By Mingeli Palata
Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda stands as one of Zambia’s most honest and upright politicians with a political history springing from as way back as the Kaunda days when he was believed to have been unfairly dismissed. He was part of what I like to call the young turks or founding members of the Movement for Multi Party Democracy and was part of the first MMD Government.
Over the years the General has earned himself an honest reputation of integrity, financial strictness and of course an unwavering desire to serve this country as President. The man served fairly well as Vice President and as Education Minister among other portfolios he held. The general strikes me as a very interesting individual. Why? When he left the military he started a taxi business while rising through the ranks of the Movement for Multi Party Democracy. Godfrey is a devout Christian and if you would like to know he was a strong supporter of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian nation.
Miyanda served in the Chiluba Government up until the infamous third team bid. He, along with other Minsters and Members of parliament left the Movement to form the FDD and HP. He made his first appeal to the Zambian people to vote him as President in the year 2001. In his campaign, he sold integrity, zero tolerance to corruption and a rather strange village concept.
The General’s presidential bid was not as he had hoped. He didn’t do too badly though. He got 4 MPs to his name and around 7.4% of the Zambian vote. That’s good for a man who rarely smiles.
In the years that followed, the General’s MPs were ‘stolen’ from him by the MMD and he gradually lost ground among the electorate. But then again, the General has bounced back on the political arena asking us to vote him as President in the year 2006. His bid again was unsuccessful. Interestingly the man was rumoured to have disappeared after the elections. I doubt if that rumour was true, but it surely goes a long way to tell you about how the general public perceives him.
It is true that the General is making an honest plea to the Zambians to vote him in as president and that he has the best of intentions at heart (I hope), but there are a few questions that I strongly feel you as a voter have to think about before the polls.
The General served during what has come to be known as the dark ages, the first ten years during which the MMD ruled this country. Independent scholars and indeed the general Zambian populace reckon that the period was marred by gross mismanagement, job losses, closure of industries and corruption. If there is a period most Zambians regret it’s that ten year period. Now notice that during Chiluba’s ten year rule, General Miyanda never resigned nor did he condemn whatever was taking place there. When the late President Mwanawasa was not happy with the way FTJ was ruling the country, he resigned from the Vice Presidency and later challenged Dr. Chiluba at the MMD convention. When Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewankia was not happy with the way government was being run, he resigned on principle. Doesn’t the fact that Miyanda never resigned from the 10 year long MMD government make his supposed integrity compromised?
General Miyanda sells his ‘integrity’ as one of the reasons why we should vote for him. I am sure with integrity comes strong belief in a set of principles and values, which a person of integrity would never ever compromise. Let’s say the General does not condone corruption and mismanagement of public funds; how come he served in a government that is believed to have been characterised with the very vices he stands against? Let’s make another assumption and say that the General was not part and parcel of the alleged corruption and mismanagement, so he was not part of it. If he was not part of it but knew like we all did that those vices were taking place, what does that say about his courage, convictions and indeed his ‘integrity’? Why couldn’t he stand up against what was taking place? The last thing Zambia needs is a leader who can’t stand his ground.
Recently, the General was interviewed by Mr. Kenneth Maduma on Radio Phoenix and the same questions were posed. In response the General said he believes in the rule of the majority. He said he came out strong on most of the wrong things the Chiluba government did and when it came to the vote and he lost; he always respected the majority. I thought that was a lame excuse.
What surprises most Zambians is just how the General ‘disappears’ so to speak and goes into Political insolvency and manages to resurface just when we are having an election. The general can be silent for five 
years and just pop up when its election time. The same was the case in this Presidential by Election; the general came from nowhere and said he was standing. The role of an opposition political party in a democracy is to provide checks and balances for the ruling party. An opposition political party is supposed to critique what government is doing, it is supposed to provide alternative solutions to that of government, yes an opposition political party is supposed to speak for the voiceless, the vast poor majority of Zambians. I am not sure the Heritage Party and its leader have done that. The General is too quiet on various issues that affect the common man in the country. I don’t know if he can blame anyone for thinking he doesn’t care about the plight of the Zambian people. I don’t know if he can cry foul if one was to think that he is out of touch with the reality of the Zambian situation.
