KARIBA:A NATIONAL DISASTER DEMANDS NATIONAL LEADERSHIP. The death toll from the Kariba ferry disaster has now risen to 92. Ninety-two lives lost,families shattered,children and babies among the dead. Survivors left to live with memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This has gone far beyond another tragic accident. It is a national tragedy, and the declaration of a national disaster is appropriate. But declarations alone cannot be where this ends. In times of national mourning, leadership is important.I believe the highest authority in the land should be visible and present with the affected families.Scheduled meetings can be cancelled or postponed. Diaries can be rearranged. There is time for business as usual, and there is time to stand with the citizens whose lives have been devasted. Visit some of the families, sit with them, listen to them. Reassure them that everything possible will be done to ensure a tragedy of this magnitude is never repeated. And then there must be accountability. Yes a Commission of Inquiry should be established. But frankly some of the questions demanding answers are already staring us in the face. The condition and age of the vessel, the apparent overloading, questions surrounding life jackets and, according to survivors, repeated warnings that water was coming onboard amid pleas to turn back. Those accounts must be thoroughly investigated and tested, but they cannot simply be pushed aside. If negligence or incompetence is established, there must be consequences. Heads must roll where responsibility is proven. We cannot continue with a culture where failure carries no consequences and incompetence is rewarded with another promotion or appointment. This is where bold decisions are required. Action will restore some confidence. More importantly it will show families of those who died, the survivors and the communities around Lake Kariba that their lives matter and that the government is listening. And there is another group we must not forget, the survivors. Some have lost parents, husbands, wives, relatives and friends. Some children have lost their mother's and fathers. Some survivors were themselves forced to watch people drown. Those people will need real psychological and emotional support long after the cameras have gone. Then there's the economic impact. The vessel was a lifeline for communities around the lake. Fishmongers depended on it to move their catch and ice. Shopkeepers depended on it for basic transport. While the investigation and rebuilding process is taking place, temporary measures should be put in place. If necessary, privately owned ferries should be contracted to maintain this vital link safely,rather than leaving entire communities stranded and livelihoods hanging in the balance. And going forward let us build properly. Commission a competent local boat builder to construct a modern ferry, preferably two, designed specifically to carry passengers and cargo safely on Lake Kariba. The money can be found. What we cannot afford is another disaster followed by another round of condolences,promises and meetings. We owe the 92 who have died more than that. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones,the survivors,those still waiting for news of relatives, the communities of Kariba and sll those involved in the search, recovery and identification of the victims. May the departed souls restin peace.🕊🕊 May their families find strength in this unimaginably difficult time.🕊🕊