The National Constitution Conference (NCC) is becoming a circus. The ordinary citizen is asking, “Did you mean to mock me, by asking me to make a submission to the Mungomba Constitutional Review Commission to which you had no commitment to honour?” Every patriotic Zambian has every reason to ask the authorities, “Why was I asked to make a submission that you knew you would not honour?” For example, what has the ordinary Zambian, to do with the commissioners on the NCC who selfishly want the Constitution to maintain the seats of Members of Parliament as independents once their party expels them?
If commissioners had any concern for the ordinary Zambian, they should be discussing how the Constitution would ensure that all Zambians have equitable access to health care. Currently free quality medical care is only extended to the cabinet and other well to do Zambians who can afford the cost. Sadly, this service is rarely extended to the ordinary citizen who cannot afford the cost. There is a sense of disparity between the commissioners and ordinary Zambian. The reports coming to the ordinary Zambian only reveals the immeasurable distance between the commissioners and the rest of Zambians. The perception is that it is not the Constitution of Zambia that is being drafted, but the Constitution of commissioners.
Unfortunately, millions of Zambians who are not included in this process have no ability to have their voice reach the commissioners’ ears. If they had, Zambians would today pour out their anger and stern rebuke for being cheated. Zambians lined up in scorching sun, in torrential rains and in the bitter cold to have their voice heard on how they wanted to be governed. They did it willingly at their own cost and without any coercion.
Yet today, we can shamelessly, pay people for the work we have already done. Why are we so stupid? Just as we lined up to make our submission because of our love for our country and wanted to leave a rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, peace and independence for our children we can also finish this process at our own cost. David uttered one of the most profound sentences in the word of God: I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). David the King needed land to offer a sacrifice to God to stop a plague. Araunah the owner of the land offered it to him for free. David refused to get it for free because that would be a denial of the meaning of sacrifice.
Having obtained the site, David built an alter, offered the sacrifices, and interceded on behalf of his people. God heard and answered and the land was healed of the plague. The foundation of building a strong nation begins with sacrifice. Daniel, Esther, Joseph and Nehemiah are all great examples of men and women who made sacrifices and preserved nations. Our Lord Jesus removed the power of sin by the sacrificial death for us. Forget about the Constitution that will stand the test of time when commissioners are being paid by the government. We need David, Daniel and Esther who are willing to offer sacrifice. Do we have them? Let us support them through prayers and encouragement.
Lawrence Temfwe
