06/14/2026
WE CAN DIFFER WITH DECENCY
By
Wynegood Malunga
Kitwe, Zambia
Sunday, June 24, 2026, 19:03 hrs.
(4-minute read)
I was just thinking.
It has been very evident to me for many years that one of the biggest problems we have in this country, particularly among politicians and now, netizens, is the inability to express political differences with decency. Insults, anger, aggression, innuendo, sarcasm and sometimes just foolish statements seem to be the strategy of expressing an opposing view. Once it gets to that stage, it is no longer a productive debate but a fight, a war and that is not healthy for the country.
Just yesterday, there were pictures on social media of the opposition NRPUP rally held in Kitwe which, to me, appeared to show an obviously over-exaggerated number of people in attendance. I know that area of Kitwe very well.
After searching the internet, I discovered that the pictures were not of the NRPUP rally but lifted from a Facebook post by Kenyan politician H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH. The pictures were taken at his rally at Chwele Kabuchai Constituency in Bungoma County, Kenya. They were 100% not from the NRPUP rally. Here is the link: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1HDLcG9zU5/
When I pointed this out, a few supporters of opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, decided to take on me by making what I considered to be uncouth comments.
Sam Katebe commented: “Wynegood G, Malunga, you are in trouble, you haters”.
Delish E. Phiri commented: “Hmmm u lie even adultd lie kanshi I was present there was people not ati wat and wat mwebo” (that is exactly how she wrote her comment).
Bwalya Matanga wrote: “You should have come and seen the crowds.” Nick Chanda commented: “Mr. Malunga you should be above such politics”.
Lewis Malembo Banda went completely off the subject and commented: “Me and my family we are going to vote for Brian mundubile na makebi” (That’s the way he wrote his comment).
In my response, I advised that they read my post with understanding. In fact, make it a habit to read everything written with understanding.
I asked if I had lied about the fake pictures, which is what I had shown and proved. All I did was to point out a lie.
It is clear to me that as election campaigns get heated up, there will arise many individuals who cannot knit a coherent argument on issues but jump into an emotional defense mode for their party and its leader.
As for the one who said I should have been at the rally to see the crowd, I do not attend rallies to see crowds, I attend to listen to substance, to reason and logic from the speakers. That is how I make informed decisions.
For the gentleman who will, with his family, vote for Mundubile and Makebi, it’s your choice but you can be sure it will not give me any sleepless nights.
Defending lies is not nice. It shows you cannot be trusted. You believe anything. If someone is going to lie about the size of a crowd and plagiarize pictures, do you expect me to be okay with it or ignore it, just because I like the person who told the lie? That is misleading people.
I am sure you have noticed that partisans, including intellectuals, are often willing to overlook obvious lies, tribalism, corruption, violence and all kinds of spin and filth in order to defend and express solidarity for favors, even when they do not believe the larger truths. I am a logical person and I don’t waste my time and energy trying to see logic where there is none.
I have people on my Facebook friend's list whom I know very well support the other guys. They may think I do not know. Some of these “friends” are undercover agents, creepy crawlies and supporters of the opposition, but I know who they really are and really don't care. It is their right to choose what they want. I will vote my conscience, win or lose. I always have.
Emotions will rise higher as election day draws near and the last thing I want is to be drawn into political fights on social media.
So here is what I am going to do.
Because I don't want to “lose it” and "shoot" someone from the hip one day as tensions rise, those who feel I upset them with my political posts will be unfriended in the next few days.
It is better staying in one’s lane than inviting unnecessary fights with people of rigidly unlike minds who act as if they have ants in their pants. You know whose side I'm on politically. Unlike some of you, I've made no secret about it and so I write what's on my mind and what I believe. Do that freely on your page.
Look, there will always be disagreements on the way things are said and done but let us have a mature and logical position to opposition. Different opinions can be expressed with clean mouths.
Childish and personal attacks against political opponents, by both those in the ruling party and opposition will not solve our problems. Sadly, various media platforms have become party to communication indecency. Maybe the right thing to do is stay in your lane and I will stay in mine. We can differ with decency, you know.
It’s Just a Thought.
The author is a former Director of Marketing for a multinational corporation and is a keen follower and commentator on Global Affairs and, occasionally, domestic issues. The views expressed are entirely his own and do not reflect the views of any political party or the Zambian Government. © Wynegood Malunga
