Maravi

Michael and the chiefs

Michael and the chiefs
Wed 19 Sep. 2012, 10:30 CAT

To govern is to communicate. And the meeting of our chiefs from Southern Province and President Michael Sata at State House on Monday revealed the importance of communication.

That meeting demonstrated the fact that our chiefs have a very positive contribution to make towards good governance. According to what we are told by a chief who participated in this meeting, the chiefs and the President were very frank with each other.

The chiefs raised issues with the President for not consulting them on the realignment of Itezhi-tezhi and Chirundu districts. They also told the President that they were concerned with the low numbers of their "children" being appointed to government positions. The responses from Michael were equally frank and honest. Michael agreed with the chiefs on the need to consult. They all agreed on the need for continuous engagement. This is very important because our society comprises a great diversity of interests and individuals who deserve to have their concerns listened to and their views respected.

This is the true meaning of revolutionary democracy. It is a growth in the confidence, in the power of ordinary people to transform their country, and thus transform themselves. It is a growth in the appreciation of people organising, deciding, creating together. It is a growth in fraternal love and understanding.

Participatory governance is measured by the levels of enjoyment by citizens of the goods of society. Service delivery is a way by which a government demonstrates its obligations to the people for whom it is put in place. The ease with which people access various services corresponds directly to the level of their involvement in their own governance. Every citizen has a responsibility to take care of available facilities and to co-operate with government to bring about positive change in his or her community.

Persons chosen to represent the masses in positions of authority are, precisely, chosen to serve. The primary motivation for a person seeking a position of authority should be a deep desire to help others. Attentiveness to the needs of the persons being served is essential to an understanding and fulfilment of this deep desire to help and serve others. Servant leadership encourages the active participation of all members in building one another and society at large.

We believe that the strength of a democracy lies in the involvement of people in their own governance. As such, participation is a key component of any democracy.

We also believe that participatory governance generates an environment where matters of abuse of power, corruption and such other social evils could be controlled and even overcome.

This meeting also demonstrated the importance of dialogue. Dialogue, listening to others and sharing our beliefs with others is not a choice for us; it is a must.

Dialogue is an essential path for the promotion of peace and unity in our country. And all practical steps should be taken to promote dialogue in our country.

In dialogue, one can compare different points of view and examine disagreements.
Through that dialogue, Michael was able to explain to the chiefs the purpose of realignment of districts and the need for decentralisation. He was able to show the chiefs that there was nothing sinister, nothing evil with what government was doing. And that everything was being done to promote the common good.

This meeting also shows us that there are several actors and many viewpoints in any given society. And therefore, participatory governance requires mediation of the different interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the whole community. It also shows us that it requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development.

It is only through a decentralised type of government that the views, interests and desires of everyone in society can be represented through the functions of government. Participation constitutes a right which is to be applied both in the economic, social and political field. And both the chiefs and Michael seem to stand for that.

But all this can only be done together. We must do it together. We must work for it together. We must plan for it together.

It is said that leaders lead, but in the end the people govern.

We need innovation and creativity but not without consultation or participation of others.

The masses of our country have placed great powers in Michael's hands, which he has to share with others as it is fitting that he should, as it is correct for him to do, as it is his duty to do.

We sincerely and firmly believe in the principles of collective leadership. We believe in collective leadership; we believe that history is written by the masses; we believe that when the best opinions, the opinions of the most competent men and women, the most capable men and women, are discussed collectively, they are cleansed of their vices, their errors, of their weaknesses, of their faults. We believe this is the only way we will be able to build a nation with pride in itself; a thriving community, rich in economic prosperity, secure in social justice; a land in which our children can bring up their children with a future to look forward to. Together we can turn this country round and take away despair from our people and give them hope.

The approach that Michael is taking needs to be encouraged because it is the right way to go. Nobody should be left out apart from those who want to be left out. All those who want to participate should be given the opportunity to do so. We can only change things by working together like beavers, shoulder to shoulder with each other.

And the chiefs have a role to play. Let's give them an opportunity to freely play their role. Michael has to govern with the chiefs and with every one of us.

It is said that the best government in the world, the best parliament and the best president, cannot achieve much on their own. And it would be wrong to expect them on their own, alone, to change this country for us. Democracy includes participation and, therefore, responsibility from all of us. It's up to us all, and up to us only, to change our country and our lives for the better.

Labels: CHIEFS, DECENTRALIZATION, DISTRICTS, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 1:54 PM