Church and Government when the King is dead.
By Rev.Dr. Justine Likuka
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was Zambia’s first cool president. His death in Paris, France on 19th August, the coming in of his casket aboard a French Government plane; his finally burial at Embassy park on 3rd September captured on film and televised nationwide, relentlessly – etched this image of sorrow and loss; permanently onto the national psyche.
Many Zambians saw Mwanawasa as a realistic, visionary politician cut down prematurely in service to his country. According to the sentiments that poured down on National television and Radio, Mwanawasa has set precedence for the presidency in Zambia. I stand to be corrected but definitely, with all fairness, analyzing what the people are saying about our leader; we have a standard set for the presidency of this great nation – Zambia; a nation under God.I personally feel Mwanawasa will forever be loved by the Zambian because he didn’t last long enough to get to be unpopular”.
As the church in Zambia, I do strongly believe we have a mandate to be “Watchmen on the walls” of the nation of Zambia. As Christians in a “Christian Nation”;
1. We have a God -given duty that extends to the civil realm.
2. Teaching biblical principles of public life
The authority of the Church goes beyond the four walls of their beautifully painted cathedrals and churches – we are “Watchmen on the walls“.
The church shapes the character and thinking of the people who in turn shape the character and direction of the Nation. Zambia is a nation under God, which is where I personally urge the Clergy in Zambia to give direction and counsel in the affairs as regards to the succession of our dear president and father – Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.
The source of Zambia’s greatness and liberty/freedom lies in the churches and church leadership of Zambia – not just any churches though, but those whose pulpits are aflame with righteousness and whose messages encompass all aspects of life. In regard to the public life of the nation – ministers [Pastors] should be “Watchmen on the walls”, educating the people in biblical principles as applied to all of life, so that the people will know the right views to hold and the proper action to take when a calamity befalls them and their nation. A knowledgeable citizenry is essential for liberty – and to obtain this, we need a knowledgeable clergy.
In this time and hour – what Zambia needs is a conscious direction of where we are going from here. Levy brought us this far; what we need is continuity as this is the heart beat of God. Never at any time in His Word did God start what He wouldn’t finish. Even when Moses couldn’t take the children of Israel into the Promised Land which he so believed in – God raised a Joshua to accomplish that mission.
God will never abort his purposes for a people or a nation. I do believe there is a “Joshua” somewhere in Zambia. A man/woman who studied the ways and vision of our president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. Every Joshua at one time served under his Moses! In Isaiah 62:7 and Hebrews 13:7 [respectively]
God says He has posted watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem who will never be silent day or night…… they will keep watch over you [Zambia] as men who must give account.
I do hereby urge all my brothers and sisters, the civil society, the church and the clergy to look up to God for direction and counsel in the matters affecting this nation today and beyond.
To the politicians – all that the Zambian people need is a Joshua; don’t give us “Achan” to lead us. He might have been near Moses or even within the camp of Moses but Achan is not a “Joshua.”
Thank you Rev. Many a people has given testimonies on how inspirational and visionary Levy was for Zambia. Levy, you will deeply missed by this loving country called Zambia, and we will continue to cherish your leadership style. To Rupiah, open your eyes and ears, don’t be blinded by those who want to serve their interest first, putting the country’s interest last. May Levy’s soul rest in eternal peace.
Iwe Likuka, which church do you refer to ‘as the church in Zambia’? Churches like ya Joshua Banda is not a church.
The “Joshua” to take over from Levy isn’t in MMD. All the people currently in MMD are “Achans” believe me you!!!
De church is dividing de people dem into denominations when Jah create dem as one. Me maddah tell I seh she is catholic and me still argue wit her to make her see the great controversy and deception from de Vatican and de pope, but she nuh see it!
Likuka, well done i agree with you and so far we can comapre our previous leaders and Levy stanmds out to have been a selfless man in the service of his nation.His fight against corruption is the main precedence that i have liked him so much for.Leaders must not be corrupt and should set axamples.they dont need to be perfect but should be men of honour and integrity just like reverends and pastors.Other leaders shouted more about God but were busy doing the opposite.Chiluba preached more than Levy about Christianity and corruption but he ended up the leader in corruption himself with 5oo suits,400 pairs of shoes 300 ties etc etc.Should zambians have a similar president??????????????????????