The Heritage party is also yet to qualify its relevance to mainstream Zambian politics. Unlike other political parties, the HP remains dormant for five years then suddenly reappears when its lection time. The HP will never hold a rally to speak against a proposed increase in salaries and allowance for constitutional office bearers. The party’s structure and activities are not known to the average Zambians. I don’t remember hearing the HP holding internal elections for its office bearers and that speaks volumes on HPs internal democracy. If an opposition political party led by an army General is not known to hold regular internal elections then would we be wrong to conclude that the party has dictatorial attributes? Would the Zambians be wrong not to trust the General to defend their country’s democracy?
Other than the General’s strange personality, there is a lot more he needs to do to win our vote than just claiming that Rupiah Banda was sent by the late President to ask him to be his successor. He needs to remove the fear factor from the Zambian minds and asking photographers not to take pictures of him during a radio phoenix interviews is not the way to do it.
Allow me to end by quoting the late Anthony Kunda, a former Lusaka based BBC reporter who had a one on one interview with the General and wrote;
‘Another criticism is that he can appear dogmatic and overly strict, liking to do things his way and no other. ‘
‘When I have interviewed him as a journalist I have found him to have rather a severe personality. He rarely smiles. ‘
‘He can also be quite forceful. The last time I went to interview him he demanded to see what was in my notebook, to check that what I was writing was what he actually said. ‘
‘Although he was really very insistent I managed to keep my notes to myself on that occasion. ‘
‘Mr Miyanda, 56, was removed from the army some 20 years ago after being accused of involvement in a failed military coup in 1980. He was subsequently cleared of all the charges.
Although he has never lived in a village, he professes a deep respect for village life and village values.
So deep is this respect that his party’s political philosophy is called “The village concept.” ‘
‘Unfortunately not many people understand what this rather vague notion means, least of all some members of the Heritage party itself. If he can get Zambians to understand it between now and the polling day, he might just get the top job. ‘
Editor’s Note
The Author wishes to acknowledge the error made in the previous article where he stated that Bob Sichinga was the UPND’s Vice President at the time of the Late Anderson Mazoka’s death. This was not the case. Kindly accept the apologies.
Good analysis on the general. To be honest if the General Miyanda wants to be president he better get serious and be visible throughout the time when there are no elections. He should be speaking on behalf on the people and be vocal on issues throughout the year as the true opposition the way Sata & HH have been hence the following they are getting. He is a clean guy but he needs to be serious if he wants to rule this country besides he is still young at 56 and it is not too late to start now. He could just make it in 2011. Don’t hide and just show up on elections ..that is like trying to rape the country. Build relationship with Zambians please
#1. Well said. U ushufwapatunono, napa multitude teti omfwe.
The way the General has come back into “politics” this time around has been suspicious. He had to solicite for supporters. Why?? This behaviour makes me who trusted him and respected him start doubting his intergrity. Next time please don’t disappear and then reappear four weeks before presidential elections.
good analysis.
HE DEFENDED SLUSH FUNDS AS VP, CLOSED AND DISMISSED UNZA LECTURERS, DEFENDED THE NEAR KILLING OF KK AND CHONGE, A RIDGED MAN SO, LEFT OUT IN FORMATION OF FDD, QUIET WHEN JUNIOR UTH DOCTORS WERE DISMISSED, HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS DIED, FINANCIALLY TRUSTED, BUT POLITICALLY UNTRUSTWORTH
Village concept? Kaya. Mudala, seriousness palibe.
It would seem to me that there is something that has compelled the man to ‘reappear’ i would imagine. The presiedntial aspirants actually get funded by people who would want them to compete on a seemingly fair field. So what does the man have to loose if he can get funded and keep some change after the elections? The man struggled to get the required number of supporters for his nomination. So why would he want to have himself humiliated like that? The answer is simple, the man had something to gain…
Some of the questions make sense but i don’t agree when the author of the above article says Miyanda goes underground post elections & does not criticise the govt.What i find is that when Miyanda speaks,he speaks sense,he just doesn’t talk anyhow like Sata just to please people.
