HOW MUSO FAILs COMRADES

By Lau Lawi

“There comes a time when the main actor has to leave the stage”. These are words that have always decorated these walls advocating for the liberation of student politics. As it was witnessed with the 2nd years, they had no one to forward their cries because our politics are dead and buried. We look upon the MUSO officials like our Biblical Moses or Davids. In real sense they are Absalom and betrayers of comradeship.

They own shops and exploit the comrades; the same comrades they promised to fight for during their campaigns. They have defiled the student constitution which they promised to abide in. They have no difference with the politicians we have in the tenth parliament. But what do we say! We chose them . . .

With the activism witnessed during Dikembe and Doghanas time as writers and crusaders of Student’s liberation from the strong yoke of administrative injustices. We thought that student politics had come of age. This was a misconstrued belief conjured by our naïve procastinative brains. We were condemned through hoodwinking ideologies and manifestos of political blasphemy.

We expected these leaders who promised us heaven to at least deliver us from administrative inconveniences, if not take us to political Canaan. We appreciate what they have done so far but it’s not their best. They promised us a New Constitution which up to now has been buried in the dusty filing cabinets of student affairs as the draft gathers dust. I believe that a rolling stone gathers no moss but our politics and positive activism will develop algae and fungi if nothing is done in the meantime.

We have sat and watched as the 2nd years cry foul of administrative inconveniences as if we are not concerned. We have forgotten that tomorrow our brothers and sisters or sons and daughters will come here and suffer the consequential inconveniences which we failed to act on.

Student Finance office continues to claim that there is no money for MUSO bursary while we continue holding kadundas. I wonder whether we are getting our priorities right. What is the need of enjoying ourselves at the expense of helping a comrade fulfil his/her academic dream!

I believe that demonstrations and picketing will never yield anything positive. What will liberate us is holding consultative talks. That will lay down a platform for students to air their grievances and for the administration to act on those issues that have been ailing our institution for long. We need to show that we have informed brains that can make decisions and not act in the same manner hawkers and touts react to challenges encroaching their environment.

We are the crème de la crème of the society but have so far not realized our role in moulding a better society and advocate for positive change in our fields and professions. We have harboured great ideas on development and resolutions but have never gotten the audacity to share them.

We will never be remembered and classed among heroes if we go down to our graves with ideas that could have liberated our society from diverse yokes of modern day slavery and neo-colonialism.