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UNIP: "We are coming back come 2006!" |
Some say the Zambian political landscape once championed by the United National Independence Party (UNIP) died with the Presidential defeat of its founding father, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, but lo and behold, the remnants of this party still have faith in the party and they have vowed, come 2006 elections, UNIP will be back in power again.
 The African Magazine caught up with UNIP's treasurer for the copperbelt province in Kitwe,
Mr Amon Phiri.
Seated majestically and dressed in his cowboy hat behind his house in a high-density suburb of Kitwe, Mr Phiri allowed the African into his compound. From a first glance, one could mistake him for a 'Kunta Kinte' character in the famous black American movie, 'Roots'.
“We are coming back, come 2006, we are forming a new government. We have everything at our disposal. The current government has nothing to offer. There is total hunger, unemployment, orphans, lots of street kids due to HIV/AIDS. There is too much hatred, which affects society in terms of mistrust.
Politicians do not discuss issues but insult each other. We have 27 years of experience as rulers” (in reference to Kenneth Kaunda's Presidential term that ran from 1964 to 1991 when Chiluba and the current ruling party MMD took over).
“What will be your immediate political activities when you take office come 2006?” Inquired the African.
“Our first task will be to revamp all the major companies that went insolvent or just closed down when MMD took over as the ruling party.
These companies are the following, Exite batteries, Kapiri Glass, ZAMEFA, Pineapple factory in Mansa, Spark batteries, Kafue textiles, Dunlop, Rope Zambia Ltd, Mines etc.
We will grab back all the mines they are ours. We will grab them from the British and return them to the people so that they enjoy the benefits. This is our land”.
“We shall improve farming which is in shatters. We shall bring back rural construction. Moreover, the 'one Zambia one nation' slogan will be chanted again. You see, these are things we did before (referring to Kaunda's era).
We shall improve roads which are in dilapidated state. We want people to have money in their
pockets. We have a lot of goods but people can't buy them. We will also work on fallen standards of education, health and provide people with good water”.
“During Kaunda's time, we are informed that there were extreme human rights violations where
living in fear was the order of the day. We are told that innocent people were detained without trial and at times, people were made to disappear through the works of state machinery etc. What UNIP are you presenting to us through all the positives you just mentioned to us?” Asked
the African.
“You see”, responded Mr Phiri, “our first republic was under the Eastern bloc, now, the shift is towards democracy, hence a different UNIP. In fact, I wish to let you know that there are a lot of human rights violations in the country right now. Things like torture are prevalent”.
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