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OFFICIAL LAUNCH AND PRESENTATION OF THE VISION OF THE

NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY (NAREP)

BEYOND CHANGE: TOWARDS TRANSFORMATION

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. INVITED GUESTS. FELLOW ZAMBIANS.


IT IS INDEED BOTH AN HONOUR AND A PLEASURE FOR ME TO
WELCOME YOU ALL TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH AND
PRESENTATION OF THE VISION OF THE NATIONAL RESTORATION
PARTY – A PARTY THAT WE BELIEVE WILL TRANSFORM THE WAY
POLITICS IS CONDUCTED IN THIS COUNTRY. I K NOW YOU ARE ALL
PROBABLY WONDERING WHY WE HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO
LAUNCH YET ANOTHER POLITICAL PARTY. BEFORE EXPLAINING
THE REASONS FOR THIS DECISION, LET ME SAY A LITTLE ABOUT
THE BACKGROUND TO THE JOURNEY WE FEEL COMPELLED TO
UNDERTAKE.

IT WAS THE CHINESE PHILOSOPHER LAO TSE WHO ONCE SAID:


“THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES MUST BEGIN WITH A
SINGLE STEP”.

THE JOURNEY WE ARE ABOUT TO UNDERTAKE IS AN EXCITING


ONE. IN MANY WAYS, THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR STEP. BUT IT IS
NOT ENTIRELY NEW. AND MINE ARE NOT THE ONLY FEET THAT
WILL WALK IT. IT IS A JOURNEY BASED ON A BOLD AND
AMBITIOUS VISION AND THE DESIRE HELD BY OUR FOREFATHERS
AND OUR MOTHERS IN A TIME GONE BY. IT IS A JOURNEY
TOWARDS THE REALISATION OF A VISION BUILT UPON THE
DREAMS OF EVERY ZAMBIAN MAN AND WOMAN, BOY AND GIRL.
A VISION FOUNDED UPON THE BELIEF THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME
OF OUR INDEPENDENCE:

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- WHEN EVERYONE COULD DARE TO DREAM OF THE FREEDOM
TO CHOOSE THEIR DESTINY
- WHEN THE YOKE OF COLONIALISM COULD FINALLY BE CAST
ASIDE
- WHEN THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW BEGINNING FOR A NEW
NATION COULD BE LAID DOWN FIRMLY WITH EAGER AND
DETERMINED HANDS.

A TIME WHEN WE COULD BELIEVE IN WHO WE WANTED TO BE AS


A NATION BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF OUR DREAMS WAS SO ALIVE
WITHIN US. A TIME WHEN NOTHING COULD HOLD US BACK.

AND IT WAS A COLLECTIVE DESIRE. A FEELING THAT COMPELLED


US TO WORK TOGETHER: BEYOND TRIBE, BEYOND RELIGION,
BEYOND GENDER.

INDEED, THE JOURNEY I SPEAK ABOUT TODAY IS A JOURNEY OF


BOTH HOPE AND FAITH. HOPE THAT THERE IS MORE THAT CAN BE
OFFERED TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA. FAITH IN WHAT GOD HAS IN
STORE FOR US, IF ONLY WE CAN BELIEVE THAT HE WILL USE US
TO RESTORE THE NATION TO THE GLORY HE ALWAYS INTENDED
FOR IT. BUT BEFORE I SHARE THE PURPOSE OF THIS JOURNEY
WITH YOU, LET ME FIRST TAKE A MOMENT TO OUTLINE WHERE
WE ARE AS A NATION TODAY IN ORDER TO REMIND US OF WHO
WE ARE; WHAT WE NEED TO DO; AND WHY WE NEED TO DO IT.

OUR NATION HAS NOT HAD A LONG HISTORY. WE HAVE BEEN


INDEPENDENT FOR LESS THAN 50 YEARS. DURING THAT TIME,
HAVING MOVED FROM COLONIALISM TO MULTIPARTY
DEMOCRACY UNDER A FORM OF UNIVERSAL VOTING RIGHTS, WE
TOOK A MAJOR DETOUR ALONG THE WAY – VENTURING INTO A

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PERIOD OF ONE-PARTY RULE. IT WAS A TIME WHEN THE BEST
INTENTIONS PRODUCED RESULTS THAT LIMITED THE
INDIVIDUAL’S DRIVE TO EXCEL IN HIS OR HER OWN THOUGHTS
AND ASPIRATIONS. FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND WITH THE BEST
INTENTIONS, WE DID THE WRONG THING. AFTER EIGHTEEN
YEARS THIS PATH WAS EVENTUALLY ABANDONED AND WE RE-
EMBRACED MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY. BUT AGAIN, AND IN SPITE
OF THE BEST INTENTIONS, RE-EMBRACING MULTIPARTY POLITICS
TOOK SOME GETTING USED TO AND ENDED UP PRODUCING SOME
UNWELCOME RESULTS. WE DID NOT FULLY EMBRACE THE
RESPONSIBILITY THAT SHOULD HAVE ACCOMPANIED THE PURSUIT
OF OUR RIGHTS. POWER BECAME A GOAL IN ITSELF RATHER
THAN A MEANS TO AN END. PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT AT THE
EXPENSE OF THE MAJORITY DEFINED THE RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN US.