On HH,the above author’s analysis is flawed.As much as we respect journalists for keeping us informed,i wish to say the author of this & related articles didn’t do his research well & does not understand the manifestos of the various parties as can be evidenced by the vague explanation of UPND & HP’s manifestos.HH has fully explained UPND’s manfesto unlike others who base campaigns on personalities & myths.
The General is not 56. He could not ahve been 28 during the Shamawana led coup. This article is baised. Miyanda has no money >
he needs to go out and sell more of himself and his village concerpt philosophy but he is a good guy
he just luck of money and ability to stand out
#5 and #6 please!! First of all the UNZA issue, Everyone knows that UNZA is no longer an academic platform, it has become a political arena and has been since KK, this general miyanda guy tried to rid of the partisan nature of Unza,he is probably the only one braze enough to try.I bet you UNZA closes every year..So dont blame Miyanda kwapwa. #1 great comment and it adds the ps to the article thank you.
Gen Miyanda is politically lonely and he will never be a factor in Zambian politics if he continues behaving the way he behaves as “one man commando” he should first sell his ideas and his presidential inspiration to the people of Zambia.
Intergrity is a kind of existence that corrupt and questionable people fear. They general is feared by a few Zambians not because he is silent or because the choose not to listen to his words, but the mere fact that he might and would foster responsible behaviour from most Zambian males. Fathering and educating, loving and respecting our women( All ages and placements), being resposible for our conduct and work ethic; these are but a few of the things we can get from his rule. Do not worry about women, when they majority of men are in line with decency, a whole lot more women are celestial in nature; almost like they left heaven today. Under Miyanda the evil reputation as alcoholics that
Stigmatises us would be incinerated. Observe even we the graduates of UNZA know that we perceived and entirely knew that Miyanda was of a higher moral pedigree( Data translated into information). Imagine in him we might have a possible Nelson Mandela. Though I do honestly agree the Big man should come out of his shell for the year 2011. Plus the infusion of some hind and foresighted old and young individuals into his party shall be a blessing. For there are more good than bad in our nation, on a earthly level. With God we will work not only pray but work, for a better Zambia today and Tomorrow.
Most places in the world now characterise us with. On our independence, let us know trully that in this man we might have a Mandela; but we need to encourage they general to adopt wise and knowlegable colleagues. People that are not only learned at tertiary level, but educated from birth. He needs a vice that can help him transfer they Heritage party Manifesto almost by communicational osmosis. Happy independence, my prayers for myself, all you my fellow Zambians and they world.
P.S : Please let us have educated comments here all the ones above myself have shown maturity.
Its just HHHHHHHHHH all the way. These other analysis does not mean squat!!! VIVA HH and UPND. Mudala save us from our economic shame and place zambia on the map. Its funny that ppl these days do not even seem to know where zambia is.
LATEST……opinion polls carried out by Steadman Group has stated that SATA is winning this years election.Steadman group carried out another poll before the 2006 election and the results were that LPM would win….Zambia is headed for CHANGE!
mingeli, this time you ve tried to write sensible. i guess you are learning fast. ukeshiba mwaice, this is how we started also.
ba General, you are a timer waster. go and continue sleeping
THE POST NEWSPAPER 25/10/08 POLL PUTS SATA AHEAD
AN opinion poll carried out by Steadman Group has revealed that Patriotic Front presidential candidate Michael Sata is winning the October 30 election by 46 per cent.
The survey which was released yesterday by Steadman Group Zambia country manager Benson Bwalya and carried out in all the nine provinces revealed that among the registered and decided voters, Sata would win by 46 per cent, followed by MMD’s Rupiah Banda with 32 per cent, UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema with 20 per cent and Heritage Party’s Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda with one per cent.
Cont…………
Continued #18…The group is a member of the World Association for Public Opinion Research and the association of market research professionals. The group is also a full member of Gallup International Association and its exclusive affiliate in Kenya.
The Zambia politics and democracy poll was conducted by Steadman Group between October 10 and 15, 2008 among 1,062 adults aged 18 and above and living in urban and rural areas also revealed that from all registered voters including those who were undecided, Sata would win in the presidential elections by 40 per cent followed by Vice-President Banda by 29 per cent, Hichilema by 18 per cent followed by those who were undecided with 12 per cent..