Ba Rev point of correction. You as an individual cannot be the church you are just part of the church. Tekulota ati we the church. The church is so diverse in this country. Just speak on your own behalf as a believer.
And people saying that Mwanawasa has set standards for the presidency, what standards. I have not seen the plundered resources trickle down to the majority poor of our nation. Unemployment rate is still high and yet we saying we have an influx of the so called foreign investors. There is no fair play when it comes local and foreign investors.
According to me sympathy for Mwanawasa has won him plaudits. Our economy has grown on paper and not on the ground. Losheni fye mwilabepa
Who advised Chiluba to wear a red neck tie at the funeral of Dr. Levy Mwanawasa? If that is not disrespect and arrogance, then Chiluba must be insane or smokes the ganja badly. Analyse the photos, neither Mbeki nor Mugabe was smiling with Chiluba. We are yet to see how Chiluba is going to be treated in our region. Wait and see!
2 and 6, “the church” is used to broadly describe Christianity as a whole and does not denote a specific denomination. So the term basically encompasses all that diversity to include all who have a common belief of the Lord and Jesus Christ
Before Mwanawasa won the Election, people knew that he was going to while President, they even called him a CABBAGE, because thats what he was. No wonder he has passed.
My only hope this time is that SATA would learn from this. He might be a good leader but his POOR HEALTH is a a l ability to our nation.
WHY CAN’T WE VOTE FOR PEOPLE IN GOOD CONDITION. ZAMBIANS PLEASE THERE A LOT OF HEALTHY PEOPLE, WHY SHOULD WE VOTE FOR DEAD MAN WALKING.WAKE UP ZEDIANS!!!!!!!
Before Mwanawasa won the Election, people knew that he was going to DIE while President, they even called him a CABBAGE, because thats what he was. No wonder he has passed.
My only hope this time is that SATA would learn from this. He might be a good leader but his POOR HEALTH is a a Lability to our nation.
WHY CAN’T WE VOTE FOR PEOPLE IN GOOD CONDITION. ZAMBIANS PLEASE THERE A LOT OF HEALTHY PEOPLE, WHY SHOULD WE VOTE FOR DEAD MAN WALKING.WAKE UP ZEDIANS!!!!!!!
Ba Rev what exactly do you mean when you say “Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was Zambia’s first cool president”.Please lets not use wrong words which are likely to be misinterpreted.
It is not true that Mwanawasa has always been a popular and loved president. On the contrary he started off as being very unpopular and people were just beginning to appreciate him recently. For instance in the very recent past I was quite proud of him on the strong stance he took against Mugabe. Economy wise, as one blogger said earlier, we seemed to have been doing well on paper but in reality people neither felt nor saw the improvement. So lets not delude ourselves and others that he was loved or that he did a great job. People are singing accolades of him because we know that he really meant well and out of sympathy and culture we can not bring ourselves to speak evil of the departed
This is a bling pastor, one that could open with “exsay guys, Levy was a cool prez”. This country has sure gone to the dogs! Watch this space!
# 12. MwenyaBC
I beg to differ, i think a lot of Zambians are now far better off economically, as evidence, every john and mulenga seems to own a car in lusaka.
Rev,
Your part one has many claims without any statistical backing. The sentiments you heard on Levy during his death were being expresssed by a shocked nation. The sentiments that levy was against corruption and that he started the fight against corruption were disputed way before Levy died. The claims that Levy resigned because of corruption were also disputed by many of his colleagues whom he sought advice before the resignation.
Now that elections start the real picture of levy will emerge. Levy was a president who should not have been. Voted by less that 30% in 2001 and less than 45% in 2006 shows that Zambians never wanted to be ruled by him. So if you bring God in this …
If in reality Zambia is a christian country I expect the christian vote to make a difference in the election of the next president.The pastors must be relentless telling their congregations on the qualities to look for, and yes, as HH says, vote even across party lines for the best man.Remember (King) David was not in the lineup for king but Samuel was not amused by those initially presented because the Lord told him “don’t judge by appearance or height” or age I might add! I think Miyanda is our David or Joshua.
#11. It means that he was the first ‘gay’ president.
Anyone else watching Socer Aid 2008?
