Maravi

Forgive Sata, but never forget

Forgive Sata, but never forget
By Editor
Wednesday August 29, 2007 [04:00]

Michael Sata's apology to the nation for being part of the political leaders who enacted bad laws in the country is welcome. But while the people of Zambia can forgive him, they can never forget. However, it is important for Zambians to know why and how Sata and his colleagues enacted such bad laws he is today talking about to ensure that this is not repeated.

This is the only way we can bestow on Zambians the greatest gift - a more humane, just and fair society. In this way, we will make sure that never again shall the laws of our land legalise the unjust, unfair and inhuman treatment of any of our people. There is no way we can build a just society on the basis of unfair or barbaric laws that seek nothing but revenge.

But how could so many people - over a hundred and fifty members of parliament - fail to see that the laws they were passing were unfair? What happened? What is it that had blinded Sata and his colleagues from seeing what he can today see clearly? Men and women must follow the dictates of their conscience, irrespective of the consequences which might overtake them for it. There was clearly no vision in the politics of the men and women who passed these laws which Sata is today condemning. Their politics was certainly without any moral foundation.

It is true that one cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgement until he has shown his colours, ruling the people, making laws.

Sata today is realising and acknowledging that the laws he and his colleagues enacted were bad laws and that when he was in government, he didn't think that some of these bad laws would affect him personally after getting out of power and apologises for his ignorance. One should be able to feel the blow that is being landed on another person's cheek even though it is not on his own, and should accordingly be moved with indignation whenever an injustice is committed against another human being.

Sata and his colleagues were used by Frederick Chiluba to enact a law removing bail on motor vehicle thefts, knowing very well who the target of this law was - Archie Marlie Mactribuoy. But they forgot that those who are not capable of defending the humanity of others will never be able to defend their own humanity when it is challenged or threatened. By defending the humanity of others, we are actually defending our own humanity, our own dignity.

It is not hatred alone which is contrary to the laws of charity and solidarity, but also indifference to the welfare of our neighbour. When people think only of themselves and their own particular group, then there can be no justice and fairness in the nation. Solidarity is a basic fact of human existence. No person is an island, cut off from others and self-sufficient. Let us always remember the proverb: "I am because we are, and we are because I am." Let's build a community of loving and sharing persons, a community of solidarity.

Justice in the nation should begin with our politicians, our lawmakers. And they themselves must be the first to give witness. This is so because they cannot call others to virtues which they themselves do not make an effort to practice. For this reason, we ask our politicians to respect themselves and to be exemplary in their daily lives. They should ensure the fair treatment of every citizen or human being in this country. Their political decisions should be guided by authentic values and authentic values are those practiced with absolute freedom.

Our politicians shouldn't forget that the politics they are in is an area of great importance for promoting justice in the nation. And they should never choose to use politics to promote injustice in the nation.

Many things may become baggage, may become encumbrances, if we cling to them blindly and uncritically. Having made mistakes, you may feel that, come what may, you are saddled with them and so become dispirited; if you have not made mistakes, you may feel that you are free from error and so become conceited. There is need for critical awareness. Modesty helps one to go forward, whereas arrogance makes one lag behind. This is a truth we must always bear in mind.

Some of our politicians have become arrogant and high-handed in their behaviour towards the people, always seeing their own achievements but never their own shortcomings and always welcoming flattery but never criticism. We must endeavour to eradicate these faults.

We should never allow ourselves to do wrong things, to enact bad laws for the sake of staying in good terms with those in power, with the president of the time. We should not let things slide for the sake of friendship when a person has clearly gone wrong, and refrain from principled arguments because he is an old acquaintance, a fellow townsman, a schoolmate, a close friend, a loved one, an old colleague or old subordinate. Or to touch on matters lightly, instead of going into it thoroughly, so as to keep on good terms. The result is that both the nation and the individual are harmed.

We should not vent personal spite or seek revenge instead of entering into an argument and struggling against incorrect views for the sake of remaining in good terms. To hear incorrect views without rebutting them, to support bad legislation without opposing it, as if there is nothing wrong with it, is criminal. To see something harming the interests of the people and yet not feel indignant, or dissuade or stop the perpetrators, is betrayal of the people. It is foolish to be aware of one's own mistakes and yet make no attempt to correct them.

Our politicians should protect the interests of the people and work to establish a state that protects the people. Only when the people have such a state can they re-mould themselves by democratic methods, with everyone taking part and not allow themselves to be led astray by political mercenaries.

Sata's attempt to apologise for the bad laws he and his colleagues enacted when they were in government is a good thing. But it is not hard for one to do a bit of good. What is hard is to do good all one's life and never to do anything bad, to act consistently in the interests of the broad masses of our people and to engage in arduous struggle for decades on end. That is the hardest thing of all. And this is what we urge all our politicians to do.

Labels: EDITORIAL, SATA

posted by MrK @ 3:24 AM