I was one of the 500 people who attended the National Indaba that was called by the Republican President. The Indaba was also attended by invited guests from other countries that were called to share experiences and exchange ideas on how the global economic crisis and challenges being faced by our country can be addressed. In his opening remarks the President called on the nation to change its mindset. He said, It is time, for us to inculcate in our society and in particular, in our youth a new culture that respects education, which shows respect for others and that respects law and order. He continued, A lawless society with no culture can only lead to self destruction, misery and poverty. So as we think about how to address the issues surrounding the economy let us not forget that we as people have to change to succeed.
The President was not the only person who observed that we needed to change our mindset. In my group in which we were discussing the infrastructure development, Dr. Ndilila, Board Chair of the National Council for Construction complained that it took up to two years to get an approval from authorities to put up a business building. Mr. Dev Chamaroo, the Director Policy and Planning Board of Investment of Mauritius said, ðI have been here for a few days the attitude I see is not of a people in crisis but people doing business as usual. For Zambia to succeed you must change and start doing business as unusual.
Mr. Jegathesan Jegasothydato from Malaysia shared how his country in 1970 was in the same situation as Zambia in terms of economic backwardness massive unemployment and poverty. But ten years later in 1980 was transformed from raw material producer and exporter to a leading manufacturing nation and exporter. Mr. Jegasothydato stated that for them to succeed they embarked on changing the mindset of politicians, civil servants and private sector that all began to think in one direction- What is my role in job and wealth creation. To ask oneself this question requires a change of attitude from that of self-serving to valuing others especially the poor, working hard and well with moral responsibilities and virtues, and seeking to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, corruption and hatred. Confession of Christ as Lord is the first step to a journey of serving others sacrificially.
Everyone agreed that we needed a mindset change. But when Ms. Angela Cifire recommended that a massive program be put in place to change the mindset of civil masters that they become servants the civil workers objected saying that they have enough training and they knew what they were doing. My contribution on using the University of Zambia students doing social and development studies to take up internship in informal settlements as one way of enabling them understand the challenges in our nation was ignored.
The government believes mindset change is critical for it to deliver jobs, opportunities and a decent life. But it will not do anything about it because the leaders think they will lose their power, money and status if they change the mindset. Jesus says if we want to see mindset change we must practice what we preach (Mat. 23:1ff). We need an Indaba on nation conscience. Thank you for praying.
Lawrence Temfwe
