A POLITICAL VACUUM IS DANGEROUS It is extremely dangerous for a ruling party to create a political vacuum by failing to drive its own agenda, while spending every day defending itself against opposition allegations. One thing politicians must understand is that people are not always interested in the truth. Sometimes, emotions are more powerful than […]

A POLITICAL VACUUM IS DANGEROUS

It is extremely dangerous for a ruling party to create a political vacuum by failing to drive its own agenda, while spending every day defending itself against opposition allegations.

One thing politicians must understand is that people are not always interested in the truth. Sometimes, emotions are more powerful than facts. Once people dislike you, even if you walk on water, they will accuse you of disturbing the fish.
Look at Jesus Christ. He was healing the sick, feeding thousands and raising the dead, yet his opponents managed to mobilise crowds shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Jesus often spoke in parables, while his accusers delivered simple, emotionally charged messages.
They questioned how he could claim divine authority when they knew him as the carpenter’s son.
When he performed miracles, they accused him of using demonic powers. When he spoke about his kingdom, they portrayed him as a political threat.

In the Gospel accounts, even his closest disciples struggled to stand by him when he was arrested.
Of course, the resurrection is central to Christianity, but in politics, there is no guaranteed resurrection. Just ask UNIP, MMD and PF.
Now, coming to our politics.
Ba Government, how do you allow Emmanuel Mwamba and JJ Banda to hold the entire Government by the scrotum, to the extent that you are busy explaining yourselves every day?

And this issue of JJ Banda is particularly interesting.
Just imagine, the President of the Republic of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema, is officially opening Parliament, one of the most important constitutional occasions on our national calendar.
Meanwhile, JJ Banda, who is reportedly hiding in the bush, is said to be calling on people to gather at Heroes Stadium on the very same day!

Ala, bane, mulangeniko! 🤣🤣
The President is addressing the nation from Parliament, and another man, allegedly somewhere in the bush, is trying to attract attention at Heroes Stadium!

One man has the State machinery, ministers, MPs, security and all the instruments of Government. The other is reportedly operating from an undisclosed location, yet his activities are generating political discussion.
Now, ba Government, if this doesn’t make you sit up and think, nishi mulefwaya shani? 🤣
And Emmanuel Mwamba?

The man switches on his camera, sits somewhere and starts talking. Before you know it, thousands are following his commentary, while Government communication officers are busy drafting statements beginning with, “We wish to categorically refute…”
By the time you finish categorically refuting, Emmanuel has already released another video! 🤣
SORRY, GUYS, I DON’T MEAN TO BE FACETIOUS, BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT I AM SAYING.

Do you seriously think people are following all those clarifications?
I am not saying Government should ignore falsehoods. No! But there must be a difference between correcting misinformation and allowing your opponents to determine your entire political agenda.
Personally, I am becoming reluctant to keep talking from outside the decision-making structures without being recognised as a strategic player.

In Bemba, we say, “Umulembwe wa Chipuba uumpila muli tumfwe, tumfwe”, elokabili “Pakwakana ubunga tapaba nsoni”.
I have spoken, warned and analysed political developments many times. But if I continue shouting from outside, eventually people will start laughing at me instead of listening.

At the end of the day, it is the President’s prerogative to put together a team that can drive his agenda.
Right now, Government’s political communication appears cold. There is no compelling daily political agenda capturing public attention, so opposition voices are filling the vacuum.

And when you leave the political space empty, don’t complain when somebody else occupies it, even if he is communicating from the bush!
POLITICS ABHORS A VACUUM. YOU CANNOT GOVERN BY CLARIFICATIONS ALONE!
Anyway, let me go and see my uncle at the hospital.

But remember, I don’t call myself a Political Engineer for nothing. I have analysed situations, warned about political consequences and watched some of those warnings come to pass.
I am sounding another caution today.

Nga mwakana ukumfwa, mukesa ibukisha amashiwi yandi. Ukwebele imfwa yanoko mutanshi.
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!
TAYALI THE POLITICAL ENGINEER!