AT EXACTLY 10 minutes to midnight on Thursday December 5, 2013, a Zambian friend based in South Africa sent me a text via WhatsApp with the news that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the former South African president whose stubborn defiance survived 27 years in prison and led to the dismantling of the country's racist and brutal apartheid system had succumbed to death.
Though I was already in bed and about to fall asleep, I quickly got up and began to follow the breaking news both on television and the Internet. And almost every news channel, website and blog had the news of Mandela's death.
Thursday night turned out to be one of those rare moments when, with a dramatic pause, the world mourns the death of a brilliant human being. It was one of those moments you never forget where you were when you first heard the news.
One of the giants of the 20th century, Mandela's career was marked not only by his heroic resistance to racism, but also by his poised and soft-spoken demeanor.
Mandela is no doubt among the greatest people in the 20th century to have fought for justice and peace.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his leadership in ending apartheid without violence, and later became a global statesman who inspired millions of people around the world.
The death of Nelson Mandela may be the most significant one to occur in our lifetime. We know that a world without him can only hope to be as good as a world with Mandela in it.
With the death of Mandela, Africa has lost one of its few decent leaders. With the passing of Mandela, the world has lost a leader who advanced the cause of equality and human rights, who overcame a history of oppression in South Africa to expand the reach of freedom worldwide.
Mandela was many things to different people: a boxer, a student, a leader, a husband, a father, a social icon, a man who helped to heal a nation.
Mandela has inspired all of us with his leadership and his humility. Our lives have been immeasurably enriched by his example. We mourn his passing and pause in gratitude; privileged by the mark he has left on our lives.
He touched the world with his integrity, his resolve and his passion for reconciliation. His passion to do good was infectious.
May we continue to be a teacher for generations to come. His legacy will be unforgettable. The world has lost a great part of its morality and conscious with his passing away.
May the life of Nelson Mandela long stand as the ultimate tribute to the triumph of hope. May his story long remind us to always look forward with optimism to the future. May it be a comfort to his family, to his friends and loved ones, to the people of South Africa that so many mourn the loss of this extraordinary man and incredible leader at this sad time.
May we all mourn this loss, and try to live up to his example, how to fight for our beliefs and lead a life of dignity.
Mandela brought a message for all of us. May we continue to learn from his legacy for all of humanity .
I personally count it a blessing to have lived in the same time with this global icon. A true hero like this doesn't come along quite too often.
Mandela is among the few who can claim to have left the world a better place than he found it.
To the Great Madiba we say, Hamba Kahle Tata! You fought a good fight from the beginning to the end. And if ever there was a human that deserved to rest in Heavenly peace, it is you Tata Madiba.
Thank you, Tata Mandela. May your spirit live on in the hope and actions of many who have learned from you. May your servitude, dedication, integrity live forever. May your dreams for a better and all-inclusive South Africa come true for all its people whether black, white, brown or yellow.
Yes, Nelson Madiba Mandela is no longer walking among us, but the Long Walk To Freedom will and must continue.
“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” ~ Nelson Mandela 1996
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
DISTRACTED DRIVING
AS technology advances and people have all these fancy gadgets that are convenient and make multitasking supposedly easier, this has in turn increased cases of distracted driving on our roads.
Over the years I've witnessed distracted driving to scare the daylights out of me.
In this so called information age, it's not unusual to see folks busy chatting on the phone, texting, watching tv, looking at their iPads or laptops, taking notes, eating, breast feeding, reading a newspaper or paperback book while driving.
I once saw a lady with her knee against the steering, smoking a cigarette while applying mascara, using her rearview mirror as her make-up mirror. Worst still, I've even witnessed a woman giving head to a driver on a highway.
People need to learn that some things are meant to be done in private!
A few years back, we were on the Great East Road one morning and there was a car swerving all over the road. I told my uncle to get around it as soon as he could because the driver was going to kill someone. We got beside him and I looked over: it was a doctor in his white coat, looking at a medical record! I guess even the intelligent are stupid sometimes.
And just this past week my neighbor gave me a ride into town. He had all his family with him and not a single one of them were paying attention to the surroundings.
He was texting, the wife was on facebook, kids were either playing video games or with their phones. I had that "Final Destination" feeling creep all over me.
It is said that the most important part of a car is the nut behind the wheel because half the time, it's not the nut in wheel but the nut behind the wheel that cause accidents.
Distracted driving is a rising demon in our society that need to be uprooted. The act of driving while engaged in other activities is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.
Over the years I've witnessed distracted driving to scare the daylights out of me.
In this so called information age, it's not unusual to see folks busy chatting on the phone, texting, watching tv, looking at their iPads or laptops, taking notes, eating, breast feeding, reading a newspaper or paperback book while driving.
I once saw a lady with her knee against the steering, smoking a cigarette while applying mascara, using her rearview mirror as her make-up mirror. Worst still, I've even witnessed a woman giving head to a driver on a highway.
People need to learn that some things are meant to be done in private!
