Kellys Kaunda
STAFF TURNOVER WITH THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT
Speakers expressed concern at the turnover of staff at home and in foreign missions with the change of each government and the justification thereof.
If you must know, from UNIP to UPND, the narrative has always been the same: they all claim that they are professionalizing the public/civil service. No, it’s just a way in which politicians flex their muscles and give jobs to whoever they want to reward. Do not be hoodwinked into believing that there is anything of substance they want to address – that is being naïve.
WILL STAFF TURNOVER STOP WITH HH?
No, this cancer is way too advanced for any politician to do anything about it. You can rest assured that anyone who has gone and going now into government – at home or into foreign service, is coming back with the change of government.
ARE APPOINTMENTS NOW BEING MADE ON MERIT UNLIKE IN THE PAST?
That is a typical arrogant statement made by every appointing authority in this country. Politicians, supported by their sympathizers, want to claim the technical ability to define what merit means. The truth is that most people that lose their jobs with the change of each government deserve to remain in their positions. While in government, I was privy to the qualifications and competencies of my colleagues. Without exception, everyone recalled was very qualified for the jobs they held. Therefore, they won’t find it difficult to find jobs in other countries or the private sector.
CADREISM
Everyone being appointed by UPND, like their predecessors, is labeled a cadre, a pejorative term intended to look down upon the person even if the dictionary definition of the term simply refers to a professional or technocrat. Once labeled this way, you are marked and become politically vulnerable.
IS HH REALLY THE NEW DAWN?
Party supporters and sympathizers of the UPND really believe that there is a new dawn in Zambia. First, it is not a new dawn just because someone says that. At best, this is a mere political slogan like the hour has come. If you really want this to be a new dawn (and I would like it to be), educate yourself in matters of public affairs and provide HH with checks and balances every step of the way. This business of believing that Bally will fix it, will inevitably lead into unnecessary political heartbreaks.
Believe you me, President Hichilema does not know all there is to be known about fixing this country’s problems. So, do yourselves a favor: stop being a cheerleader and assume in your hands the destiny of this country.
