Observations: Zambian politics need maturing

Musamba Mumba

By Barbrah Musamba Chama Mumba

The current line of political alignment and cadreism that is being practiced in the Zambian political system will not help Zambia fulfil its possible maximum potentials if left in the current format and goes unchecked.

This stems through almost all major political parties. The vices include tribal politics, politics of cadreism; intimidation, political violence, and politics of vengeance.

Zambia at the moment practices multi party democracy so that every Zambian is able to participate in any discourse of the country without being marginalised on party or tribal affiliation. The reintroduction of multi party democracy 1990 led to where we are today.

Reasons for choosing this kind of political dispensation came from the background of suppressing people’s many forms of freedoms in the one party era that included the suppression of the freedom of association, movement and speech.

The reintroduction of multi-partyism saw the formation of political parties and the reintroduction of multi party democracy in Zambia. But very little has been done to do away with the cultures that came with single party political dispensation among these is cadreism.

Below are some of the cultures that have continued to hurt our young democracy and these need to be done away with. Also, vices that led to introduction of a one party state are included below.

Cadre Politics

The use of cadres to champion a political cause is not suited for a democratic country especially if the cadres behave in a violent manner or are used to forcefully recruit members to a political party.

Democracy calls for the use of civil political institutions as ways to champion a cause or show grievances.

The genesis of cadreism comes from early times when they were mainly used to champion an ideology by whatever means possible but this form of espousing an ideology or recruiting members is not suited for a democratic country as it involves the use of violence and intimidation to champion a cause.

People need to be free to participate in any discourse they want for as long as they are within the confines of the laws governing the country.

Zambians can participate either at local government or national level through laid down structures that exist in the country such local councils and through parliament. It is through these channels of governance that every Zambian should participate in the political affairs of the country.

People should also freely express themselves without fear of retribution for opposing government style of governance or the mere disagreement with government policy.

Cadres should not be assumed to usurp democratic institutions and in cases where cadres have taken the role of policing this should not exceed the powers of the Zambian Police otherwise if left unchecked it is a recipe for anarchy.

Cadres today have developed a very dangerous approach when airing their political views of which in most cases has become personal and tribal. Slander, killings and in general violence has stemmed from this kind of politics.

Wielding of dangerous weapons such as guns and machetes has been on the increase in recent times. This trend needs a wholesale condemnation by the leaders of this country. It is surprising that the governing Patriotic Front has not condemned such.

President Michael Sata should be voicing his concerns on such kind of politics only unless he prides in this kind of politics. It easy to quench the fire before it spreads but more difficult if it is spreads. The President should show leadership by condemning such before the country turns into turmoil.

Politicians have taken advantage of the high youth unemployment and poverty levels to manipulate cadres by engaging them into unconventional way of politicking in which they pay youths at times with meagre amounts of money and also buying them alcohol normally the cheap opaque local alcohol brew known as ‘Chibuku’.

Zambian politics needs to mature from this kind of politicking and embrace a culture of free flow of political ideologies, ideas and interaction as this ensures that there is a broaden participation of Zambians in the political arena.

Tribal politics

It is a pity that there seems to be a tendency that is developing in Zambia that some people align themselves to a political party on the basis of the person leading that political party belonging to their tribe.

Some leaders may practice tribalism whilst others may not but also worrying is the aspect of the some electorates that are aligning themselves in this manner.

The vice is so worrying that there is a marginalisation of one group from another on the basis of the same. It must be said that no tribe is superior to the other in the political discourse of Zambia even though some tribes are bigger in number than the others.

There is a general stereotype that has emanated from these kinds of politics to the extent of not seeing any good of individuals because they hail from a tribe that is not theirs.

Cadres and the electorate at large should desist from such kind of politics of saying unless “ours” should rule at all cost or saying that a particular tribe will never rule Zambia. It is a mediocre way of thinking and only breeds incompetency in the country’s leadership and unnecessary discontent in the country.

Intelligence, knowledge, leadership and wisdom have no tribe or colour. The ability to lead a country has got nothing to do with colour or tribe. Zambia is a very highly tribal integrated country through inter marriages, work placements and other economic and social demands that marginalisation on the basis of tribe should not be encouraged.

If there seems to be a tendency creeping of such, political and other leaders should deliberately engage each other to nip the cancer in its bud before it grows to levels that will dangerously affect our country.

Zambia needs the participation of everyone regardless of where they come from for as long as they are Zambian citizens or legally live in Zambia. We need a peaceful country so that our way of life is free from vices that could easily border on creating anarchy.

A peaceful country is good for attracting investment, both local and foreign. This in turn develops our country providing jobs and a high quality of life.

Politics of Insults and Vengeance

We as a country need to do away from a culture of insults and vengeance. If there is any wrong that a person has done to the other let it be done through the normal course of justice other political interference.

Conclusion

Zambia has a lot of potential to do well but we let ourselves indulge in cheap politicking that more attention is paid towards strengthening political strongholds to economic growth.

We need to mature from these vices and recognise that the sum total of all is far much greater than that of one in achieving the desired goal.