19/03/2022
🟧 Some politicians are not nice - Khama
By The Mast
đźź« FORMER Botswana president Ian Khama says late Rupiah Banda was too nice to be a politician.
He also says President Hakainde Hichilema is the best man during this challenging time to lead Zambia.
During the State funeral for Banda at Lusaka Showgrounds yesterday, Khama said some politicians are not nice.
“I first remember Rupiah Banda on another sad event which was at the funeral of president [Levy] Mwanawasa. It was on that occasion and many others that I was struck by his charm, his warmth and kindness. His father-like character. He had such a gentle, uniting and wonderful personality. I always say to him I thought he was too nice to be a politician. I don't mean that. I don't mean that all politicians are not nice. Some are nice but there are definitely those who are not nice,” he said.
“So when you think about the rough and tumble of African politics, it is unpleasantness. Sometimes it's divisiveness. How it can be dirty by nature. I cannot imagine such a decent man like him engaging in such a political arena. When we used to attend occasions like the SADC summits, you could tell that he was a leader who represented his country very diligently and passionately and care so much for his region and people - speaking comprehensively and well thought interventions on any subject. Even after his presidential term of office, despite the false accusations against him and the challenges that he faced from his successor [Michael Sata], which I am also going through, he was not bitter. Nor did they change the man that he was.”
Khama said Banda continued giving his wise counsel right to the end.
“And when he invited me to visit him here in Zambia just a few weeks ago, despite his frail condition, he was a perfect host with a straight mark of kindness and generosity. We discussed also our involvement, me and him, in a new initiative in one of our regions. Once I was here again, I also had an opportunity during that time to pay a courtesy call on His Excellency, Mr [Hakainde] Hichilema. I came away from that meeting with the President so impressed with his visions and plans for Zambia and its people. I remember that when I was also new in office, we were hit by a world recession just like president Banda and how negatively that affected the plans that I had for my country,” said Khama.
“You also Your Excellency, President Hichilema inheriting what you did plus the Covid pandemic and your plans for the post-Covid economic recovery and now also on top of that, we have this senseless war which is being waged by Vladimir Putin on the people of Ukraine, killing the elderly, the disabled - killing women, killing children. Killing pregnant women. The economic impact is already being felt and it will get worse but you Your Excellency HH, I don't know if I am allowed to call you HH, you are the best man during these challenging times to lead your nation, Zambia. I hope the people of Zambia will be patient, once you steer your country and people through this difficult period that is not of your making, because I am sure your own plans that you had for the country have been negatively affected.”
And former Tanzania president Jakaya Kikwete said Banda played a crucial role in the peaceful transfer of power from Edgar Lungu to President Hichilema.
“After highly engaging discussions, we agreed to do everything in our power to ensure peaceful elections. Me on my part leading the Commonwealth Observer Mission but him, as the former president and Zambian patriot, we agreed to be proactive. Because of his health conditions, he said he could not move from his place to engage leaders but we had a gentlemen's agreement that that part of engaging the leaders, I would be undertaking,” he narrated.
“Of course when we talked about leaders, we were talking about the principal candidates. That time, Your Excellency [Hakainde Hichilema] was a principal candidate and president Lungu, a sitting President but also presidential candidate. We believed that if we succeed in engaging you and smoothen matters, Zambia would be assured of peaceful elections. During the election and after the election, he told me that he would be engaging the two leaders that day at his home but it didn't work out. He called me to inform me about it and how it did not work out.”
He said the duo agreed not give up.
“Indeed, that is what we did. That night I was busy conducting shuttle diplomacy via WhatsApp talking to now President Hichilema and president Lungu's team. Late afternoon the following day, we were able to bring the two leaders together at president Banda's home,” Kikwete said. “Amazingly, we had a very friendly meeting. It started well and ended well hence the handshake and a photo followed thereafter. Let me say President Hichilema and president Lungu demonstrated a high level of statesmanship. I am sure there was a lot of pressure from the henchmen, 'No compromise! No compromise! But you know as a leader at some point you have to assume leadership and see what is in the best interest of the country. And these two leaders took that responsibility and that is why we had a peaceful election and a tranquil Zambia after the elections beyond expectations of many people. Among Zambians, there were a lot of fears of what would come out the elections. President Hichilema congratulations, President Lungu congratulations. Please stay the course.”
Invoking a Swahili proverb, he said when you see vessels floating in seas, lakes and rivers, “please know that somebody has made them and a right guy indeed because it is heavy but does not sink”.
“Know that somebody used his brains to come up with that vessel. Similarly, when Zambians enjoy peace and tranquility after the elections, please be informed in no uncertain terms that your son in the name of Rupiah Banda was central and instrumental to making it happen,” said Kikwete.
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