I drove over 400 km from our home in Kitwe so that I am able to vote tomorrow where I registered just outside Lusaka in Chongwe. Shortly after voting, which I hope to do when the polls open at 6AM, Grace and I will leave for our other home in Kitwe where she will also be voting. The result of this election, in my view, will be very close. Within my immediate family, there are those in favor of Hakainde Hichilema while others are in the Edgar Lungu camp. I believe this is so even with you my friends on Facebook. The fact that we prefer different candidates does not mean we are enemies. It just means that we are not violent cadres but friends, sisters and brothers who acknowledge that we do have different political views and yet respect each other. When I voted for my friend Andy Mazoka in 2001, one of my daughters came home bragging that she had voted for Michael Sata. That was the big joke of the day, as far as I was concerned and had a good laugh. In 2011, I voted for Michael Sata! I believe that in an election, you usually on one hand have a popular candidate and on the other a better candidate. It is rare that you get one candidate with both those attributes. In this election, I have decided to vote for the better candidate. A high ranking academician in this country said to me the other day, dont vote for that man but vote wisely. Earlier, a former cabinet minister said to me in Nyanja, Wosa votela uja. Votela wakwanu. (Dont vote for that one, vote for your tribesman.) To both these people and those who share their sentiments, I will be voting for the candidate who shares my ideals for the people of Zambia. I will be voting for the candidate who has been clear on the issues. I will be voting for the better candidate, whether he is popular or not. When I do that, whether he wins or loses, I will be satisfied because I would have voted my conscience and my heart will be at rest. God bless this great nation, the Republic of Zambia.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:18:22 +0000