Wilson Chipangura, Guest Reporter
LUSAKA – Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has taken a swipe at global superpowers especially western nations for their continued stance of trying to control African countries and school them on matters of democracy.
Speaking at the inauguration of President Hakainde Hichilema at the National Heroes Stadium on Tuesday, the new SADC chairperson Chakwera congratulated Zambia for leading the way and show the world that Africa does not need outside influence to do the right thing.
“Ladies and gentlemen! What a day to be Zambian and indeed what a day to be in Zambia. What a day to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Zambian people who have distinguished themselves as a bastion of democracy and beacon of constitutionalism.
“Make no mistake,what we are witnessing today is more than an inauguration. What we are witnessing today is no mere ceremony or ritual, rather it is history. This here is a triumph of the best virtues of the African spirit, this here is a coronation of the finest qualities of the African disposition.
“This here is the embodiment of the Africa we want because this here is the Africa we know ourselves to be. No longer should the watching world dare to define what Africa is, lest they misrepresent it yet again by majoring on minors or advancing the usual Afro-pessimism that amplifies negatives read out of context.
“This Zambian story is proof positive that Africa is not infant to be babysat, this Zambian story is proof positive that Africa is not a free for all to be scrambled for, hoodwinked and robbed by the mercenaries of Eastern and Western greed.
“This Zambian story is proof positive that Africa is not a charity case to be pitied, no, the world need not wonder what Africa is because this Zambian story has put the truest answer on display for all the world to see.
“Africa is the spirit of unity, finding expression here in the will of Zambian electorate. Africa is the spirit of maturity, finding expression here in the magnanimity of our brother Edgar Lungu.
“Africa is the spirit of integrity, finding expression here in the credibility of Zambia’s electoral officials. Africa is the spirit of tenacity, finding expression here in the fortitude of President Hakainde Hichilema.
“Africa is the spirit of civility and generosity, finding expression in this remarkable peaceful transfer of power from one President to another and from one party to another.
“Africa is the spirit of solidarity, finding expression here in the presence of Africans from across the continent to celebrate with the Zambian people.
“All over the continent and the diaspora, Africans are right to celebrate lively are all Zambians today. The symphony of African virtues that the Zambian people have orchestrated in this story are a true representation of all of us.
“Those virtues are worthy of the celebrations of our hearts and the dancing of our feet, those virtues have brought joy to wounds at the foot of Table Mountains in South Africa, those virtues have brought joy to the farmers on the banks of Kasomanze river in Senegal.
“Those virtues have brought joy to fishermen in their boats in the waters of Lake Mai-Ndombe in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Wherever there is an African today, there is celebration and joy there and all of us have you the Zambian people to thank.
“Congratulations to all of you and congratulations to President Hakainde Hichilema on your inauguration as this great nation’s 7th President. Zikomo kwambiri,” said Chakwera.
