Of stupidity and politicians
I have for a long time desisted from publicly commenting on Zambian political affairs. However recent events have succeeded in propelling me from reluctance into action. A lot has been said about opposition members of parliament serving in government. In particular the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) president Dr Nevers Mumba (himself once a victim of poaching when he agreed to be vice president and abandoned his party) has gone on record condemning the ruling Patriotic Front for 'poaching' his party's Members of Parliament (MPs).
Material surviving from my grade nine Geography indicates that poaching is an illegal activity associated with forcefully taking animal or plant life whose ornaments are used in illicit trade. What springs to mind as an example is the killing of Elephants for ivory, Leopards for their skin and so forth.
When used in the context of MPs, the imagery it inspires is that of the government illegally and forcefully grabbing opposition MPs (most likely in the dead of the night, bundling them in sisal sacks and mercilessly throwing them into a Jeep) and cajoling them into serving as deputy ministers. The poor MPs will be forced to swear allegiance to the government, forced to smile at the cameras during the swearing-in ceremony and forced to give glowing interviews about their eagerness to serve.
All I am saying is that it is stupid in this case to accuse the government of poaching MPs.
The advent of multi-party politics saw the springing up of different parties in Zambia, mostly built around the charisma and more importantly pockets of their leaders. Since the United National Independence Party (UNIP);( which I can now only describe as a shell of its former self and even that being an undeserved compliment), there has never been any party radically different from the others in ideology. I have read the PF manifesto and although they sound distributive, they in effect use the same free market perspective. As such people join parties not because they see it as a conveyor and bearer of the principles they believe in, but because they see it as an easier way of being close to the seat of power. This being the case, members can make seamless transitions across and among parties if it suits their interest.
It bemuses me therefore when Dr Mumba comes up with such a statement. I don't want to dwell on his much publicized ditching of Citizens Coalition for the vice presidency. Others have already done justice to that topic.
I do understand his frustration though. It stems from the overwhelming incapacitation that he surely must be feeling in every joint. He cannot do anything about it. The MMD MPs have obviously already rehearsed the whole "service to the people" speech that they can even recite it in their sleep. It is also not far-fetched to imagine that some are secretly hoping to be expelled so that they can be "adopted" (where do politicians get these words) and stand on the ruling party ticket. Given the recent happenings in Mufumbwe, I would assume the MMD would be extremely reluctant to take this route. So the solution is a series of Ws, wait, whine, weep and waste-away. Talk of a gloomy outlook!
You are adopted!
The PF when faced with a similar situation chose to lay down the law for its members and expelled the so-called "rebel" (politicians and words... I give up) MPs in 2007. The party managed to ride the furore caused by the fallout and it would seem the right factors connived to make it work. Whether the MMD leadership are headstrong enough to lay down the party law remains to be seen... wait a minute their Vice president Dr Chituwo has already made a statement that they will not "discipline" MPs serving in government as long as the PF does not abuse the privilege.
Therefore it does not surprise me that I read somewhere today that the concerned MPs have vowed to continue serving in the government, adding that they owe their allegiance primarily to the people. I wonder why they never stood as independents. I am not a PF sympathiser but they (PF) must be deeply satisfied with the way this has turned out. Remember they did not have a majority in parliament in the aftermath of the 2011 elections but have managed to wriggle themselves out of that sticky cove.
My own view is that the president should be free to choose anyone to be part of his government and that ideally the government is above party politics. Once voted into power, its mandate extends even to those that never voted for it not only in serving them but seeking who can be of service to the government. It goes without saying then that members of the opposition are co-opted into government purely out of consideration for their unique skill set and their disposition to helping the government carry out its mandate. But that is in an ideal world and the reason they call it ideal is because it does not exist.
Obviously questions remain as to whether the current government is "poaching" with altruistic motives. The president has not helped his cause by openly gloating that his party is ready to adopt expelled MPs and let them stand on the PF platform. But you do understand his reasoning. An assured majority in parliament, party presence nationwide- sounds like a good day's work.
