I have taken note of the Statement authored by Mr. Siame, Special Assistant to the President, on the above subject. I would like to clarify as follows in case some of the media houses that received the Press Statement from State House did not see the Post Newspaper item that Mr. Siame was reacting to:
At no point have I said it is the PF Policy to nationalize private assets. I have, nevertheless, contended that what happened to Zamtel was nationalization however one wants to look at it. The Post Newspaper was also very clear on what I said and, as such, there should not be any misinterpretation what-so-ever. When I received a telephone call to comment on the statement attributed to the President that Government would “move in on anything which was privatized with corruption like Zanaco,” my reaction, as correctly reported by the Post, was basically as follows:
1. Giving an example of Zanaco as a company that was “privatized with corruption” does send the signal to the market that the Bank is going to face the same fate as what happened to Zamtel. I stated that a presidential statement like that is premature as it comes before the commission of enquiry that was mandated to investigate Zanaco privatization formally submits its report. Through the Post, I appealed that the Government Spokesman clarifies this statement purportedly coming from the President to allay fears and nervousness in the market, which is not good for investment.
2. I cautioned that state acquisition of private assets should be a decision of last resort as it does have the effect of scaring away investors (both foreign and local) and could affect the country’s investment attractiveness.
I believed that the President’s statement was made off-the-cuff and,hence, needed clarification. This is what I said and, indeed, reported by the Post.
In the light of the above, it is erroneous to deduce from what I said to suggest, as Mr. Siame does, that I have said it is Government policy to nationalize. I am, however, pleased that, following my statement, the clarification has now come from State House to the effect that
(a) nationalization is not PF Government policy; and (b) no decision has been made by Government to nationalize ZANACO.
Both clarifications were essentially what I requested Government to make.It is, therefore, important to understand correctly what transpired.
Oliver Saasa
Managing Consultant
Premier Consult Limited
Thats the mistake we professionals make; government is open for dialog and such criticism from Saasa is welcomel except the channel can be wrong. Had he submitted his opinion through to those governing, he would get more credibility than going to the media. There are many issues in Zambia that need attending to; and rightfuly so, many professionals have been dying to get the information to government. The issue is, how best can you do it? Certainly, that has been my problem. You do it publicly, the message is not received; its reacted to, in most cases, against you. But if the channel is proper, we all win. Prof; i would revisit the communication strategy if I where you. Just like the president may affect perception, so could professionals like you.
He was phoned and asked what he thought. he was not out there seeking to express his opinion.
well said Prof. however its too bad because even your clarification wont be understood by these grade 4 fall outs.
moving away from nationalization must and should be the focus of all zambians
PF fails to handle critism for some reason. There is nothing wrong in critising the govt of the day through print or otherwise media. All that was need was to clear the air on the matter without accussing someone of what they did not say. My president can comment in any way but it is the job of the protocol officers at State house to put records straight so that HE MCS is not misunderstood in any way on policy issues and policy direction. He can call S Zulu’s report useless but his protocol offices should come in to make things straight.
The prof is fears the post too much from look of things. Maybe he has been misunderstood again!Â
Ichisungu (English)
Iwe kabechi (and don’t misconstrue my love and respect for Levy P Mwanawasa), argon is most of the time one not being picked  just because they make more noise. My own brother has opted to be a professor dealing with godly issues. My former consultant and boss who wrote the industrial relations act Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi, doesn’t even sing or wish to be recognised as Oliver Saasa. Please, don’t force people to respect you. Earn you respect from your seniors as Muyunda Mwanalushi has been. You know if you want to talk constitutional law, Prof Patrick Mvunga and Dr Rodger Chongwe are there. Lets not make contributions because we need to be heard.Â
#1 LolaMwana, why are you guys so sensitive to criticism? This donchi kubeba syndrome is very primitive. What is wrong with a healthy debate such as this one from which everybody learns? It is not everything that has to be presented to government through official channels, have you any idea how the government machinery works and how long it would take to clarify such a simple matter? Isn’t it beneficial to the nation that this matter has been clarified for all? It’s only crooks that are allergic to criticism or public comments.
