By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THERE is urgent need for President Hakainde Hichilema to meet with his predecessors, Edgar Lungu and Rupiah Banda to ease the tension in the country and set a new tone of political dispensation, Bishop Peter Ndhlovu has said
Bishop Ndhlovu, who is Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) Presiding Archbishop, said now that Mr Lungu had retired from active politics, there was need for President Hichilema to meet with him and fourth republican president, Mr Banda to enable the country move forward in peace.
He said in an interview that the continued perceived misunderstanding between President Hichilema and Mr Lungu was not healthy for a Christian nation like Zambia.
“At this moment, President Hichilema holds the key to reconcile and unify this country. He is not in opposition but a leader and father of all Zambians. And therefore, it should begin with him to extend an olive branch to his brother, Edgar Chagwa Lungu who has retired from active politics. No matter what happened in the past, there is no man who is perfect on earth.
“The bitterness is not worth it because when the leaders are bitter, even their supporters will also be bitter. When they reconcile, their followers will follow suit, and the nation will be healed. Therefore, it is our prayer that as we begin this New Year (2022), President Hichilema, Edgar Lungu and Rupiah Banda should come together for a cup of tea, just the three of them without their supporters,” Bishop Ndhlovu said.
As politicians, he said, let them learn to accommodate each other. Let them differ on political ideologies but remain one as Zambians because they have one purpose to develop the country and take it to another level.
The clergyman also said President Hichilema should not listen to some bad advisors who may try to mislead him to go after his predecessor because it would be easy for the country to thrive when there is peace and unity.
“I always say, what you sow is what you reap. So, if you sow hate, you will read hate but if you sow love, you will reap love. Therefore, I urge President Hichilema not to listen to some people around him who may want to mislead him to hate others, but as the man who is driving this country to prosperity, he should do the right thing. There can be other people in the inner circle who may want to mislead him because they have the spirit of vengeance and hate, but he should know that he is the father for all,” he said.
Bishop Ndhlovu said Zambians should take a leaf from the United States of America where former Presidents were respected.
“Let us learn from what is happening in America where even after leaving office, their Presidents are respected regardless of their flaws. As Zambians, we need to respect our existing Presidents who have retired because they are not liabilities but assets to the nation.
“There is wisdom in them and President Hichilema can learn from Mr Lungu and Mr Banda on how they governed this nation. He can seek counsel from these two former Presidents. We cannot just throw away Mr Lungu as if he never did anything when he led us well even under difficult situations,” he said.
Bishop Ndhlovu also said his church was ready to offer a platform for the two to reconcile.
“We as a church are ready to reconcile them if they need our help. We can be mediators,” he said.
