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There is no real opposition in Zambia, says Mambo

There is no real opposition in Zambia, says Mambo
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 17 Sep. 2012, 13:10 CAT

BISHOP John Mambo says opposition political parties should remove the burden of losing an election and focus on contributing to national development. Agreeing with Catholic diocese of Chipata pastoral coordinator Fr Andrew Chenjerani Phiri's view that some people still find criticism in the middle of good things, Bishop Mambo who is Chikondi Foundation president said the opposition should view itself as part of government.

"This is why some of us are being accused of having been bought by the government because we don't just open our mouths for the sake of it. Do we really have to keep quiet where we see government doing well? Should we look for faults even when they are not there? Is that what we call opposition? No. Zambians wanted a change of government and God granted that to them. Now, if you bear a child today, should you start criticising it for every step it takes even before the child grows?" he asked.

Bishop Mambo said the opposition should put an election loss behind and focus on the future.

"The opposition is part of government because in a democracy they are always viewed as a waiting government. They should not always carry the burden of losing an election for all the five years their colleagues are in power. They should put that behind and strategise for the next election by putting reasonable pressure on the government to perform. They should remind the government that you promised this and that to the people. And this should be done with realistic facts, not expecting government to move mountains within a few months of being in power," he said.

Bishop Mambo however said the only problem facing Zambia now was the fact that the country lacked real opposition.

"Most of our opposition parties do not even warrant to be called a pressure group. They are still consumed by anger and bitterness resulting from losing last year's elections," said Bishop Mambo.

Delivering his sermon during morning mass on Radio Maria recently, Fr Phiri said those in leadership should be aware of energy drainers and energy generators.

He said other people always thrive on negative things even in the midst of good.
"Those of you who are in leadership get this; there are energy drainers and energy generators. There are people who are going to criticise even a good thing because that's their nature. Such kind of characters even in a meeting they are going to have their hands up and they will be asking questions without providing alternatives and answers. Critics will always criticise and if you ask them they will say, this can't be," said Fr Phiri.

Labels: CHIPATA, JOHN MAMBO, OPPOSITION

posted by MrK @ 2:27 PM