Actually, am not sensitive to criticism; in fact my profession (Engineering) requires that a person presents their facts; so that they can be rigorously tested, before anything can be implemented. However, not with politicians. It does not work like. I personally think, and I may wrongly presume, that telling a government an issue through media is tantamount to policking. They will respond far much better than professionals – because by nature professionals are not politicians and vice-versa; so we are meant to believe anyway. Zambia’s democracy has not matured enough that they can take criticism through media. But even developed countries face the same reality. A month ago; a conservative MP criticised prime minister and chancelor publicly; what was the reaction? Same as PF!!
#1 what dialogue or right channel are you talking about? Don’t syndromise everyone with ‘don’t kubeba’.You better advise Ukwa not to say anything before he thinks,because people will analyse his statements and react through the same media he uses.If Finance Bank and Zamtel were fraudulently handled how would Zanaco if found in similar boots escape the net,for sure its leading to the same thing,1+1=2. Zamtel is nationalised,and we are told its not PF policy,in other words 1+1=0?
I wouldnt want to get into a political discussion of what channel is best; but read my comment again. I said, its our problem, we find no good channels. Its a real problem. All governments have think tanks; people like Saasa can be useful. But in Africa, such a channel is not there; so when you comment politicians get very angry and only react to comments. Thats all am commenting. This Ukwa, that, this, is non of my business. So please sir find your solution. Concerning Zamtel, your strong opinion is not the opinion that matters; what matters is that of those in government. You can protest till God Kingdom Comes!!
Dear prof
I have followed you for a long time now, and i appreciate you credibility. However, as a professional u need to know the best way to deal with politicians. When you advise them thru the media, they think u are politicking and they will defend themselves even when they are wrong. Im sure the name Oliver Saasa is a very powerful one and using your name you can even make an appointment with the president or at least write him a letter other than going to the media.
Saasa, why are you doing this? Â Are you trying to salvage the little credibility that Satan has? Â Why does it bother you? Â Why don’t you try writing books or doing something useful for your family instead of wasting time trying to help these Pathetic Fools who have no capacity to hear, understand and learn? Â Why, why, oh why?!!!
@ 1. You too fast to fire your bazooka. The professor was not wrong in any way. He received a call (line 7, 2nd par) and knowing that he was the best person to comment on the matter he did as said, but this Siame was quick to defend his boss. This is common of professional to comment on the subjects and talking about communication channels is fallacy of thought.
I have not fired any Bazooka on Saasa boss; in fact I totally agreed with him. To illustrate, Obama made the same mistake on the BP Gulf of Mexico accident in the US. Obama did not understand the weight of, or, the severity of his words each time he said “BP will be made to pay for this or that”; guess what, BP almost collapsed because no supplier could give BP any product for fear of incurring potential bad debts. The solution: BP organised a meeting with him at the oval office, with the help of Westminister; and when they came out of the meeting; OBAMA had torned down on the words; so as to give confidence to the supply chain that BP was a credible company after all. So perception, words and the like, largely depend on who is saying them. What applies to Sata applies to Saasa!!
Meaning: Just as severe the words of Sata (the President on Nationalisation) are; so could be the weight of the words of criticism (positive or negative) from Saasa.