The group is a member of the World Association for Public Opinion Research and the association of market research professionals. The group is also a full member of Gallup International Association and its exclusive affiliate in Kenya……In 2006, Steadman Group carried out a poll where it predicted that the late president Mwanawasa would win by 33 per cent, Sata 24 per cent, Hichilema 15 per cent, other candidates seven percent, those who did not respond 14 per cent while six percent did not know……And Bwalya stated that the survey research of this nature always had a margin of error, which, in a very close election, could constitute the actual difference between two very close figures
cont#18……In 2006, Steadman Group carried out a poll where it predicted that the late president Mwanawasa would win by 33 per cent, Sata 24 per cent, Hichilema 15 per cent, other candidates seven percent, those who did not respond 14 per cent while six percent did not know……And Bwalya stated that the survey research of this nature always had a margin of error, which, in a very close election, could constitute the actual difference between two very close figures
“THE POST NEWSPAPER 25/10/08 POLL PUTS SATA AHEAD”……What do you expect from The Post these days.I can offically say that they are Mr Sata and PF’s image Builders and Campaign managers/material.
The General will always go AWOL after election for the simple fact that his resources are limited. He has not yet sold the country to political donors. The mmd sold us to china who funded their compaign and the chinese are tearing us apart,getting all luctrative government contracts and enriching themselves with the so called investment. We will see the same trend with PF though this time will be from taiwan.
THe General pushed the amendments to the constitution that banned Kaunda contesting the 1996 elections. He also supported that public order act that was meant to making hard for the opposition to hold rallies as they required to get police permit. He now opposes this act.
He pushed for the Media bill that meant journalists to register with the Gvn’t in order to operate in the industry. This was designed to limit press freedom and targeted the private media. The General was also responsive for the arrest and prisonment of post editor Matsauso Phiri. He plays it cool but he is dangerous to the society if given all the power.
He oppossed and voted against the sale of zambia airways shame that he was let down by other cambinet members and he also oppossed the third term bid, well done for that.
I LOVE THIS MAN,IF RB WAS NOT THERE, I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR HIM KALEZA
JUST BE UNITED ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION
How can ba LT say the General has fanacial strictness. The Man simply has no money and no following and cant attract genuine sponsores apart from those that want him to split RB’s inconsequential small votes. This man is a loner. KK once said he is a mad man. he does not fight for workers rights and countrymen. he pops up only when there is an election. Has had all 4 Mp’s stolen By MMD. what rubbish let him rest. democrtatically we have rejected him not even fit for councellor.Period.
Bo Bri Gen, you are a lost ship and you need to be whipped on your other end.
Vote for H H he does not support those that are lonely.
Bo Bri Gen, come to Livingstone after 30th Oct 2008 when you have lost out for a holiday.
Sorry miyanda.munabwela mo chedwa.
I see someone above is talking about The Post’s Steadmans opinion poll,well,the final ballot is what counts.Zambia is certainly headed for change but is it for the better,who could go & stand proud to the world & say yes,my President is Michael Chilufya Sata,only people with Sata’s calibre will do that,it will be an embarrassment to Zambians if they vote in that man.
One issue i notice is that The Post newspaper goes with the wind,it’s only a little while ago that they were enemies of Sata now they realise he’s ”winning” so they kiss his feet by giving him the most coverage,a better candidate HH is almost not being covered by Zambian media which is totally biased,it’s shameful!
GEN. MIYANDA HE IS THE MAN I LIKE THE WAY THE MAN TAKES IT WITH FAITH. ITS MOST LIKELY THE MIYANDA WILL GO THRU BECOZ SATA & RB HV NO VISION 4 ZED JUST FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND ALL ZAMBIANS HV COME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MIYANDA STANDS ON BY 29TH EVERYONE WILL BE SET ON MIYANDA. PIPO VOTE FOR THE MAN OF INTEGRITY
No. 11 Thank you. I raised 4 issues on the General and you answered one on UNZA what about the 3 others? Should I declare I am correct?
Ba General please just give up. That money you spend why did you not donate it to Cheshire Homes? VIVA PABWATO MPONGWE WAS SET ALIGHT YESTERDAY 24/10
I love miyanda i would rather give him a vote even when i know he is not winning than voting for SATA who is going to make us regret God help us.
