07/08/2025
๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ
๐๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ. ๐๐ช๐ท๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ต๐ข ๐๐ธ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ธ๐ข ๐๐ โ ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด๐ต๐ช๐ต๐ถ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐บ
If I could sit with every young person dreaming of joining politics, especially in Zambia, I would hold their hand, look them in the eyes and say, โThink twiceโnot because leadership is bad, but because the political terrain youโre about to step into is not what it looks like on TV.โ
I came into politics full of hope, with a heart for service, a vision to uplift my people, and the courage to speak the truth. But along the way, Iโve seen things that shook me. Iโve kept quiet sometimesโnot out of fear, but out of the loneliness that comes with standing alone.
This is why Iโve written down Ten Donโtsโnot to scare you, but to prepare you. These are not theories. These are battle scars.
1. Donโt Make Promises You Canโt Fulfill
People will remember what you promised when they were clapping for you in rallies. If you told them youโd fix roads, create jobs, and end suffering, they will look for you when nothing changes. Donโt be part of the lying culture.
2. Donโt Be Silent When Wrong Things Are Happening
When bad laws are being passedโlaws that silence people, limit freedoms, or weaken democracyโspeak up. Keeping quiet to protect your position makes you part of the problem. History wonโt forgive silence.
3. Donโt Sell Your Soul for Power
Some will offer you positions if you toe the line and stay quiet. Others will isolate you if you refuse to dance to their tune. Choose your conscience. Power gained at the cost of truth is poison.
4. Donโt Expect RespectโEspecially If Youโre a Woman
In Zambian politics, female leaders are insulted first for their gender, not their views. Even if you carry yourself with dignity, theyโll still call you names. Be ready. Donโt let it break you.
5. Donโt Fear Being Unpopular Among the Powerful
Sometimes the ones who shout โyouโre finishedโ are just insecure. Fear the silence of your people, not the noise from State House or ministers. Your real strength comes from those you serve.
6. Donโt Use Police or Media to Silence Critics
Just because you have access to power, donโt misuse it. Never allow your office to become a weapon against those who speak truth to power. Protect democracyโeven for your enemies.
7. Donโt Become Addicted to Praise or Cadres
One day, those singing for you will sing for your replacement. Stay grounded. If people canโt correct you, youโve lost your way. Leadership is service, not a throne.
8. Donโt Abandon the Poor for the Powerful
We enter politics to serve the vulnerable. If you find yourself spending more time with rich donors than with villagers fetching water 10km away, pause and reflect. Thatโs not why you were elected.
9. Donโt Divide the Opposition When Unity
Is Needed Most
This country has suffered enough. While those in government entrench themselves, some in opposition are busy tearing each other down. Donโt be that person. Zambia comes first.
10. Donโt Stay in a Rotten System for Comfort
If the party you represent no longer reflects your valuesโleave. If Parliament passes laws that make you lose sleepโspeak. If the system is broken, donโt be its glue. Be the whistle.
Politics is not for the faint-hearted. Itโs not for fame. Itโs for those who are willing to lose sleep, lose friends, even lose electionsโjust to protect what is right. If youโre not ready to speak when itโs hard, to lead when itโs dangerous, and to stand when everyone else is sitting, then youโre not ready.
But if you are readyโthen go in with your eyes open and your heart clean. Zambia deserves a new kind of politician. Not one who shouts the loudest, but one who listens the deepest.
And when your time comes, donโt betray the people.
