There has never been a problem solved without discussing it; and no matter how much one may perceive tribalism as a sensitive issue to discuss; not doing so may rather complicate our lives to a point where we may end up stepping on a time bomb.

In his famous speech on race entitled ‘A more perfect union’ Barack Obama, then a Senator said “… Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now (because talking about it) reflect(s) the complexities of race in this country that we've never really worked through …. And if we walk away now… we will never be able to come together and solve (our) challenges….”

The MPs’ grounds of rejecting the appointments of Judge Chulu and Prof Patrick Mvunga to the Electoral Commission of Zambia as Commissioners, are so genuine that thinking otherwise will be setting a very dangerous precedent that Dr Kenneth Kaunda had always been avoiding by creating the ‘One Zambia, One Nation’, slogan.

Catherine Namugala may be right by saying issues raised concerning appointees based on which region they came from were unfair; but she also should be reminded that justice should not just be done, but should always be seen to be done. So these appointments should not be done just because the President has all the discretion to do so, but they should be done with the view of impartiality and unity for our nation.

What will stop people from thinking that these appointments were done on tribal lines after having all those connections the appointees have to the President and the fact that four out the five Commissioners are from the same region as the President? Is someone telling us that only Easterners are more capable of running the ECZ?

With the diversity our society has, it should be prudent enough for this nation to be united and it’s therefore incumbent upon Rupiah Banda to consider unity apart from just calibre and integrity when choosing public office holders because this country has a well-balanced educated and professional people from all other tribes and races who can serve in public offices diligently.

It will not just be so petty and shallow for Rupiah Banda to concentrate his appointments into public offices on his cronies and tribesmen, but will also be very dangerous to the future of politics of this nation.