Maravi

Happy 85th birthday to an exemplary citizen

Happy 85th birthday to an exemplary citizen
By Editor
Sat 31 July 2010, 04:00 CAT

Today, Simon Zukas, an outstanding leader of our country, turns 85 – one year younger than Kenneth Kaunda. Like KK, Simon is a young old man. We say this because Simon still carries in his heart and in his actions the enthusiasm of a young man, of his early days as a revolutionary, a freedom fighter and a nation builder.

Today, at 85, Simon is still very involved in the affairs of our country, helping our leaders to make decisions that are in the interest of our people. Simon is also very involved with many young people who are interested in the affairs of their country. Simon’s militant and unswerving commitment to Zambia embodies many values which we wish to acknowledge and honour today.

There are people who, by pursuing their own convictions and without being self-conscious about it, touch the lives of millions of others. Such has been Simon’s life.

We are not sure if Simon ever thought of himself as a white Zambian. Nevertheless, the fact remains that his close to three quarters of a century of activism have served and will serve as an outstanding example, for many of our people, of what it means to be a good citizen, and an exemplary one at that.

In a region, in a world in which there was a racially oppressed majority, non-racism is not an outlook that can be simply taken for granted. Simon has contributed immensely, through his personal example, to nurturing an outlook which is so evident in KK’s leadership and, increasingly, in our country today. Let those politicians who have based themselves on narrow ethnic constituencies, supposedly to safeguard personal interests, now ponder over Simon’s example.

Simon’s active participation in the politics of our country, the affairs of his homeland also symbolise and personify the purpose and meaning of our independence struggle. It is about a common commitment to overcoming, as absolute priority, the suffering of our people, their poverty and backwardness.

Simon’s contributions to the struggles of our country are many. But it is, we think, especially as a strategic thinker that Simon is held most dear by so many in the politics of our country. Simon has played a role, often a central role, in most of the outstanding strategic issues of the politics of our country.

After independence, Simon spent a lot of time working to try and develop the economy. He was part of many projects that were undertaken by government and sometimes even by the private sector. When the time came for serious political changes and doing away with the one-party political system, Simon was again there, providing leadership and guidance. And he is still there today, providing similar leadership and guidance to all our politicians, regardless of their political affiliations.

Simon has always been able to respond practically and dynamically to changing circumstances. He has had the courage of his convictions, spelling out the implications of new situations which sometimes most of our politicians have found difficult to admit.

We are extremely fortunate to have within our country such an outstanding and exemplary citizen, who has combined a rigorous mind with the attention to practical organisational work. It is with a sense of real pride and emotion that today we join his family, friends and other Zambians in celebrating his 85th birthday and thanking the Lord for giving us such a citizen, such a leader and a true friend of all our people.

We believe there is much more to be said about Simon; much more than the heavy political tributes that we are trying to give him. But this 85th birthday gives us a chance to celebrate Simon’s contributions to our country and tell him and his family what he means to us.

Serving with Simon on the board of Post Newspapers Limited was a privilege. It gave us a rare opportunity to have a deeper insight into the intellect and the clarity of thought of one of the outstanding revolutionaries of our country. Whenever Simon spoke in meetings, everyone sat up and listened because his contributions were always of a strategic nature, far-sighted and focused on the broader objective.

We have no doubt whatsoever that at the end of his days, Simon will leave us a formidable legacy. He will pass the torch to us. And we can assure him that we will not allow the flame to be extinguished. We will hold it high. Simon will always remain a symbol of commitment and dedication in the struggle to achieve a better life for our people. Simon never shirks from taking tough decisions but he is always very sensitive to the real needs of the most deprived.

Simon is a true human being for our country, a challenge to be humane. With him, the racial issue is defied and one cherishes to be human.

Apart from his obvious political impact on the lives of ordinary people, Simon has done a whole lot of good to so many people by demonstrating how not to give up, how not to despair. At 85, Simon still drives himself around, trying to hold discussions with any Zambian he sees as of value to the country and to his people.
Simon’s 85 years of life teach us about opportunity, choices and commitment to transforming society to the benefit of the poor.

Truly, Simon has not wasted his time and his life. And there is reason for us to celebrate his 85th birthday and thank Simon for what he has done for us and what he is still continuing to do for us. What can one do in one life? Simon, we thank you, we love you. We give thanks for your humanity. There are two major motivations towards helping fellow human beings. One is religious.

The Fatherhood of God Almighty betokens the brotherhood and sisterhood of humankind. We are all God’s children, responsible for the wellbeing of everyone on earth, commanded to reach out the hand of help to the other. Social justice and benevolent action are as old as the Bible.

The prophet Amos, for example, stoutly defended the oppressed, thundered with indignation against the idle rich for their ill-treatment of the poor: “Let justice well up as the waters, and righteousness and a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24).

The second motivation is humanitarian – it springs from a deep sense of identification with the oppressed, the ability to hear their cry, an acute awareness of the realities of poverty, a personal anguish at the suffering of fellow human beings.

This is Simon’s way. His humanity is boundless and inspirational; he is a true champion of the oppressed and the poor. We consider it an honour to know this man and work with him and be counted among his friends, young as we may be.

Labels: SIMON ZUKAS

posted by MrK @ 3:28 PM