EEP President Chilufya Tayali

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GBM TAUGHT ME SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET

Muyakulwisha (through persistence) somehow secured an appointment to meet GBM, through the wife (that’s why I love that woman). My appointment was at 10:00hrs and it was my first time be at a Minister’s office.

I was looking my best and I arrived a few minutes before the scheduled time. After going through the security checks and cleared by the secretary, I sat on the comfortable sofas near the entrance at Cabinet Office, waiting to be ushered to the third floor (if not 4th) where the Defense Minister’s office is.

I waited for almost two hours and I gave up. Feeling disgruntled I got into my Nissan Skyline V35 and drove off, like a big guy but without cash.
A few meters before I could reach Mandahill, GBM was on the phone;
“Where are you?!”, he asked in a angry voice.
“I have left”, I responded flatly.
“What kind of stupidity is this….” shouted the Defense Minister like is commanding armies at war. He actually said it in Bemba (kutumpa kwashani uko?).

GBM gave me a lecture of how he used to wait long hours at the same office when he was pushing to get a contract to supply beans for the army, during Kaunda days.

After a long lecture he asked me to come back and I made a U-turn at Mandahill.
We had lunch together in his office while we chatted like brothers. On my way out he gave me a K15,000.
My relationship with GBM and his wife (whom I called Bamulamu, sister-in-law) grew such that I became part of the household with a K3,000 monthly allowance.

I used to eat at GBM’s house like did many other politicians and businessmen. It was always Matebeto for free for whoever passed by during lunch.

GBM is a man that respected everyone in his way, because he would shout and insult you whenever he was agitated but his anger never lasted more than a breathe.

On GBM’s table, everyone was someone, because it didn’t matter how rich one was, we were all his guests. I met big people with money and ministers in the company of GBM like his equal.

Unfortunately politics came and separated us when he became the Vice President and I remained with Edgar Lungu.
Talk about me, bitting the finger that is feeding me🫣. I can be very stubborn on my formed decision and I think I need to consider how I handle some of these situations.

Nonetheless, GBM had a soft sport for me, such that, he still remained a brother, at one point, he asked me to meet him in Mukushi because he was on a campaign trail.

One thing I know is that, GBM is very loyal man, remember how he stood with Mwine-Lubemba when Sata was on him.
He is also very forgiving otherwise he would have banished me when I did support him to be PF President as a running mate to President Hichilema.

With the golden heart of GBM, I strongly believe that if he was the one who was President and HH is in prison, I can bet my last dollar, he would have pardoned him.
Forget his outburst, GBM is a very soft person man.

Anyway, you might be wondering why I am writing all this. I just want to appreciate GBM whilst he is still alive, because you just never know what happens tomorrow, especially that he has been sick.

I certainly learnt a lot from GBM and I am grateful. May God bless you Bakalamba and it’s sad that I can’t see you, but I am thinking of you.
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!!!