A few years back, we were on the Great East Road one morning and there was a car swerving all over the road. I told my uncle to get around it as soon as he could because the driver was going to kill someone. We got beside him and I looked over: it was a doctor in his white coat, looking at a medical record! I guess even the intelligent are stupid sometimes.
And just this past week my neighbor gave me a ride into town. He had all his family with him and not a single one of them were paying attention to the surroundings.
He was texting, the wife was on facebook, kids were either playing video games or with their phones. I had that "Final Destination" feeling creep all over me.
It is said that the most important part of a car is the nut behind the wheel because half the time, it's not the nut in wheel but the nut behind the wheel that cause accidents.
Distracted driving is a rising demon in our society that need to be uprooted. The act of driving while engaged in other activities is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
SLEEPING MPs
THE photos of our lawmakers Garry Nkombo (UPND Mazabuka MP) and
Ronnie Shikapwasha (MMD Keembe MP) published in one of of our daily tabloids were the two were captured sleeping during the 2014 budget
speech delivered by Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda at Parliament
this past Friday, left me wondering whether the speech was that boring.
For parliamentarians, I understand yawning is a privilege that's hard to win and easy to drift into. I mean plush seats, air-condition, cool and droning voices make Parliament a great place for a short snooze, especially after a sumptuous canteen meal.
However, given the number of times we have seen pictures of Shikapwasha sleeping while serious issues of public interest are being discussed, I assume it doesn't bother him or even care because to this day he has never apologized.
But how many of us would still keep our jobs if we were caught sleeping at work in relation to the number of times the Keembe MP has been pictured enjoying his nap while on duty?
I don't think even Nkombo and Shikapwasha can tolerate their workers if those workers were found wanting in such a manner.
I think it is about time the people of Zambia demanded for the establishment of a parliament committee to deal with members of parliament who are sleeping on duty.
I think parliament should put in place a code to provide for forfeiture of sitting allowance to parliamentarians who sleep during deliberations.
We can't afford wasting tax payers' money on people who just go to parliament to sleep while time ticks towards their allowances and gratuity.
If the likes of Nkombo and Shikapwasha are too tired and no longer up to their tasks they are welcome to resign. Let them do the honourable thing and leave room for those who really want to serve the people they represent.
I'm sure there are a lot of young, vibrant and energetic politicians out there who can represent their respective constituencies with honour, enthusiasm and vigilance.
For parliamentarians, I understand yawning is a privilege that's hard to win and easy to drift into. I mean plush seats, air-condition, cool and droning voices make Parliament a great place for a short snooze, especially after a sumptuous canteen meal.
However, given the number of times we have seen pictures of Shikapwasha sleeping while serious issues of public interest are being discussed, I assume it doesn't bother him or even care because to this day he has never apologized.
But how many of us would still keep our jobs if we were caught sleeping at work in relation to the number of times the Keembe MP has been pictured enjoying his nap while on duty?
I don't think even Nkombo and Shikapwasha can tolerate their workers if those workers were found wanting in such a manner.
I think it is about time the people of Zambia demanded for the establishment of a parliament committee to deal with members of parliament who are sleeping on duty.
I think parliament should put in place a code to provide for forfeiture of sitting allowance to parliamentarians who sleep during deliberations.
We can't afford wasting tax payers' money on people who just go to parliament to sleep while time ticks towards their allowances and gratuity.
If the likes of Nkombo and Shikapwasha are too tired and no longer up to their tasks they are welcome to resign. Let them do the honourable thing and leave room for those who really want to serve the people they represent.
I'm sure there are a lot of young, vibrant and energetic politicians out there who can represent their respective constituencies with honour, enthusiasm and vigilance.
Let's Not Idolize Political Leaders
THERE appears to be a "grave misunderstanding" that leaders, once elected, change from human beings into superhumans. I'm reminded of the wise words of John Adams, the second US President, who warned his fellow Americans against treating fallible men as faultless idols.
In his retirement, Adams denounced the tendency to make demigods of men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and, in true Puritan fashion, called for a second Reformation to wash away such idolatry.
A British Psychological Society once conducted a study which revealed that idolizing rock stars can harm your health.
Now, I don’t know whether idolizing political leaders can be harmful to our health. But I dare say that it can be harmful to the political health of the nation.
This self-acclaimed divinity by certain political leaders does not benefit anyone and only lead to the discrediting and downfall of such leaders.
It is one thing giving deserving praise to leaders who spend their entire lives fighting for a good cause and another to idolize them.
Our society should refrain from the habit of idolizing crooks and thugs in suits. Only a crook would want to be idolized because Jesus taught that true leaders should act like servants.
True leaders are those who do not change their attitudes towards others once elected.
Personally, I not only find the act of singing, dancing or prostrating before leaders, shameful and abhorring, but childish.
Let us grow up and be more mature politically. The onus is for all of us who love this land of ours to help get rid of narcissistic and self-conceited leaders. It does not matter which side of the political fence they are from.
Let me end by stating that ignorance, blind loyalty and divine worship of elected leaders have no place in a democracy and are an abomination in a Christian nation like Zambia.
