5 December 2008
editorial
THE greatest service that a man can render to his country is to subordinate the interests of self to those of the country.
This means a conscious delegation of one's otherwise preferred course of action, however justifiable, for the good of the country.
Similarly, the greatest disservice would be to engage in any acts that harm or put the country at a disadvantage just for one's gain or fulfillment of egos.
There is no doubt, the majority of Zambians would rather be identified in the former category.
This is as it should be and it constitutes one of the strongest strands of nationhood that binds the people of this country together.
Many Zambians would therefore not engage in acts that only disrupt, or destroy for the sake of proving polemical points, without resolving a problem.
Holding demonstrations to protest the increased price of mealie meal is just one example of ill conceived, reckless and irresponsible behaviour which should be universally condemned.
To begin with, price increases are an economic phenomenon and cannot be resolved by a display of hooliganism and lawlessness because there is no co-relation at all between the two.
Logically, an economic phenomenon, or problem will call for an economic solution.
This is precisely the solution that the Government, to its credit, has come up with in the form of releasing a fixed tonnage of maize onto the market at intervals through the food reserve agency.
Going by the law of supply and demand, it is a perfect solution, which addresses the situation at hand.
Alternatively, where an issue arises, and in keeping with the time honoured tradition of the people of Zambia, discussion to seek a consensus solution is the favoured avenue.
It is in this vein that we support the counsel by President Rupiah Banda against the use of mass demonstrations as a way of solving problems facing the country.
On Tuesday, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brian Chituwo called on opposition political parties and other stakeholders to come up with suggestions on how best to address the escalating food prices in the country.
This is truly a noble example that the Government has exhibited for all Zambians to support
The role of opposition political parties, at least the responsible ones, is not to be the sworn enemy of the Government, opposing even the most well-meaning measures just for the sake of it.
This approach is a sure recipe for chaos and arrested development for the country, and can never be said to be an honest attempt at improving the lives of the people.
Instead, it may just be the manifestation of a malevolence that does not mean well for the nation and humanity as a whole.
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