If Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said Zambians were “backward” and poured scorn on the fact that we are “beggars”, what would be the general reaction? And what if Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa, said we are a very uncivilized country because we allow our President Michael Sata to say anything, anyhow, what will we do?
How about Uhuru Kenyatta, the newly elected Kenyan President, calling us “senile” for electing President Michael Sata who’s surrendered state power into private citizens with vested interest to an extent that they disregard court orders and block a former head of state like Rupiah Banda from traveling for an important graduation after his election, what would be a honest reaction from Zambia?
Simply put, there will be a backlash because these are unpleasant scenarios however justifiable they maybe. It calls for serious reflection on our part because it seems we have a problem, something not only extremely disappointing but also upsetting.
Guy Scott, the second highest office holder in our country, went on rampage letting his mouth so loose that a panting dog will be an angel saying some things someone in his position should certainly know how to diplomatically relay.
In an interview with an English journalist David Smith, Dr Scott said everything and anything on what should have been important national issues. It left me wondering whether Zambia is really in safe hands. Somehow, the problem at hand has been underrated. One day, we will wake up and find one of our leaders has declared war.These are clear signs.
If his boss, President Michael Sata, was bad, Dr Scott is frighteningly worse not to mention their chola boy (bag carrier) Wynter Kabimba – the minister of justice and PF Secretary General. And to thing these are the highest office holders in the country triggers goose bumps.
Listen to; “The South Africans are very backward in terms of historical development,” he said. “I hate South Africans. That’s not a fair thing to say because I like a lot of South Africans but they really think they’re the bees’ knees and actually they’ve been the cause of so much trouble in this part of the world.
“I have a suspicion the blacks model themselves on the whites now that they’re in power. ‘Don’t you know who we are, man?’”
Is this what can honestly come off the Vice-President’s mind? Assuming there was any iota of truth in Dr Scott’s sentiments, is this the best way to put it across at that level?
As if that is not enough, he adds; “They [South Africa] think in Brics that the ‘s’ actually stands for South Africa whereas it stands for Africa. Nobody would want to go in for a partnership with Brazil, China, India and South Africa for Christ’s sake.
“I dislike South Africa for the same reason that Latin Americans dislike the United States, I think. It’s just too big and too unsubtle.”
What kind of insolence is this? How will South Africa treat Zambia and its people in general? And who says the ‘s’ in Brics is not South Africa? If it stands for Africa, why is the continent’s representative not changing from Zuma to some in Egypt, Darfur or Magreb?
Sadly, those genuinely concerned will not see their country foster cordial and strong relationships with its neigbhours and other key international partners. Even the existing partnerships are scattering.
There is actually an emerging trend in the PF of abrasive isolationism which has the blessings of President Sata. This is why Dr Scott can afford to pour scorn on a key economic partner such as South Africa. Yes, South Africa is a key partner to Zambia.
Just one action by them to suspend their flights to Lusaka and Livingstone has the potential to crash our underperforming sector. But these are people Dr Scott hates and has no respect for. If South Africa pulls one plug, Zambia’s economy can crumble. Conversely, South Africa can survive without Zambia.
Yet President Sata himself has isolated Zambia from important partners. At the time Zimbabwe is viewed as unstable and potentially hot spot by the west, Sata is chanting Pamberi ne chongwe slogans for its dictator leader Robert Mugabe.
Kabimba can afford to go to Latin America and despise the United States of America but praise the authoritarian Cuba. Sata gives him a standing ovation.
Maybe Dr Scott’s sentiments; “I dislike South Africa for the same reason that Latin Americans dislike the United States, I think. It’s just too big and too unsubtle,” confirms the shift in policy by the PF. If so, is Zambia really sure this is what is good for the country.
It will be interesting to see what would be left of Zambia after five years of PF rule. I shudder imaging what a disaster this will be.
When the ‘unofficial’ chief PF advisor Fred M’membe tells South Africa and its President Jacob Zuma “to go to hell” for refusing to show support in their stage managed corruption fight against for president Rupiah Banda, Sata is quiet and does not mind the diplomatic implications. It’s business as usual. Are we really sure Mr President?
While the PF hierarchy shows no respect for Zuma and others, it appears only to fear Mugabe.
Just like Sata, Dr Scott is full of praises for Mugabe despite the dictator spending over three decades in power without any hope of leaving office unless death ‘prematurely’ prevails. One thing for sure is that given the chance, Sata and Dr Scott will never mind turning Zambia into another Zimbabwe. What a shame this is?
They forget that without the democracy they are killing, they would never have been anywhere near State House.
However, drawing conclusions from these scenarios under PF provide adequate indications that the one party state has finally arrived in Zambia. It is here.
All that has remained is effective implementation of the one party state through an aggressive machinery that will indoctrinate its people. Sad but true.
The post Guy Scott’s Loose Mouth: A Disaster in Waiting appeared first on Zambia Reports.