Life on Planet Daniel Munkombwe: The Godfather of Politics of Benefits
Daniel Munkombwe has had a colourful political life, and has had opinions bandied around about what his true legacy will eventually be, once he has finally leaves the political stage. Of course the old man has over the years worn many political hats, and has belonged to any ruling party for reasons he has consistently and unashamedly stated. There is one thing his critics and fans are agreed and admire his brutal honest, even where it harms him. Here, as the country warms up to the August 11 general elections, we look at 10 top Munkombwe moments:
10. Better known for his infamous confession that politics of patriotism are long gone, the now 84 years old Munkombwe stunned the nation, when he said that he practiced politics of benefits. Befittingly christened the father of politics of benefits Munkombwe has to date remained unapologetic.
9. Maybe in keeping with his philosophy of politics of benefits Munkombwe was at it again when under late President Levy Mwanawasa, the MMD had opened the position of vice president for election, and he shunned then Republican Vice President Lupando Mwape on a visit to Southern Province. Reason, Mr Benefits had just received a brand new Toyota Hilux from another aspiring candidate and switched allegiance. Not even Presidential censure was enough to dissuade him from siding with an outsider. President Mwanawasa froze the election after it became clear that it was dividing the party.
8. Never one to hesitate to defect at the promise of rewards, Munkombwe perhaps holds the record of the most defections at a high level. Quietly, he braggingly whispers what keeps him changing political colours in his much beloved mother tongue, “Cuula ulya tulileta” loosely translated as, “a frog eats what comes its way”. According to him, he has never followed any political party to defect but they all follow him to his Kabebya Farm in Choma where he still lives.
7. Sometimes the nonstop switching of political parties can be confusing to the old man as he hit headlines for losing his way in parliament after he had been once again nominated by late President Levy Mwanawasa. He strayed into the backbench side of the House before he was reminded that he was a minister only to sheepishly take his seat in the front row.
6. His relationship with the opposition UPND for whom he is now campaigning has not always been a smooth one as he once deridingly referred to the opposition party leader Hakainde Hichilema as a “Kajongósi” likening him to an animal that is being taught how to plough, by being yoked behind experienced animals. The catch here was to stress that HH lacked experience in politics and still needed to learn. This did not go down well with the UPND faithful with Munkombwe being a marked man for some time.
5. There was just that awkward moment when in April, 2015 Munkombwe was attacked by his own bull at his farm. Anyone schooled in the Tonga arts of animal care will tell you how strange it is for your own animal to attack you. But then in the world of Daniel Munkombwe there can be no certainty. “I was injured by my own bull; I thank God that I’m alive. Anyway, it is better that I was hit by my animal and not an elephant or buffalo like the case with poachers. Whoever herds cattle should expect to go through what I have encountered. I’m in severe pain; I can’t even wake up on my own,” explained Munkombwe.
4. Under his watch in 2013 Livingstone ended up missing on a national funeral with all flags flying at full mast. Never one to keep his mouth shut, even when it is the wiser thing to do he had this explanation, “It is a state funeral, who has died? Anyway on this one we have been caught napping,” said the man at times fondly referred to as the Lion of Mboole.
3. While the country frets about the grade 12 certificate to vie for political office, it is one discussion Munkombwe may not have qualified to enter. Reason! He was expelled in Standard Three at Matopo Hills in Livingstone for his political activities. But he is definitely one man you will not take to school to teach politics.
2. Hichilema may be flying high in the company of good old Daniel Munkombwe but the two have not always been the best of buddies. Did he not once refer to HH as “Mpwita mamina” which refers to a mucus dripping piccaninny? In Tonga tradition this word is reserved for the most vulnerable children fresh into school and usually needing special care.
1. Daniel Munkombwe has not always been the UPND’s greatest ambassador as at an hour they thought they had the January, 2015 presidential elections in the bag; he surfaced with his damaging remarks at a political rally in Choma, where he said, “It is time for a Tonga to rule”. You won’t find anything more damaging to the UPND political cause than tribal remarks.
Whatever anyone may choose to say about good old Daniel Munkombwe, he has definitely added colour to the political life of mother Zambia having served as Minister of State from 1983 – 1987, Minister of Decentralisation from 1987 to 1991 and Member of the Central Committee in the UNIP government. He served as MMD Southern Province Minister and Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President during the Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda administrations between 2007 and 2010 respectively. President Sata retained him as Southern Province deputy minister.
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