WORLD  over, the Presidency is an office of great significance that must always be accorded the due decorum for the holder to discharge functions diligently.
While constructive criticism to the office holder is acceptable, malicious attacks and innuendos are off the line in any set-up.
In Zambia, a malevolent and dim campaign has emerged suggesting that President Michael Sata is unwell. This is not only spiteful, but also a desperate move to soil the political discourse in the country.
We are not in any way suggesting that political commentators should curtail debate on the Presidency and other political offices. No!
That there must be decency and substance in public discourse is important in any democratic society that promotes social dialogue and development in all spheres of life.
Politicians and their supporters must rise above trivia and engage in discourse that will stir development in the country.
There are burning issues that should instead bring all political players together such as the falling value of the local currency, unemployment, poverty, and on the whole the distortions in the economy arising from unfair and illegal business transactions.
President Michael Sata himself has come out strongly against those wishing him ill and we hope those claiming to be commenting on the matter in public interest, will now invest their time and energy on matters relating to development.
It is ‘unZambian’ or better still ‘unAfrican’ for anyone to wish another ill-health when what we desire is a healthy nation awash with progressive ideas in the public domain.
We are aware though that there are some people lurking in the dark and out to distort public opinion in a desperate attempt to win popularity. Such malicious propaganda rarely works and in fact disadvantages the perpetrators themselves.
This is so because the Zambian public is well-informed and is able to draw a distinction between hog-wash and debate of substance.
Even observers on the fringes cannot take malicious messages for the truth because purveyors of such messages have certain ‘colours’ that depict evil intentions.
While, citizens are still beset with challenges, it is also true that the achievements of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government are well catalogued and appreciated.
The creation of more districts, creation of Muchinga Province and the relocation of Southern Province headquarters from Livingstone to Choma have triggered massive infrastructure development.
This has also streamlined public administration as decision-making has been brought closer to communities.
There are many other programmes in top gear that are aimed at developing the nation such the massive road construction and rehabilitation initiatives.
It is also evident that the Government has accelerated the diversification programme from the predominant mining to agriculture, tourism, construction and manufacturing.
Therefore, political and other players should anchor their debates on serious fundamentals in the economic arena like inflation levels, Gross Domestic Product, exchange rate and job creation.
It is a waste of time and energy to structure discussions along narrow and petty issues that should otherwise pass for cheap gossip.