"A GOOD HEAD AND A GOOD HEART ARE ALWAYS A FORMIDABLE COMBINATION

Nelson Mandela

ZAMBIA POLITICS IN GENERAL

The Zambian politics especially those exhibited by the ruling Government or in certain sectors of the opposition today has become alarmingly volatile over the past few years. In the olden days when Zambians very well understood who they were, as a dignified and well cultured people of good moral standing, it was unheard of, for individuals in the same community to publicly demean one another in the way many politicians in the ruling Government and certain sectors of the opposition talk about each other today. There is no doubt that society would reprimand any citizens for not respecting each other or for publicly bringing down their dignity to disrepute. UPND believes that Politicians are supposed to be individuals of integrity and responsible leaders of our country, yet actions of some politicians in the ruling government appear like people who do not want to serve the interests of the Zambians but their own interests. It shouldn't be a mystery to anyone why things don't get done in Zambia when we see how the ruling Government and some opposition leaders talk to one another other. The question is why have our politicians that are in Government become so malicious toward those in the opposition over the years? • Is it that they do not have true leadership attributes, • Or is it that they are just power hungry, • Or is it that our culture has lost its identity, that our leaders do not exhibit good morals • Or is it that they may have just done away with their dignity, • Or is it that possibly our African politics have been marred and corroded with the western type of politics.
Some politicians seem to have lost their true identity and dignity as Africans, their culture and their morals don’t seem to be there. The aim of conflicts that the ruling Government has embarked on from its inception towards some sectors of the opposition parties with their continuous rivalry over policies and ideas has created a tribal effect which seems to have culminated in the loss of respect between the political arenas. Today in Zambian tribal and rival disputes have erupted even when an individual switches to another political party, immediately they are labeled a traitor and despised for it. We are taught at an early age that no one likes a traitor, and this unfortunately carries over into politics.
Whichever political party one belongs too, most likely their family and closest friends share the same political view (of course there are exceptions). Constantly being around people who we agree with doesn't challenge our views but only re confirms to us our view is correct, coupled by the fact that it is hard to imagine people we like and admire could be wrong as well. Quite often when the ruling party engages itself in a conversation that challenges their views they struggle to defend themselves, and immediately the tribal effect kicks in and no matter how sound the other argument is they tend to remain in denial or take a defensive position than in agreement so that we all remain on the same Zambian Team.

Many times the ruling Government has failed to defend their stance on most issues and have tended to shun logical debate with the opposition and this has been done either on purpose or subconsciously in order to avoid getting to a point where they have to admit they are wrong and are not fulfilling the promises that they made to the Zambian people. It is sad that some of our brothers have continued to stick to a political party barely on language lines even when they can't defend their parties' views when challenged. Many politicians forget that whether as a ruling Government or in opposition we all are on the same team which is the Country Zambia.

Mr. President It’s unfortunate that some politicians in the ruling government don't even realize that both ruling and opposition parties are on the same team Zambia, they become willing to bring down everyone including their own party so that the other side doesn't "win" an election. This is completely irrational, but this is what tribal politics can do. However, this doesn't mean no political party should not fight for what they believe is best for the country. As UPND, our party President Mr. Hakainde believes that Fighting for what we believe in is a good thing, but the approach we take in fighting these disagreements is what is important. It should be done with honest debate, facts, logic, love and fairness. As a party we have always asked ourselves, do we really want to win a political debate if we have to do it dishonestly and by misrepresenting the other side? And each time we debate we have said NO! Winning like this isn't a win for either our leader Mr Hakainde or our party, except for ego. Winning with bad ideas and policies only hurts the country in the long run after all we are all on the same team “ZAMBIA”.

Fellow Zambians this is where the country is at now. In the past, some ruling Governments have lost popularity, and eventually their debate shifted to name calling, and distorting the truth. They paint the other side as evil in hopes that the public will become discouraged to vote for the opposition party in the next General election. Just like in any argument, whenever one is losing and refuses to admit it, they usually resort to name calling. Once one side resorts to name calling and facts no longer matter, there is little or no chance they will ever admit that the opposition party has a valid argument.

