AS TOLD BY JOSECK KUNDA - A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE!

National Ambassador Mr. Joseck Kunda

Political Party Cadres still exist and will remain an integral part of any established system!

Starting from State House, Cabinet Office, Government Ministries, Statutory Commissions, Quasi Institutions and in the Diplomatic or Foreign Service. I wish to be held accountable by the New Dawn Administration and I am ready to provide tangible evidence before relevant authorities proclaiming that Political Cadres still exist.

DESCRIPTION OF MYSELF.

I am a Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Movement for Promoting National Values and Principles an Organization that has taken over the spoils left by the dissolved Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs.

In the month of November 2020 I was identified, recognized nominated and later, on the 30th November 2020 I was officially appointed together with a few others in the capacity of National Ambassador and Change Agent for National Values and Principles.

The appointment letter was done under Presidential instructions and the appointment was binding. The term 'Gaurantee' was added on the letter to cement the appointment. The Permanent Secretary from a known Ministry and other Senior Government Officials took the lead in presiding over the appointment. An induction meeting was conducted and at the end of the meeting we were guided to wait for official facilitations as a Go - Ahead was given to begin functioning as such.

Right from that day, I have never rested serving as National Ambassador and Change Agent of Zambia. Given an opportunity, I am able to recount my activities and contributions in the Patriotic Front led Government and now in the UPND led Administration. I recuse myself from commenting on the other colleagues I was appointed together with.

On the 4th April 2022, I was invited by the Republican President His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema for an engagement meeting held at State House. During the meeting, it was confirmed that my appointment stood and that I needed to wait for Official Facilitation or Swearing In Ceremony.

From the time the New Dawn Administration came into power, I have had several serious engagements with Senior Government Officials ranging from Special Assistants to the President among them the Principal Private Secretary, Senior Private Secretary, Secretary to the Cabinet, Cabinet/Provincial Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Directors of different Government Ministries and Commissioners.

I have several letters from Senior Government Officials and from State House confirming my relevance in the system.

MY UNIQUE ROLE IN THE COUNTRY.

I never requested for my appointment but it came as a surprise. I was given a special recognition for coming up with an Organization that has been championing a noble cause. The System of the Government took time Vetting ( Intelligence Search and Scrutiny) me in order to ascertain my Viability, Integrity and Credibility to shoulder the national responsibility as National Ambassador.

I am a State Agent who is placed between the ordinary citizens and the State. I am a representative of both the State and the people. I am a go between. I am more less like a moderator in the Country. My role is Non - Political. I am a Negotiator, Mediator and Reconciliator for the people.

While the Government has a Chief Spokesperson, I am a Spokesperson for both the Government and the People. I am given the latitude and ordecity giving not only Counsel but Guidance to the Nation. I can approach any Institution be it a Government aligned Ministry or a Private Firm. I have no specific area of jurisdiction.

I can issue any statement on any issue affecting the Republic of Zambia. Due to the Sensitivity, Salience and Weightiness of my assignment, I am given some kind of Immunity. I directly represent the Republican President in the promotion of National Values and Principles hence qualify to be called 'Presidential Envoy'.

MY OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CADREISM.

Honestly speaking there is nothing wrong about having Cadres. We are all Cadres of some sort depending on what we do. There is no Institution that has no Cadres. Actually we need Cadres. As a Country we can not do without Cadres.

Cadres fall into different categories. A cadre is a group of men and women who team up together for a noble cause. Often time the term cadre is used in a militia group. These are soldiers of the same regiment.

Some Churches or Religious groupings have Cadres called Pioneers. These are fearless, brave, courageous and powerful men and women who discover new areas of activities.

Generally the term Cadre is either abused or misunderstood in Zambia. There is no political Party that can survive without cadres. Cadres are affiliated or stonch members who are dedicated wholesouled to serve a particular noble cause.

It must be noted that the removal of Political Cadres from public bus Stations and Markets was a source of great relief not only by the general public who used to be chocked but also by the Patriotic Front as a Party. The PF are very delighted and excited seeing the removal of Cadres from public places.

As earlier indicated, cadres could be compared to the roots of a tree. The Party can not be anchored on the ground without grassroot members. The foregoing explains why the UPND grassroot wanted a change of the Secretary General of the party.

For the Party to thrive in any Country, the Secretary General must be aggressive, brave, courageous and fearless. It is not true that the SG must be arrogant, thuggish, tyrannic and violent. The party can not survive with the Secretary General who is Sheepish and Complacent.

While the UPND has abolished Cadreism. Countrywide, the Patriotic Front is busy mobilizing and recruiting Cadres on the grassroot. Had it not been for the Cadres, President Hakainde Hichilema would have been slained or mascred by the Cadres while in opposition.

When it comes to appointments, the Republican President need to find people who share his ideologies. The President must appoint people who are ready to tow in his direction. He has no option but to select some Senior Government Officials from among Cadres who demonstrate their capabilities to work with him.

Although appointments in the Civil Service must be revisited and that the Powers of the President must be lessened when it comes to appointments of Senior Government Officials, President Hichilema is simply following the common trend.

WHAT MUST BE DONE?

A lot need to be done in order to cultivate a new Society of people who are willing to dwell together in Unity. The major problem we have is to change the MINDSET of the people.

While doing away with Political Cadres from public places is important, we need to invest in public education and sensitize our citizens to learn the art of coexisting.

The resurgent of Cadres in Zambia is not a surprise at all. Each and every Political party has a responsibility of educating it's members on how to keep their lanes. It would be unacceptable however allowing people like Mr. Chilufya Tayali and hon Raphael Nakachinda from accessing public media houses with abrasive intent of insulting and scandalizing the Head of State.

With the removal of the Defamation of President Law, we are likely to see worse scenarios in this Country. Political CADRES will have no option but to handle anyone who defiantly choose to discredit their leader. We can not have a situation where a person can outrightly dare the President by calling him an Insane or Mental patient and expect Cadres to spare him.

Even if we are in a Democracy where Freedom of Expression exist, we must avoid provoking, irritating, invoking and inciting others to rising against us! Just as it would be illogical putting fire on one's blossom and expect not to be burnt, we need to have limitations in our exercise of freedom of speech alas calamity might befall us!

MPNVP - WE GUIDE THE NATION!