Gulshan Khan

Independent Photographer, Writer, Artist
   
Zambia and Its New President Are Still on Their Honeymoon
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Zambia and Its New President Are Still on Their Honeymoon
gulshan khan
Sep 28, 2022
Location: Zambia, Lusaka
Its not everyday that you get to walk around with a head of state in his garden, have him tell you about his pond, his philosophy on education and his plants, while you intersperse your pointed questions with horrendous dad jokes to still get him to smile. 
But President Hakainde Hichilema is that guy, and I, despite my sincere efforts to be ‘in proper accordance’, am always, and often hilariously, myself. 
It is slightly more challenging to be critical of a man who is as charismatic as HH, as you hear him often affectionately referred to in conversations. 
Good Governance, Fatima Shabodien (@fati_sshh ) reminded me the other day, is a highly political construct and I feel, is not easily discerned through it’s theoretical indicators and definitely not through just being seen as having a “good guy” at the helm.
Zambian lawyer and civil rights activist said: “We’re at the mercy of a good man, and that’s not a good place to be.” 
This piece, in today’s New York Times (@nytimes ), reported and written by the incisive and brilliant Ruth Mclean (@ruthmaclean ) with additional reportage by Collins Sampa (@chilumba_sampa ), perceptive, exquisitely clear and informed in his journalistic practice -  provides critical and thought provoking insights into a new Zambia unfolding, and what that could mean for us all. 
Thank you Mikko Takunnen (@mikkotakkunen ) for being a truly kind, sensitive and incredibly skilled editor - always grateful to you. 
You can find the full article at the link in my bio.
Postscript: Perhaps some other time, Ruth, Collins and I will tell you the complete and detaisl back story of how we had to drive for HOURS, sleep for 2 hours, drive for another 6 hours and then change in 15 mins to make this appointment. Plus injured finger, bruised hearts and insect bites from hell - I’d say we clean up pretty ok.

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Zambia and Its New President Are Still on Their Honeymoon by Gulshan Khan
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