To call HH as father of the nation is absurd – M’membe
By Fanny Kalonda
SOCIALIST Party leader Fred M’membe says to call every Zambian President ‘Father of the Nation’ is dangerous paternalism as it is inconsistent with democracy in a modern society.
He explained that historically, the Father of the Nation was an honorific title given to a person considered the driving force behind the establishment of a country, state or nation.
“To call every President of the Republic of Zambia ‘Father of the Nation’ is dangerous paternalism. This is inconsistent with democracy in a modern society. This is so because in our traditional society a father cannot be openly criticised or differed with. His position of ‘Father’ cannot be challenged or contested. To call Mr Hakainde Hichilema as Father of the Nation is absurd. Zambia was not born yesterday. No one is Father, all are sons and daughters. Some prove themselves worthy, some not. We may print images of Zambians from different walks of life who brought glory or did a great service on our currency if it is felt necessary,” Dr M’membe wrote on his Facebook wall. “In history, the Father of the Nation was an honorific title given to a person considered the driving force behind the establishment of a country, state, or nation. This concept is expressed in the divine right of kings espoused in some monarchies, while in others it is codified into constitutional law as in Spain, where the monarch is considered the personification and embodiment, the symbol of unity and permanence of the nation. In Thailand, the monarch is given the same recognition, and any person who expresses disrespect toward the reigning monarch will face severe criminal penalties.”
He noted that ‘Father of the Nation’ title was used in the postcolonial Africa by many leaders both to refer to their role in the independence movement as a source of legitimacy, and to use paternalist symbolism as a source of continued popularity.
“Many dictators bestow titles upon themselves, which rarely survive the end of their regime. Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo’s titles included ‘father of the nation’, ‘older brother’, and ‘Guide of the People’. Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire’s included ‘Father of the nation’, ‘the Guide’, ‘the Messiah’, ‘the Leopard’, ‘the Sun-President’, and ‘the Cock who Jumps on Anything That Moves’,” said Dr M’membe.