone who grops at anything for attention. Why give him the satisfaction of attention why what he has to lacks substance or truth.
If we honestly care about this nation and its people stop giving detractors a platform to spew things that dont add value to the lives of Zambians. Sensationalist and rumour mongers and those that feed them dont have the best interests for Zambians. They only seek anarchy and strife. And who suffers when instigators like Mwamba run from the scene of strife?…..
Philosophy
Hence it is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by nature a political animal. And he who by nature and not by mere accident is without a state, is either above humanity, or below it; he is the ‘Tribeless, lawless, heartless one,’ whom Homera denounces—the outcast who is a lover of war; he may be compared to a bird which flies alone.
Aristotle
Where is the president?
Instead of telling us where he is, all that we receive are threats. Don’t you know that citizens are entitled to know his whereabouts as well as his robustness?
If he is sick, we must pray for good and prolonged health to prevail. Also, if he is well and sound we still should pray for continued soundness, wellness, wholeness and wisdom to be lead until 2026 and beyond.
Angels are immortals. Our president is neither an angelic deity nor an ageless divinity. He may tire anytime as a mortal man. Fact.
Strangely a google search for Linda Banks and Sussex university returns zero results