THE RETURN TO MULTIPARTY POLITICS PROMISED THE TYPE OF


PROSPERITY AND PEACE WE SHOULD BE ENJOYING IN 2010 AND
BEYOND. BUT ANYBODY LIVING IN ZAMBIA TODAY KNOWS THAT
WHILE WE ARE INDEED A RICH COUNTRY, OUR HUMAN INDEX
STATISTICS PORTRAY A NATION THAT IS POOR. AND WHILE WE
ARE NOT AT WAR WITH ANY OF OUR NEIGHBOURING STATES, WE
ARE NOT REALLY A NATION THAT IS AT PEACE WITH ITSELF. OUR
POLITICIANS SEEM TO BE AT CONSTANT WAR WITH ONE
ANOTHER. WE CALL OURSELVES A CHRISTIAN NATION YET OUR
CONDUCT IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF A NATION THAT NEVER HAS
THE LOVE OF CHRIST AS ITS GOAL.

AND WHILE ALL THE SHOUTING IS GOING ON, DEVELOPMENT


REMAINS STUNTED:

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- DEATH AND DISEASE KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF EVERY
HOUSEHOLD THAT IS UNABLE TO AFFORD DRUGS TO TREAT
COMPLICATED AS WELL AS COMMON AILMENTS
- POOR FEEDER ROADS CONSTRAIN RURAL DEVELOPMENT
- FLOODING AND RELATED DISEASES LIKE CHOLERA OCCUR
EVERY RAINY SEASON IN HIGH DENSITY AREAS WITH NO
SOLUTION IN SIGHT
- CONSTANT DISRUPTIONS IN ENERGY AND FUEL SUPPLIES
HAVE BECOME AN ACCEPTED PART OF BUSINESS AND DAILY
LIVING
- EMPLOYMENT REMAINS ELUSIVE FOR THE MANY
INCLUDING OUR YOUTH AND THE NATION’S SCHOOL-
LEAVERS

AND IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS, WE SEEM SHAMELESSLY PROUD


THAT WE CAN STILL CONVINCE FOREIGN NATIONS TO PAY FOR
THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE LARGELY BROUGHT UPON OURSELVES.

OUR POLITICIANS SEEM TO HAVE NO LONG TERM VISION OR PLAN


TO TAKE US TO NEW HEIGHTS AS A NATION. AT A TIME SUCH AS
THIS, EVERY ZAMBIAN SHOULD BE ASKING THE QUESTION: WHAT
CAN I DO FOR MY COUNTRY?

MANY OF US SIT IDLY BY AS OUR POLITICIANS FIGHT WITH EACH


OTHER; WHEN THE NATION IS BEING TORN APART AT THE CORE.

WE CAN NO LONGER BLAME ONLY THE POLITICIANS FOR THE


STATE OF POLITICS IN OUR COUNTRY. WE MUST ALL EXAMINE
OUR LIVES AND SEE WHERE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALLY FAILED OUR
NATION. EACH ONE OF US REGULARLY FACES THE CHOICE ABOUT
WHETHER TO EMBRACE OR REJECT A CULTURE OF HATE;

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WHETHER TO EMBRACE OR REJECT A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE;
WHETHER TO EMBRACE OR REJECT A CULTURE OF INSULTS.
EACH OF US CAN DECIDE TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN IT
BECOMES CLEAR TO US THAT OUR ACTION CAN MAKE A POSITIVE
DIFFERENCE. WE CANNOT TAKE SATISFACTION IN BLAMING
CORRUPTION AND INTOLERANCE ON OUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
WHEN IN OUR VERY OWN HOMES; IN OUR VERY OWN
WORKPLACES, IN OUR CHURCHES AND SOCIAL COMMUNITIES, WE
REMAIN SMALL DICTATORS THAT REJECT CORRECTION AND WISE
COUNSEL FROM THE PEOPLE AROUND US WHO SEE OUR FAULTS
ALL TOO CLEARLY. WHEN WE OURSELVES LIE TO, STEAL FROM
AND CHEAT ONE ANOTHER DAILY.