The worry for me is the unhealthy fixation with party affiliations. As I said these parties do not even have succinct ideological standpoints. I am yet to carry out research but I am willing to bet that over half the membership of these parties have never even read their party's manifesto let alone seen it. In such a sea of personalities, money and trial and error it is no wonder party allegiances are non-existent. I say country first, regardless of your party. For heaven's sake stop politicking.
Material surviving from my grade nine Geography indicates that poaching is an illegal activity associated with forcefully taking animal or plant life whose ornaments are used in illicit trade. What springs to mind as an example is the killing of Elephants for ivory, Leopards for their skin and so forth.
When used in the context of MPs, the imagery it inspires is that of the government illegally and forcefully grabbing opposition MPs (most likely in the dead of the night, bundling them in sisal sacks and mercilessly throwing them into a Jeep) and cajoling them into serving as deputy ministers. The poor MPs will be forced to swear allegiance to the government, forced to smile at the cameras during the swearing-in ceremony and forced to give glowing interviews about their eagerness to serve.
All I am saying is that it is stupid in this case to accuse the government of poaching MPs.
The advent of multi-party politics saw the springing up of different parties in Zambia, mostly built around the charisma and more importantly pockets of their leaders. Since the United National Independence Party (UNIP);( which I can now only describe as a shell of its former self and even that being an undeserved compliment), there has never been any party radically different from the others in ideology. I have read the PF manifesto and although they sound distributive, they in effect use the same free market perspective. As such people join parties not because they see it as a conveyor and bearer of the principles they believe in, but because they see it as an easier way of being close to the seat of power. This being the case, members can make seamless transitions across and among parties if it suits their interest.
It bemuses me therefore when Dr Mumba comes up with such a statement. I don't want to dwell on his much publicized ditching of Citizens Coalition for the vice presidency. Others have already done justice to that topic.
I do understand his frustration though. It stems from the overwhelming incapacitation that he surely must be feeling in every joint. He cannot do anything about it. The MMD MPs have obviously already rehearsed the whole "service to the people" speech that they can even recite it in their sleep. It is also not far-fetched to imagine that some are secretly hoping to be expelled so that they can be "adopted" (where do politicians get these words) and stand on the ruling party ticket. Given the recent happenings in Mufumbwe, I would assume the MMD would be extremely reluctant to take this route. So the solution is a series of Ws, wait, whine, weep and waste-away. Talk of a gloomy outlook!
You are adopted!
The PF when faced with a similar situation chose to lay down the law for its members and expelled the so-called "rebel" (politicians and words... I give up) MPs in 2007. The party managed to ride the furore caused by the fallout and it would seem the right factors connived to make it work. Whether the MMD leadership are headstrong enough to lay down the party law remains to be seen... wait a minute their Vice president Dr Chituwo has already made a statement that they will not "discipline" MPs serving in government as long as the PF does not abuse the privilege.
Therefore it does not surprise me that I read somewhere today that the concerned MPs have vowed to continue serving in the government, adding that they owe their allegiance primarily to the people. I wonder why they never stood as independents. I am not a PF sympathiser but they (PF) must be deeply satisfied with the way this has turned out. Remember they did not have a majority in parliament in the aftermath of the 2011 elections but have managed to wriggle themselves out of that sticky cove.
My own view is that the president should be free to choose anyone to be part of his government and that ideally the government is above party politics. Once voted into power, its mandate extends even to those that never voted for it not only in serving them but seeking who can be of service to the government. It goes without saying then that members of the opposition are co-opted into government purely out of consideration for their unique skill set and their disposition to helping the government carry out its mandate. But that is in an ideal world and the reason they call it ideal is because it does not exist.
Obviously questions remain as to whether the current government is "poaching" with altruistic motives. The president has not helped his cause by openly gloating that his party is ready to adopt expelled MPs and let them stand on the PF platform. But you do understand his reasoning. An assured majority in parliament, party presence nationwide- sounds like a good day's work.
The worry for me is the unhealthy fixation with party affiliations. As I said these parties do not even have succinct ideological standpoints. I am yet to carry out research but I am willing to bet that over half the membership of these parties have never even read their party's manifesto let alone seen it. In such a sea of personalities, money and trial and error it is no wonder party allegiances are non-existent. I say country first, regardless of your party. For heaven's sake stop politicking.
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