Letter from the Capital: Of failing to run a convention

Mbwiiye,

You now agree with me that most of those who left our party for solace in other political groupings, notably the ruling one, missed the point altogether. They are now looking like public cartoons.

When the Professor Moya slumped to his sudden death in April, we saw a surprisingly large exodus of our officials, with people flocking to the ruling clique—arguably to maintain their fat salaries, perks as well as party/government positions.

Of course, some of the opportunists were sieved and returned on the spot while others just managed entry and waited for the ruling party convention. Some, I must admit, have been lucky; they have managed to secure some trust in their new constituencies and been voted into office—the effect of which I will talk about later.

But for many others, Mbwiiye, it has been a disaster: Atuwitsidwa, kukamwa kuli mbuu! (They have completely fallen on their faces). They have failed to secure substantive seats in the ruling party. Now, they are maso bwiribwiri, looking around, trying to think of their next course of action.

You see, Mbwiiye, in African politics, once you have left a party or joined another one, and you decide to retrace your feet, nobody trusts you. They may smile at you, adorn you in party cloth/colours during a welcome-back public function; they may speak highly of your name during such functions; but, believe me, Mbwiiye, that is about all. Nobody seriously loves you, because you are an untrustworthy political cannibal.

Then, let me add, there are prodigals who buy their way through all political parties they choose to join. There are also certified political crooks and ‘operators’ who manage to dribble their way no matter what barriers they face.

Which is why, if you look at the so-called new look parties today, including the ruling one, they are composed of the same characters and faces that have messed up our political landscape since the colonial times. No change at all. In such parties, you see a re-constellation of rejects, the same people who, seriously, have nothing to do in their lives apart from always attempting to thrive on the public or party purse.

This, as I said above, does not give a good name and face to our politics. It seems to me people are only looking for jobs, government contracts and favours. Mbwiiye, it is not the sort of politics we see in Washington, London or Paris. Here it is outright eating and dog-eat-dog politics.

Mbwiiye, you may also wish to note that what has happened in the ruling group is a very big blessing for us from the belt. The big ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ who have fallen are from our belt and the populous Central Region.

What it means, should these casualties choose, is to simply get back to their roots and beef up our party; which would make it difficult for the ruling party to sail through in 2014.

Already, you know we are doing well in terms of numbers. You have seen how villagers and town-mongers flock to our rallies these days. The people are running away from the post-devaluation pinch and generally high cost of living after the Moya’s demise.

The point is, they have all realised how deep the Moya’s well was, after it has dried.

Further, you have also seen how empty the rhetoric at the ruling party convention was. Essentially, it turned out to be an occasion for petty talk and petty action, to reward minions and beat personal drums; all at the expense the need to articulate vision and strategy.

Mbwiiye, where in the world do people go to national conventions only to come back with free mattresses? Isn’t that an insult? Don’t the people deserve to come back with issues and general satisfaction on how their party is doing, especially its rankings and potential on the national arena?

Now, come and see what happens at our rallies—where we deal with mfundo (strategic issues) and imagine how much fireworks and robustness we will generate at out convention soon.

In the first place, we will not limit participation to about a dozen delegates per district. We will allow everybody else to come, if they can afford the logistics. The point is, we will not busy ourselves ferrying people from all over the country. If they love the party, they will find their way to the conference. That is how it works all over.

We don’t want to influence people’s views and opinions by offering them such antics. No against the background of what happened at last week’s convention, where some contestants were also donors (‘Magwitches’) and facilitators.

That rot will not characterise our national meeting. Two, on funding, we will open clear accounts for anyone to drop in their resources and we will declare the same at the conference—not making such information a secret.

Before I leave you, Mbwiiye, let me say that our level of planning for the conference will be akin to precision engineering; not planning for a day and you discover you need another one given the workload.

Already, you have seen how weak the new Capital rulers are—failing to plan for a day’s convention, with poor casting of the content and timings all over. Now, between you and me, Mbwiiye, how do you expect such characters to plan for the whole country and ensure that things are done in right measure and in time?

What happened at the convention is just an indication that what we have at the Capital is complete chaos or a mere road-show pack, waiting to be kicked out through the ballot in 2014.

It also confirmed what I have been saying all along, that these fellows have not settled down to run a serious government. Either they are always out there talking small talk or fire-fighting emergencies, for example, the strikes that have now dotted the economy.

Mbwiiye, I am still writing you all this for and on behalf of the late Moya original, whose sound economic and leadership ideas people are now agreeing with.

Again, think about these things as we head for 2014, in the name of:

The late Rt.Hon.K.L.Mphwanye,

OSP, OLM, OCK, OLT

Achiever of MDGs, Professor of Government

Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Western Pacific