There is no finished politician- Dickson Jere

The volatile nature of Zambian electoral politics has once again been brought under the spotlight, following insightful reflections shared by prominent lawyer, author, and political commentator Dickson Jere. In a widely discussed commentary, Jere addressed the common phenomenon where citizens rush to social media to gloat over the defeat of incumbent members of parliament or cabinet ministers who lose their seats during general elections. Using an anecdote involving a young road contractor who jubilantly hurled insults at a recently ousted cabinet minister, Jere illustrated the shortsightedness of declaring any living politician permanently finished. According to Jere, the political landscape in Zambia is fluid, and electoral defeat at the parliamentary level does not spell the end of a public figure's career. Former ministers and defeated lawmakers routinely find themselves redeployed into influential public service roles, diplomatic missions as ambassadors, or lucrative board chairmanships should political tides shift or alliances adapt. By pointing out that former officeholders remain eligible for powerful state appointments—such as heading major statutory bodies or developmental agencies—Jere successfully persuaded his young acquaintance to reconsider his digital tirade and delete the provocative post. The commentary strikes a deeper chord regarding political civility, civic engagement, and digital footprint management in contemporary Zambia. During intense electioneering cycles, social media platforms like Facebook and X become battlegrounds where citizens, business owners, and contractors openly castigate candidates. Jere warns that such vitriol often comes back to haunt commentators, particularly when those same politicians return to positions of authority. In a democratic dispensation characterized by shifting political alignments, burning bridges based on temporary electoral outcomes can severely jeopardize future professional and commercial opportunities