By P. Hatontola:
Following the NCC’s unanimous adoption of an article that requires a presidential candidate to have the minimum academic qualification of a degree, it goes without saying that all those who work with a Republican president in public office must be his equals academically.
To this effect, natural law and morality will dictate as a prerequisite, that ministers and their deputies including permanent secretaries and their deputies too, must be subjected to the same litmus test. They must be degree holders if they are to be real partners with the president and operate as equals. Members of parliament too must not be an exception. This should apply to them as law makers. In fact, even NCC members ought to have degrees to render this clause legitimate. How about the electorate, shouldn’t they also possess a degree to vote ‘wisely’? Without these considerations, this development would be a step in the reverse and a disuniting factor to the nation.
A degree is desirable. But it is not an end in itself. Rather, it is a means to an end. As such, this clause can be generally classified as being myopic, discriminatory and ill-conceived. Where does this clause leave those with professional qualifications such as CIMA/ACCA? This clause would disadvantage credible candidates who never attained a degree for circumstances beyond their control. For example, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, could not attain even a grade 12 qualification as he was a fugitive. He was in exile while others were going through the ranks of education in class rooms. Notwithstanding his humble educational background, the social and economic strides made by his government are enormous for all to see. One the other hand, the President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe has an impeccable academic background. The world is yet to see a President who will match Mugabe’s academic achievements. Mugabe’s academic achievements are second to none in the history of the world’s Presidents. The question of whether these academic achievements for this President translate into any benefits on the citizenry of Zimbabwe is left to one’s individual assessment. Whether the high academic success of Mugabe has aided the socio-economic well-being of the people of Zimbabwe is there for all to see. It is public knowledge that perhaps his education has worked more to his country’s detriment.
Coming back home, Zambia has had four Presidents, namely Dr. Kaunda, Dr. Chiluba, Late Dr. Mwanawasa and the incumbent Rupiah Banda. Based on the performance of all these presidents, every honest Zambian, irrespective of their political affiliation, will admit that Dr. Kaunda made the most significant contributions to the development of the region in general and Zambia in particular. His commitment and dedication to duty does not compare to any of his successors, let alone his achievements. He did all this with very humble education. There was an engine to this. It was not a degree. He didn’t have one. But he had love for the people; passion for service, good leadership skills; honesty, integrity, wisdom and finally, vision for the country. All these attributes are not learnt from a class room. I agree that these are qualities and virtues of a president that can guarantee success for Zambians in all their aspirations. Zambia needs a president who is visionary. Period! Talking about ministers with degrees, the likes of Felix Mutati have displayed exemplary performance. His degree is worth the paper it’s written on. Conversely, Micheal Sata as Minister of Health far outperformed degreed inisters like Dr Chituwo when they served as health ministers.
Goodness! The clause does not specify what degree is needed. With a degree in dancing, one will have their way to presidency at the expense of candidates with a good value system. I neither despise any degree nor encourage anyone not to study for one. I have them. But I have seen many people with degrees yet they can’t manage their own lives. How about a country? Like an economist must have a degree in economics, shouldn’t a president have a degree in ‘Presidency?’ and a Minister of Home Affairs one in ‘Home Affairs’? This clause is a joke.
Lastly, UNZA like any other university is run by people with many degrees, even professors. I am yet to hear anyone who is inspired by the governance of UNZA by these learned colleagues. It is no public secret that even some students pursuing these degrees at UNZA have exhibited behaviours that are unbefitting of a president in making. How this institution is run does not inspire confidence amongst Zambians. Unless we want Zambia to become like UNZA, this clause remains a fallacy. There is still time to redeem ourselves from an impending disaster owing to this clause.
this article should have come before these so called delegates voted at NCC. it is a confused article. i agree with u boss on this article it is spot on. i urge the times of zambia and daily mail to reproduce this article in tomorow’s edition of papers. so acca, cima, cim abma, cbe etc, all of u zambians with these qualifications do not qualify as presidents. the issue of equivalent is nonse coz again it is subjective. how do u define a qualification equivalent to the degree?
even MPs who are eventually appointed ministers, PS’s, DC’s, must be degree holders coz according to NCC delegates only a degree holder can articulate issues. what a shame to the NCC.
Going forward this clause must be dropped immediately or be subjected to a referendum. RB please exonorate yourself on this one
Well spoken Hatontola!
#1 There is no confusion on the word equivalent and nobody is excluding other professionals. Equivalent simply means post secondary education for the duration of a degree.
Coming to the article, I must say it is well expression of ideas by the author, but the article is as good as the contents it has and I will try and tire it apart in a moment and expose the fact why I think the author, though a good writer, is working from a flawed concept which makes the whole article flawed.
First let me say that the issue at hand is NOT an engineering issue. This is a social science issue popularly known as Chikwaka at UNZA. Trying to solve social Science issues with Engineering methods is the worst crime you can commit and I bet the author is from NS background.
Please understand ..continued
continued from #3..Please understand that we are not solving a natural science problem here. This is a social science problem of producing the best presidential candidate the country can get. What we are working with are odds or probabilities. All we are trying to do here is increase the odds in our favour of getting a best president. Choosing from a pool of educated people has high chance of yielding a good president than choosing from a pool of uneducated people. Yes there are educated people who are poor leaders like the Mugabe you quoted, but how many educated leaders have that labels. You have just decided to ignore the other educated leaders who are a success. And I can give you a whole list of uneducated people who have been terrible for this world.
The country has gone to the dogs, or is that dogs have come to the country.
continued from#4..So if you pick a valid statistical sample you will find that indeed a pool of educated people does produce better leaders than those that are not. What the delagates are working on is just increasing odds for us to get a better leader. Why don’t you complain about the 35 years clause. The world is full of people that are better leaders and below 35. There are even 18 year olds are are good leaders. From your reasoning aren’t we discriminating against these? And why a Zambia for presidency again? It all about probabilities here. Odds of a Zambia looking after our needs are high than a foreigner. We have had Zambia leaders that we not looked after our needs and so do we do away with the Zambia requirement. Answer NO. We just got a bad statistical value..continued
Nurse your wounds mwana and console yourself.but nothing will change.A degree is disirable for presidency to deter dangerous people like SATA and KAMBWILI from getting to that office.so mwana find something else to write about.
Cacioppe (1997) states that, “In the world of management and leadership education, we seem to have the view that the more a person learns, the more he or she knows and the better they will be as a leader. We often look at the letters behind the name (BS, MBA, etc.) and assume that person is more qualified to be a leader. Socrates, one of the major philosophers of western culture shows that the wisest people are those that know when they do not know.” (Leadership & Organization Development Journal,Vol18 No7, MCB UP Ltd)
:d As much as I know that this NCC ruling is directly aimed at Sata it is a great ruling when you think outside the box so to calmly say. Look at it this way even our Zambian children needed a boost in their outlook towards education. Seeing that their presidential aspirants have to show a minimum barchelors won’t hurt that cause. As much as I know that there is a lot of African Americans with college education unlike television shows; an educated Obama in office puts more children choosing divergent paths in their professional futures. That is a welcome reality anyday.
continued from #6..also you reasons that about Mugabe are flawed. You are forgetting that Mugabe’s first 10 years rule was the best Zimbabwe had ever seen both white and black. And you can’t insinuate that more degree equal bad leader. That is so natural science minded. The KK you claim as the best leader was actually a disaster and that is why he was kicked out and people that took over from him just perpetuated the disaster and the mess we are in today is because of KK thinking he will forever rule Zambia and never groomed anybody like his friends in Botswana or Malaysia. The educated Levy brought sanity to this country and look even after his death, the people that took over from him have continue to grow the economy of this country because of systems he put in place….continnued.
i don’t follow.do they require any degree or only social science degree?
Personally Sata is a favourite of mine as before stated, but as opposition you should always know when to fight fire with fire. A large representation at the NCC conference would have blocked this Chiluba crafted piece of legislation. Deny it? Remember this was pulled on Kaunda in 1996. Wait that means Baby C has to live in Zambia a total of ten years continously to become the first lady president! One more Zambians need to diversify their educational criteria. In the diaspora those that get Marine biology degrees remain whereever you are and only be consultants to our government or establish course work at our universities with your earned wise degrees inorder to build a foundation for our children; this goes for all other non traditional courses Zambia so dispizes but so desparately…
continued from #10 ..Also the Jacob Zuma example you quote is very shallow and insincere on your part. I live in SA and you probably leave far away and you don’t understand how things work in this country. First ANC does not have absolute power. South Africa has a good system and the presidency does not have as much power as our presidency. Most provinces in this country are pretty much autonomous and do their own things. Even if Zuma wanted to abuse the syetm , it is not possible, South African has strong institutions unlike Zambia.
Please lets have educated presidents. I must confess, FTJ spent time trying to up his education credentials to deal with his inferiority complex because he had too many educated people around him cost MMD’s service delivery during his second term.
#11 I don’t know what you don’t follow. All am saying is the problem of find a better leader is a social science problem and not a natural science problem. And in social science we deal with probabilities all the time.
u sound like u spend a lot of time defendin HSS, this artical is not even about HSS vs NS
I have a problem with 10 year clause, where those aspiring for Presidency need to reside in Zed for a continuous period of 10 years. I think this is quite unfair, what do you make of a person who has been residing in Zambia for his/her entire life and probably goes to work outside Zambia for an international agency like World Bank, IMF in 2006, say for two years and then go back to Zambia in 2008. This means that should this person have any Presidential ambitions he/she will not be allowed to vie for Presidency in 2011 or 2016.
