by Cheela Chilala, Zambia, October 1997
THEME = THE CHURCHES
On 4 September 1997, however, a new entry onto Zambia's political scene caused a stir, particularly in political and church circles. The National Christian Coalition (NCC) was launched by the televangelist, Dr Peter Nevers Mumba, president of Victory Ministries International. Dr Mumba is Chairman of the NCC, whose leadership is dominated by members of the Pentecostal movement. Dr Mumba stated that the NCC has as goal "to identify morally upright people who will offer themselves as candidates in the local and parliamentary elections. It is not a sin to participate in politics. Indeed, it is a sin not to participate".
The last statement was an apparent reference to views expressed by some church leaders on the establishment of the NCC. Some churchmen welcomed Dr Mumba. Others adopted a "wait-and-see attitude". Among those who did not agree with Dr Mumba was Rev. Violet Sampa-Bredt, General-Secretary of the Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ). Even before the NCC had been officially launched, she said that Dr Mumba should resign his pastoral position if he intended to form a political movement. She said: "Pastor Mumba has every right to be what he wants to be, but he cannot use the Church to be a vehicle for his political movement, because, as shepherds, we represent people with diverse political backgrounds".
Dr Mumba reacted swiftly. Addressing the Press at the NCC's launch, he said: "A Christian who discourages another Christian from participating in politics, is a traitor to his own country. While we differ in our style of preaching and in doctrine, we should never compromise on Judeo-Christian values".
Reaction from the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), of which the Victory Ministries is a member, was more cautious than condemnatory. A few days after the NCC was launched, Rev. Thomas Lumba, the EFZ's Executive Director said that he welcomed the NCC's formation, but counselled caution. He said that if the NCC was a non-governmental organisation (NGO), there would be no problem. If, however, it is a political party, then it's formation is an unwise move.
Controversy surrounding the NCC's formation has now settled, but one big question remains. Is the NCC an NGO (as Dr Mumba insists), or is it a political party masquerading as an NGO (as some of its detractors insist)? This all-important question gives rise to other questions. Does the NCC want to rule Zambia? Does Nevers Mumba intend to stand for President in the 2001 presidential elections?
Dr Mumba refuses to be drawn into these issues. He says that the NCC will only be transformed into a political party if it becomes necessary. He also says he has no immediate plans to run for the presidency.
President Chiluba is of the opinion that the NCC's ultimate goal is to form a government of Christians only. While stating that the NCC is not a threat to his government, Chiluba argues that the movement is "not original", as the idea has been borrowed from South Africa where a Christian coalition has existed for a number of years. "An all-Christian government", says the President, "is not practical". Vice-President Brigadier- General Godfrey Miyanda is, like President Chiluba, a born- again Christian. He is convinced that the NCC is a political party in disguise. "No one," he says, "will convince me otherwise". The Vice-President refers to what Pastor Mumba described as a "launching speech", but which was in fact, a manifesto similar in spirit and in content to that of any political party.
People are wondering if Dr Mumba has put all his cards on the table or is he keeping a trump card under the table, to be played at a later stage?
Only time will tell. Dr Mumba has said (during a popular TV show, "Frank Talk", that he is content with the ministry of saving souls; that becoming President of Zambia would be an inferior occupation to that of preaching the Gospel. (He said this long before forming the NCC).
Does Dr Mumba think the presidency is inferior to his pastoral work? If he did eventually run for President, would he be labelled "insincere" and unprincipled? Some of Dr Mumba's critics say that a man of his calibre should be above the "dirty game of politics". His response is: "Politics is not about dirt. It is about people".
END