EX-MINERS NEED FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE

‘It’s party time in Kitwe!’ screamed a headline on Sunday, 13th December, 2015. Of course this headline was in reference to the sudden hysteria and massive spending by retrenched miners on the Copperbelt after being paid part of their retrenchment packages in ex-gracia payments and Christmas bonuses. It was reported that some ex-miners descended on chain stores for excessive shopping while others emptied all alcoholic beverages in bars and night clubs from dusk till dawn. Upon reading the story in detail and confirming it with some sources, I quivered in disbelief that these ex-miners can use their life savings on self-indulgence, extravagance and excessive imbibing. I generally do not have a problem with incurring expenditure that benefits the families but I certainly have a problem with engaging in excessive spending for pleasure at the expense of their future.  Apparently, word has it that most of these ex-miners have acquired new friends and acquaintances that they are splashing cash and drinks on. 

Obviously, one wonders whether these newly acquired friends will stand by them when they are bust and penniless. Do the ex-miners fathom the extent to which they are sabotaging their own future with such wanton engagements? Are they financially sound to meet their children’s school fees and other expenses associated with January and beyond? Inasmuch as this story makes sad reading, it also gives a clue how deep rooted financial indiscipline has become in our country. In my considered view, this is just a case in point. Most urban areas have young Zambians who have religiously embraced the ‘shipwe shipwe syndrome’! (Unwarranted spending of money on play) This is a new phenomenon among the young generation that as the nation cannot afford to ignore. 

Having a financially undisciplined citizen is a sure way to personal and collective self-destruction that creates a bedrock for a corrupt society in whatever form. This indiscipline and quest for vanity at the expense of self and national development should worry all well-meaning patriotic Zambians. Young Zambians these days have become known for working extremely hard to make money during the week for nothing else but self-indulgence and imbibing with nothing to show for it. Should the nation’s productive sector degenerate to such levels? When are we going to use these energies to move the nation forward? 

This quest for vanity and love for alcohol is a growing problem in Zambia that if not checked, we are likely to have a nation of drunkards. The consequences of alcohol abuse are well documented and there for anybody to consult. It has become a common feature to find young energetic Zambians intoxicated as early as seven o’clock in the morning. It is a pity that the love for alcohol and sheer vanity appears to have virtually taken over the sensibility of the young and middle aged generations and most of them would do anything to earn money they would fritter on alcohol and vanity as seen from the ex-miners. This comportment has the potential to create other social evils such as break down in family life coupled with delinquency. 

The efforts of Government through the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu to ensure that those ex-miners are paid part of that retrenchment package tax-free in addition to being given land should be commended as it indicates the extent to which Government wants them empowered to live decent lives after retrenchments. Unfortunately, some of these ex-miners are not reciprocating and complimenting the President’s efforts in view of their reported reckless spending sprees. 

It has now become inevitable that the ex-miners are mobilized and educated on the need for them to retain high levels of financial discipline in this delicate time if they are to survive beyond retrenchments. Programmes such as Future Search should swing into action to succour them with tips to manage their lives after retrenchment. If this is not done, they will weep to Government over problems they would have brought upon themselves due to careless financial management.

For the ex-miners, this is not a time to indulge in excessive spending or imbibing but to exhibit restraint and engage trusted individuals who will help you further your life beyond retrenchment.