By Sishuwa Sishuwa
Isn’t there even just ONE minister in the current Cabinet of Zambia who can come out in the public to say, “I do not agree with Bill 7, and I am stepping down”? As the Parliamentary Select Committee that has been appointed by the Speaker of the National Assembly to scrutinise the outlawed Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill Number 7 of 2025 starts its sittings today ahead of debate and voting next week Tuesday, my thoughts are drawn to the calibre of ministers the country has had in the past.
In the 1990s, Zambia had a vice-president and ministers – Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, Baldwin Nkumbula, Ludwig Sondashi, Dipak Pael, Simon Zukas, Rodger Chongwe etc. – who all resigned on principle when Cabinet made decisions they did not agree with. In the early 2000s, Zambia had a vice-president and ministers – Godfrey Miyanda, Edith Nawakwi, Vincent Malambo, Ackson Sejani, Wiliam Harrington, Dawson Lupunga, Suresh Desai, Samuel Miyanda, Syamukayumbu Syamujaye etc. – who openly differed with the president in defense of the Constitution from executive manipulation.
What has happened to our value system? Is the current crop of ministers so lacking in principle that none among them find anything wrong with Bill 7? Or does their failure to openly support the Bill indicate their anxiety that they are about to create a monster but simply lack the courage to come out? Are they so dependent on these jobs that they cannot imagine a life outside a ministerial post? Are they so terrified by Hichilema that they cannot publicly express any view that that diverges from his position? This brings me to another point.
In nearly all previous cabinets, there were one or two ministers who were generally seen as capable replacements if anything happened to the president. Such individuals were highly competent, sufficiently educated and possessed ethical values – courage, compassion and love for fellow human beings, moral force of character, basic integrity, genuine humility, honesty, a predilection for consultation, consensus-building, communication, co-operation, active listening, and the selfless pursuit of the public good, and not the selfish striving for personal gain. It is hardly possible to look at Hichilema’s Cabinet today without being struck by the calamity of the absence of this kind of leadership.
If anything happened to Hichilema today, who, among his current ministers, can be said to possess leadership qualities that make them a ready-made replacement? Of course, the vice-president would assume office if a vacancy arose in the presidency. But that would be because of operation of law, not capacity or competence. Never has a Cabinet been so devoid of principled men and women whom the public can count on in challenging moments. If there is any minister in the current Cabinet with the courage to stand up to Hichilema in defence of principle, public interest, or the Constitution of Zambia, now would be a good time to show it.
Source: https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1996880900080968076?s=20
