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The Democratic Alliance (DA) warmly welcomes the results of Zambia’s national government elections in which opposition candidate, Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF), beat incumbent Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to win the Presidency. This was confirmed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia which declared the elections to be free and fair. This marks the second time that Zambia has changed party hands since independence in 1964 – and it sets a powerful, positive example for the virtues of democratic rule. We praise President Banda for graciously acknowledging defeat, assuring a peaceful handover of power.

As South Africa’s official opposition party, the DA is especially heartened by the action of both the PF and the MMD. In 1991, the MMD was the opposition party which defeated the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in the national elections. Now, after 20 years in power, it too has been defeated by the opposition PF. This shows a healthy appetite for democratic elections by the Zambian people. They have instituted a culture of governmental accountability to the electorate and peaceful transitions. The DA is proud to associate with the Zambian leadership as fellow SADC members.

As a person who was born and raised in Zambia before moving to South Africa in the late 1980s, I grew up knowing the rule of only one President, Kenneth Kaunda. Since then, Zambian politics has matured a great deal. Zambians have changed governments twice without shedding blood. They have found a way to transfer power without destabilizing the country. They have provided a wonderful example for Africa.

In fact, I have just returned from Zambia where I was part of the Observer Mission of the SADC Parliamentary Forum which observed the elections from 6-24 September. From what I witnessed, the elections ran smoothly, with minimal disruptions or problems.

I have now returned to South Africa inspired by the peaceful changed that I observed in Zambia. The lesson they teach us here in South Africa is that we too have a choice. We too can vote out incumbent parties when they fail to deliver services, account to the people, or provide good governance.