Maravi

‘Politics of deceit and manipulation’

‘Politics of deceit and manipulation’
By The Post
Wed 20 July 2011, 14:00 CAT

Reverend Richard M’bao says politics of deceit and manipulation are the root cause of poverty and underdevelopment in Zambia. He also says that what Zambia needs is sincere leadership. And he has appealed to the people of Zambia to demand credible leaders because “the country needs a leadership that will provide relief and restore dignity in the lives of many people, a leadership that will restore the integrity and independence of the judiciary, the public media, law enforcement agencies and other state institutions”.

Indeed, this is what this year’s elections should be about – the choosing of leaders who will help reinforce our people’s belief in justice, strengthen their confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all; leaders who will help us triumph in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people.

Leadership is very vital to the future of our nation. But in the end, good leadership will be achieved, not by the formality of structures, but by the integrity of the participants and by the willingness of all of us to work together and be inspired by a larger vision.

We have a role, as citizens, to play in the construction of a leadership that will create the Zambia we want to live in. And while it is necessary to hold our politicians accountable, it is equally important that in our own lives, we exemplify the leadership values we wish to see in our leaders, namely justice, integrity and trust. The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive. And power is the ability to do good things for others.

Rev M’bao further advised Zambians to vote for leaders that will spearhead good governance and heed the cries of the people over the constitution. Politics need people with credibility. Their presence in the political arena can bring good values to the political process. It is our duty, as citizens, to ensure honest politics in our country.

An authority, a political leadership, is needed to guide the energies of all towards the common good. And government is the instrument by which people co-operate in order to achieve the common good. In a democracy where leaders are chosen by the people and for the people, such leaders should view themselves as being representatives of the people at all levels. These leaders should listen to the people, respect the people and work for the welfare of the people. It is said that “the ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people”. Let the people’s representatives fight against injustice; let them devote themselves to the welfare of all.

Rev M’bao’s call for the constitution to be an election issue is well-founded because the constitution is at the heart of the nation-building process. The constitution reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people. And it is the constitution that regulates human conduct in necessary matters concerning the common good.

Rev M’bao’s intervention should not be seen as an attempt to discredit any political party. It should be seen as an attempt to bring the light of the gospel into our election decisions and to allow God to “lead us besides still waters and restore our souls”. As a shepherd, Rev M’bao should offer some advice to the voters on what to look for in the candidates and their political parties. In a word, Rev M’bao is urging us to use our votes for the good of Zambia as opposed to the good of a particular individual, group or political party. He is urging us to vote according to our conscience and in accordance with the highest human values without allowing ourselves to be pressured or dictated to by manipulators. Rev M’bao is advising us to evaluate candidates on their willingness to listen to the concerns of the people and their selfless response to the needs of all. He is also urging us to pay attention to the competence of the candidates and their reputation for honesty and selfless dedication to the common good.

We have seen that there is a serious attempt to manipulate public opinion and to fraudulently obtain the support of our people. But we know that manipulators have never deserved anybody’s respect or been successful anywhere. They will give you free houses, mealie-meal, sugar, fertilisers, money and so on and so forth just to confuse you, manipulate you and get your votes. Manipulators are like little sailboats that go with the winds and the waves. Manipulation is synonymous with opportunism.

Manipulation doesn’t have substance; it doesn’t have roots. Everything in life – respect, relationships, serious analysis and understanding – is possible among people who are honest with themselves and others. So when it comes to voting, evaluate each candidate on the basis of their competence, courage to speak out the truth, concern for social justice, desire to work for the common good instead of self-enrichment, disposition to use power for service, especially service for the poor and underprivileged, openness to dialogue, good moral standing, transparency and accountability to the electorate. Weigh every candidate in the balance of truth, justice and unselfish service, and, if they are found wanting, reject them and elect others in their place. Our votes can help eliminate the unworthy and improve the quality of governance in our country. In casting our votes, we should never be swayed by personal profit, tribal or regional bias, but solely by consideration of which of the candidates is better for the nation. Candidates should be voted for strictly according to the good we think they can do.

We must vote wisely and only for people who are known for their honesty, ability, dedication and concern for the welfare of all. Let’s make full and proper use of our right to vote by voting for people who will help us create the type of Zambia we want to live in. If we want a Zambia where justice reigns, we shouldn’t vote for people whose records on corruption and the fight against it are poor. Those who have defended corruption and abused power don’t deserve our votes. Those who have abused the judiciary by manipulating its processes and decisions don’t deserve our votes. Those who are abusing state resources and institutions also don’t deserve our votes.

We need a leadership that sees and feels the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties, of the women and men of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted in any way, as its own joys and hopes, sorrows and anxieties. In short, we need an honest and selfless leadership. This is the leadership Rev M’bao is rightly urging us to choose. Let’s choose a leadership that will bring material benefits to all our people, a leadership that will help our people to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children.

Labels: MMD, POVERTY, RICHARD M'BAO

posted by MrK @ 10:48 PM