The votes have all been tallied and last Friday
(23 September), the Electoral Commission of Zambia officially announced the
victor, Michael Sata, the lead presidential candidate against incumbent, Rupiah
Banda. The inauguration was televised Friday during the day, and Michael Sata,
representing the PF (Patriotic Front) party was expected to immediately assume
office the following week. Sata’s ascendency also signifies the end of more
than ten years of the reign of the MMD party.
While Rupiah Banda’s political platform focused on
his development accomplishments during his presidency, he refused to
acknowledge the patron-client relations that have tethered Zambian politics to
institutionalized corruption. In comparison, Sata was highly critical of high-powered
MMD corruption, which he alleged had gripped Zambia’s political and economic system
for over ten years. If elected, he told the voters to expect him to combat
political alliances unhealthy to the prosperity of Zambia. He also endeavored
to bring justice and equity to Zambia’s poor. Sata’s campaign evidently struck
a chord with the voters, especially those who live in the southern provinces
because he won many of the southern constituencies by a landslide. I also
suspect that the reason many of the rural residents favored him was because
they were deficient in basic services, specifically water, and the MMD failed
to bring this basic need to their communities timely, despite promises to do so.
Apart from some news of bursts of anger primarily
in the southern provinces, the elections were relatively calm. The celebrations
were plentiful in Chipata, with Sata supporters hooting and beeping their horns
on the streets, expressing their ecstasy over his victory. What Sata’s
ascendency means for urban planning in Zambia and here in Chipata remains to be
seen. I am hopeful, anyway, that Sata will maintain the progress made in urban
planning over the last four years and will continue to make progress towards an
integrated way of doing planning.
During the week of the elections, I stayed mainly
in my motel room, trying to finish up the schedule for the comprehensive
planning training. Admittedly, it was hard to concentrate on what I was writing
because I was eager to see how both lead presidential candidates were making
out in the polls. I have developed most of the training schedule and anticipate
finishing it this week. The training will take place over three days in the
mornings; I have strong expectations about the outcome. I think comprehensive
planning will become clearer to the planning staff and its value more urgent as
they proceed with the training.
Now that the elections have finished, life - and
the pace of life - are back to normal. I am under less stress now, as well,
which is good considering last week I was feeling antsy about all the
coordination and other work that I had to complete. I was able to pinpoint a
schedule for the cost-benefit presentation for waste management and secure the
projector. The permissions were formally requested and I don’t anticipate any
problems with doing the presentation next week.
I’ve also noticed changes in the climate. Chipata
Valley got hit with a heat wave last week, which lasted into Sunday. The heat
seemed to have crept into my duvet, as I had trouble sleeping and took cool
baths for a change. But then, this morning, it seemed a big gust of cool,
savannah wind, had swept into the mountains to make me want to bring my black,
winter sweater to work. It’s a good thing I didn’t because the heat wave came
back this afternoon around lunch time (that’s 1:00pm here in Zambia). I went
for my daily post-lunch walk on the roads of the neighborhoods encircling the center
of town and could feel the heat scratching the inside of my blue, cotton blouse,
causing me some discomfort.
During my walk, I noticed that many of the buds of
the mango trees have started to sprout into fruits. I’ve noted several trees on
the streets where I take my daily walks that will be within reach of my short stature,
which means I will be able to bring home arm loads of the fruit when they are
ripe enough to pick.
I have also taken photographs of the many artisans
lining the road leading into Kapata Ward to illustrate to blog readers the
talent of Zambians. The furniture makers and basket weavers like to display
their wares on the road in easy view of passers-by, who might be interested in
buying something. The three piece Morris chairs are my favorite. The
craftsmanship is similar to that in Malawi and the quality is the same. The
cushions are made out of soft, velvet-like fabric and the frame of the chairs
from timber collected or bought from someplace unknown to me. For all of my
partiality towards protecting rainforests and jungles, I admittedly find
handcrafted furniture made out of quality wood difficult to pass up. I guess
living at the Chipata Motel has its advantages: I am not tempted to buy this
exquisite furniture, as my room is fully furnished.
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| Furniture maker |
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| Morris Chairs |
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| More furniture making |
As I move out of my seventh month and into my
eighth (October), I wish to remind my blog readers to please contribute to this
placement with $10 or more. Your contribution helps CUSO-VSO continue doing
their work of sending volunteers overseas to do the needed work that brings
skills and resources aid to communities, such as urban planning to Chipata. You
can donate easily through the “My Fundraising Page” button to the right of this
blog. Or, you can send in your contribution with a check. The address of
CUSO-VSO can be found on the website, which can also be accessed through the
“CUSO-VSO” button visible to the right of this blog. Checks should be made out
to CUSO-VSO and the addressee should read: c/o Tara Henderson.