AND THIS IS WHERE THE CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION OF OUR


NATION MUST BEGIN. IT MUST START FROM WITHIN; WITH EACH
ONE OF US SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE WE HAVE
PLAYED IN HARMING OUR COMMON INTERESTS. WITH EACH ONE
OF US SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN MAKE THINGS
BETTER. WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHAT IT IS WE HAVE TO DO
TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND CREATE THE ZAMBIA
THAT WE ALL WISH TO LIVE IN.

A NEW BEGINNING

TODAY, WE STAND ON THE BRINK OF A NEW BEGINNING – A TIME


TO CALL UPON THE BETTER INSTINCT WITHIN EACH ONE OF US TO
MAKE THE SACRIFICES THAT WILL SEE THIS NATION BECOME
GREAT AGAIN. THE DREAMS WE HAVE FOR THE NATION TODAY
SHOULD ENCAPSULATE THE DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS OF
EVERY ZAMBIAN:

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- EVERY GRANDMOTHER THAT DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE
FOR HER ORPHANED GRANDCHILDREN LEFT HOMELESS BY
THE RAVAGES OF LIFE IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS FAILED TO
ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE VULNERABLE
- EVERY NEGLECTED OR ABUSED CHILD THAT LONGS FOR A
CARING HOME AS HE OR SHE WANDERS FROM STREET TO
STREET SEEKING SAFETY FROM A CRUEL WORLD
- EVERY HARDWORKING MINER, WHO WANTS A BIGGER
SHARE OF THE PIE WHILE HE SWEATS AND LABOURS FOR
INVESTORS IN FOREIGN CAPITALS YET IS NOT ABLE TO
PROVIDE A DECENT WAY OF LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY
- EVERY SECURITY GUARD WHO LONGS TO ACQUIRE A HOUSE
AND IS FORCED TO LIVE ON A MEAGRE SALARY WHILE
PROTECTING PROPERTY HE OR SHE CAN NEVER HOPE TO
OWN
- EVERY RURAL DWELLER THAT YEARNS FOR THE TIMELY
DELIVERY OF FARMING INPUTS BUT HAS NO DECENT FEEDER
ROAD TO HIS OR HER COMMUNITY LIMITING THE CHANCE
FOR PROGRESS
- EVERY FAMILY MEMBER THAT SEEKS A LONG LIFE FOR ITS
LOVED ONES BUT HAS TO ENDURE THE UNBEARABLE NEWS
OF YET ANOTHER FATAL BUT PREVENTABLE ROAD TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
- EVERY POLICE OFFICER THAT WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT
THING BUT HAS TO FIGHT THE URGE TO TAKE A BRIBE WHEN
EVERY INCLINATION WITHIN OUR SOCIETY EXPECTS HIM OR
HER TO DO SO

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- EVERY HARD-WORKING NURSE, DOCTOR, TEACHER THAT
WANTS TO HAVE A DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING AND TO
BE RESPECTED FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO
- EVERY SENIOR CITIZEN WHOSE MEAGRE PENSION HAS BEEN
COMPREHENSIVELY ERODED BY INFLATION – IF HE OR SHE IS
LUCKY ENOUGH TO EVEN HAVE A PENSION IN THE FIRST
PLACE
- EVERY ONE OF OUR YOUTH THAT DREAMS OF GREATNESS
BUT LEAVES SCHOOL WITH NO HOPE OF A DECENT JOB,
HAVING DEPENDED ON AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT
COULD NEVER HAVE PREPARED THEM WELL ENOUGH FOR
THE LIFE AHEAD

WE CANNOT GO ON LIKE THIS.

VALUE-BASED CHANGE

THE WORD ON EVERYONE’S LIPS TODAY IS CHANGE! CHANGE!


CHANGE! WE ALL KNOW THAT THE COUNTRY IS IN DESPERATE
NEED OF CHANGE.

BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE. IT


SHOULD NOT BE THE TYPE OF CHANGE THAT IS DRIVEN BY A
SENSE OF DESPERATION. IT MUST BE CHANGE BASED ON A VISION
AND DEEP CONVICTION ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER
TO RESTORE THE VALUES THAT MAKE US ALL PERSONALLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR UPHOLDING PRINCIPLES OF HONESTY,
HUMILITY, RESPECT, TOLERANCE, FORBEARANCE, HARD WORK,
SACRIFICE AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVE.

WE NEED ONCE AGAIN TO SUMMON UP THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE


AND SERVICE THAT DROVE THE NATIONALISTS IN NORTHERN
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RHODESIA TO FIGHT FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR AN INDIGENOUS
POPULATION THAT HAD BEEN REDUCED TO UNDERCLASS STATUS.
MEN AND WOMEN WHO SOUGHT A NEW WAY FOR OUR NATION.
WE NEED TO CALL UPON OUR BETTER INSTINCT; THE VOICE INSIDE
THAT KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT IT CANNOT BE RIGHT TO
TAKE WHAT DOES NOT BELONG TO US; TO CORRUPT THE SYSTEM
THAT SO MANY DEPEND ON; TO USE OUR OFFICIAL POSITIONS TO
ENRICH OURSELVES; TO DEPRIVE OUR HOSPITALS OF VITAL
DRUGS.

