No African politician matches my qualifications but I don’t boast – M’membe
SOCIALIST Party presidential candidate Dr Fred M’membe says no politician in Africa can match his academic credentials
Fresh from a Constitutional Court victory that cleared him and his running mate Dolika Banda to contest the August 13 general election, Dr M’membe said attempts to block their candidature were motivated by fear of competent leadership.
The petition had argued that Banda did not have the required Grade 12 qualification to qualify for the position of vice-president.
But after the court ruled in their favour, M’membe said the case was an attempt to embarrass him and his running mate because some people were afraid of the leadership they offer.
“We don’t boast, but we are highly educated people. In terms of politicians, there is no politician in Africa who matches my qualifications,” Dr M’membe said.
He also defended Banda, saying that she is a highly educated and experienced professional who did not deserve to be subjected to such scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Socialist Party leader praised the Constitutional Court for what he described as a fair and well-reasoned judgment.
“The court tried. It is one of the best judgments I have seen. Not because it was in our favour, but because it was properly reasoned,” he said.
M’membe said the court’s decision had now cleared the way for him and Banda to focus on their campaign ahead of the August 13 general election.
By George Musonda
Kalemba June 18, 2026
Mr. Fred Mm’embe, firstly the matter was a legitimate cause of action. And matter was adjudicated by the Court accordingly. Nothing to do with fear of your popularity or whatever. Now is campaign season. Let us see you hold rallies like the Mundubile camp. About qualifications, why do you think you are the most qualified politician? What is the relevant qualification, if we may ask?
How is it reflecting on zambian politics?
anybody with average IQ can obtain a million degrees if he is foolish enough to waste his time.
By this statement alone, Dr. M’membe is loudly boasting about his academic qualifications. Humble people never refer to their humilty especially in the terms Dr. M’membe has used.
Second, academic achievement has nothing to do with being a good politician or statesman. A good example is professor Nkandu Luo. She is of good academic standing but as a politician, she is a disaster. Whichever ministry she was in charge of, there was upheaval. As Minister of Health under MMD, she was involved in the ICASA controversy. Later as transport minister, there were fireworks over her directive to paint minibuses (MMD?) blue.
Under PF, she was again at the centre of a scheme to prevent the current Chiti Mukulu ascending to the throne. He spend months in limbo while over 400 paramilitary police ensured he was kept at bay. Then came the clincher. As PF Minister of Education, she withdrew meal allowances. How students were expected to study on an empty stomach beats reasoning.
To be an effective polician and leader you need EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. The ability to understand people and act WISELY. That is why you will find that in history, rocket scientists were literally reporting to political leaders who had no academic accomplishments to speak of. For instance, Mr. Adolf Hitler.
Even our very own KK had a humble academic background but had professor Lameck Goma reporting to him.
So the fact that you have a string of academic qualifications doesnot necessarily mean you are good leader. You need emotional intelligence to be a good leader.