Observing the recent trends in our beloved country makes me extremely sad. I am left bewildered as I try to figure out which direction we are heading as a nation and what we will pass on to the next generation.

There seem to be very crippling habits and developments that are setting into our national culture and they are becoming a part of us without us noticing the influence they exert on our overall and collective performance as a country.

I will highlight just a few things that are becoming the norm but are so wrong and pathetic. First, look at our so-called leaders in the political arena. I will ask every Zambian an honest question, when last did you hear our leaders engage in a constructive and progressive discussion or debate? The norm now is that of trading insults, malice and biased statements that add absolutely no value to the country. And what starts with the leaders filters through as can be seen in the senseless fights and violence associated with elections currently.

Sadly, on this score, I have no kind words for the Church as well. I think collectively, the Church represents the moral barometer for the nation and must provide direction in such chaotic situations. Unfortunately, they too seem to take sides and have encouraged the polarisation that now characterises our society.

Second, we as a country have become so resigned to accepting mediocrity. What seemed to be a minute lapse is now becoming a way of life and it is passing each day with acceptance and resignation. The fuel crisis lasted a couple of days initially, fingers were pointed, the minister responsible refused to resign and was defended, and now we've been hit by the shortage barely a fortnight on.

The queues are slowly but consistently becoming a normal scene in the country and as usual, life goes on and the government will have the audacity to issue statements to hoodwink us and buy our silence through irresponsible and inaccurate utterances. And given our past reactions and behaviour as a nation, this will be a normal and acceptable trend going forward.

Lastly, even in simple things we fail. Look at the Chipolopolo. Yet again, we are hearing the same statements we make every year. Statements like ‘we need to get back to the drawing board’, ‘we need ample preparations’, ‘we need a new coach’, ‘we will do better’ and ‘we are aiming for the quarterfinals berth’ and so on and so forth.

All the while, these things are said and have been said before but no concrete action ever follows. We will get government talking about considering the funding of other sports other than soccer to get more returns.

But those will always be empty words and no plan of action will go with these utterances that will offer lasting solutions allowing us to prepare and invest for long term deliberate and planned success. Come Angola 2010 and Zambia, yet again will send tourists, called national team, to Luanda wasting taxpayers’ money and further tarnishing our once proud image as a soccer force and we will continue in disappointment as a nation.

We are failing in these seemingly small areas in our nation's life. Is it no wonder then that for a significant part of our 45 years independence, we have survived by the grace of God and have no plan we really follow? If we are unable to get it right in the small things as mentioned, should we be expectant to deliver on bigger things like developing the economy, infrastructural development, increased literacy or poverty alleviation?

I do not think so.