THE NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP

I WANT TO SPEAK FOR A FEW MOMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE


GENERATION OF ZAMBIANS BORN AROUND THE TIME OF OUR
INDEPENDENCE AND THEREAFTER.

EVERY GENERATION MUST STRIVE TO LEAVE ITS MARK ON ITS


NATION’S HISTORY. BUT IT NEVER DOES THIS ALONE. WORKING
HAND IN HAND WITH THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE US AND
RECOGNISING THE VALUES THAT OUR FOREFATHERS STOOD FOR;
THE VALUES THEY LIVED AND DIED FOR, WE MUST NOW PLAY OUR
ROLE RESPONSIBLY AND MAKE OUR MARK IN HISTORY. OURS IS
THE GENERATION THAT HAS BENEFITED THE MOST FROM THE
STRUGGLES OF OUR FOREFATHERS. YET WE HAVE NOT PLAYED
OUR PART IN MAKING THE NECESSARY SACRIFICE THAT TRULY
DEFINES A GENERATION OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS. AND
THAT IS WHAT WE MUST NOW ASPIRE TO BE. NOT TO BE LEADERS
THAT SEEK ONLY CHANGE:

- WE MUST BE TRUE LEADERS, LEADERS THAT CAN RESPOND


TO THE CHALLENGE OF OUR TIME

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- WE MUST SEEK TO GO BEYOND CHANGE
- WE MUST SEEK A NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION
- WE MUST DARE TO DREAM OF A DESTINATION FOR OUR
NATION THAT EXCEEDS THE WILDEST IMAGINATION OF
WHAT KIND OF PLACE IT CAN BE.

AND WE MUST REJECT THE IDEA THAT WE ARE TOO CLEAN AND
POLITICS TOO DIRTY; THAT SOME OF US ARE TOO ELITIST TO
FIGHT FOR THE COMMON MAN. WE SHOULD REJECT THE IDEA
THAT WE CAN’T SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE CORRUPTION AND THAT
THE PEOPLE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GIVE IN TO IT. TODAY IS
THE DAY THAT THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CHARACTER MUST BE
DUG UP AND LAID ANEW. TODAY, IS THE DAY WE MUST STAND UP
AND BE COUNTED FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA. TODAY IS THE
DAY WE DEFINE A NEW HOPE FOR OUR NATION, TO RESTORE ITS
FORTUNES AND MAKE IT GREAT AGAIN.

NAREP

IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND HONOUR TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY


ANNOUNCE THAT A GROUP OF CONCERNED AND FULLY
COMMITTED ZAMBIANS HAS DECIDED TO FORM A POLITICAL
MOVEMENT CALLED THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY (OR
NAREP). OUR VISION IS TO SEE A TRANSFORMED ZAMBIA; A
NATION DIRECTED BY LEADERS WHO WANT TO BE JUDGED BY
PERFORMANCE AND PRINCIPLE RATHER THAN POWER AND
POSSESSIONS SECRETLY ACCUMULATED WHILE IN OFFICE; A
GOVERNMENT THAT WILL PLACE EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY,
SACRIFICE AND SERVICE ABOVE SELF-INTEREST AT ALL TIMES.
LEADERS THAT WILL OFFER A BEACON OF RESPONSIBILITY,

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COMPASSION AND HOPE NOT JUST TO OUR PEOPLE AND TO THE
CONTINENT OF AFRICA BUT TO THE WORLD, ESTABLISHING A
NATION IN WHICH QUALITY HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL ZAMBIANS AS THEY
ASPIRE TO ATTAIN THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

NAREP WILL TRAIN OUR LONG-SUFFERING YOUTH AS WELL AS


THE UNEMPLOYED AND CREATE WORLD CLASS JOBS FOR THEM
ALLOWING THEM TO FINALLY DREAM OF HAVING REAL
PROSPERITY IN THEIR LIVES. NAREP WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL
SUPPORT TO THE POOR AND VULNERABLE TO ENABLE THEM TO
HAVE THEIR OWN HOMES. NAREP WILL PURSUE A VISION THAT
WILL BRING ELECTRICITY AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE AND
EDUCATION TO EVERY VILLAGE IN ZAMBIA – NO MATTER HOW
REMOTELY LOCATED IT IS. THE TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE TO
MAKE THIS A REALITY TODAY SO THAT NO MOTHER HAS TO SEND
HER CHILDREN TO THE RIVER TO FETCH WATER FOR HER HOME
WHEN THEY SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL. NAREP WILL ESTABLISH A
POLICY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON
EXPENSIVE IMPORTED OIL AND TO BE DONE WITH THE
PERSISTENT POWER CUTS AND FUEL LINES THAT ARE COMMON
EVERY YEAR. NAREP WILL INTRODUCE FLAT LOW TAXES FOR
ALL AND MAKE ZAMBIA THE PREFERRED DESTINATION FOR
BUSINESS. BUSINESS THAT WILL SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF
LOCAL TALENT AND RAISE THE STANDARD OF OUR PRODUCTS
AND SERVICES TO LEVELS COMPARABLE TO THE BEST IN THE
WORLD. WE WILL COMBINE TECHNOLOGY WITH AGRICULTURE
TO TRANSFORM THE RURAL LANDSCAPE INTO AN OASIS OF
ACTIVITY AND INNOVATION. WE WILL MODERNISE ALL OUR