Ba Observer? Has Miyanda got a party or will he be standing as “independent”
I WAS BORN IN ZAMBIA AND LIVED THERE FOR THE FIRST 13YRS OF MY LIFE FROM 1961 TO 1974.I ONLY WISHED THAT LEVY MWANAWASA WAS THE PRESIDENT, OR SOMEONE LIKE HIM.HE FINALLY WAS CLEARING UP THE MESS AND CORRUPTION LEFT BY KAUNDA IN THE GREAT DAYS OF THE 60S AND EARLY 70S.I ONLY WISH RUPIAH BANDA WINS THE ELECTION AND CARRY ON THE GREAT WORK DONE BY MWANAWASA.I HAVE NOT BEEN TO ZAMBIA IN 25YRS BUT STILL HAVE LOT OF ATTACHEMENT TO THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.I SPONSOR ZAMBIAN KIDS THRU CHILDRENS INTERNATIONAL AND HOPE TO VISIT ZAMBIA SOON.PLEASE CARRY ON THE GREAT WORK DONE BY MWANAWASA AND HELP MAKE THIS GREAT COUNTRY REACH ITS FULL POTENTIAL.WE DONT WANT ANOTHER ZIMBABWE.
Ba Dan Mwaonala kaili zebiggie. You`ve not been for 25 years! It is no longer the beautiful country one may have seen 25 years ago. Imisebo takwaba. Ministers are getting richer. Blimey!
Mauless
#20, DAN PATEL,TEXAS USA, for sure you have been gone too long! Who do you imagine Rupiah Banda is? He was Kaunda’s Ambassador to the United Nations as well as his Foreign Minister; therefore a Kaunda product and thus by extension, equally as corrupt as you allege Kaunda’s Government to have been. A little knowledge is always a dangerous thing! For your information, the subsequent Chiluba and Mwanawasa have been said to be even more corrupt than Kaunda’s 2o years of one-party rule.
YAH! But, #8 XTC, THATS where he totally went offsight/offside. Not all christian denominations participate in politics. For argument’s sake, take for instance the ‘JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’. Have ever head them participate or even comment on who the next leader should be? Its against their principles to parttake in politics as this may compromise with their spiritual beliefs. So, he shouldn’t generalize or stretch his personal opinions across all christian inclinations. If he is truly a church leader he should be able to know this fact. In conclusion his comment therefore is absolutely personal opinion.
#14 KC. So to you owning a car translates into bread and butter on pipo’s tables? Truly, zambian mentality. Quite recently, i 4ned up a well educated (accountant) friend who works 4 1 of the biggest cos. in zambia who apparently was serving a suspension from duty. When i asked him for the reason he said he had delayed to payment of wages for the labourers for “only” 1 week. I told him his boss was right. But he responded with, “actually he’s only jealous of me coz my wife and i both drive. He cant manage to buy his wife a car.” When i asked how far it is for the pipos workplace i discover it takes 10mins walk to all their workplaces. So i concluded his boss was more intellegent and …
…caring for the workers and i did not like discovering that actually my well learned friend is a fool, let alone very backward-thinking. The rest is left for you to think where you belong #14. And please, research more on economic indicators.
#20, BA DAN PATEL. Zambia is a sorry sight. You started your story well. But again you contradicted and confused yourself by supporting rb a by product kaunda, who was in turn unip, who was unip and unip was kaunda and finally unip or kaunda was the state. Ba Dan, if its taking you a few seconds or minutes to understand my preceeding sentence dont worry about your IQ. Fact is thats how kaunda, unip, and state dribbled the citizens out of their own money into state house parties, shambalakale farms, high-powered entourage to go and shed crocodile tears whenever someone dies in japan while babies in zambia die of malnutrition. The list is endless. So RB is the same animal.
Zambians have reason to be wary of statements from many of our so-called “church leaders” having seen what impact many of these misguided “churches” have had on Zambian politics; like the declaration of Zambia as a “Christian nation”; one of the most pathetic declarations ever made by any politician anywhere in the world. Former president Chiluba, with the morals of an alley cat, is hardly the right person to make such a profound declaration! The declaration itself is meaningless in a plural society.
CONT’D…The church leaders who supported and connived with Chiluba in this ridiculous declaration did it for nothing other than for their personal gain! So please, Rev.Dr. Justine Likuka, spare us the hot air. Go sell it to your fellow Rev. Lt.-Gen. Shikapwasha and such like.
By Times Reporter
THE United Liberal Party (ULP) will not field any presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential election but will give its votes to the MMD candidate, secretary general Mwitila Shumina has said.
