Why is Zambia backward?

This is the question of the decade dear compatriots and patriots. Why is our country so backward? From a rickety infrastructure system to a single rail line serving a country of a landmass area of 752, 614 km²; decrepit hospitals, clinics, schools and derelict universities, among others - one can easily see why the country is backward. Our hospitals are death zones whilst the elite and ruling political bourgeoisie go for medical treatment to South Africa and Europe. They are so shameless that they even announce to the nation: “We are airlifting so and so to South Africa.” Whilst the mass of our people continue to die from curable diseases, the elites go abroad for medical treatment on the account of the Zambian tax payers! Back to the question: Why is mother Zambia so backward?  The first issue is that Zambia has been cursed with a leadership that always approaches matters of governance with no sense of urgency, purpose or desire to create a modern society. Probably in the first decade of independence there was some semblance of the aforementioned. Overall, almost three decades of the country’s independence have been confined to mediocre rule.

Now therein lies the answer fellow compatriots. Mediocre leaders do not have the capacity or ability to grasp the quintessential elements of modern governance. Probably they would do better presiding over a medieval court. To answer the above question: Zambia is backward because first and foremost, it has not heavily invested in science and technology. Yes, science and technology has been missing in Zambia’s development pursuits for a long time. There seems to be almost a reluctance to have a scientifically driven development agenda by the state. However, science and technology has been the key driver in human advancement and socio-economic progress across the globe for 200 years. We need a technological revolution in Zambia as we can ill afford to live as if we are in the dark ages when other societies are light years ahead of us. Zambia cannot just lay back and expect “foreign investors” to come and kick-start the technological revolution. We have to define and then chart our technological trajectory. Zambia cannot be deemed as a “powerhouse” (as some quarters have lately erroneously noted in the Zambian press) because there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise being set up in the country. No! This is terribly misleading. Zambia can only be a “power house” if it has sound and modern infrastructure, modern working roads and advanced telecommunications – which can all be realised through a strategic science and technology agenda.

Zambia has got the potential to light up the whole of Southern and Central Africa if its hydroelectric power is harnessed and then exploited to the fullest using science and technology. What is the key? It has the resource: water. Zambia has got the potential to feed the rest of Africa if science and technology is geared towards agricultural production, research and innovation. What is the key? It has the natural resources and nature’s endowments: land, water, sunshine and good climatic conditions. But this is not enough. Land cannot plough itself nor can water turn itself into hydroelectricity. People have to work. Zambians must be encouraged to work for their country. The government must create conditions that will allow Zambians to work hard. It is only through hard work that the country can move forward. However, without science and technology backing up such processes it will be like whistling in the wind!