SENATOR ZULU DONT BE FUNNY THOSE COMMENTS ARE CARELESS DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT? DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHO SATA IS? DO YOU KNOW HOW COBRA NAME CAME ABOUT? ANLYSE B4 YOU SURPORT SATA IS DANGEROUS MIYANDA HE IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT IN 2011 IF NOT NEXT WEEEK. VOTE FOR HIM IWE ZULU.
The General should just concentrate on other things not politics,he has failed to sale himself,he has no structures on the ground,he is too quiet I for one liken him to a time bomb that can explode at any time.Its difficult to trust such a person.Viva MMD.
vote miyanda and not the unpredictable king cobra
Why not make him Defence Minister in the next government? He has all the qualities.
Dr Bill, you are just like Miyanda himself. kaunda’s toture confused him and he has never recovered and never will. How can you vote for someone who is not serious about himself and what he wants.
Both PF and Heritage Party were formed in 2001, but look where PF is today. Difference is Sata never went to sleep thats why we are voting 4 him.
miyanda will win the election…..and i will become the king of america haw haw haw haw….!!!!!!!!!!!! pa bwato!
#23 KALUNGA. SATA AND PF do not need image builders. The party is full of a mixture of educated, and highly educated men and women who are all results oriented. That doesn’t come for nothing-they are dedicated and hardworking. Their track records of hard work and results are traceable. To the contrarly, RB, needs image rehabilitation/resacitation (even if he hasn’t got any image) because his past and present is marred with bribery, corruption, tribalism, regionalism, sleeeping on duty, laziness, etc. GO PF SHOW THEM WHAT HARD WORK IS ALL ABOUT.
THE other thing is MICHAEL CHILUFYA SATA AND PF do not stop visiting their constituencies even when its not election time, while other parties find it an erection time and over-enjoy. It is on record that SATA addresses rallies throughout the year while other oarties wonder why as it is not election time, but erection. If you are in doubt ask Shakafuswa. The people of Zambia need in enjoyment as well as in trouble. They need an all-weather-friend. In short they need you round the clock. And thats PF’s and SATA’s characteristics. VIVA PF, VIVA SATA.
THANX TOMBWA U R INTELLIGENT AS FOR ANNONYMOUS YOU ARE BEING LED BY THE CLOUD REMEMBER ‘WIDER IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO DISTRUCTION’ DONT VOTE FOR SATA JUST BECOZ HE HAS BEEN AWAKE, BUT DOES THIS COBRA HAS THE QUALITIES LIKE MIYANDA? ANYWAY ITS YOUR CHOICE YOU CAN EITHER BRING DANGER TO YOSELF BY VOTING SATA-N OR BRING PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT BY GIVING MIYANDA A VOTE JOIN ME MY BRO WE MAKE A GOOD CHOICE SATA IS A SNAKE
This article come clean. I am a person who’s truly for the General alone, but never voted for him because of his domance. He’s a man who can do well for the country because of his moral uprightness, but he needs to straighten up and speak out, not only resurface during elections. The next three years are his chance to open up and let the people listen, the party is to dormant and has worsted enough money. Its my hope that he gets to read the article because he trully needs to.
sata for Zed
VIVA PF
all those who ar voting 4 sata, the cobra will bit you even after taking it to plot1. dont take chances…..viva mmd,viva RB
good analyst!
HH is not the most educated candidate. He and RB are on a par and RB’s degrees are from more respected Universities. As for business, RB has not ran any really large business. Grant Thornton is not the largest accountancy and audit firm, it number three in Zambia. Both Sata and RB have ranor started larger businesses than RB. HH is a tribalist. he never condemned the crazy behaviour of his Tonga thugs that chased most of the none Tongas from UPND. Right now his security firm Mintmaster is literally broke and surving by the grace of god. HH has K20 billion. can he please explain where it came from. allegations of corruption and shady deals during parivatisation are said to be the source.
