Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:07:06 +0000
…Leadership, Responsibility and Society
Today, I want to raise critical issues about leadership, responsibility and the Zambian society as we know it. Please note, it is not about anybody living or active in whatever station. It is about Zambia as we know it. Zambia is larger than any person!
Many writings, opinions etc, tend to narrow leadership to the political playing field, without attempting to get a grasp of what really politics is all about. Simply, put, politics in its basic form is about making choices and we do that every minute, day, week, year etc, outside the partisan “envelope”.
Every person makes choices. Whether the choices made are good or bad is neither here nor there. The choice would have been made.
It is highly irresponsible, immature and imprudent to think that leadership is all about the President of this country, in this case HE Edgar Chagwa Lungu. That once upon a time brilliant law student admired by his classmates! We have a second Lawyer as the Head of State, after Levy Mwanawasa.
Everybody is in one way or the other a leader and has followers. Only a corpse – or a dead body would have no real followers, but mourners!
Take any commercial or large Kitchen: how can all the chefs and waiters, be at the same level? This is the same for hospitals and clinics; it is the same for all law firms and any other consulting firm or entity of whatever description.
As we learnt in Zambian Civics, we have an Executive, headed by the President (Republican), the Legislature headed by the Speaker and the Judiciary headed by the Chief Justice.
This set-up is enhanced by independent governance bodies, which are as strong as we have made them overtime.
In each wing of government, the line of command is not unclear and those that seek to undermine it by compromising delivery, simply cause the leadership unnecessary problems.
It is here that we locate and inquire on the issue of personal responsibility.
We all know that no institution can by itself do anything, but through the individuals it employs, who are its Agents. This is quite important in the sense that much as the “buck” ends with the leader, individuals serving under that leader are seized with personal responsibility to do nothing but that which they are hired for.
While this is a universal theme, it is particularly critical in our instance because the importance of institutions, whose vigor and functionality is not debatable, depends on individual employees.
Let’s briefly look at the crisis facing the Pension Funds as reported by the Daily Nation. What has concerned me is that criminality has been alluded to, yet, we are talking of this issue in the context of an existing legal and legitimate government. We also know that a pension is an extremely critical contract responding to the needs of people who have retired, having served the country well, in whatever capacity.
Clearly, the Treasury must come clean and save the situation, without fear or favor. This will not be helped by a hastily organized investigation but must include a forensic audit wherein those that have been implicated, must cooperate and allow equity and justice to quench the fire of unfairness. Interference through proxies, masquerading as experts or analysts, is totally unacceptable.
In my view, it follows that if there will be reason to act, law enforcement agencies must quickly act and not wait to fight historical corruption, or indeed join the infamous queue of the once doubtful and vindictive fight against corruption.
So, you see, individual responsibility kicks in. One holds a particular office or position not for self gratification but to be of service to Zambia and be a blessing to humanity.
Yes, poverty and its trappings present many challenges. Those who have been unfortunate to experience the ravages of poverty decide or think that they must defeat poverty permanently, and use any opportunity given to them in good faith, to amass personal wealth.
Once in that gear of primitive accumulation, nothing will stop them from assaulting civility. They are addicted to acquiring more and more, whether they cause pain or not! Talking them out of acquiring more can actually begin a “third world war” and damage relations.
Then there is the problem of personal negligence that I have talked about before. We all know that it can get very cold at times, yet, some will prefer to dress in a manner that defies reason and logic. When they fall ill, their irresponsibility becomes a burden to Zambia, as the hospitals must respond, since it appears an unwritten policy that the government will take care. (Boma itiyanganepo mentality)
The same kind of irresponsibility can be discerned when there are disease outbreaks or riots. Really, why should we allow a situation where government should “beg” citizens to sleep under mosquito nets, when we know that mosquitoes cause disease? What about the ugly sights during the rainy season all because drainages are either nonexistent or blocked by those citizens, who feel drainages, are alternative waste bins? What about those who dig and draw water from a water-well near a toilet or any such hazardous state of affairs?
If we all cooperated and believed in our national anthem, we would reduce the disease burden greatly thereby allowing funds from the treasury to be used for truly needy purposes as budgeted.
Only last week, President Lungu, was reported on ZNBC news announcing the good news representing serious reduction of early child marriages. This is great!
He is the Ambassador against this vice and there is no denying the fact that we have a couple in State House that has done us proud and my friends in the NGOs must be happy with this development. Clearly, what this means is that if and when we apply ourselves severally and individually, we can achieve. I see a similar achievement coming out of Zambia Plus to contribute towards a Smart Zambia.
As a truism, the reverse is also true. If we focus on wrong things such as name calling, or ill founded agitation, as evidenced on the social media, we can never grow our economy, so much that I recommend that those seized with responsibility appreciate that politicking, will always be there.
This then brings us to the impact of failing to lead at a micro-level and what irresponsibility does to society.
Quite alright, Zambia is organized in such a way as to have an annual budget which like any other plan, has assumptions. It is irresponsible for any one of us to proceed on the basis that after all, there is a government, which government, will take care.
Just look at the carnage caused by students when they riot in order to express dissent. There is no doubt that dissenting is a form of expression but I am of the view that we cannot afford any form of expression which borders on lawlessness. Destruction of property is illegal and that becomes a serious societal challenge affecting national planning.
I say this having personally been in the frontline dealing with issues arising out of these riots (as a student and then a Human Rights Defender) and when I look back, I cannot account for any profit apart from reliving experiences of clashes and resultant challenges.
So what does all this do to society and its many institutions? We know too well that, actually societies suffer more from internal hemorrhage than outside or external attacks.
Question: if Zambia is for Zambians and Zambians have a duty towards this Zambia, why are we allowing our country to be “sold” just like fish or bread by heartless and care free citizens, who are neighbors of crime?
This scenario is what brings out the so called pull him/her down syndrome. The guy above is trying to enforce the law and the other guy, feels the guy above is standing in the way. Hence, a “decision” is arrived to frame the guy above and cause so much pain for him or her so that, criminal activities can blossom.
No matter what officials at the Pension and Insurance Authority say, there is a duty of care to Zambia, beyond pensioners. Pensioners are directly affected but trust me, the country called Zambia, is equally affected.
I do not agree with the practice of creating jobs for other economies when we are needy and actually require is a win-win solution.
The problem may lie in the highly secretive undertakings, which clearly involve many individuals. Do these individuals want the truth to be known? I think not! But should the truth be known? Absolutely! So who will lead us to the truth? It is Zambian citizens who must shake off all emotional attachments which tend to derail reason. In this respect therefore, there is every good reason to support those who are asking for the truth to be known.
In fact, the ugly scene of the pension saga faces the Treasury squarely. The alleged mismanagement is under its charge and we all know that we have agreed to produce a Smart Zambia, partly through Zambia Plus.
So, when you scrutinize, it is very taxing if and when you take into account irrelevant considerations.
See you next week!
Comments: ngandem12@gmail.com SMS 0977776191 and 0955776191
