By Kwangu Manda
No government should be left unchecked, even when the indicators are positive. This is essential to its own political health. To understand the importance of this, one simply has to revisit the second-term history of successive governments. There is a psychological component at play: unchecked political power brews into a powerful tonic that poisons the very institutions entrusted with it the longer it remains unrestrained.
Zambia may face an impending problem in light of the hydra-like fragmentation of the current opposition. On one hand, alliances are emerging almost daily—not due to increasing numbers, but rather due to the splintering of the original larger unit. This reveals a loss of a common cause that one might question to have even truly existed in the first place.
Their primary motivation appears to be hatred for their ruling opponents, and secondarily, the desire of every actor to play the leading role. Which of these two causes is primary and which is secondary remains open to debate.
On the other hand, one faction of the opposition, allegedly in praise of the current economic and social climate, has chosen to align itself with the ruling party. This is not inherently bad. In principle, it offers several advantages, whether subjective or objective.
What is important to note, however, is that it is possible to work with the ruling party while still offering constructive criticism and challenging them through principled discourse. We, the Zambian people, need this—not merely for political reasons, but for the long-term psychological health of those in power.
Do we need the current set of opposition parties? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. But one thing is certain: we need a strong, competent opposition that holds our leaders—both ruling and opposition—to account. One that focuses on ideas rather than individuals.
One that attacks the argument, not the person behind it. One that does not lean to the left or right side of Parliament, but evaluates matters based on what is true or false, right or wrong.
In a number of key areas, things are looking up for our country. The people primarily responsible for this progress are the voters. A secondary contributing factor could be the threat of resurgence from the opposition in recent years, even if the manner and style of that opposition may be open to criticism.
To keep our leaders on their toes, we need a healthier, more objective group of watchdogs. Every ruling party must have its Yang to its Yin.
In all this, may God bless our beloved Zambia.
