THE WIND OF CHANGE IS HERE AND WE MUST EMBRACE IT
By Chanoda Ngwira F
Time come when the obvious is definitely obvious. And under normal circumstances, those who have been faced with such times must be ready to accept it because that is the will of the people.
This wind of change blowing beyond the SADC is something big to learn from, lessons drown from such get straight to the faces of those who think political power is permanent. Power blinds and we usually tend to ignore the voices from the least voter in Bweengwa or Chasefu for the sole reason of thinking we can do the undoable just to keep that power.
A good example started from South Africa, much as the ANC managed to slightly win the opposition in that country, they didn’t convincingly win as they needed numbers from other parties to cement their stay. In short, President Ramaphosa definitely lost that election if their constitution was like that of Zambia where 50+1 threshold is a determinant absolutely.
Mozambique in my opinion followed where citizens are up in arms demanding for their President who they feel was the winner. They are protesting on a daily basis despite the ruling party claiming that they won. This too should be a basis of those planning to hold on to power at all costs without the regard of the biggest Constituency which is the people. Do we need as a country to have such in 2026? The answer is a definite no, what then must happen? Accept defeat when it has come.
As though South Africa and Mozambique are enough examples, Bostwana followed where the people of Bostwana loudly kicked out the ruling party. The ruling party conceded defeat, the rest is history. Again we learn serious lessons there from President Masisi who graciously respected the wishes of the people by accepting their desire. I hope when this happens in our case come 2026, Mr Hakainde Hichilema will humbly respect the wish of the people.
Mauritius followed where a former Prime Minister bounced back to office, we also have USA where the same happened. Namibia and Ghana are waiting.
Truth is, the wind of change is blowing heavily and it will not spare Zambia.