Dear Editor,
I HAD a privilege of being part of the former media director Mr Sunday Chilufya Chanda’s supporting staff and through that gained wealth of experience at the “arena of being a public servant.”
As the tenure of the PF parliamentary candidate for Kanchibiya constituency Mr Chanda as PF Media Director comes to an end, gratitude is with the larger Patriotic Front family.
In him, I did not just meet a boss, I too met the brotherly figure who was at the centre of nurturing the spirit of servanthood. I remember you came at a time it was not attractive to defend PF.
Mr Chanda’s tenure coincided with the era when hoaxes of deception were gaining prominence especially on the cyber space. In this information age, President Edgar Lungu and the PF were the victims of misinformation which had the ability to undermine public confidence.
Under his leadership as media director, Mr Chanda relentlessly worked to put his team to task and ensure that the lies that had hit the airwaves were rebutted by presenting the correct position.
It was an uphill battle as the army of lies had mobilised and ensure that the truth is suppressed. It was the unique collective wisdom that Mr Chanda had introduced in the youthful team which vindicated the truth.
The truth has been vindicated and the nation knows prominent people who have been magnanimous and responsible enough to retract their previous public statements about President Lungu.
In his tour of duty, Mr. Chanda taught to always stand for our country even when the sustained attacks were determined to forgo the efforts that President Lungu has accomplished.
Mr. Chanda has been more than a boss, but was the brotherly figure who was always available whenever he was needed.
Comrade Chanda, even when I made mistakes, you gave me an opportunity to learn and you used to say, “Marvin, worry not, you are young and you are still learning from your mistakes.”
That brotherly counsel gave me the sense of responsibility and ensure that I learn to ride on my weaknesses in my quest to do better. Your patience made my service in the media team to feel at home.
With all my flaws, Mr Chanda gave me many opportunities to learn and grow in public service.
With time, I earned your trust and on numerous occasions gave me preference in every step you considered to take.
In August last year when you made up your mind to publicly declare intentions of standing as Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya, I was among the few you considered to seek advice.
This was dispute your well documented immense experience in public service. It was the humbling moment on my part that you added me to spearhead your ambitions in Kanchibiya.
Above all, gratitude is to President Lungu and the PF central committee for the opportunity they gave you to serve. The secretariat headed by the Secretary General Davies Mwila has equally been very supportive to the Sunday Chilufya Chanda-led former media team.
As we now carry on with our journey for Kanchibiya, our loyalty remains to President Lungu and PF. Even in our new calling, we will not let misinformation substitute the truth. We will not let the unpatriotic citizens take turns in downplaying the achievements of the PF for the last 10 years.
In fact, we consider the newly found journey as an elevation as we will carry the voice of the rural part of Zambia, Kanchibiya constituency.
I’m highly indebted Mr. Chanda and our categorical objective is to deliver an outright victory for President Lungu in Kanchibiya.
MARVIN CHANDA MBERI,
Lusaka
Author
