Dear Editor,
ZAMBIA is known as a beacon of peace worldwide. Our country has never experienced any tribal conflicts, ethnic strifes and political instabilities on a marginal scale.
Although we have had three political parties that have exchanged dominance in leadership, transitions have always been peaceful. Nevertheless we do not need to take peace and harmony for granted alas it may sneak away within the twinkling of an eye.
Candidly speaking, even when we may claim to have been at peace for decades, our country is politically divided and the entire nation is porous.
A few years ago, a commission of inquiry was constituted under Presidential directives to find out why the voting pattern is based on tribal lines.
Although we have a few liberal individuals who freely mingle with other tribes, it remains an undeniable fact that loyalty and allegiance of our citizens is marked by their tribal leanings and backgrounds.
We even have some people who naturally feel hurt and have difficulties embracing others from other tribes.
The peace, unity and tranquility our country has experienced cannot be described in an absolute sense but relatively. Many still harbour resentment towards others.
Pockets of resistance and dissatisfaction is abound among our people. We need a permanent solution and sustainable measures as a remedy for the prevailing situation.
It is a known fact that politicians are behind the disunity our country has been battling with. Our leaders take pride in the porousness of our nation.
While we know that only God’s Kingdom will bring lasting peace and unity, even now we can enjoy a measure of it. We can do better than this.
Politicians use the divisions which have engulfed among our citizens for their political survival. Their expedience and triumph is dependent on preaching disunity.
We all need to accept the fact that allegiance to our tribes and languages is embedded in us and none of our citizens is innocent over the same.
Disunity and confusions are spearheaded by politicians themselves because they thrive on it to brighten their chances of either remaining in power or assuming the mantle of leadership.
President David Kaunda is the only leader in our country who not only preached national unity but lived by his claims. The composition of his Cabinet was enough testimony of his beliefs and ideologies.
He ensured that civil servants from other regions were posted in other provinces and that resulted in intermarriages. Although President Levy Mwanawasa tried to promote national unity, his appointments were dotted with tribal lines.
It was during his reign that we saw a family tree. Significant positions were given to his tribesmen and women. He towed along tribal lines. Nepotism actually became rampant and abounded.
The incumbent President Edgar Lungu is on record to have tried getting closer to the first Republican President. It is in his reign that we have lived to see the Director of Public Prosecution – DPP Ms Siyuni, the Inspector General of Police Mr. Kakoma Kanganja from Nort-Western, the Army Commander, Commissioner of Correctional Facilities Dr. Chisela, Zambia National Service Commandant, Zambia Air force Commander, The Chief Justice, Bank of Zambia Governor, Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner, Zesco MD Engineer Mundende, the Vice President, Ms Inonge Mutukwa Wins, the first woman vice President and a representative of Western Province, Attorney General Kalaluka Likando, ZICTA, Zambia Police Commissioner Peter Chingaipe too numerous to mention.
The President named Kalabo – Mongu Bridge KING LUBOSI IMWIKO II Bridge which is a big recognition to the King his Majesty.
We need to learn giving credit where it is due. We need to appreciate our leaders who are trying their best. Assuming that President Lungu had enough members of Parliament from Western Province, Southern and North Western, the composition of his Cabinet can be inclusive. His Excellency is not tribal and he loves all Zambians. Very soon our nation is going for tripartite elections. We have a wonderful opportunity of setting a precedent towards unifying our nation. We would like to see unity among political contenders. We are critically listening to utterances of our politicians and we will judge them based on selection of their candidates.
We also yearn seeing equal distribution of resources among our citizens. No particular region must remain marginalised. Development must be taken to all provinces and everyone must have a share of our national Cake.
JOSECK KUNDA.
Author