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CITIES AND TOWNS AND TRAIN OUR CIVIL SERVANTS TO THE
HIGHEST STANDARDS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY WILL BE TRUE
AND EFFICIENT SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE. WITHIN 90 DAYS WE
WILL LAUNCH OUR MANIFESTO SETTING OUT HOW THESE GOALS
WILL BE ACHIEVED.

IN ORDER TO PLAY MY PART IN PURSUIT OF THIS VISION, I HAVE


RESIGNED FROM THE LAW FIRM I ESTABLISHED 15 YEARS AGO,
LEAVING IT TO MY COLLEAGUES TO TAKE IT TO GREATER
HEIGHTS – WHICH I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THEY WILL DO. I
HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE BOARDS THAT I PROUDLY SERVED ON
THESE MANY YEARS; I HAVE MADE THE GOAL OF TURNING OUR
COUNTRY AROUND MY MOST IMPORTANT CAREER DECISION TO
DATE. I HAVE DETERMINED TO OVERCOME MY FEAR OF WHAT
THE FUTURE MAY HOLD. IT WILL BE ENOUGH THAT I MADE A
CONTRIBUTION TO CREATING A LEGACY FOR MY CHILDREN AND
FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME. THAT LEGACY WILL BE A
RESTORATION OF DIGNITY AND OTHER HIGHER VALUES TO
POLITICS. IT WILL BE TO FINALLY RECONN ECT THE NEEDS OF THE
PEOPLE TO THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS SO THAT THEIR VOTE CAN
RESULT IN A REAL AND MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR
LIVES. FOR THOSE OF MY GENERATION WONDERING WHAT
SACRIFICE THEY CAN MAKE, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO
DEFINE FOR YOURSELVES HOW YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED.

BUT IN A LAND OVERCROWDED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH POLITICAL


INTENTIONS AND PARTISAN DREAMS, IT IS FAIR TO ASK WHY THIS
CONTRIBUTION HAS TO BE THROUGH A NEW POLITICAL PARTY
RATHER THAN AN EXISTING ONE. WELL, THE SAD REALITY IS
THAT MANY POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE REALLY BECOME

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RELEVANT ONLY TO THEIR LEADERSHIP. THEY HAVE
ABANDONED THE VERY COMMUNITIES FOR WHICH THEY ARE
SUPPOSED TO EXIST. INDEED, POLITICAL PARTIES NO LONGER
SEEM RELEVANT TO CREATING MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN
PEOPLE’S LIVES. THEY HAVE NOT CREATED A TOLERANT
POLITICAL CLIMATE. THEY POSSESS LIMITED VISION AND HAVE
FAILED TO INSPIRE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGENCE OF
YOUTHFUL, ENERGETIC AND PEOPLE-CENTRED LEADERSHIP.

AS THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY, WE BELIEVE THAT


POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD EXIST TO ACHIEVE ONE GOAL. THAT
GOAL IS ENSURING THAT DEVELOPMENT IS DELIVERED TO
PEOPLE – ALL PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE AT THE VERY
GRASSROOTS LEVEL.

IN COUNTRIES LIKE OURS, THE DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS TEND TO


TRICKLE FIRST TO AREAS ALONG THE LINE OF RAIL, TO THE
EXCLUSION OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT MOST NEED
INTERVENTION. THE FAILURE OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO DELIVER
ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT GOALS HAS EVEN PROMPTED SOME TO
CONSIDER THE IDEA OF ABANDONING THEM ALTOGETHER. BUT
THE FACT THAT POLITICAL PARTIES IN ZAMBIA HAVE NOT
WORKED TO DELIVER DEVELOPMENT TO THE PEOPLE IN THE PAST
DOES NOT MAKE THE IDEA OF THEM BAD. WE SHOULD NEVER
SEEK TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER. BUT WE
DO NEED TO APPLY OUR MINDS TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAS
GONE WRONG – WHY LEADERSHIP IN NEARLY EVERY EXISTING
PARTY EITHER FEARS OR IS UNABLE TO REGULARLY TEST ITS
POPULARITY AND ACCOUNT FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AT A
NATIONAL CONVENTION UNTIL FORCED TO DO SO.

