The Macmillan English Dictionary has two interesting definitions on legacy, which we quote: 1. Something such as tradition or problem that exists as a result of something that happened in the past. For example we can say: The way the National Constitution Conference was constituted has left an enduring legacy of resentment and mistrust. 2. Something that someone has achieved that continues to exist after they stop working or die. Here we can say: Possibly Martin Luther King’s most important legacy was the speech “I have a dream” that he spoke at Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, in 1963.
Legacy asks of us two questions. What bad things continue to exist that we must avoid as a result of a leaders behavior or decisions? Second, how is the nation a better place because of the behavior and work of a leader and others are building on it? In their editorial comment today, The Post Newspaper has refused to make a comment on Ben Tetamashimba, the late government minister of local government, as to whether he left an enduring legacy of problem of hearses which were meant to service the needs of the poor or whether he also left us a legacy of fearlessness, hard work, and loyalty.
The Post says, “We do not think it will serve us any purpose to start analyzing Tetamashimba now that he is gone,” but The Post has continued to analyze and remind us of how the former president of Zambia, the late Mwanawasa, initiated the fight against corruption even though they dealt with him often. Still, The Post won’t say anything about the weaknesses of Tetamashimba or Mwanawasa because the culture of the world says do not bring to surface the weaknesses of national leaders who die when they are in office.
President Kennedy and Martin Luther King are leaders who are widely admired both in the USA and abroad for their handling of political issues, social justice issues, and economic challenges of their time. King repeatedly said he was no saint. Kennedy had serious moral lapses, but we rarely hear of their personal problems. As a result, we have seen a former President of USA, a great admirer of Kennedy and an 
American civil rights activists who was mentored by King, make similar personal moral judgments.
For us in Zambia some weaknesses and bad decisions of our leaders have resulted in serious national problems and affect the future of our children and our own survival. We cannot afford to not reflect on those weaknesses and problems. We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand as if our leaders are saints. Let us learn from them, not only their strengths but also their weaknesses. Through this process hopefully we will become better leaders because the purpose of our critique is to do things better not to destroy the legacy of good things they achieved.
When your and my time has come, may The Post feel good to analyze our actions because Zambia will be better because of our lives. It was said of Jesus, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Jesus, our master, left us this legacy. Is that what you’re doing?
Lawrence Temfwe
