I get interested in topical issues in Zambia at any one time. In all cases, my interest is to see how people look at issues and their take on them. Sadly, every single time, I have ended up being given the political side. The famous words we use in Zambia being "you are being political". Some have taken this as an insult really - because they feel you have undermined their thinking. I believe this is the right term and happy it has gained following in Zambia. Let me explain.
If you try to get a definition of politics (simpler way is just to google "define politics"), it will give you definitions that involve views, power, etc and I'm yet to find one which says .... analysis ...., etc. Like the simple definitions are:
"the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power"
"activities aimed at improving someone's status or increasing power within an organization"
Which all point to that fact that analysis of issues are not the core issue of politics. The fields which have analysis at the core and "technocrat", "scientist", "expert", etc. So I expect these to have the issues analysed before they are brought to public consumption.
Honestly, the worst people in this are people who would make sure you know what qualification they have in the field and go on rampage to give opinions and claims with no analysis whatsoever! That is killing the nation because someone will pick up your lie and assume it is gospel truth and contaminate others. We have to be responsible in issuing claims or political statement. We should not mention qualification in an area or field is you will give a party position, mention the party or philosophy you subscribe to. Let people who will objectively respond to an issue or their expertise use their qualification.
I believe this will help people know who to listen to, and not any person who has been given a microphone to speak should be believed. In this same sense, I think the authority charged with higher education should also make it a point for people who have received honorarily degrees not to use them. I get confused to hear a "Dr Something" said something in which he deliberately ignored the facts or has no clue what the facts are. Further, we as a people need to realize that when one takes on the hat of politician, they want employment and will say anything they can to get that job regardless of what the truth is. They are politicians at the end of the day!
The effect of misinformation is so bad that certain sectors that rely on confidence would fail to stand regardless of what you do as a damage control measure! We may not clean up the mess in time. All for a position? Really?
I remember someone showing off after voting in the referendum in August that "I couldn't vote for that thing! It says the moment you get married, your wife will have more power than you in your home and marriage!". I was so shocked and I said "No! You didn't read it." He never said a word after that. I could see the guy fighting in his mind of what to do or say which would repair the damage. But what can you say when you have no idea on an issue you wanted to by pass without the facts? That is the sickening levels we have reached! This same person may have told all his family as a person who knows what he was talking about.
Then there are those twitter who say whatever their mate says and repeat it over and re-tweet as much as they can manage in a day. In the end, they don't realize they only speak about it among themselves connected by a political line which they can't think outside of. Really people, if you speak among yourselves with no outside endorsement, so to speak, what exactly are you doing - re-convince yourselves like a cult? You know you have a good position when other people not linked to your by that common line support your idea. Otherwise, it is meaningless in the world of building support. You will have the same people supporting you on the basis of the line you have.
The dying ability of people to analyse must serious be checked before it gets out of hand. We need to push to a position where we only speak if we know something but speak on what we have no idea. Zambia needs you to think, read and be exposed to an issue before you speak about it.
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