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- Herausgeber: Mapanza
- Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
- Sprache: Englisch
Citizens of democratic countries periodically elect public officials to manage national affairs. However, citizens are often not sure of what to do before, during and after elections. This book explains what citizens must know and do to create conducive environment for free and fair elections, elect public officers that would serve them, and hold elected officials accountable in between elections. Although the book is written with Zambia in mind, it is relevant to citizens of other countries, especially in Africa. Citizens of other countries other than Zambia must refer to constitutions and laws of their countires and apply the general principles espoused in the book.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020
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Mapanza H Nkwilimba
Elections and After
Table of contents
Copyright
Dedication
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter One: Citizenship
Chapter Two: Citizens and Elections
Chapter Three: Leadership After Elections
Chapter Four: The Fourth Estate and Citizens
Copyright
ELECTIONS AND AFTER: What Citizens Must Know and Do
Copyright © 2020 by Mapanza H Nkwilimba
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.
ISBN:
Dedication
I dedicate this book to all the children and youth of Africa in general, and of Zambia, in particular. Africa is yours. Zambia is yours and its future is in your hands, with God’s help. Build the Zambia you want. Build the Zambia that accommodates every Zambian regardless of their ethnicity or political affiliation.
Our forefathers, represented by great names such as Mbikusita Lewanika, Dauti Yamba, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Kenneth Kaunda, Mainza Chona, and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, among many others from every part of Zambia (earlier known as Barotziland-North Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia and became Northern Rhodesia in 1911) organised the then African community into a political force to fight for independence from the British rule. Zambia became independent on 24th October 1964 after two political parties – the African National Congress (ANC) led by Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, and the United National Independent Party (UNIP) led by Kenneth Kaunda, combined their strength to beat the white settler led party (United Federal Party – UFP).
Our forefathers had a common cause; to bring independence to Zambians. Multi-party politics initially lasted for eight years only (1964 to 1972). Thereafter, the UNIP government introduced one party politics. Kenneth Kaunda led a one-party state government for 19 years, bringing the total number of years he remained at the helm of Zambia to 27. As Zambians grew intolerant of the despotic posture of the monopoly of one-party politics surpassing divergent views, they rallied around another common cause; a return to multi-party democratic governance system. Another Mbikusita, Akashambatwa and a few friends such as Derrick Mbita Chitala, and Edith Nawakwi, among others, rose to the new challenge to bring democracy to Zambia. Thus, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was born and won the elections of 1991.
Although Zambia had become a democracy the deeply entrenched one party traits continued. There was no political party at the opposition to offer effective checks and balance to the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD). The former ruling party (UNIP) was reduced politically to nothing. By the end of the first ten years of governance the MMD had fallen back to intolerance to exhibiting intolerance and unjust economic appropriation. Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba started pushing for a third term into the presidency. The people of Zambia, again, rose and rallied around another common cause, “NO THIRD TERM”. The Zambians won. Although MMD continued in power, there was new leadership in the late Levy Patrick Mwanawasa from 2001. Mwanawasa fought corruption with a passion. Zambia began to witness massive development.
The post Mwanawasa era led by Rupiah Bwezani Banda saw a reversal on a grand scale of the gains made by Mwanawasa. The people of Zambia were ready for the fourth time to determine their future. In 2011, Zambians ushered in the rule of late Michael Chilufya Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF). The PF espoused pro-poor policies. Among other promises, they guaranteed more money in people’s pockets and lower taxes. However, after Sata passed away, new PF leadership emerged. Henceforth it seems that the pro-poor stance has been abandoned. The country has witnessed huge challenges in governance. Reports of grand corruption, actual political intolerance and violence, have reached such levels and proportions as never seen before. While a few in positions of political power and their cronies are apparently swimming in riches, the majority of Zambians live in abject poverty.
Zambians will continue to have opportunities to determine their future. There will be causes to rally for. 2021 presents Zambians with another opportunity to choose what kind of country they want. They can choose the leaders they want for the kind of country they want. There have been causes around political independence and democracy. Perhaps it is now time for Zambians to rally around economic interdependence. Zambia is endowed with massive mineral and other resources. Currently, there is no reason for citizens to live in poverty other than poor leadership and bad governance.
Going forward, the children and youth of Zambia must rise and create a future with hope. They must utilise elections to express their will for credible and visionary leadership. They must work for peaceful, free and fair elections. No Zambian must lose their life because of their association to political parties. The youth can make this possible. In between elections, they must hold elected leaders and appointed officials accountable in the management and distribution of national resources through strategic development.