Fellow Zambians the P.F Government has been using language as a way of dividing us, simply because they know how we will feel and react as human beings in relation to the language that we associate ourselves with. Some Politicians know that when they use the language they will disadvantage other credible politicians who are of the right caliber to lead this Country. They understand very well that when they use this unGodly scheme they will divide us and have more support on their side. Fellow Zambians the future of this Country is not about the language it’s about the right people in leadership positions and not the right language in position. Let us all as Zambians consider this issue wisely and not be swayed by a handful of unpatriotic politicians with selfish intentions and ambitious aspirations. Fellow Zambians we should deny to be fooled by a handful of individuals who have no love nor care for the Zambian people, we are all one in the eyes of God, we are all one as Africans, we are all one as Zambians, we are all one as children of Jehovah and we are all one as descendant of “UBUNTU”. We have been made to accept this wrong belief by unpatriotic Politicians for too long that language is a factor that should define love between us and relationships in our lives, and yet this we have already defined in ourselves for many years as Zambians, through intermarriages, Church membership, co-operatives, Shares in companies, Club membership. Fellow Zambians Let’s do and act in a way that Jehovah God would love us to, and let not this notion of language continually define our culture and destiny. By the way as a Country and a people what legacy are we leaving behind for our children, do we believe we are the last generation, such that even when we do any wrong no one will judge our greedy decisions and selfish actions, that then we should still continue to believe our actions will not affect our children, fellow Zambians we need to reconsider this matter in deep thought and wisdom and embark on doing the right thing.

There is a clear indication that some of our leaders don’t pay attention to what has been happening across the world in Europe and in Africa were leaders have been careless and have made political blunders by instigating language rivalry for selfish gains, it’s obvious that if the Politicians in the ruling Government did know about these events, they would learn from the catastrophe of politics based on language. Countries like Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya just to mention a few are a critical example of countries that have tasted the aftermath of political negligence by their leaders in trying to gain political popularity based on tribal lines.

Above all UPND is a party that has vehemently picked up Mandela’s mantle and legacy of trying to unify Zambians based on love and forgiveness. UPND as from now on will look through the country Zambia using Mandela’s eyes and will talk, walk and dialogue in Mandela’s dignity. There is no Zambia minus all of us, it’s not the language that we are associated with that make us Zambian, but it’s our origin “UBUNTU” and the land were we belong and the people that we live with, work with and associate with that makes who we are and Zambia our own. As a party our leader has clearly made it known that he is a president of not only his followers or members of the party but for all Zambians and his belief and politics is not inclined to any language or geographic location. Mr Hakainde just like Mandela has (quote) chosen a symbol of hate and turned it into a symbol of hope. Mr. Mandela understood that (quote) “tenacity and discipline were essential skills of leadership”. He also believed that (quote) "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." Mr Hakainde has set himself on a relentless journey to make all Zambians believe that (quote) "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it's opposite." (quote)

"I am the product of Africa and her long-cherished view of rebirth that can now be realised so that all of her children may play in the sun." (quote) "We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity – a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world."

“We must learn to live and work together as brothers or perish together as fools”.

Martin Luther King Jr.

