“BAISA BAPOMPWE” AT INAUGURATION “DEEPLY INAPPROPRIATE” – KASONDE
By Alfred Chimba
Former NDC party president, Political leader and concerned citizen, Joseph Kasonde, has strongly condemned the decision to allow the campaign song “Baisa Bapompwe” to be performed during the Presidential Inauguration, describing it as inappropriate for a solemn national occasion.
In a statement issued today, Mr. Kasonde argued that a Presidential Inauguration is not a political rally or a campaign event, but a unifying ceremony where the President assumes responsibility to govern all Zambians.
“A Presidential Inauguration is not a political rally or a campaign event. It is a solemn national occasion at which the President assumes responsibility for governing the entire Republic including citizens who voted for him, those who voted against him and those who did not vote at all,” Mr. Kasonde stated.
He said allowing a song that portrays political opponents as “thieves” was provocative, especially given the current political climate in the country.
“For this reason, allowing a song carrying a message that portrays political opponents as ‘thieves’ was deeply inappropriate and provocative, particularly at this moment in Zambia’s history,” he said.
Mr. Kasonde noted that Zambia is emerging from a highly contested election that was accompanied by serious political tensions, violence, arrests of opposition figures, and controversy surrounding access to the courts.
“These circumstances require healing, restraint, reconciliation and responsible leadership, rather than messages that deepen political divisions,” he added.
He further stated that the inauguration should have been used as an opportunity to lower the political temperature and unite the nation.
“It is precisely under such circumstances that a Presidential Inauguration should have been used to lower the political temperature, heal wounds and unite the nation,” Mr. Kasonde said.
While he did not accuse the President of personally selecting the song, Mr. Kasonde said the incident raises serious questions about those responsible for the event’s programme.
“I am not suggesting, without evidence, that His Excellency the President personally selected or authorised the song. However, the incident raises legitimate questions about the responsibility of those who planned, approved and managed the programme of the inauguration,” he stated.
100 % correct. Yesterday was not a UPND occasion. It was a national event, inaugurating a a republican president
Very valid point. In fact it is the performers of that act that are bapompwe. Let’s focus on development, including opponents, not on things as useless as this. That is how we can eliminate bupompwe.