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THE SAD TRUTH IS THAT POLITICS HAS LARGELY BECOME AN
INDUSTRY THAT RELATIVELY FEW PARTICIPATE IN FOR
THEMSELVES UNDER THE FALSE EXPLANATION THAT THEY ARE
DOING IT FOR PEOPLE. IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS THAT MANY
ORPHANS LIVING IN HIGH DENSITY COMMUNITIES SEE HOPE ONLY
IN CIVIC GROUPS THAT DO A COMMENDABLE JOB IN KEEPING
THEM HOUSED, FED, CLOTHED AND EDUCATED. THIS IS WHY THE
MAJORITY OF ZAMBIANS SUCH AS THOSE LIVING IN THE RURAL
AREAS OF EVERY P ROVINCE – HAVING BEEN NEGLECTED FOR FAR
TOO LONG – FEEL THAT THE PROMISES OF POLITICIANS ARE
MEANINGLESS. THEY NO LONGER BELIEVE THAT POLITICS CAN
MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES. THEY NEED TO FEEL
THAT SOMEONE CARES ENOUGH ABOUT THEM TO DELIVER ON
THE EXPECTATIONS THAT EVERY ZAMBIAN IS ENTITLED TO HAVE.
THIS IS WHY THE CLERGY FEEL COMPELLED TO SPEAK OUT
AGAINST THE INJUSTICES PERPETRATED BY LEADERSHIP
INTOXICATED WITH STATE POWER. UNDERSTANDING THE
COMPASSION OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH SHOULD NEVER SIT IDLY
BY AS IT STRIVES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE VULNERABLE.

BUT TO BE FAIR, NOT EVERYONE IS IN POLITICS FOR THEMSELVES.


MANY – PARTICULARLY AT THE LOWER LEVELS – ARE TRYING
THEIR BEST TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND TO BE EFFECTIVE
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE PUT THEM
INTO OFFICE. YOU SEE, MANY POLITICIANS TEND TO START OUT
WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS. BUT SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT
TAKES THEM AWAY FROM THEIR ORIGINAL GOAL OF SERVICE.
THEY FORGET THEIR CALLING; LOSE THEIR COMMITMENT TO
SERVE AND FOCUS INSTEAD ON THE ALLOWANCES AND

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GRATUITIES THEY WILL NOW EARN WITH LITTLE REGARD TO THE
IMPACT ON THE NATION’S LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

RESPONSIBLE CHANGE AND THE THEME OF RESTORATION

SO IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED RESPONSIBLE CHANGE. ANYONE


WHO CARES ABOUT THIS COUNTRY KNOWS THAT IT IS A
COUNTRY IN DESPERATE NEED OF CHANGE. BUT IF ALL WE SEEK
TO DO IS TO CHANGE LEADERSHI P AT THE TOP THEN WE WILL NOT
HAVE MADE ANY REAL CHANGE AT ALL. WE WILL AGAIN HAVE
SIMPLY TRANSFERRED THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE POWER FROM
ONE GROUP TO ANOTHER. WE WILL HAVE REPLACED THE
“FURNITURE” BUT THE STRUCTURES THAT SUSTAIN GREED; THAT
SUSTAIN MEDIOCRITY; THAT SUSTAIN CORRUPTION AND
NEGLECT WILL HAVE REMAINED INTACT.

AS A NEW PARTY, WE TOO WILL EVENTUALLY FALL INTO THE


CLUTCHES OF GREED AND MEDIOCRITY IF WE DO NOT MAKE
HIGHER VALUES THE BASIS OF EVERYTHING THAT OUR PARTY
STANDS FOR. THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY (NAREP)
BELIEVES THAT VALUE-BASED LEADERSHIP NEEDS TO BE RE-
INTRODUCED INTO POLITICS IN ZAMBIA. WE BELIEVE THAT WE
HAVE BOTH THE VISION AND THE COMMITMENT TO UPHOLDING
THE VALUES THAT CAN DRIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN A
NATION THAT MUST ACCOUNT FOR THE ABUNDANCE OF WEALTH
WITH WHICH IT HAS BEEN BLESSED. WE DEFINE OUR VISION AND
AMBITION UNDER THE THEME OF “RESTORATION”. THIS IS NOT A
DESIRE TO BRING BACK THE PAST. IT IS A DESIRE TO TAKE THE
NATION TO A PLACE IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE OCCUPIED. IT IS A
DESIRE TO RESTORE A POSITIVE SENSE OF PRIDE IN OUR NATION.

