OPEN LETTER TO REV. GODFRIDAH SUMAILI ON THE MERGER OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!
We hope you’ll spare part of your precious time to absorb and comprehend the gist of issues raised herein and respond accordingly, devoid of any emotions, malice, naivety, worst of all, hypocrisy.
This is equally applicable to Brebner Changala, Rev. Walter Mwambazi and all doomsayers who have joined the chorus condemning government’s decision to merge the National Day of Prayer and Fasting with the Christian Nation commemoration.
Madam, if we may quote you correctly, you said: “It’s a betrayal, it’s a satanic betrayal. Zambia has been surrendered to Lucifer.”
Are you being fair? What do you mean Zambia has been surrendered to Lucifer? For whose benefit? Or are you simply preying on our people’s ignorance as has become the norm with politicians in clerical collars?
If we may revisit our history, Zambia was declared a Christian nation on December 29, 1991 by President Frederick Chiluba. It was done amidst vehement opposition from the Zambia Catholic Bishops Conference, Council of Churches in Zambia, UCZ and other mainline churches who said they were not consulted apart from the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia.
Would you insist Chiluba made that declaration genuinely or for political expediency?
Let us be honest — while this nation closed her eyes in prayer, the leadership of the country at the time — the President, his aides at State House, Cabinet Ministers and Permanent Secretaries — went into overdrive plundering the resources of this nation. From paupers walking in flip-flops, many became millionaires overnight.
And yet every Sunday, the leadership was occupying the front pew in Church shouting Hallelujah!
What tangible benefits accrued to this nation from that declaration? Did corruption end? Did tribalism end? Did poverty end?
In a case of history repeating itself, on September 18, 2015 during the ceremonial opening of Parliament, President Edgar Lungu proclaimed October 18 as the Day of National Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation. The first observance was on October 18, 2015 at Lusaka Showgrounds, and through Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2015, it became an annual public holiday.
May you for once be honest and answer: Did that declaration help the country in any way? If so, how?
Wasn’t it in President Lungu’s tenure that criminality took root and became commercialized? While we were praying on October 18th, cadres were reigning terror and fear — taking over markets and bus stations, beating traders in Ndola and Lusaka. While we were fasting, leaders who were previously known to be paupers and scroungers were signing inflated contracts, $1 million fire tenders, mukula and gold scandals, and endless debt that our children are still paying.
So we ask you, Reverend, what is Christian about a holiday that co-existed with gassing, political violence and daylight plunder?
GOVERNMENT HAS NOT SURRENDERED ZAMBIA TO LUCIFER!
Government has merged two Christian observances — December 29th and October 18th — into one, Christian Heritage Day, to save resources and avoid duplication. The Christian identity in the preamble of the Constitution has not been removed. The duty to pray has not been abolished.
If anything, if Zambia was ever surrendered to Lucifer, it was when we used the name of Jesus to cover theft, and called it Christianity.
You served as Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs. You know Zambia needs substance, not dates. True Christianity is not shown by how many holidays we keep, but by ending corruption, ending caderism, ending political violence!
Calling government satanic for an administrative decision to consolidate holidays is exactly the politicization of the pulpit Zambians are tired of.
So we ask you plainly: Tell us without emotion — what did October 18th deliver apart from speeches?
If you cannot answer that, then let government do its work, particularly during a crucial time such as this one when President Hichilema is trying to transform this nation through his Grow Zambia Agenda which is aimed at doubling our economy as well as transforming our nation the breadbasket of Southern Africa.
Did you know that despite boasting of 30% of world’s minerals, 60% of uncultivated arable land and a youngest population, the very young people the likes of you seek to mislead, Africa remains the poorest continent? It has the lowest average Human Development Index (HDI)! The 30 lowest-ranked countries in the world are almost all in sub-Saharan Africa. In terms of GDP per capita, Africa is lowest — around $2,000 average vs ∼$50, 000 in North America, ∼$38, 000 in Europe. What a shame!
Even if this may be the case though, at least our country now ranks amongst those that are far ahead of others in Africa – Seychelles, Mauritius, Botswana, Rwanda, South Africa and Egypt.
We look forward to a reasonable response from you.
Thank you,
Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi