PRESIDENT Sata says there is no need for “so much noise” about the constitution-making process when the country has a functioning constitution.
He said if there was no constitution, there would be nothing happening in Zambia and people would not have rights and freedoms to do what they want.
Mr Sata said this during a swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Minister of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata and Zambia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Seleman Banda at State House yesterday.
“When you were all taking oath, you were all saying that you are protecting the constitution. There is so much noise about the constitution. If there was no constitution, what would we be doing here [at State House],” he said.
“If there was no constitution, how can those girls [Daughters of the Redeemer who attended the ceremony] be dressed the way they are?”
President Sata advised Ms Kapata and Captain Banda to focus on their duties and ignore constitution-making debates.
“So when you go, mind your business. Let them yap about the constitution because in Zambia, we always want anything new. But at the moment, we have a functional constitution and that is what we are here for,” he said.
The President also jokingly said to Mufumbwe member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Masumba: “Today you are not dancing.”
Mr Masumba was among officials who attended the ceremony at State House yesterday
In an interview after the ceremony, Ms Kapata thanked President Sata for appointing her as Minister of Tourism and Arts and for the confidence he has shown in her.
[pullquote]“If there was no constitution, how can those girls [Daughters of the Redeemer who attended the ceremony] be dressed the way they are?” [/pullquote]
She told journalists that she will prioritise employment creation in the tourism sector and ensure the ministry earns the country more foreign exchange.
“As a ministry, we will make sure we go flat out and advertise Zambia outside the country through our embassies. I am aware that most of Zambian missions abroad do not have information, not even one pamphlet on Zambia’s [tourism] attractions,” the minister said.
She also pledged to address issues raised by some artistes that the component of art in the ministry has not been prioritised and that she will consult with stakeholders and artistes to find a solution for their complaints.
[pullquote]“So when you go, mind your business. Let them yap about the constitution because in Zambia, we always want anything new. But at the moment, we have a functional constitution and that is what we are here for,” he said.[/pullquote]
And Capt Banda, who has been promoted from Deputy High Commissioner, said Zambia will endeavour to make use of its comparative advantages to maximise mutual benefits of the people.
“I owe it all to His Excellency Mr Sata, President of Zambia. He is my mentor and my dad. I also would like to thank God for what He is doing in my life,” he said.
Mr Masumba said he went to State House to celebrate the appointment of Ms Kapata, who is from North-Western Province.
He said some people have been complaining that people of North-Western Province are not represented in Cabinet.
“We are grateful to the President and also being a messenger from North-Western Province, I had a lot of interactions with chiefs, who have told me that I should say ‘thank you’ to the President on their behalf that he has answered their cry,” he said.
I THINK THE MAN IS BECOMING A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.YAPING REFERING TO THE THOSE WHO STOOD ON QUES VOTING 4 HIM
WHAT ARE THE QUALLIFFICATIONS 4 ONE TO BE GIVEN A BED A CHAINAMA
The president has said it repeatedly, “a new constitution will be delivered but its not going to distract govt priority programs of creating jobs, infrastructure developments, education, health, housing, water and sanitation….etc”
PF promised a new constitution just like it promised Zambians on various development programs and has not refused to deliver it. Like many development projects promised by PF, the constitution making process is equally active
PF made the promise voluntarily and will not be pressured into rushed processes
“If there was no constitution, how can those girls [Daughters of the Redeemer who attended the ceremony] be dressed the way they are?”
What has the Daughters of Redeemer have to do with the constitution? Is the mind of our leader clear enough to understand why we want this constitution? Please inform him that the constitution demand is beyond him, but a way of protecting the future generation from having useless ministers run their affairs in future. Sata get this message we want a new constitution and not the referring to Daughters of the Redeemer. Leave the Catholic Church out of this issue. Constitution is all we want, recall you have already paid the expert in constitution writing the chief from Mupika District the overseer of Chitulika village.
The man is a nincompoop! What can one say. Mampara or the year.
Yet he forgets about who was yapping loudest about this selfsame constitution when he was losing those presidential elections…ironic indeed!!
Sata believes “he is Zambia” and therefore the current constitution is “functinal for Zambia” because Sata is able to control the Police, Army, Intelligence, Anti Corruption Commission and the Judiciary while at the same time curtail the rights of the citizens at will while persecuting oppostion leaders. Given that scenario, how can it not be functional for him.
Just like Zambia has a useless president…
I am beginning to extremely abhor this man! I count myself lucky to be living in civilisation and not in that country led by a very obnoxious leader. I will do my best to assist my family financially so that they have little or nothing to for from this skint government. Go to Zambia to remind yourselves why you left the first time around. Just that walk on the scorching tarmac on the runway at the KKIA as you go into the arrival hall not lounge will remind you. For the faint hearted, you might not leave the airport and just wait there to catch the next flight out back to where you have just come from. I left because Kaunda was raping Zambia in broad day light and now his protege is following suit. A Dr Mad scientist somewhere is conducting a diaspora psychological effect…blah…b
“As a ministry, we will make sure we go flat out and advertise Zambia outside the country through our embassies. I am aware that most of Zambian missions abroad do not have information, not even one pamphlet on Zambia’s [tourism] attractions,” the minister said.
MS JEAN KAPATA, YOU ARE AGAIN GOING TO REPEAT THE SAME FAILED METHOD OF ADVERTISING ZAMBIA’S TOURISM ABROAD/OVERSEAS OF USING EMBASSIES WITH LITTLE PAMPHLETS. WHY DO WE ZAMBIANS THINK VERY SMALL? PLEASE, DON’T MAKE DROPPING LITTLE PAMPHLETS AT MISSION HOUSES AS THE MEANS TO ADVERTISE ZAMBIA.
from #1.9. THE IDEA OF PAMPHLETS HAS TOTALLY FAILED. MADAM, DO NOT THINK THAT THAT HASN’T BEEN USED. THAT IDEA CAN ONLY SUPPLEMENT ON THE MAIN MARKET STRATEGY. REASON IT HAS FAILED IS- PEOPLE DON’T FANCY VISITING EMBASSIES ESPECIALLY THE UN ATTRACTIVE ONES SUCH AS THE ZAMBIAN HOUSE IN LONDON AT KENSINGTON. EMBASSIES ARE TOO POLITICAL RATHER THAN CIVIL AND FRIENDLY. SPEND MONEY- CONTRACT AN INTERNATIONALLY REPUTABLE COMPANY TO RE BRAND AND MARKET ZAMBIA. OR JUST MARKET IT. I DON’T KNOW HOW ACCESSIBLE YOU GONNA BE IN YOUR OFFICE. HOWEVER, SERIOUSLY I AM GONNA HAVE TO CALL AND TALK TO YOU ON THIS.
from #1.10
PLEASE, DON’T GO THE WRONG WAY. THE IDEA OF SMALL/LITTLE PAMPHLETS DON’T WORK. THOSE PAMPHLETS ONLY BELITTLE THE MARKETED PLACE. BILLBOARD IN STREETS, UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS (TRAINS STATIONS), SURFACE TRAIN STATIONS ATTRACT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE PAY DAY WHILE ZAMBIAN EMBASSIES ATTRACT MAYBE 20 CUSTOMERS OR LESS IN A DAY AND ONLY THOSE WHO COME TO OBTAIN VISAS. KENYA AND SOUTH AFRICA HAVE DONE IT AND STILL DO IT. THEY EVEN GO FURTHER TO HAVE BIG ADVERTS STUCK ON LONDON (BLACK) CABS, COMMUTER BUSES AND TRAINS. ZAMBIA HAS TO SPEND MONEY ON TOURISM TO MAKE MONEY AND GENERATE JOBS FROM TOURISM.
@peter, may be there have never heard a saying that goes like this “spend money to make more money”
They need to advertise at football stadiums in the UK as the Tanzanians do. As you know, the premiership games are screened the world over and will be seen by millions if not billions of people in certain games. “Visit Zambia 2014” with our falls in the background and maybe Sata in the Zoo as well.
@One Hit Wonder! You made my day!
A good picture of him “ruminating” on his “animal driven constitootion” next to the donkeys would be great!
“So when you go, mind your business. Let them yap about the constitution because in Zambia, we always want anything new. But at the moment, we have a functional constitution and that is what we are here for,” he said.
The President also jokingly said to Mufumbwe member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Masumba: “Today you are not dancing.”
Sata ka.puli iwe. When you were campaigning, you told us you wanted a people driven constitution now Ka.pala you are saying ati nothing wrong with the constitution. On Masumba, learn how to crack proper jokes. Zed is not jokers and learn to speak proper english matufi yako..gasssh so embarassing!
We have talked so much about the constitution it’s starting to irritate. Let us ignore Sata or whatever he says and have ourselves adopt a New Constitution, lest we all run Mad.
Good to hear about umwaiche Masumba, he need be appointed as Minister of Sports again, because Kambwili will be fired.
As Scott said – you cannot teach an OLD DOG new tricks. So we have this dog doing his OLD TRICKS. By now we know them well – PF BUFI!
Hmmmm ba Masumba is tht wht u can say….!!!!!
Has Masumba’s conviction been overturned? Oh how quickly we forget…
Mr President,
Is this the same constitution that you told US you will have replaced with a new one in 90 days?
What has made it functional now?
Were YOU very wrong then, or you have just started to see the light now?
Some functions are supposed to be serious events, just like when you receive your holy communion from the priest, you don’t go their dancing around and yapping about. Same for swearing in ceremonies, people are taking oath of office, this is a very serious event and should be taken as such.
nadabwa sure ba President. Are you the person we voted for?
come 2016 pf kuyabebele,we dont care whichever party but we want civilised leadership not the ancient one
Sata’s understanding of democracy is that the state president must:
1. Hand pick judges
2. Be worshiped and NEVER opposed
3. Rotate ministers every month
4. Proclaim provinces and districts without consultating the national geographic and demarcation authorities & without regard to administrative and budgetary implications
5. Account to himself
6. Demean his ministers by insulting them in public
7. That government is an extension of his family
8. Appoint traditional and religious leaders
9. Embarrass his country in the community of other nations
10. That it’s unnecessary for the president to be mentally and physically fit
11. Awarding tenders is a presidential function
THAT IS SATA’s “CONSTITUTIONAL” democracy
1.
Just be sober minded. We are not South Sudan, CAR or Egpty
You forgot mandatory combs.
Don’t forgot avoiding press conferences at all time and instead have someone write blogs on his facebook site
@Spuds @ Debo, thanks guys!
@Wanu Ngwee, Very good. Improvements
1. Hand pick UNQUALIFIED and UNCONSTITUTIONAL judges
2. Be worshiped and NEVER opposed OR exposed – Lubinda
3. Rotate USELESS ministers monthly. FIRE the honest ones
4. Proclaim provinces and districts. When that is boring, RENAME AIRPORTS
5. Account to himself = 3 salary increases
6. Ministers insults. Except Kambwili, he can insult himself
7. Government is an extension of his family, especially retarded ones
8. Appoint traditional and religious leaders. GOD is not good enough
9. Embarrass his country – better than George Bush ever could
10. Mental retardation and physical unfitness are Presidential functions
11. Awarding tenders. To the Chinese as they give 50% kickbacks to relatives
12. Laugh at the stupid Zambians that voted for him…
We already know that but it doesnt meet the aspirations of us the masses and that should be clear to you by now Sir. We, the bosses of governmnet officials, the funders of government coffers (tax payers), the ones who can hire and fire ultimately every five years, the owners of this land collectively say we want a new constitution now so that you leaders we elect can govern us properly. Reject our demands (NOT REQUEST) at your own peril. After all you know very well that if you deny us our number one 2016 key election issue, you will definitely lose the election and you & your son are going straight into prison for corruption and abuse of power, resources and people. The masses, CSOs, Church, opposition political parties, students, farmers and villagers all together are united on this one.
The president is right Zambia has a functional constitution that must be respected even as people look forward to another one.In my opinion,the constitution debate has been hijacked by all sorts of charlatans who want to cash in on it by getting more dollars from their financiers.Even tribal inclined parties want to be seen to be champions of the process when during the MMD regime they went to bed with the then ruling party,MMD,just to block one person from standing but they lamentably failed.Contrary to popular belief,constitution debates rarely make the incumbent unpopular.
By the way, why the current Government make mockery of the current Constitution provisions?
Chella get a life. Just keep enjoying but just for a moment.
in this case you are the charlatan because all rightful thinking Zambians want a new constitution which reflects the aspirations of the majority. we don’t want a constitution that allows RDA to be at state house as a vehicle for plunder. thanks charlatan
Its F.O.O.Ls like you who have hijacked the constitution
Austin…..
