A Fixed Mindset

Lawrence Temfwe, director of the Jubilee Center, a Zambian NGO and an Organizing Committee member of The GLS in Zambia writes below on the very common mindset found in his country and what he sees as the solution to this problem.

"Most ordinary Zambians have fixed mindset. When you ask most people what they feel about the RB Capital deal, or Chiluba acquittal or lack of leadership at political level, this is what they say: 'This is who we are.' 'Why should I be concerned? I won’t change anything.' 'I am a born loser.' 'Zambia is peaceful but unlucky.' 'God’s timing is perfect.' 'Leaders come from God.' 'We are fools and nobody will change that.' 'What is there to do?' 'What is your cut?'

But we must be concerned. We have children who will be born today who must be provided with quality health care for them to live life to the full years. We have ten-year-old children who must be equipped with character and competency to provide better leadership to benefit this nation. But if this generation can’t cope with current problems of corruption and lack of leadership, our children will think bright people are those involved in shoddy deals and that quality leadership is greedy, selfish and self-centred. Currently, we have a nation that does not honor character, hard work, patriotism and competency. And it is becoming harder to find a people who will bother to put so much time and effort into doing well in anything.

The need for mindset change by the government and the citizen is more critical than never before. But who will provide leadership for this mindset change? It won’t be the government. Its mind set is fixed - it has the monopoly of wisdom and whatever it does is right. It won’t be the ordinary Zambian because it is not his business - his mindset is fixed - that is the way we are as Zambians. In fact most of the resources that are being mismanaged are not his as he is poor; has no job; and does not pay income tax. So, why should the ordinary Zambian worry when its’ not his money? 'Let those who benefit from the system (lawyers, politicians, selected NGO’s and church leaders) talk', says the ordinary Zambian.

Our hope is in the hands of the Christians who form 80% of the Zambian population. Christians are not supposed to have a fixed mindset. The Bible says Christians ought to be transformed by the renewing of their minds everyday. Christians ought to 'test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.' Christians are not called to throw their hands up in the midst of risks and challenges. Changing mindset requires radical disciple making. Jesus spent three years with ordinary fishermen. At the end of three years their mindset were so transformed that they embarked on a journey to transform the world.

Are you in the business of making disciples? Do you have women and men in your church who have what it take to grow in their mindset and to live by the rule of law? How many people in the church can say they have what it takes to be disciples of Christ? How many in your church have the courage of Peter whereby people can take note that these people love Jesus? Until the church of Christ in Zambia take the commitment to make disciples seriously, Christians and non-Christians alike will say, 'There is nothing we can do to change our culture of complacency and corruption.'"

Lawrence Temfwe

The Global Leadership Summit in Zambia and all over the world works to change the mindsets of leaders. To expand horizons, to challenge beliefs; to envision, call out and inspire. The GLS in Zambia takes place November 6-7 in Lusaka.