Kambwili urges politicians to end bitterness
By Adrian Mwanza
POLITICIANS must learn to forgive one another even after assuming positions of power, Patriotic Front (PF) member Chishimba Kambwili has said.
Kambwili warned that the culture of hatred and bitterness in the political arena was poisoning the country’s national unity.
Speaking on his live broadcast on Friday, Kambwili said the levels of animosity between political actors had reached a point that was toxic and detrimental to the spirit of national cohesion that Zambia needed as it headed towards the August 13 general elections.
He said the bitterness being exhibited by political players on all sides was corrosive and called on leaders to embrace forgiveness and restraint they expected of ordinary citizens.
“We need to learn to forgive each other, even when we get into leadership positions, we are not supposed to harbour grudges,” he said.
Kambwili urged politicians to coexist peacefully despite their different political affiliations, saying the pursuit of power should never be allowed to divide Zambians.
He said the prevailing culture in which opposition politicians planned to inflict retribution on their opponents once they assumed power was troubling and must not be encouraged.
Kambwili urged politicians to coexist despite coming from different political parties.
He said Zambians needed to embrace the spirit of ubuntu and genuine forgiveness if the country was to heal its deepening divisions and move forward as a united nation.
“I want to challenge my fellow politicians not to harbour bitterness or hatred towards their colleagues because this system would continue indefinitely,” Kambwili warned.
He said Zambia’s identity as a Christian nation placed an obligation on politicians to lead by example through peaceful coexistence, demonstrating in their conduct the values the country professed to uphold.
Kambwili said politics must be a competition of ideas and vision rather than a vehicle for violence and vengeance.
“Let us compete on ideas and not engage in violence and bitterness, which will have a very serious ripple effect,” he said.
