FILE: Daniel Munkombwe dancing at an MMD Conference in Monze
Newly-appointed Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe says he will continue serving in government even at the age of 90 as long as God gives him life and wisdom to explain and interpret things.
And Munkombwe says he has continued to serve in all governments because he is rated as an old useful man.
Meanwhile, Munkombwe says everybody is now adopting his philosophy of politics of benefits.
In an interview, Munkombwe said if he could convince people at 90 years, he would continue to offer his services.
“Since we cannot say who is dying when, because it is only God who determines when to take, it is not an individual. Those individuals who wish us ill may go earlier than us. It is wrong to wish or expect an old man to die earlier because those who wish others to die early may die early instead,” said 81-year-old Munkombwe when asked how long he intends to serve in government.
Asked if politics of benefits were at play following his appointment in government, Munkombwe responded: : “There is nobody who is not using my philosophy of politics of benefits. There is nobody who goes into parliament naked, we go to parliament because of allowances. There is no more patriotism. Patriotism was only there when we were fighting colonialists, so everybody is adopting my philosophy of politics of benefits. I know people will say Munkombwe has gone into government because he wants to eat but who does not want to eat?”
On Novermber 13, 2005, Munkombwe who was then Southern Province MMD chairman told the late Levy Mwanawasa in Mamba that politics of patriotism were over because what was at play then were politics of benefits.