Mr Shumina said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday the support for MMD candidate did not mean his party had joined the MMD but was intended to foster stability because the ULP was only geared to participate in the 2011 general elections.
He said apart from ensuring stability, the ULP’s support for the MMD candidate was meant to guarantee continuity of the MMD Government to complete its remaining three years in office.
“ULP will not field a presidential c
…contd. And unip are definitely back given that we zambians are ‘domicile’. Mind you, those guys ba unip bafuminepofye nga pakunya. Having ruled for 3 decades and maintaining that kaunda wamuyaya never bothered to build even a toilet in their own villages. Until Zambians themselves grabbed the whistle from the chief umpire-kaunda and blew it for him in a very unceremonious fashion.
Zed naikosa bola
Yangu tata
what are we to make of you Meembe? It appears he has no qualms about telling lies himself; the same lies he finds so distasteful in others! Given the high moral ground you purport to speak from with your delusional authority, you ain’t nothing but a low windbag. It’s only a matter of time before your and Maureen Mwanawasa’s own shameless “tandem” of lies over a non-existent “Will” naming Magande as Mwanawasa’s successor catch up with you. and so if the Late had a preferred candidate? is this not a democracy? isn’t it the Late himself that chose Banda as his vice? why would he choose a vice that he finds despicable and unfit to rule? what are you Meembe saying about the Late’s judgement?
Latest…
Sunday 7th September 2008 – Alot of submissions and complaints have been received by us from supporters and the general public calling for a pact between PF and UPND to field one presidential candidate. The ball has always been in UPND’s court but we have today read in the press that Mr HH will go it alone. We consequently would like to wish Mr HH well as we meet in the battle front. Statement by the MCS Campaign committee
# 35 make sad reading this is an article from SATA ‘s web site Obviously HH does not learn indeed the opposition at large becomes dull during presidention ellections not to mention any ellections ..they talk talk talk but whn push comes to shove ..NADA this is not a gome of comlpicated math the numbers alone are not with the opposition , but HH and SATA together stand a chance at that a slim chance of scooping the presidency if indeed HH does not make a u trun on his stand then i say ..CONRATULATIONS MMD FOR YOUR NEW PRESIDEIDENT OF ZAMBIA RB
Church and state……too much pretence going on.
#14. If you may also allow me to differ with you.
Owning a car does not mean there is economic growth.
I wonder what legacy the MMD are talking about since LPM is now gone and he is the only one who knew the direction he was taking coz he didnt trust the characters around him. Sympathy for Levy will win the MMD the elections and thats a reality that hurts me coz i wouldnt imagine mulongoti or VJ as VEEP or tenta as minister of Finance. Damn, why did levy die so soon?
The opposition should try to unitie which at present is impossible coz they all think they can mek it to Plot 1 individually!!
the joshua is still under ground,like david was,
none of the current politicians are joshua’s
Yaba, elo chashupa nomba “Levy was COOL”
#s 25. Peter & 38. Tiyende Pamodzi
If pipo have money to own cars, they must be money in pipos pockets. If they chose to buy a car instead of investing it, it still translates to money in pipos pockets. Zambians are much better off. Those UN indicaters of poverty do not translate to life in Zambia. Yes by western standards we are poor, but by african standards we are rich.
Peter Economic indicates as stated by economic theory do not always work for africa. Take Zimbabwe, by all economic theories and indicaters, the country should have imploded by now. But life goes no, don’t follow the western news, economic activity is moving on.
I am a supporter of PF but I cannot see PF winning because I dont think SATa is stil as popular as he was in 2006, it would have helped if he got HH on board however I still support PF as a matter of Principle.
The Joshua is HH and not satana or RB….if you chaps vote otherwise then,kaya !!muzachucha !
zambia needs military lreaders.
sata is the man of the moment,we dont want plunderus to come back just like they are coming back c tembo and vj
I want to agree with PEMS No. 6. I think people tend to lose focus when a person dies. If Mwanawasa was alive today very few people would be singing such praise. People are still suffering and poverty stricken in this nation. The prosecution of plunderers has been an on going song we are even used to it in the end we have even come to know the cords. Tuleloshafye as we have lost a leader but lets not exagerate his success.
A nation has its own way of surviving. Even among Pastors, Revelands or Bishops nowadays – we have straight and crooked ones. But we will survive – RB in 2008-2011 and who else in 2011-2016? Sata’s time would have gone then.