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AS NAREP, WE WILL ALWAYS REJECT SELF-INTEREST AT THE
EXPENSE OF THE NATION. WE WILL RESTORE PRIDE IN HARD
WORK. WE WILL ENSURE ADHERENCE TO ACCOUNTABILITY. WE
WILL UNDERTAKE OUR DUTY WITH DETERMINATION AND
COMMITMENT. WE WILL RESPECT THOSE THAT WENT BEFORE US.
WE WILL CHALLENGE AND CRITICISE THE DECISIONS OF OUR
OPPONENTS WHEN THEY GO WRONG BUT WE WILL NEVER INSULT
THEM.

OUR PARTY WILL BE OPEN TO EVERYONE. OUR ONLY CONDITION


IS THAT THOSE THAT SEEK TO BE A PART OF IT BE PREPARED TO
WORK HARD FOR THE PEOPLE AND ADHERE TO THE V ALUES UPON
WHICH ITS FOUNDATIONS WILL BE LAID. WE WILL NOT CLOSE
THE DOOR TO THOSE THAT ARE IN POLITICS TODAY BUT NOW
WISH TO EMBRACE VALUE-BASED CHANGE. THE ONLY PRICE
WILL BE TO UPHOLD THE VISION AND THE VALUES THAT MUST
NOW DRIVE THIS NATION FORWARD. THE NATIONAL
RESTORATION PARTY WILL NEVER BE A PARTY BASED UPON AN
INDIVIDUAL OR ON A REGIONAL AFFILIATION. IT WILL BE A
PARTY IN WHICH THE LEADERS ARE MERELY THE CUSTODIANS OF
ITS VALUES AND ITS VISION.

OUR LEADERSHIP MUST CARRY THE NATION TO NEW LEVELS OF


COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. IT MUST BE LEADERSHIP THAT
WILL SET AN EXAMPLE IN EXCELLENCE, SACRIFICE, SERVICE,
HUMILITY, TRUST, HONESTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. DISCIPLINED
LEADERSHIP THAT WILL INSPIRE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE TO
ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, NEVER DOING FOR OTHERS
WHAT THEY CAN BE INSPIRED TO DO FOR THEMSELVES:

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- WE WILL ALWAYS ASK YOU TO REMIND US OF OUR VALUES
AND TO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM AT ALL TIMES
AND NOT ONLY DURING ELECTIONS
- WE WILL PROMOTE A STRONG, VIBRANT, COMMITTED AND
FULLY INDEPENDENT PRESS UNDERSTANDING AND
ACCEPTING THAT SUCH FREEDOM ALLOWS THEM TO BE AS
HARSH AS NECESSARY TO US TO MAKE US REALISE THE
IMPORTANCE OF OUR WORK FOR THE PEOPLE
- WE WILL MAKE ALL OF OUR ACTIONS AS TRANSPARENT AS
POSSIBLE

THIS IS OUR PROMISE – OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: WE WILL


WORK FOR YOU AND SUPPORT YOU, WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION
ON THE BASIS OF GENDER, TRIBE, NATIONALITY, ORIGIN, RACE,
RELIGION OR EVEN POLITICAL AFFILIATION. WE WILL WORK
TIRELESSLY BECAUSE THAT IS OUR DUTY TO YOU AS LEADERS –
TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE. THIS IS REFLECTED IN OUR
MOTTO: “A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE”. AS A PART OF THE NAREP
LEADERSHIP, WE WILL SERVE NOT OUR INTERESTS BUT YOURS. IF
WE DO THIS RIGHT, WELL, THEN OUR INTERESTS WILL BE SERVED
TOO. AND WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE; WHEN IT IS TIME FOR US
TO USHER IN NEW LEADERSHIP, WE SHOULD WALK ON, NOT
SEEKING TO HOLD ONTO POWER OR WAITING TO BE THANKED BY
OUR NATION, BUT THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
PERFORM OUR DUTY WELL WHEN THE CHALLENGE OF OUR TIME
CALLED UPON US TO DO SO.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS NEW INITIATIVE, WE SHOULD


UNDERSTAND THAT LEADERSHIP CANNOT ACHIEVE THIS TYPE OF
TRANSFORMATION ALONE. WE NEED A NEW NATION, A NEW

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ZAMBIA, ONE IN WHICH ALL OF US ARE HARDWORKING; ALL OF
US ARE SACRIFICIAL; ALL OF US ARE TOLERANT, FORWARD
LOOKING AND RESPONSIBLE. FOR THE NATION TO TRULY
CHANGE AND BE TRANSFORMED, EVERYONE MUST PLAY A ROLE.
WE HAVE ONLY ONE ZAMBIA AND THE SPIRIT OF OUR NATION IS
GRIEVING; ITS SOUL IS DOWNCAST AS IT LOOKS OUT TO A DARK
HORIZON.