The issue is to find a balance on the “medium” of communication. Its a real big issue for professionals and we all suffer from it. But if i have wronged anyone because of my comments on #1: je suis desole. Am very sory
Pantu kumwesu Saasa Ni katapa ‘cassava leaves’
The professor is trying to be ‘in good terms’ with the Government and the post, who doesnt? Because if you are not, then you are aganst, and you will hounded and smoked out of your comfort zone. Zambia has not yet reached a level where you can critisise the Government and get away with, if you do, you have to do nicely i.e. with ‘kid gloves’. Chibamba Kanyama tried and he was labelled ‘fake economist’, the late great George Kunda also tried and he was lebelled the most, is it ‘dull lawyer in africa’, or something to that effect. Chanda chimba was lebelled ‘chanda chimbwi’ HH tries but he is ‘under 5’, a tag he carries to date, so, just continue blogging in the maze of the worldd-wide-web. Remember, its the KING COBRA WE ARE DEALING WITH
EVEN THE LOCAL INVESTORS HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR SHARES WITH ZANACO.
I fully agree with the learned professor. Our motorkanwa prez Ukwa alipena, everything he hullucinates is policy so he thinks. I do not envy the job of people who have to clean up this lunatic’s mess, everyday!
Coachez just shut up. Saasa has the right to give his views if asked by the press or anyone. He also has the right of reply if any of his statements have been misconstrued. Honesty, what is and where is the problem here? Just tell your relative Sata to zip his cake hole! He talks to much and most of it…..just bloody nonsense really! No wonder his sycophants like you come out attacking innocents like rabid dogs whenever someone exposes Sata’s shortcomings or is it Stu.pidity?
PF is full of double speak: On one hand it talks about being a Socialist leaning party, on the other, it says it will not nationalise! On a another level it says “corruptly” sold parastatal companies will be taken back (nationalise) esh! There is nothing wrong with nationalising as even great nations such as UK have taken that route- 40% of the economy is owned by the state- London Underground, banks (RBS, Natwest). In my view Professor Saasa excudes more credibily in his analysis than a politically appointed cadre in the kind of by Mr. Siame, Special Assistant to the President!
prof saasa is still bitter for not being appointed boz governor.him going on and on, on something that has already been clarified shows that he was either trying to make a quick buck from the investors or as usual being academic. prof saasa does not have any distinguished work to his name, therefore he should not place himself too highly apart from his usual academic analysis from GOOGLE research otherwise he will crash land. Ati Professor!!!
#1 LolaMwana. You may have missed a point there. The Professor received a phone call. He responded well on the phone. The problem here is that our dear President should not have said what he said. He was wrong to speak about Zanaco when the COI has not fuinished working. It seemed he has already concluded Zanaco was corruptly privatised and it therefore must be nationalised. This is based on what he thinks, not facts from investigations by the COI. He could be wrong.
What we need is for our president to speak honourably and with dignity, well informed and lawfully.
Experts, highly educated people liek Prof Saasa and others on top of their game are always contacted the media to give enlightened views. Sky, BBC, CNN do that. By phone or video, sometimes on the spot.
Actually, I did not miss the point. If you are an expert, you also need to know where your expertise applies. I wouldnt say my professional opinion when i know a country I am needs “political correctness” on certain things. I would decline. But in private i would tell the president off; because it would be private. Thats the difference. You cite BBC, Sky and the like; did you know about a Professor who compared deaths from horse riding to that of drugs and was dropped from the pannel of government advisors? He went public when he could have chosen to give his opinion in private; thats the difference here. Prof is right; and so many people know what he said, but in Zambia the use of media is very immature; your professional opinion will be changed at a blink of an eye!! Wrong move by him.
It doesn’t matter how you’re contacted by media. The problem in Zambia is that professionals have not worked on “how to be heard and be taken seriously by politicians”. We want to adopt or shall I say transfer the communication model of the west to africa; it cannot work. It is a cultural issue that need a professional approach. Simply put: How can I criticise my mom without annoying her? How can I advise my grand pa without embarrasing him? We can solve equations, develop mathematical models for this and that; but if we cannot communicate that to our people in a culture that does not antagonise our expertise with their perception of “respect” we are nothing in our society. Western culture would have been on the side of Saasa; but in Africa, am afraid not. And that hurts us all!
these kolwestans don’t understand issues..we told you..well done Prof..