Anything Can Happen In Football

WHO has never lost at home? Who has never won away? I direct these questions at the nay sayers who think just because Ghana is playing at home and has recalled all its superstars, then we can’t beat them in their own backyard.

Yes, Ghana is one of the best teams in Africa if not the world with good players all over the pitch. However, any soccer pundit worth their salt will tell you that “impossible is nothing” in a game of football.  In football and in sport as a whole, anything can happen.

We know it is not going to be an easy match. It is never an easy game when you are playing away and a win is your only option. But Ghana isn’t expecting an easy game either.
Of course Ghana has the luxury of being able to choose between great players. But if our lads can step on to the field and control these players, we can cause a major upset in Kumasi. Did we see Zambia defeat a similar Ghana team at AFCON 2012? Yes, we watched it.

Furthermore, unlike our boys who have been playing together and know each other on the field quite well, most of the big names Ghana has recalled have never played together as a team in a long while. That can play to our advantage. And when it is big names playing, some usually forget team work and concentrate of making a name.

But whilst stressing the importance of Friday’s game, our boys should remember that winning and losing start in the mind. They shouldn’t think of their last match when they step on that pitch in Kumasi.

Our boys should simply be prepared for anything. We don’t know how Ghana will approach the game, whether they will defend or attack. However, if we can score an early goal, that will put them under pressure.

Regardless of our situation, I still believe we can make it.We have to believe in our talents. I know it will be difficult, but I still believe in our boys. In such an important match with so much at stake, anything can happen.

Princess Diana 16 Years On

I HAVE never been the type that get obsessed with celebrities or public figures. However, certain deaths of international celebrities and public figures have strangely affected me. The death of Princess Diana in a high speed chase on Sunday August 31, 1997 in Paris, France was one of them.

I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. Though I can't remember where I had gone, I do remember that I had just reached home and I was about to enter the house when my young sister said, ''Have you heard that Princess Diana has died?''

It came as a great shock to me. But what I found even more shocking was the fact that it hit me like the death of a loved one. I couldn't understand how my heart could be in so much pain over the death of a total stranger I would have never met in a million years. Perhaps that what makes me human.

The Conduct Of Some Political Leaders

THE moral weakness of some of the people we have appointed as our political leaders is quite shocking.

Whereas, true political greatness stems from wisdom, maturity, honesty, humility, and respect, qualities that define exceptional leadership, these are the qualities sorely lacking in many of our political leaders be it in government or opposition.

While corruption still of course contributes to many social ills, political arrogance or simply incompetence is a rising demon in our society that is hindering our country's development.

Most of our political leaders seem to be obsessed with personal glory more than anything.

But before we condemn politicians whose seem to be interested only in furthering their political ambitions , perhaps we should first  examine the priorities of the voters who put them into office, and those who didn't care to vote.

If ours is a democracy, then our political leadership is to a certain extent a mirror of our people.

From my observation, good leadership qualities are not necessarily considered good electable qualities by most Zambian voters.

Instead, Zambian-style campaigns or rather voting pattern usually favor those candidates who are masters at political rhetoric. It favours those with money.

Honesty and humble candidates often don't have that chutzpah that makes them stand out and grab voters' attention.

Simply put, an average Zambian voter prefers candidates who will make unattainable promises and those that are entertaining.

And while entertainers or rather sweet talkers may not be the type of leaders needed, they are the type the electorate end up voting for.

Perhaps if we elected people who are believed to be smart policy analysts, shrewd negotiators, and hard workers we wouldn't set ourselves up for so much disappointment.

Perhaps if we elected leaders who are not blinded by partisan politics, we wouldn't end up with leaders who are obstacles to progress.

Opposition Leaders And Demos

IT is a well-known fact that demonstrations are part and parcel  of democracy and are a component of political engagement and therefore a useful tool in a democratic society.

However, it is sad that we have opposition leaders like UPND president Hakainde Hichilema who seem hell bent on abusing this democratic right.

I remember how back in March, 2012 HH supported youths in Southern Province who intended to protest during that year's national youth day.

It's sad that a leader could encourage youths to demonstrate instead of speaking peace and calling for dialogue.

And just this past May, his party the UPND notified the Police about their planned national wide demonstrations.

However,  the UPND leadership has turned around and claim they are under no obligation to inform the police about their intention to hold demonstrations and protests.

Some political leaders are not worth to support. How in the world can HH and his party always resort to illegal  demonstrations over  issues that can be resolved through dialogue?

HH should understand that it is not everyone who is in line with his way of calling for attention.

