By George Chella
My friend Chanda Mfula likes saying that “No matter how much loyalty and respect you have for another human being, be careful not to create a cult of personality in them because this subordinates the truth and values on which true loyalty and respect must be based”.

Indeed, if you can’t offer deserving criticism and advice to a friend, boss or leader then you are nothing but disloyal and disrespectful to the very person you seek to impress. Over the years, I have learnt that very few people especially leaders realize that bootlicking, praise and prostrating in reverence or submission is nothing but a gimmick and choreographed act of sheer hypocrisy. Many ‘Yes Bwanas’ hero-worship and praise while hating deep down. Therefore, its incumbent upon a leader to discern that at times, praise is a warning sign of deep hatred and cruelty.

Anyway, the truth and short of it all is that those you hate and whose fall you would relish you don’t criticize, advise or warn. There are many models of what happens when the motive or real reason behind some ‘loyalties, respects and praises’ is unmasked. For instance, Frederick Chiluba [MHSRIP] was shell-shocked when he noticed his longtime comrade and number one champion and defender of the ‘third-term’ debate, and legacy, Newstead Zimba launch scathing attacks from the Mwanawasa [MHSRIP] battlefront bunker.

But one man who actually could see through the deceptions that was shelled in some praises was Michael Sata. He had this great ability to see through people’s motives for praising him. I witnessed countless times when he got irritated and chased such praising individuals from his office. His common phrase was “Who are you trying to impress, you think I’m stupid?”.

On that note, I humbly advise that we all evaluate our friendships, connections and relationships, and if we are sincere with ourselves we shall see the many wolves we fraternize with and confide in. Be warned!