IT was William Shakespeare who wrote that some people are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
President Edgar Lungu has greatness thrust upon him because of his inherent leadership qualities and humility.
We, thus, agree with Noah Hassan Abbaker who is the Saudi Arabian Embassy interpreter when he acutely observes that human beings never fully appreciate fellow humans until they are pronounced dead.
Mr Abbaker has recognised leadership qualities in the President Edgar Lungu who has already been recognised by the international community as a leader with a vision.
We also agree with Mr Abbaker when he further notes that regionally, President Lungu has been recognised by the South Sudan government and the armed movement there, led by Riek Machar as mediator and a peace searcher for a solution to the civil war in that country.
Isn’t this recognition humbling since it is happening at the time that some Zambians can not see the greatness of our president whose qualities have been recognised regionally and globally?
Really, President Lungu has scored a first both domestically and internationally making him stand out as the best among equals.
Domestically, President Lungu will be remembered as the man who signed the most ambitious and progressive Constitution Bill in the history of Zambia.
He will also be remembered as the man who like Solomon in the Bible built a tabernacle for God implementing the Christian Nation tag that some of his predecessors only gave lip service to.
In development, President Lungu has carved an enviable name for himself as the man who ‘walks the talk.’
He, therefore, stands out regionally as a man of action since as Mr Abbaker has observed he has come up with a Constitution to benefit Zambians now and after.
Here is a man who has only been in power for such a short period of time doing work that would take decades to accomplish for other mortals.
Democratically, he has even surpassed his predecessors by tackling contentious clauses like the 50 plus one votes and running mate that would have normally seen other presidents develop cold feet.
Understandably, he has surprised both his detractors and admirers among the latter being the United States of America who recently appreciated President Lungu’s efforts which heaped accolades on him commenting that Zambia has become a shining example to be followed by other countries as far as the constitution deliverance is concerned.
As Zambians, who know our history better, we should recognise our countryman’s effort to improve this country and leave a legacy that will outlive his tenure of office.
