President Edgar Lungu says those who think he does not deserve an honorary doctorate from the University of Zambia are just playing politics and he will not respond to them.
And President Lungu says he does not wish to be called “Dr Lungu” because he is just simple “Edgar”.
He was responding to public outcry over UNZA’s intentions to honor him for “upholding the rule of law, appointing a female vice-president”, among other reasons, when he arrived at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, Saturday.
“Firstly, I am not a Doctor. I do not have a doctorate and I do not wish to be called Dr Edgar Lungu. There is so much talk about the doctorate to be conferred on me by the University of Zambia which I am greatly humbled with. But, let me tell you that in class I was one of the best students and if I really wanted to venture into the academia, the academic world, I would have been a professor by now. But I chose to pursue the political life and practice of the law,” President Lungu said.
“So those who think I do not deserve to be honored by the University of Zambia, that is politics and I will not respond to that. And even if I am conferred and recognized as such by the institution, I wouldn’t really want to be called Dr Lungu, I still want to remain simple Edgar.”
President Lungu said he was not one of those who pursued academic titles to appear more knowledgable.
“There are people who strive to become doctors and professors because they want to serve and there people that want to become doctors and professors because they want to bask in the glory of being perceived knowledgeable and I am not one of those. Whether you call me Doctor or not, what I have – I already have, what I was acquiring I have acquired already. I got my first degree from the University of Zambia, I have done a few post diplomas and courses so I am not worried about being called Doctor,” said President Lungu.
“What matters to me is what I have in my heart so don’t worry about doctorates, professorships, that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is ‘am I being of service to the people of Zambia?”
One Response
President Lungu’s claim that he was “one of the best students” in his law class at the University of Zambia (UNZA) is completely untrue and cannot be left unchallenged. Moreover, UNZA’s “decision” to award him an honorary doctorate in good governance is baffling to say the least. First, the best students in his class were: Melvin Mbao (now Professor and retired Executive Dean of Law at North West University in South Africa), who was awarded the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree with Distinction – a rare feat at UNZA; Timothy Katanekwa (now Judge), who was awarded the degree with Merit (just below distinction); and Louis Mukande (State Counsel), who was also awarded the degree with Merit. All of these are still alive and can confirm this, as indeed can all of President Lungu’s classmates. Secondly, President Lungu does not deserve an honorary doctorate for good governance for the simple reason that he and his government have done nothing remotely approximating good governance. Quite the contrary. Good governance entails a commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights, anti-corruption, accountability and prudent economic management. President Lungu and his government have breached every single element of good governance. Examples include the selective application of the law, routine violation of the rights of citizens including through suppressing public protests and party sponsored political violence, arrest of political opponents on spurious charges and failure to uphold the Constitution through, for example, refusal to hand over power to the Speaker after the disputed 2016 presidential election and retaining ministers after the dissolution of Parliament; failing to combat the endemic corruption that has become the hallmark of his administration, including by refusing to suspend ministers who have been charged with or otherwise implicated in corruption by official institutions; non-responsive and unaccountable leadership, including failing to account for public resources (e.g., the fire engine, ambulance and AVIC infrastructure tenders); and reckless borrowing and general economic mismanagement (e.g., purchasing an expensive presidential plane when hospitals lack basic medicines and equipment). Finally, even if President Lungu wished to be addressed as “Dr”, as the holder of an honorary doctorate, he would not be entitled to use the title “Dr”. He may, however, use the title of the degree after his name, clearly indicating that it is an honorary degree. But, as I have said, the award is totally undeserved. By its action, UNZA has seriously imperiled its credibility.