If we were not there in 2011 during campaigns we would see sense in what you have posted. But because we were there and we voted for PF on the basis of their promises, unlike you, we are injured when we are mocked for asking what we were promised. Thank God that Jehovah God is not man. Imagine, we would accept Christ in the hope of getting into the Kingdom only to discover the kingdom promise was just to woo people to Christ. Thank God He does not lie.
And it was the same Sata and Chiluba who imposed the current discriminatory constitution on Zambians and attempted a third term for Chiluba . And the country continues to tolerate him. Kwena bukali apanda.
Austin why should this surprise you when that was the promise made to the people which effectively ushered them into government.Has it occurred to you that maybe a substantial part of the voters only cared about a new constitution.Regardless of who campaigns for the constitution its the right of every Zambian to do so and if PF want to test the popularity of those calls let them hold a referendum.When MMD told us what was needed for the constitution ,Mr Sata was the first to contradict that .Was he contradicting out of ignorance for the legal requirements?Where was the now Justice minister to tell us the legal frameworks needed.In short they are all a bunch of liars and for us that see this circus we will end it all in 2016.
I now think that we need an educated president, we have a wrong man in state house.
Sorry you need! not we need.
@BKB well, I also want an educated president so he is right to say, it makes two of us already
HH wants constution knowing that land will be in the hands of the president…
Who benefits at the end of the day, an Indian eventually…
The old rugged man as well should respect Zambian citizens for removing him from the shackles of poverty….
He never knew even how to put on a jacket….
He will be in the streets one day…. He will buy mealie mealand fuel as well… He Wii carry that fuel container as well…
Leave the Indians alone. They help one another wherever they are in the world. That is their secret to success. They also do not squander their money and their marriages are strong. Not us who compete against one another and wives are ever studying the law to find a loop hole to grab a share of the family wealth. Shame. Do not throw stones if you are in a glass house. That is racism. Do you know that we have many of our children studying in Indian universities sponsored by the Induan government. India can do without Zambia. I am a Zambia who is against racism or tribalism.
@ Zambianw Watchdog, go back to elementary, learn how to read and write then you can come back. Lusaka times might be then called Zambia Real Times. No wonder Sata treats you the way he does!
Zambia is a Republic and NOT a Chiefdom. Land in Zambia is held by the President on behalf of the people of Zambia/it could as well be held by Parliament. We should never allow a situation where Chiefs control the land – if we do we should kiss our ‘Republic’ status goodbye.
I don’t know why we even bother debating about the leadership of Zambia. It is clear that these thugs have a grip on power and are setting themselves up for the long run. The Zambian people need to show this government who really holds the power of this nation. If this government is allowed to continue then we have only ourselves to blame. How in the 21st century do we allow such rhetoric and behaviour? African leaders are reckless and that’s because we allow them to be. Vote these !@&ts out and redeem yourselves Zambia.
I will vote them in come 2016! Sir
Go back to sucking Sata’s dcik BKB, we know thats where your nourishment comes from.
its our fault African is still in the stone age when others have moved on, Zambia needs the new constitution, most institutions r domant , new constitution will turn the country and give it the life it needs , don’t tell me 50 of independence with little change to a country is healthy ‘He is my mentor and my dad.’only boot lickers and low thinkers will say so to their colleague.
IT SEEMS GOD IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING………JUST WATCH…..NOT THE 2016 YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
Zambia is dead we need to new constitution to make proper checks and balances, the police, judicialy, Health, social services, ECZ, ERB, Education, ZRA all these perform at 37% effectiveness, We need an effective system and this is only achieved through revising a costitution, am in UK,and all those who have been to developed countries know what it means to have a functional govt. so shut up if u think Zambia is ok, you need exposure.
zambians your are cursed
On this issue, bashikulu Sata and your PF are SCORING A OWN GOAL! In other words, you are helping your opposition/opponent gain points.
And the carelessness of talk and attitude towards this important national agenda from you and your ministers is simply jaw-dropping. This will cost you soon or later!
Exactly the point! Lack of humility and care leaves one to wonder whether the old man just wanted to make a personal ambition become a reality (Being President) and then slumber his term. All the good work if any that will be done or is been done will go unnoticed due to Sata being so pedantic in his approach and treating us like little spoilt brats. Lack of coherent statesmans like statements from him just isn’t on this day and age. Zambia has been a beacon for peace and democracy in Africa but that is quickly being eroded. Man of Action, or Action Man, what happened Ba Sata wesu sure ?mwemfumu, bakateka, mwepalume abene shambalakale, batata wesu, tungaluputa, bwamba bwansofu. Tensele iyo, malumbo fye. What happened?