BUT NO MORE. FOR WE CAN NOW BUILD UPON THE HOPE OF


RESTORATION. WE CAN BE THE ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR
ZAMBIA, TOGETHER TAKING OUR COUNTRY FORWARD TO THE
PLACE IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.

TO MOVE OURSELVES FORWARD RESPONSIBLY, WE ALL NEED TO


ACCEPT THAT WE CANNOT BUILD OUR FUTURE NATION ON A
FOUNDATION OF MEDIOCRITY, GREED, INTOLERANCE AND
INSULTS. NO MATTER HOW ANGERED WE ARE BY WHAT WE SEE
AROUND US, WE MUST NEVER GIVE IN TO A DESIRE TO TEAR ONE
ANOTHER DOWN. WE MUST SEEK INSTEAD TO CHALLENGE AND
INSPIRE ONE ANOTHER WITH BOLD AND VISIONARY IDEAS.

I SPEAK TO YOU TODAY WITH A TREMENDOUS FEELING IN MY


HEART THAT THE WEIGHT OF OUR NATION’S DESTINY LIES
FIRMLY WITHIN THE GRASP OF THOSE WILLING TO ASSUME
RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP. IT IS TIME THAT WE TAKE OUR TURN
TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES THAT WILL MAKE THIS NATION GREAT
AGAIN.

TO THOSE THAT WILL SEEK TO JOIN US BUT STILL HAVE FEAR IN


THEIR HEARTS AS TO WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, I ASK YOU TO
REMEMBER THIS: THE DARKEST HOUR IS ALWAYS BEFORE DAWN;

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YET NO MATTER HOW DARK THE NIGHT, THE MORNING WILL
COME. TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT THE TIME IS TOO SHORT OR
THAT SOME AUTHORITY CAN DOUSE THE FLAME OF HOPE
BURNING IN OUR HEARTS I SAY THIS: THE RACE IS NOT TO THE
SWIFT, NOR IS THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG BUT TIME AND
CHANCE HAPPEN TO THEM ALL. GOD IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE FOR US,
INFINITELY MORE THAT WE CAN ASK OR IMAGINE.

IN CONCLUSION, LET ME REMIND US ALL OF THE CHALLENGE


BEFORE US – TO TRANSFORM THE NATION THROUGH PERSONAL
SACRIFICE AND INTEGRITY. LET US REKINDLE THE SPIRIT THAT
INSPIRED OUR NATIONALIST LEADERS TO FIGHT FOR OUR
INDEPENDENCE. LET US ALL – EACH OF US – START THE CHANGE
FROM WITHIN. IN 1964 IT WAS INDEPENDENCE; IN 1991
MULTIPARTY AND THE HOUR; IN 2011 – RESTORATION FOR
NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION.

LET ME END BY MAKING AN APPEAL:

· TO THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP, LIVE THE CHANGE AND BE


THE EXAMPLE OF SELFLESSNESS AND SACRIFICE THAT THE
NATION NEEDS TO FOLLOW AND ALWAYS SPEAK OUT
AGAINST THE INJUSTICE YOU SEE IN OUR NATION
· TO THE SMALL-SCALE ENTREPRENEUR, REMEMBER THAT
GREAT ECONOMIES WERE BUILT BY INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU
· TO THE ACADEMICS, WE APPEAL TO YOU TOO – FOR WE ARE
LIVING IN AN INFORMATION AGE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
MUST BE APPLIED TOWARDS DEVELOPING LOCAL
SOLUTIONS TO OUR INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGES

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· TO OUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS AND TO OUR DAUGHTERS;
YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF CHANGE FROM THE
DAYS OF OLD, WE APPEAL TO YOU TO CONTINUE IN YOUR
EFFORTS AND TO WORK WITH US TOWARDS A BRIGHTER
DAY.

OUR PARTY MOTTO: “A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE” SPEAKS TO OUR


REASON FOR EXISTING – TO GIVE REAL AND RESPONSIBLE HOPE
TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT JUST THE FEW. OUR SYMBOL IS
A RIGHT HAND OVER THE HEART AS A PHYSICAL PLEDGE OF OUR
COMMITMENT TO THIS GOAL. I ASK YOU ALL TO JOIN WITH ME
NOW IN WELCOMING A NEW HOPE FOR ZAMBIA; A NEW VISION
FOR OUR COUNTRY; A NEW PARTY THAT WILL RETURN OUR
NATION TO WHERE IT ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN. PLEASE RISE
WITH ME NOW TO HERALD THE FIRST STEPS OF A PARTY WITH A
VISION AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL
OF THE TIME. RISE WITH ME NOW TO WELCOME THE FIRST STEPS
OF NAREP – THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY.

I THANK YOU. AND MAY GOD’S GRACE BE WITH YOU ALL.

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