By Isaac Mwanza
Chris Zimba deserves my heartfelt congratulations for his appointment as President Edgar Lungu’s Special Advisor for Politics to replace comrade Kaizer Zulu who has run his race. Of course Mr. Zulu’s race was not without drama but he is merely human with emotions but he certainly was a player who did the job his boss needed.
Chris’s academic excellence is well known to all just like his open-mindedness is also well known. At a time of his appointment, Chris remained a Strategic thinker and planner for the Constitution Reform and Education Coalition (CRECO), for which he was partly responsible for conceptualizing.
As usual, people are trying as much to dig his previous articles, written at different times including when he was Advisor to Chishimba Kambwili.
When appointing Chris Zumani Zimba to replace Kaizer Zulu, the President knew everything about him. The Security Services did a background check and provided the President with all necessary information, including his views.
The fact that President Lungu appointed Chris Zumani Zimba shows how the President will not just pick on a person because that person agreed with his views on everything. The President’s choice of Chris Zimba is actually what a Zambian President needs for an advisor: someone with an open-mind and with loyalty to one’s country and Government.
So those previous negative views which Chris Zimba has had could have been the strength of his appointment. It could be the President saying: “come and tell me in my face and the choice will be mine.”
The duty of the Political Advisor is to read the politics and advise the President and not the public. The President can either reject his views or take some or modify them altogether. His responsibilities are partly outlined in what President Lungu said to him during the swearing in.
So Chris Zimba is what exactly the President needs. He won’t be doing media interviews. That is not his baby. He has no obligation to do any media interviews as to whether he shares same views or not. His duty is to disseminate his views to the President and only to those the President may want those views known. The President does not need a YES Bwana for an Advisor or someone who share the same views as his otherwise they would be nothing to advise the President if the Advisor and the President share the same views.
So President Lungu has made a right choice. Not that Kaizer was not the right choice. He was. What killed Kaizer is the personal public performance. When it came to work, I have no doubt, he could have served the President very well, no wonder he was not easily replaced.
So the lesson for the new Political Advisor is to learn also from Kaizer on how best to serve the President and what pitfalls to avoid. Being around the President is a highest honour but also maintaining a good public image of yourself is necessary.
Your life must not come to an end when u political advisor. In fact, you need to socialise and get to places, even usual places, as Kaizer used to where u will assemble your political views from.
As Political Advisor, you must understand the grassroots politics and views. These views are found anywhere: bars, churches, funerals, etc. Kaizer could have gone to get those views and he was right to do so.
But most importantly, the political advisor must do his political work in the background for his boss. And do it to the satisfaction of the boss.
As Political Advisor, Chris should quickly devise a strategy that will bring back on board the minds of many youths who spend time complaining in WhatsApp groups to become allies for the President and to himself on his political journey.
Leave no one behind, listen to the views of these youths and let the President know so that all heads are put together to find solutions of embracing everyone
Finally, I wish Kaizer Zulu well in his deployment. If people don’t talk about you, then know you are not really a factor. Mr Zulu must remain happy happy that people did his part while being around the Presidency.
“Finally, I wish Kaizar Zulu well in his deployment.”
Is it re- deployment within the civil service or self-deployment? I thought you would say:” I wish Kaizar Zulu well in his future endeavors. ”
Congrats to Chris Zimba once again and all the best.
This appointment is an interesting test case.
Just last year, Chris wrote that Lungu is corrupt and should resign. He was very vocal on this.
Does Chris want to change Lungu for the better? Or will he simply join in and become corrupt himself? Why has Chris deleted his old FB posts?
Let us all see how this unravels.
That is how to write a “disappointment letter”.
It is either he Issac Mwanza expected a job at State House or is now worried that there will be no bribes coming from State House.
My CONDOLENCE to Issac Mwanza, you will miss Kaizer Zulu.
Its clear KZN has not been fired. President Lungu is smart. He knows how to manage relations
This appointment is not worth congratulating.
I also don’t agree with the author that if a person is not talked about, then they are not really a factor. This statement is not always true, and more especially in the case of Kaizer. Kaiser was talked about concerning his wrong moves both politically and socially.
There used to be a time when our politicians had depth to them. They were learned. They were cultured and principled. They could articulate well. They had a purpose.
But these days, awe sure….
I hope he meant what he said and he said what he meant . KZ should have been fired by Mr Lungu with his eyes closed and with even thinking because he had dented his name for far too long a time .
I hope he meant what he said and he said what meant . KZ should have been fired a long time ago by the President even with his eyes closed and without thinking because he was becoming a nuisance and dented his office .
Politics is a set of activities associated with the governance of a country or an area. It involves making decisions that apply to group of members. It refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance—organized control over a human community, particularly a state. … Politics is a multifaceted word.
As political advisor Dr Zumani will be expected to give is opinions to the president specifically with the aim of helping the president make decisions that are intended to guide the nation in achieving its intended objectives. Sometimes that advice maybe counterintuitive or even out rightly controversial. First order of business should be embarking on a cleansing of the reputation of Zambia as having a corrupt regime. President Lungu has not taken a strong enough position on this…
issue hence in some factions he is accused deserving or not to be involved in these practices.
Secondly the PF appears to be leading from crisis management and not by objective. They have not done a good job in communicating thier plan to the public and hence the country seems to have no clearly defined direction. All we seem to be doing is reacting to crisis after crisis. Government should have clearly defined objectives as well as manage crisis to mitigate the effects. Example is we the people have no idea what the energy policy is supposed to be or what the PF regime is doing to attain those objectives. All we know is load shedding and fuel price increases.
Dr Zumani congratulations and all well intended Zambians wish you every success in your new position. If you succeed the…
I didn’t realize that people from the east are this tribal. This Mwansa is trying to convince us that this is a good appointment. We don’t argue but don’t fool us by insinuating that Zimbas opinion about the President not more than a year ago is his strength. How do you know that the security wings did a back ground check on this guy? Yes he has good qualifications but l doubt he may be appointed in that position if we had a well run state house. So it is clear that you are trying to support a fellow easterner.
Unless u naive, the Presidency is an institution and Lungu would not appoint anyone to such higher office without security clearance. So we may hate Mwansza or Lungu but this insight is excellent
I don’t think HH would make such a move he takes on people like Tayali to court for petty talks even when he is not yet republican president imagine when he is to be elected as one how many people will be jailed for disagreeing with him.iam not fan of HH for so many reasons the Man is too bitter to be president material.
Isaac is smart guy. Dunno why he has not been recognised. m just impressed he cud take time to defend man like Zumani and change the narrative so easily but he ain’t bothered its not him. Very smart indeed
This is a test appointment. The President who appoints a man without managerial experience but excellent education. The guy will either perform or terribly fail. He needs to be surrounded by people who mean well if he has to deliver best. That job isn’t done by single entity
HH, unlike ECL, like dummies who speak same words as him? Can he appoint Tayali? The heavens would open and God’s kingdom would be here. So give ECL a pat on the back. What remains now are major reshuffles at Cabinet level. ECL must just tell current Ministers everyone who is MP is capable of being Minister. He needs to give chance to most backbenchers to also steer Ministries