Constitution Crisis in Zambia
Jubilee Centre September 17th, 2007
Unbelievable! How can a nation that is filled with such abundance of powerful and visionary leadership fail to mobilize the citizenry in order to come up with a republican constitution that will cause our nation to prosper and increase in liberty for all? Why are we still in a crisis over the constitution making process? It makes sad reading that the church and the civil society have withdrawn their participation in the constitution making process.
A nation is held together, however precariously, by the vision, leadership, and the struggle of its leaders who are committed to a world of justice, equality and the rule of law. Interestingly, in our nation all our leaders in the drivers’ seat such us the Oasis Forum, church leaders, opposition political leaders and government leaders are all saying that they are resolved to deliver a people driven constitution. Where then is the conflict? If all parties have agreed that this time around we should have the ‘We the people’ constitution why is there stalemate on the way forward?
We suggest that the source of the problem is leadership. The leaders we have given the responsibility (government, Oasis Forum, political parties and church leaders) to give guidance on the process do not trust each other. If these leaders have been listening to their followers’ voice this issue could have been decided in 1973 after the Chona Constitution Commission. In the Bible we are taught that leadership is to be first and foremost an act of service. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mat. 20:25-28
). According to Jesus followers are the masters and leaders are servants.
Leaders are those who seize an opportunity or responsibility and use it to influence the thinking and the behavior of others for the benefit of followers. Is this what we are seeing in those who are engaged in this debate? One way we can answer this question is to see how those who are directly involved are responding to the difference of opinions. Self-serving leaders spend most of their time protecting their status. Those who think that difference of opinion means that you don’t want their leadership anymore are most likely self-serving leaders. Those who speak on behalf of the followers without their mandate are also self-serving leaders.
This debate provides an opportunity for the church leaders to offer leadership that is different. As Archbishop Mpundu put it, the church has majority representation in the nation. Our King and our Master is calling us to go and serve so that His kingdom come as it is in heaven. Is your service in this debate characterized by straits of humility and authenticity?
Lawrence Temfwe
