By Patson Chilemba
Father Godwin Mulenga, the presiding Bishop of St Ignatius Parish says the new UPND administration must be aware that their honeymoon period is ending as people want to see promises delivered, warning that people will not tolerate failure to deliver on the promises.
Speaking during the memorial service for late president Michael Sata at Embassy Park today, Fr Mulenga started by offering some comforting words to late president Sata’s widow, former first lady and now Zambia’s Ambassador to France Dr Christine Kaseba, that God would find a way of comforting her, before turning his attention to other issues.
He said Zambians went and voted in August and now there was a new government, saying this was not the time to become excited and anxious, as God in his own wisdom chose what He chose to lead the country.
Fr Mulenga thanked president Lungu for peacefully conceding, and that God should bless him beyond the highest heavens.
He said there was always perception that one could have lost because of this and that, saying even he did not expect the outcome of the August 12, 2021 elections, but warned about the youth factor, saying parents must be careful with these children they have borne, as they might think they are sleeping meanwhile they have woken up to go and vote.
Fr Mulenga warned the UPND government to be weary of the same youths as they want to see promises come to pass now.
“The youths are anxious,” Fr Mulenga said. “Whatever you promised may you deliver in the name of Jesus…tabakakuleke abantu bakwa Lesa (please deliver, otherwise the people of God will not tolerate you).”
Fr Mulenga said he recently engaged some youths in town asking them why they had to change government, and that they told him that they just felt it was time they rested from the PF, but that they warned that without action they would do the same to the new government.
“Ififine twabapela ichipuna tukabatantula (We shall remove them in the same manner we have put them in power),” he said.
Fr urged those in government and in the opposition to begin to harness the energy of the youths. He also said “this wire business” must come to an end as it will bring no good to the nation in the end.
He urged the PF to take advantage of their new position in the opposition to provide effective checks and balances on the UPND administration.
Touching another issue during the sermon, Fr Mulenga said it was time Zambians started honoring their leaders, including people like late president Frederick Chiluba, even while acknowledging that sometimes leaders made mistakes.
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