No Zambian in their right mind can support such lawlessness. The poor people of Zambia have a lot of issues to deal with and HH should not provoke unnecessary tensions in our peaceful country.

It is unfortunate that a leader can act like an under five child who resorts to throwing tantrums whenever his demands are not met.

It is sad that HH has stuck to the idea of digging his own grave. His daily actions are self-eliminating.

HH should change his strategy if he intends to continue harboring presidential ambitions.

Let HH be useful and speak of development. You do not need to wait until you are president to bring your ideas of development on board.

Poor Reading Culture In Zambia

IN his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, late American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker Stephen R. Covey states, “There’s no better way to inform and expand your mind on a regular basis than to get into the habit of reading good literature.’’

The issue of poor reading culture among Zambians as one author recently observed springs up many times every year; and this has been so for a good number of years now. However, this is one issue that dies a natural death whenever it is brought to our attention. 

That reading, whether for pleasure or for academic purpose, is an essential habit that forms the bedrock of greatness in everyone, regardless of age, gender or status is hardly disputed.  

From my personal observation, the poor reading culture in Zambia is largely attributed to the lack of adequate awareness on its importance and inadequate public library facilities. It should also be noted that the few libraries we have across the country are in deplorable condition.

I can cite Ndola's Lubuto West Township public library which has been abandoned since the late 90s. This council library is just near Lubuto Secondary School and can complement the school library by providing services to the pupils many of whom are usually seen roaming the streets or patronizing bars.

Singing about poor reading culture through print media will yield little results. The government should embark on a program that will revamp education infrastructures like public libraries.

Public libraries are essential instruments for promoting reading culture as they serve as recreational centres and provide creative development to the children and local young adults by providing recreational reading books for their personality development and spiritual growth in their leisure time.

It has been said that the way of life of a nation is largely influenced by the percentage of its citizens who are literate.  Any research will reveal that no country with high illiteracy levels has ever developed. For any country to develop, it requires citizens who are able to critically analyze and understand critical issues affecting them.

Therefore, in our quest to improve the reading culture in the country, we should first start by investing massively in public libraries and equip them with learning materials.

THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

IN one of the cables released by Wikileaks in the weeks following the ousting of former president Rupiah Bwezani Banda's MMD regime he was reported to have said the reason his government relaxed on the fight against corruption was because he had a lot of stakeholders to satisfy or something in those lines. 

 

Whatever that meant, Rupiah claimed that he would only intensify the crusade on corruption if he was given another term in office. Unfortunately for Rupiah, that second term never came. 

 

Perhaps the people of Zambia would have understood if this came from his predecessor looking at how Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa [MHSRIP] ascended to the highest office of the land. However, despite the late Mwanawasa having a lot of “stakeholders” to satisfy, that never stopped our beloved late president to get down to business and do what was expected of a good leader. 

 

Had the late Mwanawasa waited until he was re-elected to start his fight on corruption, I have lots of doubt whether we would be talking of a Mwanawasa legacy today. If there is one big lesson our political leaders can learn from the late Mwanawasa is that there is never a perfect time to do what is right; and that if you have intentions of doing something good, do it today for tomorrow is never promised to any of us.

 

Instead of doing what was right, for reasons known best to himself, Rupiah chose to satisfy a few men at the expense of the majority Zambians. And this is what has cost him his dream of being re-elected. If Rupiah had chosen to put the interests of the nation above anything else, he would not have vacated the presidential seat in tears as we witnessed during his final speech.

 

In business it is believed that, your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. The same can be said in politics. If Rupiah had taken time to listen to the cries of the majority Zambians-I say majority because it is the majority who decided to kick him out of office-perhaps he could still be president today.

 

Anyway, I’m aware of the fact that this message may be too late for Rupiah Bwezani Banda. However, I believe it is timely for our current government. There is a lot President Michael Chilufya Sata can learn from the mistakes made by his predecessor.

 

Rupiah is no longer our president because he never listened to the people he governed. Rupiah never understood what the people of Zambia wanted because half the time he was too busy touring the globe.

Rupiah never heard our cries because he chose to surround himself with useless vuvuzelas. 

 

Today, Rupiah may feel betrayed and deceived because he chose to put minions and puppets where they don’t belong. Rupiah may feel lonely today because he chose to associate with opportunists.

 

Rupiah’s present is bitter because perhaps he forgot the wise words of Mahatma Ghandi who said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Rupiah was toppled because while he was at the top he was too stubborn to listen to those at the bottom.

 

Rupiah is no longer in power because power got to his head and forgot what the Bible say in Psalm 62:11 that, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”

 

To the current government I can only urge them to never forget why the MMD is now in the opposition as I echo the wise words from one of the greatest sons of Africa Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela who once said, “We must use time wisely and forever realise that the time is always ripe to do right.”

