Democracy, acceptance and political integrity

It is said that Africa is a developing democracy. The questions I always ask myself is who determines or who measures the development of democracy? How do you explain to a lay person that this is democracy? For political scientists it is easy to state or define all these terms like democratic consolidation, election petition, democracy or free and fair according to the books. But the real thing is to live and show where these things are in our country.

I understand that democracy is defined in many ways by different scholars or countries especially those from the so called most developed or most democratic states. But for me the only way you can define such terms is by living or rather experiencing it.

I mentioned that I always ask myself about who determines how democratic a country is. I have always contended that Africa’s democracy can only be measured using itself-Intra or using countries in the continent.

Questions like how does Zambia’s democracy fair with Kenya or Gabon? Or how does Mali’s electoral system fair with that of Angola or Malagasy ought to be asked. I have a problem with questions like how does Malawi’s Democracy fair with that of India, France, North Korea or Chile. Or how does the democratic consolidation of Egypt or Gambia fair with that of Canada.

Not that it is not okay to learn from others but I think continents have or are developing at a different speed. This is dependant on a lot of things like kingship, colonisation and post colonial era. I like to say our democratisation is unique. Our democratisation is also fragile hence caution is needed.

We just had general elections. Like in every vote there are losers and winners. I would call the losers as a group of people who did not sell or do their best in order to win. Winners are those who did the other thing. Sold their candidates, planned well and were less emotional. If political players understand this then it is easy to understand and accept not only the choice of the people but also the situation attached to it-Living Democracy

I think you will agree with me that for the first time in the history of our democratic and political continuum this is the first time we have been subjected to following what is happening in political happenings like petitions and such. Remember the Presidential petitions or the different parliamentary petitions we have had in the past. We just heard that it is finished. But now we can follow probably thanks to social media and the many radio stations we have(including international media). Despite this I think the most important element is because our democracy has develop or rather is maturing. Citizens are now taking a lot of interest.

In support of my earlier sentiment. There is no need for definitions. We just need to see and experience it. Those who can’t see it are not just being fair and honest with the work we have done as a country. It is either they are comparing our democracy with other democracies which may not have the same attributes and characteristics like ours or they are just attention seekers.

Similarly,  I understand everyone has the right to be heard but I also think you can hear people who will accept any verdict whether it goes their way or not. Acceptance of this will help others to embrace you as an individual or group. We can only move on as a country if this elements are brought together. As I have said before in every election there are winners and losers. Acceptance by the two will in turn help us to see all those democratic elements around us.

The only problem I see is that we only think being mature democratically is only when the winners are announced and the President is Inaugurated. For me how democratic we are is also having mature losers and a selfless opposition. Losers who put the voters first, accepting their choice and not pushing until our wishes as individuals or political parties are met.

The Inaugurated and these not inaugurated are key to our politics and to the lessons we learn as a country. Therefore the inauguration of President Edgar Lungu together with Vice President Inoge Wina and the Presidential petition of United Party for National Development’s(UPND) leaders in Hakainde Hichilema and his Running Mate Geoffrey Mwamba have or will teach us a lot of things as a country. It will be unwise to ignore all the attributes related to this. These are elements which define democracy in a lay persons language.  We live it and we experience it.

My hope is that the winners or the inaugurated don’t look down on those not inaugurated as losers and therefore see them as outcasts or enemies. Let President Lungu and his team see how they can work with everyone regardless who they voted for or which party they come from. Like wise I also long to see those not inaugurated not to take it personal or rather use emotions but to also position themselves where they can be reached so that we develop these our beloved country.

Zambia needs everyone to move on. Hence it is only leaders in all sectors of our society who can help facilitate this. Politics and their ideologies might divide us but being true, united and patriotic Zambians will not do that. We should long to have elements which will help bring forth political integrity and wholeness in our country. We will only have that One Zambia One Nation if we believe in this.