Editorial
One of the biggest hurdles that ruling parties face after securing victory in especially countries like ours where poverty is widespread and opportunities are hard to come by, is to keep the support base intact.
If you deeply look at Zambia’s ruling parties from UNIP, to MMD, to PF and now UPND, the history behind their eventual loss of power or erosion of their support base all boils down to internal dissatisfaction and betrayals.
You see, in a country of fewer and in-between opportunities in private enterprise, or availability of jobs awarded on merit, discontentment starts to build and eventually consumes the ruling party. All party functionaries who previously worked as volunteers want to become full-time paid employees.
Today, this internal disillusionment and dissatisfaction is perhaps the biggest risk that the ruling UPND faces. Because of limited local enterprise opportunities, the high cost of living, and other productivity challenges, almost all UPND die-hard supporters end up looking for government jobs, government contracts, and government favors, some of which border on seeking appointments on tribal lines, nepotism and all sorts of justifications.
There are so many people today who were ardent UPND supporters who feel entitled to living a good life even if they don’t engage in productive activities, even if they were appointed and have lost their jobs out of their wrongdoing. Somehow, they still believe they contributed to the victory of the UPND in wrestling power from the PF and that sense of entitlement continues for as long as the party remains in power.
This is the reason why it’s advisable for a ruling party in Zambia to seek broad-based national development, to get a better share from Mining exports, grow Zambia’s Agro exports and stabilize the Kwacha, to give jobs and business opportunities on merit rather than tribal or political party lines. It’s the only way out.
People need to understand that winning an election in Africa and in particular in Zambia, is more complex than meets an uninitiated eye. Most supporters of political parties end up with an illusion that they contributed heavily to the victory, but the reality is that the contribution weights or scales that the eventual winner president finds on ascending to the highest office are far more different.
Moreover, Zambia like most developing nations has income generation challenges, and weak systems to ensure maximum collection of both tax and nontax revenues. Its economic and financial management systems are basic, with huge skills and exposure deficiencies. The country therefore ends up with no money for investments as most of the revenues collected are paid out as salaries, emoluments, and other consumption needs.
The other big challenge is the ownership structure of the Zambian economy. The fact that there are no major citizen-owned businesses and financiers entails that most citizens’ contribution to winning an election is reduced to merely lining up and casting a single ballot or making the loudest noise at political rallies or social media.
The real question is who will have more sway post elections between financiers and political party carders? How about the ones who pay for the political party campaign activities? How about the intelligence support that political parties receive both locally and from outside Zambia?
How about the work of social engineers and social media tactics and strategies which today are key determinants in electoral outcomes? How about direct and indirect support from foreign governments through embassies and their contacts in Zambia?
This matrix of elements used to influence voter turnout and ultimate electoral results all need serious funding. And if we as Zambians continue to think that we can have our own government free of external financiers’ influence, to have a Government that acts in the best interest of the majority of Zambians and its collective long-term interests, we need to first own the various sectors society and command economic power.
The current high levels of poverty in the country if left unchecked, as you know which also leads to intellectual bankruptcy, will continue to lead to senseless politics that we are witnessing today. Even so-called educated people, our judiciary, and the legislature will continue to make decisions that are not in the interest of the nation but for securing the jobs of the appointees.
All in all, what is needed is a locally owned and controlled Zambian economy. Zambian ownership of key and strategic sectors needs to be supported and remain a strategic goal for the government. Otherwise, Zambians should brace for the election of one puppet after another, to endorsement of either Western or Eastern bloc-sponsored frontmen disguised as national leaders.
