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The Gecko
It is that time of
the year again, when a year comes to a close.
The close of a
year is always an interesting period, time for reflection for some
and a time to plan for the unfolding year for others.
2006 has gone,
gone like all the years before it. Did not people reflect over the
years that have gone by? Did they not plan for the New Year?
It is the same old
story.
Well 2006, went by
and for the Gecko, there was much to do.
Readers of this
column will remember what these pages held over the last year. There
were issues that were brought to the fore, important matters.
Take the Legacy
issue for example, though it came towards the tail end of the year,
this is one issue the Gecko feels should be taken up strongly in
2007.
Zambia stands to
lose greatly environmentally if Legacy gets its way to have its five
star hotel, golf course, country club on that endangered piece of
land in Livingstone’s national park.
This country needs
jobs but not at the cost at which Legacy wants to create them.
What good will it
do this country, to lose Victoria Falls and its world heritage site
recognition and gain a couple of “odd jobs” courtesy of Legacy.
The Gecko’s heart
bleeds at such thoughts because this is a “rape of the motherland.”
Well the Gecko was
not just preoccupied with the Legacy issue, there was the Tripartite
poll that saw the re-election of President Mwanawasa.
Congratulations
Mr. President.
However, whatever
the outcome, it is evident that the people had spoken and a strong
message was sent by the way voters voted.
Less Tax, jobs and
more money in the pocket was what the over-taxed Zambian worker
wanted, before 2006 ended.
Police shooting of
the innocent, riots that broke out were issues that gave cops during
the close of 2006 a bad name.
Up to now it is
very difficult to say what got into those cops, to make them trigger
happy. The protectors of the law had suddenly become the villains.
An armed cop was a
scary sight and one felt like taking cover.
The fatal
shootings, in Lusaka’s Ng’ombe, Chawama, Misisi townships, not
forgetting the one in Kitwe should be luggage the police won’t drag
into 2007.
If the police
‘must make peace’ with everyone, then our politicians also need this
advice.
This ‘bad blood’
that runs through President Mwanawasa, Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick
Chiluba should also die with 2006.
There is what one
would call a triangle of hate among these three and this is not good
for the country.
What legacy has
been created, that every President that leaves Office should face
the wrath of the one who takes over?
Why so much hate?
Hate, the Gecko
will tell you is not good for anyone, not even the one who harbours
it.
Some people go out
of their way to do something that will better the society they live
in, while others do nothing at all.
You who are
reading this, where do you place yourself?
The Gecko in its
small way has tried to bring to the fore issues which may not seem
important at first sight, but they are important in their own right.
Take for instance,
the mushrooming of Lodges, some of which are no better than
‘Brothels’.
People are aware
that there Lodges which exist for the sole purpose of furthering
prostitution and yet they do nothing about this vice.
The Gecko has
written at length about the importance of running Lodges that meet
the mark because these places enhance the tourism industry.
What have you to
say about the Lodge in your area?
It is January and
a new year is just unfolding.
Everyone would
want this one to be better than the last one.
But how will this
year be better if a greater majority will sit comfortably on their
laurels.
There are issues
which demand attention in the New Year and most of them have to be
carried over.
Less Tax and jobs
and more money in the pocket is definitely one of them.
AIDS and the
growing number of Street Kids will also be issues, which still need
to be fought diligently.
But there is hope
in every new year that comes, and this one is no different.
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January
2007