By Kamuti Muyambela
Outgoing Deputy Head of Mission in Brazil and veteran Journalist, Samuel Ngoma has called for civility in the new UPND government.
In an interview with Daily Revelation from Brasilia, Brazil, Ngoma decried the ongoing recalls of diplomats, where the government is not even taking into account people’s track records, just because they were appointed by the former ruling party, saying not all eggs are bad in a tray.
“My recall simply means the UPND government may actually not be seriously looking for men of integrity to serve. Nor is it meritocracy anymore. If it was, they would have examined my record,” said Ngoma. “I have no shame in saying I am a born again christian and a man of integrity. I advise President Hichilema to walk his talk on meritocracy and accountability.”
He said he was now just tired of being recalled each time there was a change of government as if he has done anything wrong.
“In 2011, I was recalled so painfully when the PF government came to power. I was reappointed in 2016. In 2021, my age-mate’s government has also recalled me. All I have practised in foreign service is live by example, an upright life unto the Lord Jesus and perform professionally, for some people that’s not enough,” he said.
He called out President Hichilema over double standard, saying he condemned the same recalls of diplomats by late president Michael Sata in 2011 when the country’s coffers were very sound, but he is doing the same things even while complaining that he inherited empty coffers from the PF.
“In 2011, President Hichilema vehemently opposed the massive recall of diplomats when the Patriotic Front came to power but now the shoe is on the other foot amid the most hackneyed post-election diatribe of ‘we inherited empty coffers’. In 1991’s revolution, late President Chiluba still stands a cut above the rest. He did not recall diplomats, not on a massive scale,” Ngoma said. “Zambian envoys were stunned to hear Dr. Chiluba’s soothing words, ‘We shall let your contracts run full circle and thereafter, for some of you, we may need your service back home”. He assured diplomats. The polished Vernon Mwaanga was his Minister of Foreign Affairs then. No prizes for guessing why. He said it’s not how long one has served, but it was what one has meaningfully contributed to his country.
Ngoma advised President Hichilema even as a veteran Journalist who served at Times of Zambia, Farmers’ house when HH was at Grant Thornton and survived a number of Heads of State as a scribe starting from the Kaunda era, to scrutinize the list from Foreign Affairs.
“The President must not buy into the list of names to be recalled as submitted by Foreign Affairs, he must treat each name on merit and ask the hard questions. Cancel some names and let some continue to serve the nation. You mean from the dawn of pluralism in 1991, each time there is a change of government all diplomats must be recalled regardless of their expertise, professionalism and integrity?” Ngoma asked. “Righteousness exalts a nation, righteous people. Whether in diplomacy or civil service. It’s integrity and meritocracy that will make the whole difference for Zambia if the new dawn is to see the light of day.”
He said apart from being a man of principles he also had wonderful qualifications to back up the President’s claim to appoint people on merit.
“I have a Masters in Diplomacy (ISPD, Belgium) and another Masters in Political and Mass Communication from UK’s University of Leicester. I have never been a cadre of any political party, ever a professional. So, what’s missing?” he wondered.
He urged President Hichilema that, “humanly-speaking, he should tread carefully so that it does not look like those of us with eastern names are being victimized.”
“To unite Zambia and avert the rallying cry of 1967’s “Umodzi Kum’mawa” that almost disintegrated the nation, the UPND government should not be brazen with its dismissal of Easterners, tread carefully. Fire the crooks, by all means. But not Easterners who are upright and ooze with professionalism. Remember, you got 49% of the vote in Eastern Province and Mr. Lungu got 51%, that’s almost a tie. This not tribal nonsense, this is just optics,” observed Ngoma.
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