#40 is right the Joshua is still underground and only god will raise him
We really need a Joshua so that we cross the Jordan River. There is a Joshua some where within us. God will reveal him.
ZORON(Comment 34)….
You must be smoking or coking and stupid. Stop suggesting
trush… Just keep quiet if you having to talk
about!!!
As Zambians we know what our country needs for leadership!!!
Shallow is your lame mind…
I meant Number 45 ZORON
Ladies and gentlemen,all the bad leaders we might refer to right now could have a tag of being corrupt and so on becoz perhaps they have been probed or there are some allegations against them.
As for LPM,he was still in office therefore no man will have the courage to ask him any questions where they suspect something fishy.
The issue of him being a Mr RIGHT is non-starter.These job seekers have a lot of info wen it comes to such things.Just wait and see what happens after November elections!
I have heard criminals being praised when they are dead. It is culture in Zed to praise the dead. So I am not surprised when people say all sorts of things about LPM. For me Levy is a never a standard…. never.This is the guy who says corruption is defined differently when it comes to Mabenga and the other puppets of his…. what standard? Zambians sinking so law to think that is the standard they can ever achieve…..yaba!
i think PF is more popular than ever now especially with the likes of a lonely young man hh and unpopular rb its going to be an easy ride for BA SATA. VIVA SATA VIVA PF VIVA AMAKA
levy was no saint and we’ll see it all come out.corruption,what corruption did he fight.the selective manner of his crusade intrigues me in the sense that not many so called ‘intellectuals’ on this blog saw it.lpm did nothing for zambia that he can take credit for
14. KC, is that suppose to be a joke? owning a tired written off japanese car being equated to economic development?..and this rev what is talking about, these are the type of brothers that make you comment what might seem to be insensitivly..he was never popular, cool neither the best presido.
lets just be honest and if a rev cannot make truthful and honest staements ….need i write more?
i breathe a sigh of relief to see that most of u bloggers are abroad and will remain arm chair critics. i look forward to the day when i will be enlightened by your comments.
What cool president??? U mean in his death???? From cabbage to ka smo idolised hero, what’s wrong with u pretenders??????????????!!!
Stand still and see the see the Salvation of the lord,thz Egyptians u c now,u’l c them no mo…so says Exodus 13;14
# 57. Black Diamond
This is no joke, when i went back to zambia last month, like most pipo i know my cusin has 2 cars. before he bought the cars he had paid for his kids school and is building a house. Before i left zambia he had nothing, 8 yrs ago. If that is not development, for him personally, i do not know. What do you class as development, pipo owning millions of $ ?. By african standards lives of pipo in zambia have improved under PLM. We have a foriegn account in + figures because of the dept wright off. Now this money can be used for infrastructure improvement.
I know the bible tells us to respect leaders, but I doubt that God chooses leaders, well at least not most of them otherwise we wouldn’t have had Hitler and Musolini, Stalin and Pinochet, Chiluba and Mugabe, Idi Amin and Abacha, Mobutu and Mengestu, Cheusseccu and Tito…..and now I hear Zambians want Sata…..
#39 I share you sentiments, I too am grieving for LPM but that will take both of us nowhere unless we do something about it, there is no opposition party party that will disloge abena VJ, Teta, the biggest let down and all, and other vultures that have surrounded RB. We have to use our votes, which I must admit, may be manipulated by the chief vote-rigger!!!!!
I think Sata has lost it to suggest that he is ready for elections.Sata is a sick man.He will die during campaigns.MHSRIP
where to,please we have to elect a well meaning leader to buil up on to our economy and social development programmes and HH is here to fit in this era.Lets us fairly and fully support HH to win this time around.HH FORWARD ZAMBIA.YOUTH COME WE BRING IN REAL CHANGE.VIVA HH,WE VOTE HH
will reach there
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A YOUTHFUL PERSIDENT AND THIS TIME WE GO FOR HH
My name speaks for itself. I talk football, but when someone wants to use my Fathers name for politiking, I stand to defend the Gospel.
Please Rev Dr Justine, just compaign properly do not manupilate the people of God. The scriptures say “whosoever shall cause any of my little ones to stamble, its better to tie a stone arround him and throw them into the bottemless pit. Its Zambia Vs Togo come wednesday 10 september 2008.