A general election was held in Zambia on 20 September 2011 to elect a President and representatives to the National Assembly. Everytime an African nation goes for elections, all eyes focus into the direction of that country. Everytime an African country goes for elections, we cross our fingers and hope for the best while anticipating the worst. Elections have become a curse to the African continent. Elections have divided many African nations. Lives have been lost and property destroyed as a result of elections in many African States. It is so rare for any sitting African president to lose elections and readily accept defeat and graciously bow out.
On 23 September, Zambia’s Chief Justice Ernest Sakala announced that Michael Sata had won the election, defeating incumbent Rupiah Banda. And yes, Michael Sata was sworn into office the same day. Congratulations are in order to the new first citizen of Zambia, Michael Sata. The people of Zambia must be applauded for displaying civilized behavior. Even though there were some isolated reports of anarchy during the elections, a majority of Zambians have proved to be disciplined, principled and civilized.
There are a lot of people and organizations that deserve a pat on the back for the relatively peaceful elections in Zambia. However, and that is as far as I’m concerned, the one man who deserves the first ‘hug’ of praise has to be the now former Zambian President Rupiah Banda. Let’s face it; this guy had the option to behave like all other African presidents who have refused to step down after losing elections. We have, in abundance, examples of such presidents who have stubbornly and arrogantly refused to hand over the baton after being rejected by their nations.
It is common in Africa that incumbency is the key to life presidency. Once elected into power, many African geezers become addicted to power. To them, stepping out of the State House is more like stepping into hell. If they don’t die in office, they won’t dare vacate the office. African leaders believe they are somewhat God’s greatest gifts to their nations. It is therefore pleasing to realize we still have a few gentlemen amongst our grumpy, power drunk old men who can’t even stay awake the entire African Union meeting. That useless organization!
Rupiah Banda gives us some hope. Rupiah Banda gives us something to celebrate about as Africans. At least Africa has something positive out of it, all thanks to Rupiah Banda. I was touched to hear him implore his supporters to accept the defeat in grace. I admired this old man even more when he urged public servants to serve the new government with loyalty and dignity. The people of Zambia have spoken and Banda urged everyone to listen to their voice. The case of Banda reminds me of an argument I once had with my friends over former South African Presidents, Nelson Mandela and F.W de Klerk. I argued that F.W De Klerk deserves a lot of praise in the story of Nelson Mandela. I have no problem with Tata Madiba and all he has done for South Africa and the world, if at all he has done anything for the world. He deserves the status of an ‘Icon of the World’ even though at times I feel he is overrated. Back to de Klerk. Here is the man who agreed to release Mandela from prison so he could get out of that 46664 cell and spend his little remaining energy to realize his dream of uniting his people. My friends want me to believe de Klerk had no choice but to release Mandela.
They argue that it was already time up for the Boers in South Africa but I still say ‘crap!’
For the sole reason that the Boers agreed to release Mandela without any shootings and stabbings, they will forever have my respect. Come on, those white fellows had the choice to refuse to release Mandela. If indeed the blacks were ready to have Mandela released through force (which they failed to do in blooming 27 years) why don’t we applaud de Klerk for avoiding the envisaged ‘kill for Mandela’? So as we congratulate Banda for handing over power to Sata when he could have easily refused or called for the stupid Government of National Unity, we also have to thank de Klerk for releasing Mandela peacefully even as he had the option to keep him rotting in jail. You see, it’s so crazy that we find ourselves having to thank our leaders for good behavior. It should get our leaders worried that we give them so much praise when they do something good because this can only mean one thing: African leaders are not known for good behavior. In countries that are not cursed with stupid leaders, their nations do not have to wait with bated breath as to whether their leaders would agree to leave office once they lose elections. No, that comes without question or hesitation. It comes naturally. You lose elections then you get the hell out of the presidency and allow the winner to carry on with their mandate as assigned by the electorate.
The people of Zambia must also be congratulated for their voting pattern. You see as Africans we are to blame for making our presidents believe they have to die in office if they are to vacate office. How do you explain our situation in Botswana where one political party has been in government for more than 45 years? In Zambia both their major political parties have been through the statuses of incumbency and opposition. During the times of Zambia’s first president Kenneth Kaunda, Banda’s Movement for Multiparty Democracy was in opposition before taking over power and losing it to Sata’s Patriotic Front over the weekend. This kind of voting should be encouraged amongst our nations. Power needs to alternate amongst political parties to avoid a situation where the incumbency ends up being addictive. The people of Zambia continue to attract my admiration as they continue to vote like my favourite nation of America where power alternates between the Democrats and the Republicans. I admire the way ‘white nations’ carry out their politics. They may have their flaws but our flaws in Africa dwarf theirs. It is for this reason that the people of Zambia deserve my accolades. I’m happy when black people behave like they have ‘white’ hearts. Bravo! One Zambia! One Nation!