The Customer Is Not Always Right

THE phrase “The Customer Is Always Right’’ is said to have been originally coined by an American-born British retail magnate named Harry Gordon Selfridge. Selfridge was the founder of Selfridges, a London based department store in 1909. 
 

Apparently, this term was meant to convince customers that they will get good service at this company and to also convince employees to give customers good service. 

Zambia has a history of bad customer service. I have seen shop owners and companies, big and small that treat their customers like they were doing them a favour. Now, that’s quite a different subject for another day.

Today, I want to talk about why a company that religiously operates under the maxim ‘The Customer Is Always Right’ is bound to fail.

First, we need to understand that the late 1800s and early 1900s were certainly a different society than the one we live in today. The maxim “The Customer Is Always Right’’ was coined at a time when people treating each other with respect was a rule, not the exception. It was coined at time when people had a moral compass and believed in God. Folks back then lived by the golden rule and life was far much simpler.

This maxim may have worked in the 19^th and 20^th centuries before most folks became so rude, narcissistic and self-entitled. 

Last December while I was in South African I visited a local book store where I witnessed a lady throw a very large hardcover book at the head of the bookstore’s employee who ducked in time for her to miss him.

Apparently, the lady was upset with that particular employee because her daughter had bought her the book as a Christmas gift from the bargain bin which she was returning. The lady refused to accept that her daughter was “so cheap” to have bought the book from the bargain bin and accused the employee of turning her daughter into a cheapskate. 

While the employee tried to calmly explain to the lady that it was the only book about The Beatles the store had which her daughter thought her mom didn’t already have, the lady wouldn’t hear any of it.

Though the incident happened at the time when I was about to leave that store, I lingered on and pretended to be looking at some books when in truth I only wanted to see the end result of that scene.

When the store manager came to the scene I expected him to listen to both sides of the story. But alas, he only listened to the lady. And after telling her side of the story he apologized to the lady and offered her discount on any book she wished to buy. 

Here was a person who was clearly at fault and was so rude she never cared she was making other customers uncomfortable being placated by the store manager and giving her a discount coupled with a gift voucher. 

It may seem like a nice thing to do, but all the store manager was doing was reinforcing that negative behaviour from the lady. I’m sure that lady left with the idea that she could get away with just about anything in that bookstore.

I immediately left the store shaking my head while wondering why the company chose to side with a petulant, unreasonable, angry, self-entitled, demanding customer instead of its loyal employee.

Any adult who throw temper tantrums in public is never right about anything, even if she/he is a loyal customer. Rudeness is an immediate indicator that you are wrong and will stay wrong until you grow some manners.

Regardless of the service, good or bad, there is no justification for such vile behaviour. Just because someone is a customer at any business doesn’t give them free reign to treat people like scum on the bottom of their shoes. The term ‘the customer is always right’ does not mean the customer can treat employees however they want.

A company that operates under the maxim ‘the customer is always right’ only give its abrasive and egoistical customers an unfair advantage and make its employees unhappy. In the end this results in worse customer service as employees feel undervalued and demotivated.

It is now a common practice in business that sometimes you need to fire a customer. Some customers are just not worth keeping. 

There is a pub on the Copperbelt that I used to frequent that had a sign that said, ‘The Customer Is Always Right, The Bartender Will Inform You When.’

A friend of mine who works for some restaurant in Lusaka has a manager that always say: ‘The customer is always right until they are wrong, and they need to get kicked out of the restaurant immediately.’

I remember one incident at the same restaurant when one unruly client caused a scene over a trivial misunderstanding. The manager walked to the gentleman and told him that his staff was not to be abused by him and his bad attitude. I remember the manager saying to the unruly customer, ‘you are not even good enough to be our clientele so leave and don’t come back.’ He got up and left.

No one deserves to be berated with the sad excuse of ‘I had a bad day.’ It is customer service not customer servant. 

I have made it a personal rule never to be rude or demanding to people working in retail of any kind. They are just trying to do their job. If I have a problem then I find a way to resolve it in an adult way. If I don’t like the service I don’t return, and they lose my business. It’s as simple as that.

If I can’t conduct myself in a mature manner then why should I be treated in the same way? You get what you give. If you are always getting bad customer service probably it’s because you are a bad customer yourself.

Until everyone can be civilized and treat each other with utmost respect, we certainly cannot renew the idea that the customer is always right. Some customers are so obnoxious that I would rather not even have their business if I were a business owner.