As Zambia - We are Better Than That!

Zambia's president, Michael Chilufya Sata has died. He is the second Zambian president to die in office.

The vice president of the country is Guy Scott. He has since taken over to act as President for 90 days within which an election will be held.

That is the simplest way an ordinary Zambian will look at the issue. However, barely 5 hours of the news of his death, the second paragraph in Africa would be filled with hatred and racism and would read as follows: -

The vice president of the country is Guy Scott, a white man in the southern African country. He has since taken over to act as President for 90 days within which an election will be held as the country reverts to white rule! 

Seriously, Zambians are far better than that. While others see a white man, we see a Zambian. That Zambian can assume his call for the nation when called upon. African countries would rise up and fight each other when they have a constitution that spells out what they can and cannot do. This is the backwardness that has forced Africa into poverty and violence. 

Some headlines are so shocking for a Zambian. I wonder if these same "credible" news providers had headlines such as "America under black rule". Or is it that it is racist if it relates to America but not Zambia. I am so shocked and disappointed that this is coming from fellow Africans.

Zambia is better than that. We are more civilized that most countries and race to us has little obstacles. Not even some European countries can handle such a mature transition. We are a beacon for many, sadly out brothers in Africa are way behind. 

We shall rise above these problems and show the world how love for fellow human beings regardless of their skin colour and the following of the rule of law can transform a nation. Not the double standards that the world has on issues. Racism is big and wide - not even the FIFA carrying of campigns against racism has helped. Media houses are promoting it to unbelievable levels. Zambia is better than that!

Can Zambians tolerate such pure racist headlines! Please refer

- nyasatimes.com (Malawi): Zambia Returns to White Rule: Guy Scot Acting-President (http://www.nyasatimes.com/2014/10/29/zambia-returns-to-white-rule-guy-scot-acting-president/)

- The Maravi Post (Malawi): Whiteman Guy Scott ascends to the Zambian Presidency after the death of Sata (http://www.maravipost.com/201410297419/Politics/whiteman-guy-scott-ascends-to-the-zambian-presidency-after-the-death-of-sata.html)

- BBC (Britain): Zambian President Sata death: White interim leader appointed (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29818212?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central)

- Telegraph (UK): How Guy Scott became Africa's only white president (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/11196185/How-Guy-Scott-became-Africas-only-white-president.html)

-  Business Recorder (Pakistan): Zambia 'King Cobra' dies; White Vice President Takes Reins (http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1237532/)

To Zambians, this is not an issue and people have gone to social media to even comment "on a light note" as follows:

@decolanga  "Fare thee well Michael Sata. Africa may now have a white head of state"

@martobono "Once the VP takes over as #ZambianPresident then equation will be balanced. Black president in America and white president in #Zambia," 

That's the Zambia spirit, embracing each Zambian with love. As CNN reporter summed it up, race in Zambia is not an issue.