When one reflects on how late President Michael Sata performed his duties in each position he held, one feels like watching an effective strategic Public Relations’ (PR) demonstration. Ask anyone who saw what late President Sata did; you will be told that he was really a Man of Action in Strategic Public Relations (PR).
What was very unique and interesting about late President Michael Sata was his ability to capture latest up-to-date information about events and issues from any part of this country. Late President Sata had the relevant unique data about the needs, challenges and the expectations of majority Zambians in any part of this country. This is what a strategic PR practitioner or organisation is supposed to have.
Probably one can correctly guess that what made the late Michael Sata to be a Data Master as some intellectuals called him in addition to calling him ‘King Cobra’ was his ability to interact with any person regardless of one’s socio-cultural, economic, political or legal status or affiliation.
President Sata had information that most people didn’t know at his finger tips. From such information coupled with his eloquence in public speaking, he was able attract many stakeholders to support and implement his point of view.
Mr Sata was not only a Data Master and an effective public speaker but he was also a Man of Action. He ensured that with the support from his stakeholders, unless otherwise, he effectively implemented what he promised to do for the benefit of his respective stakeholders.
It was from understanding stakeholders’ needs and challenges; and effectively and timely addressing such needs and or challenges through directing his energies and prudent utilization of resources that made President Sata to win the support of the public; and trust him further in other higher responsibilities than what he was doing at any given time.
From his early junior positions in politics, President Sata aimed at demonstrating that he was in that position for public interest; and not to serve his personal interest. As a result, he worked so hard that he achieved most of his objectives to the appreciation of the members of the public.
From his effective PR strategies which turned into benefits to many citizens, late President Sata was a man on regular promotion to higher positions.
For instance, when he was Lusaka Urban District Council (LUDC) senior governor during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) administration, he facilitated construction of flyover bridges in Lusaka.
To ensure that LUDC performed its mandate as a local authority in delivering high quality services to the local communities, he managed LUDC as a business entity. From such a local authority strategic management approach, LUDC had business entities such as Bus transport to service not only Lusaka residents but also to earn revenue for public service high quality service delivery. During Mr Sata’s LUDC leadership, Lusaka had signs of a Garden City. This pleased most Lusaka residents who became proud of Mr Sata’s works.
As first republican president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda after paying the last respects to late President Sata described the latter as a political mobiliser. Additionally, late President Sata was also a worker and community mobiliser. He also knew how to mobilize other resources to achieve his goal.
From such effective human resource, community and financial mobilization, late President Sata was able to satisfy the needs and expectations of stakeholders. With such approach to duties, Mr Sata attracted respect and confidence from his stakeholders. This is what every leader in any organisation should do.
Considering how effective as a PR strategist late President Sata was in winning the hearts of many stakeholders, Mr Sata attracted the support of all workers, his peers and his supervisors. In each ministry he worked, he facilitated workers’ hard work to the benefits of members of the public.
When he was minister of local government and housing minister and that of health, he scored high marks. Both local government and housing ministry and that of health started improving greatly in service delivery to the public. Zambia National Blood Transfusion (ZNBT) director, Dr Joseph Mulenga said it was during late President Sata administration at health ministry that ZNBT was established with full operational high quality facilities.
Dr Mulenga also revealed that from 2011 when President Sata ascended to power, ZNBT has had always a budget line in the annual national budget.
It is from such a background that Her Royal Highness, Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya appealed to Zambians to give President Sata a chance to develop Zambia. And Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern Province said Zambians should support the development efforts President Sata and his party, Patriotic Front (PF) were doing to improve the lives of many Zambians.
From such analysis one recollects Fortune Magazine’s definition of PR that it is good performance; publicly appreciated. Truly, one feels that late President Sata was really an effective PR strategist whose performance attracted recognition, the support and appreciation from many stakeholders.
But as the Chewas from Eastern province say: ‘Abwino sakhalitsa’ meaning good people don’t stay long. Late President Sata knew how to design his effective PR CV in with what God; The Creator has whispered to him. Mr Sata knew when to start crafting his CV and when to end and at what last level. His last level of public position was republican presidency.
Having reached the last level of his public service in Zambia; and after demonstrating his PR knowledge, skills and strategies to the benefit of many Zambia throughout the country, God extended his hand to President Sata; and said to him: ‘Come now. You have completed your tasks. Join Me your Lord in Heaven.’
Consequently, President Sata is gone. May his soul rest in eternal peace (MHSRIP).
As Dr Kaunda said after paying the last respects to late President Sata, those of us still enjoying God’s gift of life in various personal and official positions have a lot to learn from late President Sata. Mr Sata demonstrated that he was on this Earth for a purpose and the purpose was to contribute to making Zambia a better place to live in.
It is from such a good performance which was publicly appreciated that commenting on the passing on of President Sata, someone said: ‘Even if it is our culture to say good things about the dead; even when the deceased doesn’t deserve such words, on President Sata, we are saying all such good things about him whole-heartedly.’
Reflect on various positions late President Sata held; and how he applied himself in those positions, one can discover that President Sata was selfless; and served public interest at all times. At every stage of the position he held, Mr Sata knew that he was doing everything as a contribution to making Zambia a better place to live. This is supposed to be the spirit for all citizens and leaders in whatever capacities they are serving the organisation and Mother Zambia.
Therefore, if each one of us in any capacity in any organisation is a genuine patriotic leader, let’s emulate late President Sata’s effective PR strategies.
If all leaders in their respective capacities in various organisations can be as selfless and as hard working and as practical and with effective PR strategies as late President Sata had, Zambia can be a better place to live in for all Zambians.
The author is a PR Trainer and Consultant.
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