Asking HH to apologise 

By Daily Revelation Editor 

Zambians from across several sections of society were up in arms leading to the National Prayer Day asking President Hakainde Hichilema to apologise for having refer to the same day during his opposition days as useless.

Of course that day is never useless and Hichilema seems to have become a new convent towards that realisation, that for the first time as Head of State he attended the event.

It is undeniable that Hichilema made a lot of controversial statements during his opposition days on which he is being picked apart now by members of the public. And it’s even easier to do that because most of the things Hichilema said were documented. Perhaps he was supremely confident that he would live up to the things he was proclaiming with his mouth. Whatever is happening to him forms a classic example on how people should always be very careful to watch what they say with their mouths.

Those who are asking him to apologise for what he said about the Prayer Day and many other things have got their own right to do so. And indeed, Hichilema must be held accountable for what he said. But we don’t agree that that matter should have taken up so much public space, especially when he himself seems to have come around to the realisation that the day declared by his nemesis Edgar Lungu is indeed a very important day in the national calendar.

The fact that he has come to the idea is evidence enough that he has realised how unwise his words were. However, we feel the focus should have been more on how the day was going to be used to seek genuine repentance and unity. It would have been nice for instance to have seen Hichilema with Edgar Lungu and other opposition leaders in one place, praying together and seeking out God on behalf of the nation. Of course there were people like pastor Nevers Mumba there at Nkana Stadium with the President. But it doesn’t take anybody’s guess that the two are already close allies. 

And surely the makeup and and some of the things that were said during that day did not actually help the cause. We would wish to see that future events will be arranged in such a manner that reflects true national unity. This will require a lot of effort on the part of the President as national leader to reach out especially to his sworn enemies. They too must show enough leadership mettle to be magnanimous enough to seek genuine unity. 

There are certain commemorative days which should demand throwing aside politics for the sake of the country. The same then can be used as a launchpad for true national reconciliations. This does not mean that the politicians will suddenly become buddies and agree on matters. However, people can always disagree, sometimes even viciously, without necessarily becoming enemies.