Not in our time, not on our watch

I hope Zambians are alert to the fact that private individuals that had usurped State power for private gain during the Mwanawasa era are now raising their tails pointedly high. "We have them in our palms," is the catch phrase some are now throwing around. Is this the change the people sought? The answer is a categorical no. We know as fact that some of them owe large amounts of monies; that illegal State institutions they once worked for have audit queries that we may now not have answers to; and, that some private financial institutions became public fiscal guardians merely to serve their interests. Unfortunately, this time there may not be CSOs organisations to protect the interests of the people as many are still drunk with unreasoned euphoria (from an CSO point of view). Please let us stand up, and say no. Not in our time, not on our watch. If private interests are allowed to be embedded in Michael C. Sata's presidency, then the aspirations of the people will inarguably be relegated to the ashes of history.

Whose change is it?

Today, September 23, 2011 marks another milestone in the history of Zambia. An incumbent president has been unseated, and 20 years of a ruling party has come to an end. Inarguably, the incoming party, PF, is a semblance of the outgoing party as its founder and members are products of the MMD. But that is not, the subject of this blog.

The blog is about the change, I consistently heard being talked about. The lumpen proletariat, the youth, women and the poor, and indeed elements of the middle and upper class all talked about the need for change. But the question we should be asking amidst the euphoria is, whose change is it.

We must not delude ourselves in believing that the need for change is universal or is irrespective of class. Thus, I hope that the change we are about to witness is one that will result in the interests of the lumpen proletariat, youth, women, and the poor reigning supreme over the private interests that may want to usurp State power for private gain. We have witnessed the desperation of the private interests of the middle and upper class. It is imperative that the lower class maintains its expectations of change by keeping the private interests at bay.

For, I am certain it is not private interests that, lumpen proletariat, the youths, women and the poor voted for. The change they desire is a better life than the one they have had. A dignified life. But they too should exercise caution, as the dream can fade quickly, when the private interest pretends to have the same interest.

The upper class may talk the language of the lumpen proletariat, youth, women, and the poor, but they will never know the footpaths these groups walk, for theirs has always been a world apart. History, has never had individuals that live in walled mansions or drive luxury cars have their agendas commensurate with the poor or oppressed. So I sincerely hope, that as the youth, women and the poor celebrate they realise that those that often pretend to walk with them, do not necessarily do so. It is their change, and their voice should not just end at disturbing my sleep. They should now strive to make democratic governance accountable.

Change is not limbus factuorum.

Laus Deo