Inonge Wina decries toxic political environment

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

FORMER Vice President, Inonge Wina has raised concern at the country’s toxic political environment, saying the politics being practiced are diverse but lacking unity and peace.
Reminding Zambians that their freedom fighters were not engaged in any violent activities, apart from fighting for the struggle, Ms Wina challenged citizens to honour the country’s legacy of peace and unity.
She regretted that Zambia had not done enough to honour the freedom fighters as they had failed to bring about unity in the country.
Zambia’s former and first female vice president was speaking during a panel discussion at the Heroes breakfast event organised by Standard Chartered Bank in Lusaka yesterday.
“We have not done enough to honour the freedom fighters. Politics are so diverse. We are failing to bring about unity in the country. A lot has to be done to honour the freedom fighters. The legacy of peace in this country should be honoured because our leaders were not involved in violence,” Ms Wina said.
“I urge young people to honour this legacy of peace and unity and freedom fighters who brought about this peace we are enjoying today,” Ms Wina said.
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She also recalled the difference between the freedom Zambians enjoy now and that which was struggled for to attain independence in 1964.
Comparing the two types of freedoms, Ms Wina spotted a huge difference, pointing out that the freedom back then had a common goal and solidarity. She said the current freedom was completely different from that which was struggled for when Zambians rose against the British government to take control of the country.
It was a family that kept ties of friendships. The struggle brought together friendships. Young people now are fighting for economic freedom,” she said. She added; “A lot of activities during the struggle with young men and women involved in what we called sabotage. These were young political activists.” Another panelist, Zambia’s former Ambassador to the United States, Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, encouraged parents and guardians to ensure their children were equipped with knowledge of what was happening around them. Meanwhile, Standard Chartered Board Chair, Dolika Banda, noted the importance of recognising and raising public awareness on the role that women played in the independence struggle.