I GAVE a lift to a female security workmate. On the radio, were discussions on who had managed to file in nominations. The lady then said, “madam, muka imilile naimwe, munga kwanise.” I further went to ask her what she meant by ku kwanisa (that I can manage politics), awe madam, “mu ziba ku Kamba” ija induction workshop munati trainer bwino.

Politics is not just about eloquency. It is about people and their ideas, desires, needs and their striving to debate, negotiate and protest. Normal human beings want to be remembered in history for the good they do and so do politicians wanting to leave a legacy. But in doing so, does not mean they will not have failures. Governments and individuals can make mistakes as they are human but what they do from those mistakes is what is important. Do they treat their mistakes as lessons or simply put the blame on others and not learn. Often times, not learning from mistakes leads to ones fall.

People will always strive for an ideal government and needs evolve over time. The type of leadership we had in our forefathers is not the same leadership we need today but the spirit of servitude should be the same for those wanting to lead us. Even if the perfect political system is to be developed, it is unlikely to remain so for too long as the needs of individuals, groups and nations change. The question is, why does an individual want to be elected? Are politicians necessary? If we asked members of parliament to forgo their half gratuities and only get a 20% and later on a 10% at the end of their tenure and thereafter be getting an amount every month, would they agree? And so, to all those vying for political office, as you get into parliament, remember whom you represent. It must be the interest of the people and not for the masses to start questioning if we need politicians at all.
Whether we like their decisions or indeed them as individuals is quite another matter. Politicians are human beings who use their collective power to achieve common goals like deciding what we do with our hard-earned money at the point of retirement. They are individuals we send to represent our views in making laws of our beloved country.

Politicians are supposed to be our employees. So how much they earn, the quality of their decisions, their speech, whether or not they respond back to us when we try to get in touch or whether they think getting in touch with them is a bother, is what must determine whether we shall employ them in office or not. For those politicians wishing to take back their seats, as a voter or employer, ask yourself if these individuals deserve to be back in office, did they represent you? To those vying for the first time, remember that the clock ticks, it will soon be 2031 and you shall be answerable. Will your people want to send you back? In every seating, every sip of water you take in parliament, every tea and laughter you make, remember that the five years passes like a mist and you will need the voters again but the question will be, did you represent them or it was all about your belly and interests? Do politicians share the value priorities of the citizens who vote for them. These politicians are our neighbours, church mates or former classmates. Surely, some people know them well, would they represent the voters in the best interest?
In other words, if a politician is very lucky, he or she may please some of the people most of the time. So who are these individuals who thrust themselves forward into the public eye and what do they hope to achieve? What are they like as people and how much have we got it right when we make our pronouncements on them? At best we hope that they get on with the job and meet at least some of the expectations we had of them on election day, and at worst we may not care and conclude that politics is a dirty game. Is that’s our reasoning, then we have no right to complain on the caliber of MP’s we elect.

Could it be that politics requires higher ambition than most of us have, but carries the low levels of control over their working lives with which many of us are all too familiar? Or is the perception of privilege and wealth justified? In many jobs, we are accustomed to seeing someone who has done well in a particular task gaining promotion but in politics, it’s how close you are to the powers that be that determines your position in government and this sought of promotion continues to produce mismatched leadership and management. In politics there is also little way of knowing how well an individual will do in leading a party or a country before they are given that opportunity.

We take steps to ensure those responsible for the lives of others such as doctors and teachers are qualified, even a driver of a public passenger vehicle needs certification, why should those taking charge of a whole nation by making our rules, be exempt? Ask yourself, that individual you will be voting for, what do they do? what is their character? Can they have your interest at all?
Whatever the nature of the prevailing political party in power, political behaviour is traditionally conducted away from public view, as leaders and their advisors, parliaments and government cabinets meet to take key decisions. Therefore, our understanding of political acts tends to rely on assumptions about relatively few key individuals.

As voters, ask the correct questions and as politicians, don’t tell us about boreholes and road, clinics and the like (we have memorized that song already) tell us why is should be you representing us.

May the race be smooth, peaceful and good luck to all those who will be standing in the August 13, elections.
Counsellor, ni muntu naye, ama vota. And so, am excited for results for Mwandi in Western Province, Nchanga on the Copperbelt, Chongwe East and West, Mporokoso, Makeni, Chawama, Lusaka Mayor and the sweet town of Mazabuka.

Seek help when in need, visit a Counsellor near you!