The political violence happening in Mufumbwe is a demonstration that Western style of democracy is not working for us. In a Western style of democracy, political leaders discuss how they will uphold the most 
fundamental principle of the importance of an individual. The political debates in the Western nations focus around values of patriotism, enterprise, progress and hard work. Individual achievement is the planned model. But in Mufumbwe the politicians’ debates are not around how they will facilitate for the individuals of Mufumbwe to participate in the growing mining and agriculture activities in their Province. Instead, newspaper reports coming from Mufumbwe are telling us that political parties are using hooliganism and corruption to woe people to vote for them.
If Western style of democracy is not working for us, do we need another form of Zambian politics that is built on our nation’s historical and cultural roots? If the answer is yes, then our political system must be rooted in constitutional bases that are built on common convictions and political programs that take into account our communal traditions, hierarchical leadership styles and ethnic voting. In addition we must take into account the thought of a ‘nation’ which is that the social order rests upon the tribe as a whole. We simply cannot continue to pretend that we are a democracy when our social order is ethnic grouping and therefore is not based on the principle of one man one vote.
However, if we want adopt a Western democracy then we must also implement Western values that are individualistic and are built on the common beliefs and political programs that transcend cultural and societal diversity. The social order of a concept of a nation in Europe or the USA rests upon an individual. Is this what we really want? We simply cannot continue with a Western style of democracy of which we do not share the values that make it work for them.
The effects of this dilemma are distressing. The poor and the marginalized communities are ignored until a month before Election Day. When electing a political leader ethnic grouping takes precedence over an individual’s intellect, ability and experience. Sometimes even a prophetic message is easily hijacked to prop up a political agenda of politicians who belong to the ethnic grouping of church leaders. For democracy to work in Zambia we must be strong to acknowledge our many unique tribal origins without losing the fact that we are all Zambians and not people of dual citizenship and dual loyalties. In addition we must pass laws and fund programs that help rebuild individual and families in communities living in poverty. The role of an individual in making our nation better must also emphasized.
With the growth of the church in Zambia there is no reason why we should continue to function according to criteria of traditional societies or as a copy of Western democracy. Our churches should be making a call to our Christians in public offices and to our government to be more accountable to key values that prophets pronounced for the nation of Israel–justice for vulnerable people, peace, and economic security for the poor, provisions of health care, education opportunity and servant leadership. Preachers tell us seasons come and seasons go. May we not miss this great season God has given us to speak prophetically to our nation. We have an opportunity to come up with a democracy that is rooted in biblical principles and is truly African. But do we have church leaders in the land who are willing to take a bold stand for biblical truth, values and ethics? You’re the one.
Lawrence Temfwe