Let's not idolize political leaders lest we create despots that will in turn haunt us.
In his retirement, Adams denounced the tendency to make demigods of men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and, in true Puritan fashion, called for a second Reformation to wash away such idolatry.
A British Psychological Society once conducted a study which revealed that idolizing rock stars can harm your health.
Now, I don’t know whether idolizing political leaders can be harmful to our health. But I dare say that it can be harmful to the political health of the nation.
This self-acclaimed divinity by certain political leaders does not benefit anyone and only lead to the discrediting and downfall of such leaders.
It is one thing giving deserving praise to leaders who spend their entire lives fighting for a good cause and another to idolize them.
Our society should refrain from the habit of idolizing crooks and thugs in suits. Only a crook would want to be idolized because Jesus taught that true leaders should act like servants.
True leaders are those who do not change their attitudes towards others once elected.
Personally, I not only find the act of singing, dancing or prostrating before leaders, shameful and abhorring, but childish.
Let us grow up and be more mature politically. The onus is for all of us who love this land of ours to help get rid of narcissistic and self-conceited leaders. It does not matter which side of the political fence they are from.
Let me end by stating that ignorance, blind loyalty and divine worship of elected leaders have no place in a democracy and are an abomination in a Christian nation like Zambia.
Let's not idolize political leaders lest we create despots that will in turn haunt us.
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Enough With Gender Stereotyping
IF you are an ardent reader you probably have come across articles with the following headings:
"10 Things Men Wear That Women Hate"
"8 Things Women Want Men To Do In Bed"
"100 Things Men Absolutely NEVER Want to Hear From Their Women"
"50 Things Men Do That Turn Women Off"
"16 Things Women Hate Hearing"
"15 Things Men Find Unattractive About Women"
"30 Things Women Wish Men Knew"
"18 Things Men Wish Women Knew About Sex"
"22 Things Women Are Sick Of Experiencing"
"40 Things Women Want In A Relationship"
"25 Things Men Should Look For In A Woman"
"21 Things Women Wish Men Understood "
"13 Things Men Should Never Say To Women"
I've lately been asking myself whether am the only one who is sick of reading or listening about these petty gender differences in the media. As much as advice columnists need to rely on generalization and stereotypes in order to make their case, I just wish the media could stop spreading all these gender stereotypes and do real journalism
When are we going to accept the fact that men are men and women are women and that it's never changed and it is never going to? Men and women are not some sort of monolithic entity.
Any man or woman who expect to always have their way in a relationship is a dreamer and would do him or herself a great favor by remaining single. Relationships are about tolerance and compromise, period.
"10 Things Men Wear That Women Hate"
"8 Things Women Want Men To Do In Bed"
"100 Things Men Absolutely NEVER Want to Hear From Their Women"
"50 Things Men Do That Turn Women Off"
"16 Things Women Hate Hearing"
"15 Things Men Find Unattractive About Women"
"30 Things Women Wish Men Knew"
"18 Things Men Wish Women Knew About Sex"
"22 Things Women Are Sick Of Experiencing"
"40 Things Women Want In A Relationship"
"25 Things Men Should Look For In A Woman"
"21 Things Women Wish Men Understood "
"13 Things Men Should Never Say To Women"
I've lately been asking myself whether am the only one who is sick of reading or listening about these petty gender differences in the media. As much as advice columnists need to rely on generalization and stereotypes in order to make their case, I just wish the media could stop spreading all these gender stereotypes and do real journalism
When are we going to accept the fact that men are men and women are women and that it's never changed and it is never going to? Men and women are not some sort of monolithic entity.
Any man or woman who expect to always have their way in a relationship is a dreamer and would do him or herself a great favor by remaining single. Relationships are about tolerance and compromise, period.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
School Is The Tool To Brainwash The Youth
ON September 12, 2013, Will Smith’s 15-year-old son, Jaden,
tweeted, ‘’School Is The Tool To Brainwash The Youth.’’
The young actor with a budding music career underway has
caught major hell for his string of anti-school tweets.
I risk sounding ignorant here, but I
totally agree with young Jaden. If you critically think about it, what does
school really teach children?
1.
Truth comes from
authority
2.
Intelligence is
the ability to remember and repeat
3.
Accurate memory
and repetition are rewarded
4.
Non-compliance is
punished
5.
Conform: intellectually
and socially
The aim of public education as one
man once correctly observed is not to spread enlightenment at all, it is simply
to reduce as many individuals as possible to the safe level, to breed and train
a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality.
Paraphrasing the words of Derrick Jensen, I’ve since
come to understand the reason school lasts twelve years. It takes that long to
sufficiently break a child’s will. It is not easy to disconnect children’s
will, to disconnect them from their own experiences of the world in preparation
for the lives of painful employment they will have to endure.
And just for the record. I’m not here
to encourage youths to drop out of school. My point is, we shouldn’t yield with perfect docility to education’s moulding
hands.
Monday, 2 September 2013
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.
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.
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