Where are the Chanda Chimba videos on this man? I could pay for their airing on Muvi but I don’t want the station to be in trouble with these PF bigots. Perhaps someone should unleash them on the market so people can easily access them to see how they misused their vote on the man who never believes in what he says and so in love with his ever lying voice.
We are thinking of elavating Boy George to Minister with out Portfolio, he will be in charge of determining what goes on Face book, which tribunal will be allowed to sit and which ministers and deputy ministers should be singled out for corruption cases , this allin an effort to make our party and its governemnt look transparent. The boy has managed to Tarnish GBMilling and now the next target is the Guy from Luanshya. One day in future this Boy will work for Haleisa Haleisa as publicity manager … Boy George might consider helping out Nevous Mwimba … keep up the good work,
The President’s assertion is fact.
Its true that we already have constitution however faulty it is and so what is the hullabaloo about?
The Technological Committee was appointed to simply REVIEW or REVISE the current constitution within which Zambia has been ruled for for years!
Look at the hand / fingers of your President!!! I have no comment
^ I am beginning to extremely abhor this man! I count myself lucky to be living in civilisation and not in that country led by a very obnoxious leader. I will do my best to assist my family financially so that they have little or nothing to do with this skint government. Go to Zambia to remind yourselves why you left the first place. Just that walk on the scorching tarmac on the runway at the KKIA as you go into the arrival hall not lounge will remind you. For the faint hearted, you might not leave the airport and just wait there to catch the next flight out back to where you have just come from. I left because Kaunda was raping Zambia in broad day light and now his protege is following suit. A Dr Mad scientist somewhere is conducting a diaspora psychological effect…blah…blah…blah
Someone in Lusaka MUST tell Sata that,” Yes, Zambia has a functioning constitution”, BUT it is such a poor, stupid one that it lets some hoodlums become presidents with some individuals whose fingerprints are in the Zambia Police’s crime archives! It is for this and other reasons like the wide-spread poverty in a nation endowed with natural wealth, corruption as instigated by the executive via dodgy appointments to public office of individuals whose sole achievement in life is defrauding other citizens, the ever decreasing envelope of individual and national freedoms due to the rampant abuse of executive power by those in office like Sata himself, the rampant abuse of state powers to diminish opposition parties deemed more effective and better organized for a better country.
there it is. the presido has spoken. you heard him so do as he said or hell awaits you all who disagree with him. After all its his GRZ
But its true we have a functional constitution. The issue is the process and all the oppose must be patient
We did it, 3 elections , but kept trying …on the last we figured lets use Donchi Kubeba. we told you the story about the 90 day constitution, and our very learned and distinguished lawyer in the name of Winter Maize to dribbled you, we put up a budget and over spent now have to borrow hahahahaha… in the meantime since we are so old and useless we know wont be around to pay the debt. come 2016 we are working on another lie…
Major lessons learnt … Zambians have a short memory span .. this will all be forgotten, Winter Maize will remain powerful, Boy George will be vice president. and all shall still be singing praises to his almighty.. “ati he knows me better than my father ” then other fools declares that their loyalty to H.E. is undying. shameful souls
We are so old and useless we dont care about who pays the Debt. who cares about the constitution, there you are yapping about somthing that is already in place. lets talk about us borrowing more and for what projects …. hey Masumba lets go dance.
Winter Maize, Boy George, Rough Kid from Luanshya. Old white man… and ba Chikwanda … fo badness sake the man was Minister in the telefax age and we are in cell phone age. bringing back old ideas … shame man
Somebody please tell the President that we are FUNCTIONING on an OUTDATED Constitution.
Twanaka ukwikatilila icalo, when an updated Constitution would harmoniously hold us all up, and take the stress from us.
What is the President AFRAID of, that he CANNOT complete the process he began with us?
No Constitution No PF!
Counting down to 2016.
Zambia may have a functioning CONSTITUTION, but unfortunately it does not have a President with a FUNCTIONING BRAIN!
Ba Sata, plug yourself into your machines in your Private Hospital at plot one and see if you can get that working again. It has broken down in the middle of the road and is blocking the traffic!
This man is a knuckle head, period!