Hi, my name is Charles David Mwewa. I want to tell you about my vision for Zambia. I am a Zambian, born on Christmas in Mansa of Luapula Province. I attended Mibenge Primary School in Luapula Province, Luano Primary School and Kabundi Secondary School in the Copperbelt Province, Hillcrest Secondary School in Southern Province and then went to the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka Province. I now live and work in Toronto, Canada with my family.

I did not decide to live in Canada by accident. I had travelled to USA, Europe and South America before I decided to settle in Canada. It is a country I admire very much. In my view, Canada is a model of what a successful nation looks like. It epitomizes the dream of democrats, constitutionalists, conservatisms, liberals and anything in between.

The first thing about Canada is that it is a nation of laws. Unlike the U.S that was founded by military generals, Canada was created by lawyers and law-lovers. When Sir John A. McDonald and Cartier met, apart from being both lawyers, they discussed the possibility of bringing the territories of Canada into a dominion of Canada. This dream was realized in 1867. Today Canada continues the legacy of laws, the rule of law and respect for the rights of all humans.

The Canadian economy is the envy of the whole world. Unemployment levels are usually in their lows, averaging eight percent during the economic recession. People have access to social services with great ease. The Canadian health-care system is, unarguably, the best in the world. Education in Canada is a right of every individual. In short, the Canadian standard of living is one of the highest in the world. Anyone who is a parent would like to bring up a family in Canada. I do.

I Love Zambia

Zambia is my native land. I love Zambia with everything within me. If there is anything I can do to transform Zambia into a rich, prosperous and democratic nation, I can do it. And I will do it. My dream is to design Zambia on the Canadian model, except that Zambia shall continue to be a presidential democracy rather than a parliamentary democracy.

When I see the children of Zambia live in abject poverty, and unemployment levels soar into their fiftieth percentiles, my heart bleeds. I am troubled every day with our education system which fails to provide access to all. Our health-care system leaves a lot to be desired. We continue to rely heavily on the donor support. Our productivity capacity is underutilized and most of our people live shorter lives, mortality rates being in their lows – 45 to 48 years average.

Although, comparatively, our democracy is stable, a lot needs to be done. The number of political players in our democratic system is not sufficient. We continue to be ruled by the same people who fought for our independence. These nationalists focused on liberating our land, and it will take a new breed of people to shape our economic and democratic agenda.

My Zambia the Little-Canada

Many times I keep seeing visions. These visions of Zambia are lofty and enchanting. I see children running and playing in the streets paved and well-maintained. I see them go to day-cares, kindergartens, pre-schools, primary schools and tertiary institutions that are well funded with up-to-date state of the art technology and learning facilities and materials. I see teachers who are highly motivated, well-paid and who are current as far as their expertise and competence is concerned.

I see a strong, viable health-care system. I see many hospitals, clinics and health centres. I see well-maintained and well paid medical personnel, like well-trained doctors, nurses and clinicians and paramedics. I see hospitals and clinics adequately stocked with medicines and medical equipment. I see a situation where every Zambian has a medical insurance, and access to a family doctor. In other words, I envision a universal health-care system for Zambia.

I envision a great police and military for Zambia. A frustrated police force is a recipe for disaster. An under-paid and crestfallen military is a lame duck. I believe that Zambia can take good care of its police, giving policemen and women a decent salary and accommodating them in livable houses. I believe that when the police is poorly equipped, it is forced to engage in corrupt practices. But a well-paid and taken care of police service is an instrument of social progress and tranquility.

Our military must be our pride, well-taken care of and well-equipped. Our men and women in uniforms are our hope for security and safety. They deserve to be appreciated and recompensed for the sacrifices they make every day, especially in times of turmoil and trouble. The military is not only necessary in war times, but in peace times as well. During peaceful times, the military can offer valuable services in the development of our nation. They can provide humanitarian services during floods and droughts, and offer help in the fight against natural disasters and acts of God.

I believe that Zambia can pioneer one of the strongest and most stable democracies on the African continent. Zambia can be a place where everyone has the right to dream and realize their dreams. It can be a land of the free and the prosperous. Elections could always be conducted in a free and fair manner, and election results could always reflect the will of the people. The rule of law could always be above the rule of men, and the constitution could always be above the whims of government. In such an atmosphere, people would have the freedoms of speech, association, assembly, religion, expression and of choosing the people of their choice to any political office.

The people of Zambia have a right to good life and to decent burial. All able-bodied individuals and who are willing to work should be able to find employment. I believe that it is the duty of both government and the private sector to create jobs for all. In my Zambia, every person that can will be able to find a job, and many times a job of their choice. This will help to develop Zambia and raise the nation’s Gross Domestic product (GDP).

In my Zambia, people will be equipped with necessary knowledge, skills and experience to perform in the economic marketplace. I will ensure that there is equality of opportunities for all, although I may not guarantee equality of results. I will espouse the principles of capitalism and free-market, while at the same time engaging government into strict regulation to ensure that a level playing field is created for all economic players.

I will create an unemployment insurance scheme to help all those who are genuinely out of work due to circumstances that are not their making. I will require that every child in high school, as part of capacity and experience building completes a mandatory six month coop program in manufacturing or service industries. Every college and university will have a paid term, employment opportunities of which will be solicited for by the government.

There will be no shanty compound in my Zambia. Compounds like Chaisa, Kapisha, Chibolwa, Kapoto, and so on, will be erased. They will all be replaced by moderate middle-class type housing. Everyone who had a shanty house will have to meet a certain standard. If they don’t, the owner will be given a grant equal to the estimated value of their house. A second loan will be granted in order to modify the house to meet the stipulated standards. Upon completion of the house, the owner will be given a one-year grace period to begin to make loan-repayments. In some instances, incentives will be provided to off-set the loan.

This Modern Home-ownership Campaign will also build high rise buildings for a minimal rent, replacing all the poorly constructed ramshackle. Every home should have running water but owners will have to pay for it as well as for their electricity. The aim will be to improve people’s quality of life without sacrificing hard work or risking making people lazy or dependant.

My Zambia shall not be a mono-economy. Diversification shall be the norm. Agriculture, manufacturing, and many such industries will be revamped. Copper mining will be only a part of larger and diversified industry. A credit will be given to employers in the private sector who create jobs in non-traditional industries.

My Zambia shall not favour one ideology over the other. My Zambia shall adopt pragmatism as its political ideology. Ideologues shall not be welcome in my government. Programs based on the practical reality shall be designed to solve certain economic problems. Basically, in my Zambia, both tax-cuts and spending will be used. In my Zambia, the real winners will be the people of Zambia, their dignity, longevity and prosperity. There will be no need for a big government because the people will be in charge, and government will be only a referee.

I believe in the Zambia I see. I see a Zambia I can believe in. This is just a dream, a wish, and anyone can dream. But the people who are disgruntled about the Zambia they see today will take this dream seriously. After all, some dreams become realities! God bless Zambia.