The United Party for National Development (UPND) made it clear in its manifesto to promote science and technology. There is a specific segment titled, “Science and Technology” on page 28 of the latest version of its manifesto. Engineering and mathematics are championed, in addition to science and technology. Therefore, such a combination will help achieve digital technology which is central to the UPND-led government. The digital technology is expected to be relevant, efficient and provide services capitalising on human capital. Bearing in mind the emphasis on zero tolerance to corruption. However, the Ministry of Science and Technology is a new one but the new dawn government must be observed in terms of policy implementation. Furthermore, the UPND manifesto will act as a measuring aid on how the government implements policies.
In an article by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) titled “Mutati Banks on Technology for Economy Transformation,” the government said it would partner with stakeholders to address issues of the new ministry – Science and Technology. The Science and Technology Minister, Felix Mutati stressed the need to bridge the gap between the prototypes or critical thinkers and the market in which goods or services are sold. Hence the need to focus on solution oriented mechanisms to ultimately ensure goods or services wanted in today’s world reached the intended market. In other words, there is need to increase the value of goods and services to facilitate the proper functioning of the market whose major objective is to satisfy the customer.
In addition, as reported by the Lusaka Times on 30th September 2021, Mr. Mutati stated that there is a triangle and at the centre of it is digital transformation, which is the central theme. He further alluded that the triangle sits on three pillars which are: access and coverage, cost and disruption. Mr. Mutati explained these notions while addressing a team of Zamtel officials led by the Board Chairman, Danny Luswili and Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Mupeta when they paid him a courtesy call at his Ministerial office. The engagement was reflective of the new scientific and technological approach given the fact that ZAMTEL is Zambian owned and a heavy weight in spinning technology in the telecommunications sector.
On 28th September, 2021 the Zambia Daily Mail ran an article concerning more commitment towards a smarter Zambia in terms of science and technology. Mr. Mutati demanded a smarter Zambia. He gave a ten day ultimatum to the technical committee on the Government Service Bus to create a road map for the effective implementation of the program. Government Service bus is an online platform through which government agencies can exchange data and provide a service. At the time, only 68 public services were digitized while 120 were pending. To that effect, Mr. Mutati said, “In the next ten days, I want a road map of how we are going to finish the remaining 120, only then can we talk to each other.”
The fact that Tony Blair, the Executive Chairperson of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, visited Zambia and was engaged with President Hichilema on 29th September 2021 shows a commitment by the new dawn government towards governance issues and bettering the economy and the science/technology agenda. In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Kakubo said, “The visit by Mr Blair presents the new dawn government with an opportunity to engage with strategic partners as it works to achieve the goal of economic transformation for the benefit of the people of Zambia.” The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a non-profit organization was founded in 2017, to support political leaders and governments to embark on inclusive and prosperous communities in the global village. The Tony Blair visit is symbolic of the policies and mechanisms the new dawn government is seeking to implement, all of which are anchored on good governance and a shift towards a digital and modern economy. In this regard, the visit to Zambia by Tony Blair is in tune with the UPND manifesto where the idea of a prosperous middle income nation by 2030 is achievable. Note worthy of mention is the displeasure by the UPND led government at the dwindling of the economy from 2011. However, after winning elections, President Hichilema seeks to effect the party agenda in whose manifesto it is clear that through mutual understanding, love, national unity and social development, the 2030 goal is attainable.
Party for National Unity and Progress (PNUP) leader Highvie Hamududu explained the need to be patient with the new dawn government in relation to expecting a better economy after implementing policies and exercising good governance. He compared the economy to a human being as he said, “Economy is like a human body, you can’t be healed immediately you take medicine and have an effect on healing. There is a time lag between the time you are given medicine to the time the medicine will have an effect, if the medicine is the correct one. So just like the economy, if the policies are correct you will not have the results now, there is a time lag. Give it perhaps six months for things to start picking up, an economy does not grow through abracadabra.”
With time as a variable to measure the commitment of the new Zambian government towards science and technology, it will prove critical how the government’s implementation of policy and strategy level up against the UPND party manifesto. All in a bid to improve the economy and live up to expectations, the UPND government has set before the stakeholders and policies which are enshrined in its party manifesto.