By Daimone Siulapwa
IF some of these stories were not true, they could have been useful material for comedians like Bikiloni, Difikoti, Bob Nkosha, Chibwe Katebe, Dangerous Joburg and others to use during their stand up comedy performances.
But unfortunately, the stories are factual. And if these comedians were to pick on any of the material for their performances, then they would merely be using second-hand material. Maybe, they may even have to negotiate with the copyright owner. Although he has not patented them, copyright is copyright, and they would just have to respect that. And knowing how quick he is to rush to court, they are better of watching from the distance as real comedy competition comes their way.
Indeed, for those of us who are unable to go to the Lusaka Playhouse to watch some comedy performances, we can safely say, we have not missed that much. Mr Michael Chilufya Sata has provided plenty of it. Sad thing is that these comedy performances by him are not meant to amuse the public. They are real action, a reflection of his character. Had Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, leader of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) been becoming these antics at, say, the Lusaka Playhouse, Chingola Arts Society (CAS), Kitwe Little theatre, Mufulira Arts Council, Lowenthal Theatre or RADOS, then certainly they would have been laughable. But they are not laughable, because, apparently, this is a man who intends to become the Head of State for this youthful country of slightly 13 million people.
Mr Sata’s antics in the political arena are many, that to go through all them, would probably an effort worth a book. But since this is an election, it is only proper and fair that a close scrutiny is made of our leaders. All the leaders!
But first Michael Chilufya Sata.
While his antics are many, we shall start or even restrict ourselves with his latest. Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, having woken up in the morning last Tuesday, decided to do what most active citizens do, scan through the daily newspapers. Upon stumbling on the government-owned and State-controlled Zambia Daily Mail, he took particular interest. Not because the publication was as usual loaded with stories praising government for this and that, but because the lead story belonged to him.
Apparently, Chiefs in Luapula province where Mr Sata had just completed a tour had rejected him, and even refusing to meet him. The only one who managed to meet him is Chief Mumpolokoso, and even his case, it was only after he forced his way past the chief’s retainers. As if that was not enough, most lodge owners refused to accommodate Mr Sata, telling him that they did not have space even when they had, thereby forcing the PF leader to shelter at some Catholic guest house.
Apparently, the chiefs all had refused to meet Mr Sata until he apologises to Paramount Chief Chitumukulu, whom he had disparaged. Well, this story, not the first against him in the local media as there have been countless others including in the private press, was enough to unnerve Mr Sata. He could not take it any more. But what was he supposed to do?
Well, he thought fast and furious, the best way is react to the story is to drive all the way to the Zambia Daily mail on Longolongo Road and confront the newspaper. The newspaper in this case would have been to see either the chief reporter on the news desk or the news editor who would have then instructed a reporter to get Mr Sata’s reaction to the story. As to whether that reaction would have come in the manner Mr Sata would have loved it, is another matter altogether. The other alternative was for Mr Sata to make a written response, which could, if he wanted, have been circulated to all media houses. Even more, Mr Sata would have simply called for a press briefing at which he would have clarified the story, if at all there was any that was needed. More still, he would have gone to the Post newspaper, which seemingly has a sympathetic ear to him and made his reaction. But no, that would not be enough for Mr Sata; he needed the Zambia Daily editorial management to know how he really felt. And the best way to do so is not to walk to the newsroom as he has done in the past. Instead, he would right upstairs were the editorial management team of senior editors were having their daily meeting and confront them. And that he did, first knocking, and then entering and pouring out his feelings.
Surely, there must be other civilized and acceptable ways of dealing with a bad press than this. Mr Sata has been in the public limelight for way too long that he should know how to deal with the press. His conduct, to say, the least was unacceptable, unstatesman-like and does befit a person aspiring to be republican president. And by the way, it is not the first time Mr Sata is displaying this kind of behaviour. For at one he time, he forced his way to the Secretary to the Cabinet demanding that he be declared President and be sworn in accordingly.
Simply put, what drama this country has been made to put up with from so-called political leaders.
