Chishimba Kambwili
President Edgar Lungu addressing the press
When the African National Congress (ANC) ejected the fiery youth leader Julius Malema from the party, they thought they had consigned him into political oblivion, hence effectively curtailing his promising political career. It wasn’t long before Luthuli house realized they had made a terrible political blunder of their lives. This would continue haunting them to this day.
South African populist politician Julius Malema [AFP]
Malema would go on to form his own political party, aptly christened Economic Freedom Fighters. This has since seen the meteoric rise of the youthful firebrand’s rise to political stardom making him one of the most recognized politicians not only in Africa but the world as a whole.
Perhaps sensing the political Tsunami that Malema threatens to unleash on ANC, some in the party, prominent among them Winnie Mandela, have been making overtures to try and lure Malema back into the fold. “I can’t rejoin a party which is collapsing!” he’s been sneering at them.
We can’t help but draw parallels between the aforesaid situation and that of one Chishimba Kambwili who prides himself as young cobra and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF). Watching Kambwili address a press briefing from the comfort of his mansion on Prime TV last night further reinforced our conclusion that PF and particularly the President must brace themselves for a messy altercation with Kambwili in days to come.
Some have been quick to suggest that like Miles Sampa, Kambwili’s political fortunes shall soon start dwindling and it’s just a matter of time before the outspoken Roan Member of Parliament finds himself in the wilderness licking his wounds with a big egg on his face. They are wrong! Kambwili isn’t hewn from the same cloth as the immediate past Member of Parliament for Matero. Whereas Sampa can best be described as calm, reserved and soft spoken, Kambwili is bold, daring and loud, of course! This doesn’t fit the description of someone willing to give up without a fight. It seems he’s ready to step onto a field laden with landmines blind-folded; worse still, someone willing to pull a dozing tiger by the tail not in the least afraid of being mauled!
Take for instance a number of issues Kambwili raised during his press briefing……….this is surely not the caliber of an individual likely to fade away from our political landscape any time soon. From the word go, he declared that it is now “punch for punch” with President Lungu until the living standards of ordinary Zambians improve. He went to challenge the President to allow the Anti-Corruption Commission to probe his own asset portfolio because he has seemingly accumulated enormous wealth within a short period of time. He also bragged that he was happy that he had forced government to wake up and resolve the standoff between Mopani Copper Mine and Copperbelt Energy Corporation. He further emphasized that as soon as Parliament resumes siting, he is going to make earth shattering revelations on the floor of the house!
What does the leadership of PF make of all this? Do they honestly think he’s simply making empty threats? If I was one of Lungu’s advisors, I’d insist that a meeting should be organized as soon as possible where the duo may amicably resolve their differences. Forget about the concoction of lies your advisors may be feeding you Mr. President, Kambwili has what it takes to bring you down! Mark my words.
Freelance writer / Political analyst
