FRANK MUTUBILA WRITES
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8
One reads this verse and cannot help but admire how accurately it captures our current political gymnastics. It is almost prophetic in how well it describes saying one thing in the morning and its opposite by lunchtime.
Apparently everyone who disagrees with the UPND is PF. At the same time PF is dead. In fact PF is so dead that it is responsible for everything. Yet we are also informed there is no opposition in the country. One wonders who exactly people are arguing with so passionately every day. Ghosts perhaps. Political zombies maybe. It takes real madness to fight a dead political party.
Then comes the mature democratic engagement. Insults. Mockery. Name calling. I do not mind criticism. Not at all. But it is impressive how a simple Sunday photo of me holding a Bible triggered an investigation into the age of the Bible rather than the message inside it. Even more impressive was how my personal experience at Bookworld with mothers turned into a full scale online battle. Clearly these are the urgent national issues of our time.
Some contributors went a step further and called me a monkey. In my own country. By my own people. For expressing an opinion. I have never insulted anyone. I have never insulted any leader I disagree with. But apparently that is outdated behaviour. These days disagreement requires dehumanisation. I have blocked a few offenders. Not because I am weak but because even patience has standards.
I am also informed that I am too old and must retire. Too old to retire. I am 73. People elsewhere are contesting public office at 80. Every Saturday I walk over 20 kilometres. I am a senior youth. More energetic than some of you insulting me who are young in age but permanently exhausted. If your 60 year old parents cannot walk or express themselves at home please keep that advice for them. As for me I am just starting life. Frank Katongo Mutubila is still a vibrant Kopala boy. Ifwe tatukota tushimafye.
I am told that if I keep raising issues of social justice political tolerance and fairness I will be insulted until I stop. That strategy will not work. Try other methods. I am old school. I was born for moments like this. I have seen worse. At least in the past when you made a mistake people confronted you openly. Straight talk. Today someone smiles and eats with you then creates five pseudo accounts to attack you using names from other regions. It is quite weird and very unfortunate.
If we are not worried about embracing diverse views, then we are heading in the wrong direction, I have never seen a developed country that became so without taking on board diverse perspectives, I am worried about the country we are shaping for our children and grandchildren, a country where churches, which are cardinal in nurturing morality, are now treated as enemies, cry, my beloved country, our beloved country, and here we go again, a barrage of insults, the new Zambia.
But let us be serious for a moment. We could build a stronger community if we tried listening to each other. Some things can be fixed through dialogue. Sometimes we simply need to live and let live. We cannot all be choir members especially when the song being sung is inappropriate for the congregation. And until we learn to apply one standard to ourselves and another to no one else James 1:8 will continue to read less like scripture and more like a daily political commentary.
What’s up with ba Frank?
He seems to be craving publicity like a besotted teenager after a girl. Did he solicit for the Italian job and now he is missing the perks?
Frank Mutubila is clearly playing opposition party politics and getting the punches he deserves on the nose.
Yes you’re and a double minded person, mutubila
This now looks like strategic repositioning in the hope of change of government. The man wants to be reappointed into foreign service as his wine bottles have run dry
Yes, reposturing for reappointment.
Remember that day in Livingstone, Frank M. almost transited on to the other side. The guy argued about how ambassadors should be paid more so that he could be fraternising with and among the these are those of Roma. Yes PF at least, appointed anything and everything especially that which was bemba. Mr Frank now knows that under this one he is senile, wont go anywhere and so its time to start repositioning, lest they too, forget Frank belongs. And where is Eve? Dora, did she say she was never available….?
Yeah the her parents warned
It appears Frank Mutubila is exasperated by what people are writing about him. At the same time, other people are equally disconcerted with his write-up. Personally, I have no issue with whatever he chooses to do with his life. He can be 73 years old, PF, UPND or Tonse Alliance; that is none of my business. What he decides for his life has nothing to do with anybody. My advice to Frank is ignore whatever people may say about you. Just feel comfortable in your own skin. Today you have written something. You may not like some of the comments and decide to reply, and then annoy more people in the process. It’s back and forth. These insults, as you call them, will not change you or turn you into something else; they are just words. If you throw stones at every barking dog, you will not reach your destination, as the adage goes.
Frank what you have written is true and I respect because you’re senior to me. This what Zambian culture demands to respect Elders . My advice hope it’s appropriate, lay low and continue to do things you enjoy doing at your age. Good luck and may the Lord continue to give you wisdom.
Who’s telling you that? You can go on as long as you are able and want to.