The motive behind Miyanda is a bit of a calculated move not for his own gain but probably for RB,why concentrate on attacking Sata who is in the opposition when he can easily untangle the misfortunes of the MMD.I agree with #01 were has he been all this time, Sata has shown us how true politician behave,PF is now a formidable party unlike yours sir, i look at your party has been seasonal.Be visible sir then you may have followers.
VILLAGE CONCEPT = PLAGIARISED UJAAMA OF NYERERE’S TANZANIA = RAMPANT POVERTY
This is the same Miyanda who walked into the ZNBC studios demanding to know who had misquoted him. The man is a veritable dictator.
HH is not the most educated candidate. He and RB are on a par and RB’s degrees are from more respected Universities. As for business, HH has not ran any really large business. Grant Thornton is not the largest accountancy and audit firm, it number three in Zambia. Both Sata and RB have ranor started larger businesses than HH. HH is a tribalist. he never condemned the crazy behaviour of his Tonga thugs that chased most of the none Tongas from UPND. Right now his security firm Mintmaster is literally broke and surving by the grace of god. HH has K20 billion. can he please explain where it came from. allegations of corruption and shady deals during parivatisation are said to be the source.
The Authour of this ‘Analysis:Questions for Hikainde Hichilema’, Mingeli Palata, apologised for misleading the whole World in particular and LT readership in genearal as indicated below:
“The Author wishes to acknowledge the error made in the previous article where he stated that Bob Sichinga was the UPND’s Vice President at the time of the Late Anderson Mazoka’s death. This was not the case. Kindly accept the apologies.”
Source: www . lusakatimes . com / ? p = 4998
Thank you Mingeli Palata for being a man/woman of substance. Very few can acknowledge their mistakes.
#55, you must have some respect to (ulekwatako umuchinshi kuli ba kateka) president Hakainde Hichilema. Your ignorance is a shame to yourself and whoever you are supporting in this 30th october Presidential election or indeed who sent you.
“The party’s structure and activities are not known to the average Zambians. I don’t remember hearing the HP holding internal elections for its office bearers and that speaks volumes on HPs internal democracy. If an opposition political party led by an army General is not known to hold regular internal elections then would we be wrong to conclude that the party has dictatorial attributes? Would the Zambians be wrong not to trust the General to defend their country’s democracy?”
Mingeli Palata, but these question apply to Sata too. In fact, I recommend that Mingeli Palata must write a corrected version of all the 4 Presidential Election candidate’s political profiles by monday so we compare.
Vote wisely wanzelu alipo bane.
Ngoyu gentelemani, HH
Ngoyu gentelemani, HH
Ngoyu gentelemani, wacinicini, HH
Thank you Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, North-western, Southern, Western, and Nothern Provinces. Thank you Zambians. Yes we will. ecHi-ecHi!
Countdown: 3 days 21 hours 55 minutes and we are counting.
The Zambians have decided for the winning Team of HH. Jealous down (Kalijo pansi, Munyono ansi).
The Authour of this ‘Analysis:Questions for Hikainde Hichilema’, Mingeli Palata, apologised for misleading the whole World in particular and LT readership in genearal as indicated below:
“The Author wishes to acknowledge the error made in the previous article where he stated that Bob Sichinga was the UPND’s Vice President at the time of the Late Anderson Mazoka’s death. This was not the case. Kindly accept the apologies.”
Source: www . lusakatimes . com / ? p = 4998
Thank you Mingeli Palata for being a man/woman of substance. Very few can acknowledge their mistakes. Apologies accepted unreservedly!
my man Godfrey,you should have joined UPND coz there’s democracy and respect,integrity and seriousness….VIVA HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
#61, hats off to you.
Actually, there is still time for Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda and RBB to endorse HH the best man in this election. RBB and MMD, why allow a Bemba-Tribalist Sata to win when there is HH around you (MMD). Think MMD strategists.
Anyhow, thank you for running Sata’ past material on ZNBC. Continue to warn most our Bemba friends who are tribal about the dangers of Sata. Peradventure, the tribal Bembas under Sata’ myopic Bemba-Tribalistic moves will learn something.
Thank you Zambians, its president HH as we start a new Chapter in Zambian Politics history and economic emancipation.
HH please pay your Mintmaster workers. if you can’t run a security company how can you hope to run a country ?