The Spectre of Recycled Politicians in Zambia

Zambia is plagued by a negative and recurring phenomenon in the political arena which can best be described as recycled politicians. The former are persons who have been involved in Zambian politics for decades and served under various administrations from independence in 1964, to the present time. They were party to past decisions that the country had made in matters of national development and other critical areas. Some of these decisions were so detrimental to mother Zambia that they have left indelible scars on our country. These are people who have praised former presidents only to later decry their policies after they were given positions by another president. Recycled politicians have survived the political whirlwinds because in most cases they are bereft of ideology or even principles.

Is it any wonder that Zambia seems to be stuck in low gear and cannot accelerate its development? Having such politicians taking the lead in Zambia’s politics is not only sad but tragic. These politicians are tired and moribund, but our society allows them to keep on peddling expired development recipes. The critical question to ask is: if these people did nothing of significance in their prime, what can they achieve when they are supposed to be retired? They failed dismally to provide solutions to Zambia’s development challenges when they were young and yet they think they have something to offer in these modern times? Now when they are supposed to be playing with their grand children or enjoying their retirement, they want to grapple with the challenges of a modern and globalising world? It is just not possible. Some of these politicians do not even know how to operate a computer – later on use the internet! What add-value do these politicians bring to the country? Instead of innovation, creativity or ingenuity, the only thing they bring to the table is their so-called experience. Unfortunately, this is experience in doing wrong things! Instead of debating issues, these politicians employ old strong-armed tactics of physically beating up opponents or falling back on tribal ties to drive their point home. Surely, does Zambia need such dead-wood when other countries have young and dynamic leaders? Just look at the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister of that country was born in 1966 – just 45 years; the Deputy Prime Minister was born in 1967 – just 44 years. These men are leading one of the most powerful countries in the world. Across the Atlantic in the United Sates of America, the president, Barack Obama was born in 1961 and he is going to turn 50 this year. Obama is the leader of the world’s only superpower.

Alas, in Zambia old men (as women are not given a chance) have continued to occupy the public sector as well as the political space at every level and relegated many Zambians who are middle-aged (for example 43, 44, 45 and even 47 year olds) to youth portfolios. How can a person who was born in 1966 be a youth leader? This is ludicrous. In the UK and USA the leaders of these two countries are middle aged. This is how ridiculous politics is in Zambia. Young talent is crippled at every level as these retirees clamour for positions without any thing new to offer. They still approach things as they did in the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s. This is one of the reasons why Zambia is not moving forward in matters of development as the offered formulae, by the recycled politicians, are outmoded. We are not in any way suggesting that old people are useless. But it is important to highlight the fact that many of these politicians’ compatriots in other fields (and progressive countries) retired decades ago and passed the baton to the younger and more vibrant generations. Why shouldn’t Zambian politicians learn from this? Why do they continue to recycle themselves when they have nothing new to offer? This is the dilemma that is facing Zambia. Due to this problem, high quality, dynamic and young Zambians choose not to participate in politics.

The SDC will make sure that it harnesses and nurtures young talent in its structures.