Maravi

LETTERS - Economic Liberation, Inter Party Dialogue

Economic liberation vital
By Raphael Mukuka
Monday June 25, 2007 [04:00]

“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation”. Nelson Mandela made this statement in 2005 and today it still captures many minds in quotes. Zambia with its people has potential to become great but potential alone is not enough to drag people out of poverty and misery. As a nation, we lack tenacity to become a great nation, we talk loud and write big but that is all we do.


People who make their nations great have determination and a strong plan that stands all weather patterns. What Zambia needs are great thinkers who stand by their promises to give people a better life. These are selfless minds who esteem others more than themselves and are willing to sacrifice for the good of the people they lead.

Our Parliament is full of people who have no idea on building a nation; these are people who took advantage of the electorate to get into politics for prestige and social status and a chance to amass wealth through government contracts and any other means to advantage their businesses.

People who should not even have come near Parliament found their way into the house that determine Zambia’s future and you wonder why there is so much chaos in the nation.

I still have faith that amongst the 11 million people in Zambia, we can find leaders that can steer the nation to a better future and finally get rid of masquaraders.
We must learn to look outside the current calibre of parliamentarians who have not done well.

There’s no future for Zambia in the current crop of politicians starting from the MMD who will have led Zambia for 20 years in the next election. That is a long time to prove to people that a party is worth giving another chance to lead a nation. If you read the newspapers, you will find that politicians both from the ruling party and opposition have narrowed down to debating the constitution alone when there are a lot of issues to debate about and find solutions. This is a sign of narrow mindedness on national issues on the part of parliamentarians. It will obviously take longer to have a new constitution with the way things are going on currently, but in the mean time, a lot of people still need food, water and electricity.

I’m not saying that the constitution-making process is not a matter of urgency, but we should also know that even if we have the best constitution in the world, that will not put food on the table. There are a lot of nations with bad constitutions and their people still have plenty of food.

Currently there is an issue of water and electricity supply that needs immediate answers from service providers and up to now no one from Zesco or any water utility companies have given us a good reason for their poor performance. Some years back their excuse was drought but we just had a heavy down pour with floods in many parts of the country and still the same old problems exist.

These are essential needs that opposition parties should be discussing and offer alternative solutions but they are so busy thinking about the constitution. In as much as we need a new constitution, we will not eat or drink it.

Our opposition parties are so shallow minded when it comes to debating national issues, they are focused on one thing and have no skills to fight for the welfare of the society. I wonder what they will talk about when the issue of a new constitution is finally over. Even colonial masters had the decency to provide water and electricity to communities like Matero, Chiwempala and so on. We are free politically but economically, we are still in chains that need urgent solutions to break.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=28220

Inter-party dialogue
By Gilbert Wandi
Monday June 25, 2007 [04:00]

The picture that came out on the front page of The Post yesterday Sunday 24th, showing President Mwanawasa sharing a light moment with PF president Michael Sata with Sakwiba Sikota in the background at the inter-party dialogue held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Saturday is what Zambians would love our leaders to be doing more often.

The smiles therefore which we saw from Sata, Mwanawasa and Sikota should be genuine and not only used for the press to see that they can also smile in public. Can you imagine what a country Zambia would be if our leaders had time for each other just to sit and talk about the issues affecting the nation? That would help to bring down the unnecessary tension that is usually created in the nation for nothing.

The coming together of the political leaders from MMD, PF, UNIP, UPND, FDD, ULP, NDF and All Peoples Congress Party to find a solution to the looming constitution impasse should not just end there.
Many times we have heard how our leaders be it from the government or from the opposition have exchanged bitter words on some issues affecting the nation through the press when they could have found better a place to talk about such matters.

Zambia is our only country. Therefore, we can either build it or destroy it on our own by the type of leaders we have if there is no consideration or regard for each other.

Those countries which have gone to war are not stupid but it all starts when people in the government start sidelining others even on issues which look very small. It is important, therefore, for our leaders in the government to listen to their masters who voted for them and not to behave as if they can do without us. Remember you are holding those public offices because people voted for you and therefore thou shall not take people for granted.

What happened on Saturday at Mulungushi International Conference Centre when our political leaders put aside their political affiliations to discuss issues affecting the nation is the best way to move forward as a nation, instead of having unnecessary tension in the country.
That spirit of dialogue exihibited by our leaders should be encouraged to continue for the betterment of our country. And please, any discussion that affects the country should be considered to be very important no matter how small. No one comes out as a loser from such gatherings if they all agree to do one thing for the benefit of the entire nation.

Labels: LETTERS

posted by MrK @ 4:34 AM