PLEASE EAT QUIETLY…Dr Sishuwa tells ex Minister of Finance’s son after Situmbeko Musokotwane’s child praised his father as “the best finance minister”

LUSAKA – A sharp exchange has erupted on social media, drawing significant public attention, after prominent Zambian academic and political commentator Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa publicly rebuked Mwiya Musokotwane, son of former Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane. The incident unfolded after Mwiya took to social media to laud his father's performance, declaring him the 'best finance minister' in Zambia's history. Dr. Sishuwa's response, delivered with characteristic directness, advised Mwiya to 'Please eat quietly,' a metaphorical caution against public pronouncements that might be perceived as self-serving or out of touch with the broader economic realities faced by ordinary Zambians. The academic's statement implies that Mwiya's familial connection to the former minister compromises his ability to offer an impartial assessment of his father's economic stewardship, particularly given the challenging economic climate that characterized much of the previous administration's term. The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, served under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government, inheriting an economy grappling with significant debt, high inflation, and a depreciating Kwacha. While his supporters credit him with initiating crucial fiscal consolidation efforts and securing a critical International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Credit Facility, critics, including Dr. Sishuwa, often point to the persistent high cost of living, rising national debt, and limited tangible improvements in the daily lives of many citizens during his tenure. Dr. Sishuwa, known for his incisive critiques of both past and present governments, often uses his platform to hold public officials and their affiliates accountable. His intervention in this instance highlights a recurring theme in Zambian public discourse: the perceived disconnect between the political elite and the struggles of the common person. The 'eat quietly' idiom, while seemingly harsh, is a