An Interrogation of Former Ruling Parties' Declining Competitiveness after Power Loss in Munkulungwe Ward, Ndola: A Case of UNIP, MMD, PF

Abstract

This study is aimed at interrogating the factors contributing to declining competitiveness of former ruling parties in their post power loss era, thereby contributing to strengthening good governance and democracy in Zambia as espoused by Chipenzi, (2019). The study seeks to achieve the following objectives: To identify the historical and contextual factors contributing to the initial rise of former ruling parties in Zambia, to analyse constituents' perception, preferences and primary reasons for shift of loyalty in Munkulungwe ward and finally to explore the leadership dynamics and internal wrangles and their impact on former ruling parties competitiveness . The study employed a mixed study approach for a comprehensive analysis as explained by George, (2023) and adopted a sequential explanatory design. Self-administered questionnaires; both structured and open ended were used to collect data. A special package for social sciences (SPSS) and thematic analysis using both deductive and inductive methods were used to analyse the data. The targeted study population was approximately 303 and a sample size of 61 subjects was arrived at using rule of thumb. Random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the subjects. The study revealed the existence of the problem in Munkulungwe ward of BwanaMkubwa constituency in Ndola district; that is declining competitiveness of former ruling parties after power loss. It further discovered that there are historical factors that contributed to the rise to fame of former political parties which have affected the political system in Zambia, (Chipenzi, 2019). Further the study found out that voters in Munkulungwe ward are influenced by many factors and that peoples’ vulnerability is attributed to failure of former ruling parties, causing shift of allegiance. In the study it has been brought out that the former ruling parties are affected by a number of leadership challenges such as factionalism, party dynamics (Kunda, (2017). The study therefore concludes that historical factors have largely affected the way the political system in Zambia operates and how the system is manipulated to disadvantage the opposition political parties largely due to constitutional powers of the executive. It further concludes peoples’ vulnerability causes shift of allegiance which diminishes former ruling parties’ competitiveness. The study equally concludes that as long as there is no change of leadership and party dynamics are primary reasons for loss of competitiveness of former ruling parties.