Munkombwe should have given chance to young leaders

President Mwanawasa held a press briefing on Friday February 22, 2008 at State House where he announced some changes to his government.
For instance, Dr Mwanawasa fired southern province deputy minister JosephMulyata, who is embroiled in corruption charges and replaced him with Daniel Munkombwe, who until then was southern province Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) chairperson.
Dr Mwanawasa also fired ministry of agriculture permanent secretary Dr Sam Mundia.
The President also elavated commerce deputy minister Dora Siliya to a full cabinet portifolio of communications and transport. In justifying this promotion, the President has said he elevated Siliya because she hails from eastern province where he has been receiving large support.
Dr Mwanawasa also sent his aunt and political advisor Mavis Muyunda into the diplomatic service at a mission yet to be determined.
Dr Mwanawasa also appointed communications and transport minister Sara Sayifwanda to the ministry of agriculture where she would work closely with incumbent Ben Kapita, who is said to be bed-ridden as a result of ill-health. The ministry of agricuture now has two cabinet ministers but some critics have indicated that the move was contributing to the already bloated Zambian cabinet.

Well, I salute His Excellency for efforts in trying to manage Zambia and the government but I have a major issue, expecially with the appointing of one Daniel Munkombwe. Mr Munkombwe is 76 years old.

Neither do I have a personal bone to chew with Munkombwe nor do I have a personal problem with the appointing finger, but please allow me to think loudly over this issue.
Rather my worry is about leadership opportunities espcecially for the youth. This government is on record with pronouncements on youth empowerment but how do the youth get empowered when we continue placing old wine in old bottles wantonly like this?? I think this is recycling leadership. Mr Munkombwe has accepted and defended his appointment and proudly, he has said Dr Mwanawasa promoted him because of his ability to perform. He also also believes that no country would survive with young people in leadership positions hence the need to blend old leadership, such as his with new people.
"Performance and work is not related to age," he is quoted in one of Zambia's dailies.
I can see that Mr Munkombwe is at pains trying to justify his hunger for office, but he must be reminded that his only chance to make a mark in leadership is over. Whether is is fit enough to perform is no justification to hang on to power.
The books of history elaborate very well and it is public knowledge that Mr Munkombwe has served the first, second and this third government in Zambia. He has danced before in front of different political party leaders including those in the opposition.

The fact that Mr Munkombwe still wants to hang on is a clear indication that his actions are pure deeds of avarice, which would not take us anywhere.

Mr Munkombwe deserves a place in the terraces of retirement where he can serve ably as a consultant or counsellor or senior citizen on leadership to the youth. I think his time, just like many others who are still jostling for public office is over. Mr Munkombwe should retire and give chance to young people. He should follow the footsteps of his counsin Vernon Mwaanga who retired from public office honourably after serving the country for so many years.
I would like to propose that the older generation should pave way for young leaders. After all they are same people who have continued to talk about future leaders. The search for future leaders should have started yesterday. The empowerment of young people does not happen with making empty statements alone. It deserves more than that! It deserves action and tangible decisions that promote the thriving of young ideas. It can not be achieved by re-appointing people over and over again. There are scores and scores of able leaders in Zambia who would have fitted well in that ministerial job.

Mr Munkombwe should be the last person to pledge his efforts towards the fight against corruption now that he has a job in government. In fact, he should not even mention that fight as it is hypocrisy of the worst order for him to do so. I do not want to remind Mr Munkombwe about how an MMD taskforce convicted him when he dubiously received a motor vehicle from then MMD vice presidential aspirant Austin Chewe in 2003.

It now explains why Mr Munkombwe has been trotting from one political party to the other. He has been in search of greener pastures and I am not quite sure if he has found that space.