SPEECH FOR NCHANGA CONSTITUENCIES

Mr. President as UPND Nchanga Constituency this year 2014 and moving on to 2016, which is the year of change, we believe that this period shall be a time of good leadership; good character, good statesmanship and citizenship, it’s a season of hope and goodwill. The year 2014 is a time in which we have made practical resolutions, the year for leaving behind old habits that hinder good leadership growth and patriotism. It is the year for continuing with and embracing attributes that move the party forward with logical intentions, grace and with positive and successful political ambitions which will bring positive changes in our lives, our communities and our country Zambia.
As UPND Nchanga Constituency we do not only wish good will to you as our President but also to supporters, our partners in politics, relatives, friends, acquaintances and all Zambians whom we love so dearly. We hope to see growth in the Zambian economy, success through the fight against corruption, transparency in the enforcement of law and order. We wish good will for better health and learning outcomes over all the nation, goodwill for re-building the good image of our Country and goodwill for more enterprising jobs, especially for the youths of this country.
Furthermore as UPND we believe that it’s not only about wishing good will; it is also about taking actions that show that we have goodwill. We therefore have made resolutions that will help us take specific actions that show our goodwill for our country from now on to 2016 and onwards.
From this year and onwards, as UPND Nchanga Constituency we reiterate and place a strong will on the commitment to continuing support in actions that encourage and promote both external and internal investment and job creation in Zambia. We understand that UPND leadership places more resolve on infrastructural development, more investment in entrepreneurial ventures to create a source of revenue for the youths, more actions in the fight against corruption, actions to reform the public service and more actions with and for women and children. UPND as a party has continued to note that the Country still faces massive challenges, but that it is within our heritage to overcome these challenges and make this country great again.
Mr. President Nchanga constituency has taken an oath before the community and remains true to this vow, to move this constituency forward, and by the Grace of God, with your vision move this country forward. Mr. President we all know that will require this will require all of us crossing over the boundaries of language and political hatred. The structures that are in place to develop our country will work better and productively when all of us use them well. The question that we are always poised with on our minds every morning as Zambians is that, what will my country gain from my actions; what specific actions am I taking to contribute to the growth of this nation; what will I do to bring honour, respect and dignity to my community and eventually this country Zambia?
Mr President we support your vision in aiming to restore lost dignity to the nurse who treats our sick, pregnant women and children under five; the teacher who makes the student beam with understanding of what he teaches; the service provider from civil servants to bank workers, restaurant workers and taxi drivers who provide an outstanding function in our economy. The Party in Nchanga constituency further wishes to manifest goodwill for this beloved land by embracing future road re-construction, street lighting, waste management in the townships, provision of clean drinking water, peace and no riotous behavior. Once simple things like these are managed properly which will be in the capacity of the UPND even in a small way this little demonstration of goodwill will become entrenched in the normal cause of our lives, then this country shall make headway into being great again.
Mr. President as Nchanga constituency we envision the year 2014 and onwards towards the year of change 2016 as a year for new resolutions, for change in our relationship with each other as Zambians, a resolution for a new era of commitment, patriotism and pride; a new era for emphasizing the fact that though we still face challenges this country has done better than most post conflict societies in ensuring peace, in sustaining democracy, in fighting corruption, in rebuilding our infrastructure, in attracting investment, in creating jobs, in increasing access to healthcare, in enrolling all our children into schools, in embracing our national heritage through sustainable tourism and in enhancing agricultural productivity.
For we believe taking this resolution, will allow to pay greater attention to nation than to ourselves. We have encouraged all the youths to serve this country well; through paying great attention to enhancing their skills and building their work ethic, as a way to re-affirming that commitment. We will continue in this cause to sustain our contribution • We will not relent, • We will not tire, • We will only do more to build upon the language barriers in a positive way, through goodwill and patriotic actions all over the constituency and throughout the country.
As UPND Nchanga Constituency we know very well that you as our President joined politics because you believed in this Country and all of us as Zambians; as a good father, a man of good moral standing and integrity and has continued to humbly ask we the Zambian people, to look back and see what our forefathers did to bring independence to Zambia, and what the leadership that followed did, in introducing multi-party politics and eventually democracy, and that you now understand its time to take Zambia to the next level of good Governance and in a direction that break down all the barriers to national development and collective engagement.
As UPND Nchanga Constituency we believe that the you Mr. President understands that there are good enough Zambian men and women all over this nation who he will work with you once elected to office, to turn around the tides of the nation, enough men and women of goodwill to make this nation great again; enough men and women of resolutions strong enough to push them to noble actions for this beloved land. Together we are now reiterating that as patriotic Zambian men and women we will show case our skill and knowledge for the good of the nation. In our Constituency we have encouraged all Zambians who believe that transformation is possible to demonstrate the faith by their care for public property, to rise up and make this country proud, actions that honour our positive heritage; actions that secure our achievements; and that are aligned with our aspirations as UPND for a transparent and prosperous nation.
As UPND Nchanga Constituency we wish to see our police officer be afforded an opportunity where he/she acts to prevail over those who compromise the ethics of their profession; the health worker be afforded an opportunity where he/she overcomes habits that undermine his calling; the teacher be afforded an opportunity where he/she acts to reclaim the nobility of the profession; where the public servant, the journalist, the trader, and the farmer is given an opportunity to demonstrate goodwill to the nation by increasing his and her productivity, in standing up against corruption in his and her individual dealings with every other Zambian, and by respecting the laws of the land.
As UPND Nchanga Constituency our Agenda calls out to every Zambian to come on board, and demonstrate restraint, discipline and good leadership to this Country by doing what is patriotic and productive in his or her efforts. Patriotism, transparency and productivity must be the new vocabulary.
As UPND Nchanga constituency we know very well that the journey to 2016 elections shall be a challenging journey. That is why the party wishes to engage more with the Zambian people, with journalists, with the private sector and with youths and women groups on the challenges that they face. We shall engage more to build Country wide networks of collaboration between all Zambians resident in here in Zambia and all those Zambians that are in the Diaspora; we shall engage more to transparency everywhere, we shall engage more to sustain our culture of tolerance, to entrench civility, and to avail to all Zambians across the country the objectives of our Manifesto for Prosperity.
But we shall allow not encourage any unpatriotic politician to deter or cause us to digress away from fulfilling our objectives to the people or to stand on the way to our achievement of the goals for which we will be elected into governance for, but we will build upon networks of goodwill, we will discourage networks of discrimination and lawlessness. Let me reiterate this resolution again, we will build upon networks of goodwill and we will create an atmosphere of brotherhood of one Zambia one Nation wherever we go. We have our people’s mandate for this, and we will discourage anyone to frustrate us from achieving our ambitions.
Our vision for 2016 is not about political rivalry or rhetoric, language rivalry or instability but about our country, and what we have continually promised the Zambian people. We pledge to serve our country faithfully, and put our interest above all else, it will be that special year of bringing about patriotism and productivity to ensure prosperity for all Zambians.

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities –

Voltaire"