The Candidates’ Comment
The registration of Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) has ignited talk in the political circles. Long before ZMP – whose brains behind it is lawyer Kelvin Fube Bwalya (KBF) – was registered, we offered our views that, considering the Patriotic Front (PF) insist on doing things the same way they did which led them to lose an election, this party is heading to immolation.
If hyenas were drivers of a wagon and led it to the sea, it is perhaps foolish for anyone to trust the same hyenas again just because they are now painted with spots to make them appear different. Characters that cost PF an election are still the very one who are in the forefront trying to dictate things at the helm. They are the ones appointing this one and that one into this and that position. As opposed to subjecting whatever positions they have to competition, they are merely appointing people into positions even when these appointees have no influence and following anywhere. A close scrutiny of the recently announced appointees by the PF shows how stupid they are. You can’t make appointments based on the fact that you sleep with someone and expect that your party will go anywhere. Some of those appointees are bedmates of elements in leadership positions. Ultimately, PF is now like a brothel where to get appointed, one has to open their legs for someone. Further, PF is still embroiled in succession frenzy which is most likely going to leave them divided and weakened. Anyone who has some cash in the bank account feels they can be President even when most of them have no influence anywhere. Most of these elements are power hungry, self-centered, and ignorant, crooks and dull. Even if you elected them as party leaders, they have no leadership traits to take their party anywhere.
As things stand, UPND faces no real opposition. If you look around among existing parties, it is only Sean Tembo – as small as his party appears – who has taken providing checks and balances to UPND seriously. Albeit, Sean still has a task to grow his membership and followership.
Harry Kalaba’s politics are too flat. Saboi Imboela still has leadership wrangles which seem too delicate. Chishala Kateka is too flat and fails to galvanize the necessary support. Fred M’membe is practicing politics that are difficult to comprehend by a common Zambian. While he is knowledgeable and appears to be a leader, his politics are still largely extraneous. You can’t make any forbearing influence in Zambian politics by spending your time writing essays about this and that Socialist leader. Of course we know Fred is difficult to advice but he cannot have the monopoly of wisdom and intelligence on everything. We are restrained to discuss about other political parties because they are also inconsequential. This is not to say all these parties cannot improve. If they all can work on their weaknesses, indeed, they can grow from infancy.
We believe Kelvin has come at the right time. The political environment is too fertile for him to make a serious impact and mount a challenge for Hakainde. If Kelvin wants, he can do things that others are doing and remain a one man party with handful followers who are loyal to his pocket. If Kelvin is coming on the political scene with an attitude that he is in an alliance with Hakainde, he must forget making any political impact.
UPND is currently enjoying massive support but treading on a dangerous path. UPND has become home of thieves and its leaders have become arrogant, greedy and selfish overnight. It has frustrated most of those who fought hard to be where it is and has awarded the elite, rich people while ordinary members remain worse off than they were before they won elections. Worse still, it is not a secret that Hakainde has failed to honor most of his campaign promises. Of course praise singers can say all the nonsense they want but to those who are honest, they know that Hakainde has reneged.
On the other hand Kelvin has laid down very clear and intelligent policies that will respond to most of the challenges this country is facing. His plans have been well documented in his books and are clear for all to understand. Is Kelvin the messiah Zambians have been looking for? Time will tell. We wish him the very best and we shall be here to see what comes out of Zambia Must Prosper.