By Isaac Zulu
Political scientist Dr Alex Ng’oma has said that civil society organisations in Zambia have been a letdown in the past one year.
In an interview, Dr Ng’oma has observed that the voice of civil society organisations has been quite in the past one year, saying they should not just exist on paper, but should be an alternative a voice on various issues affecting the general citizenry.
“Civil society has been a disappointment, they have been a letdown. Apart from Isaac Mwanza who has been speaking on behalf of his organisation, the rest have been a letdown. Their voice has been quiet on critical issues,” Dr Ng’oma said. “Civil society should not just exist on paper, but should be an alternative voice to the people. They need to speak out on governance issues, economic matters, human rights and so forth. They should live up to that expectation.”
However, while that may be true to a greater extent, it’s unfair to generalize as there have been some civil society organisations and individuals who have been speaking out on issues, just like they used to under the PF administration, like Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) and individuals like Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, Bishop Telesphore Mpundu and Reuben Lifuka. The prominent ones who have almost permanently disappeared from speaking out include Professor Muna Ndulo and Chibamba Kanyama among the others.
And Dr Ng’oma has applauded opposition political parties for providing effective checks and balances to the ruling party.
“I think opposition political parties have been excellent at providing effective checks and balances. You have seen Sean Tembo regularly holding press briefings, critically analysing issues and giving his position on various issues; including providing an alternative national budget. You have seen Brian Mundubile from the Patriot Front holding press briefings just like Given Lubinda. I think it would be unfair to say they have not done their job. They have been equal to the task,” said Dr Ng’oma.