Generally in agreement with the article.
The opportunity to rule one’s country should be a right for every Zambian rather than a privilege for a specified few. That’s how i understand true democracy .
While a presidential candidate who is educated to at least 1st deg or equivalent is ideal and perhaps desirable, it should not be mandatory as that would exclude the majority of zambians. And that is elitist and arrogant , let alone discriminatory.
Positive discrimination ? One cannot argue this because Deg holders have not had unfair representation in this area in the past. It’s a mechanism which operates under democratic principles .
Needs. We not only need them but we shall never go anywhere with only Engineering, medicine and financial graduates. The arts too have to come into play, great visuals are a stimulus to creativity anyday. I don’t even believe this but I agree today with two third of What MMD bootlicker has stated. Kaunda had Capital to work with, Money he deligently missused in most aspects. Though after some great points Bootlicker knows not when to stop and had to rumble on into the unnecessary blind support for government. Anyway it’s Sunday let’s all pray to our Jesus Zambians and plan ourweeks with his wisdom. A dolar a week spent on Zambia is better than a 100 dollar pair of shoes.
Well spoken Hantontola. The trouble with Zambia is that it is obsessed with fighting symptoms, in the mistaken belief that they are solving a problem!! The truth is that the cause of Zambia’s economic under development does not lie in the academic qualification of the President.
Surprise surprise, Mr Sata also has a degree. Now, before you settle down, i can also cofidently say that my grandmother DOB 1914 also has one
It is really sad that we have people thinking an engineer can nt rule. In fact, a person with Science background is the best person to bring about development as opposed to these other degrees with no value. Social Science based degrees graduates have failed to manage our economy. If you think certificate holders should compete with degree holders then its bad for you. We need to be appreciated for the trouble/ and fight for the country to be free from Chiluba’s third term. Without UNZA Zambia would still be in Chiluba’s dirty hands. Viva Unza, viva employment. Let all PS, MPs and DC be graduates from recognised and established universities. Zambia for educated people as they lead the country forward in development. Get a degree then u will see what it means my dear.
Looks like some guy who has no degree wrote this article. But sorry man, the world has never been fair to those whore are not educated. They are always pushed away, and it is not only in Zambia, its a global trend. This is a fact.If you want to be in the inner circle, go to school, get as much education as you can.
Sata has no vision, if he had, he would have taken advantage of free education at his time. The man was dull and lazy with school. VIVA DEGREE HOLDERS, WE DIDN’T STOP ANYONE FROM GOING TO SCHOOL.
Looks like some guy who has no degree wrote this article. But sorry man, the world has never been fair to those whore are not educated. They are always pushed away, and it is not only in Zambia, its a global trend. This is a fact.If you want to be in the inner circle, go to school, get as much education as you can.
Sata has no vision, if he had, he would have taken advantage of free education at his time. The man was dull and lazy with school. VIVA DEGREE HOLDERS, WE DIDN’T STOP ANYONE FROM GOING TO SCHOOL.**==
Education serves as the means to bring about the desired change in society, to develop a generation of virtuous individuals and thus contribute to the development of good human beings. The fundamental purpose of education is to gain knowledge, inculcate the forms of proper conduct and acquire technical competency. Education serves as the means to develop oneself physically, mentally and socially. The importance of education to youths manifests itself in terms of the need to cultivate the youths of society into mature individuals. Education is important for the youths, as youth is their growing stage. It is the time to develop the principles of life, make career decisions and begin the pursuit of one’s goals.
Just go to school and send your kids to school too! Why should we be debating whether attaining high education is good or not?Ask even the non-degree holders and they will tell you that they wish they had one.
The quality of human resource of a nation is easily judged by the number of literate population living in it. This is to say that education is a must if a nation aspires to achieve growth and development and more importantly sustain it. This may well explain the fact that rich and developed nations of the world have very high literacy rate and productive human resource. In fact these nations have started imparting selective training and education programs so as to meet the new technical and business demands of the 21st century. Now is the time to achieve Kaunda’s vision on education. There many universities in Zambia. This must be extended to trade unions as well. This is why we cant develop. Mabenga to be a minister, why? What can he tell me? Let spearhead this clause ladies and…
The majority of people with degrees lack the ability to think outside the box. That is why a lot of them end up in pensionable employement in the formal sector. Guys like Bill Gates, Richard Bronson are examples of people who saw beyond formal education/employemnt and have created muli-billion business empires.
This clause is myopic and retrogressive. Shame on you NCC boot lickers!!!
Booty licker or whateve you call yourself,try to find out what an engineer learns at university and what courses/modules he does.You are one of the ignorant chaps who doesnt know that some of these so-called social sciences were developed from the input of engineers.sha!
Well said P. Hatontola. NCC is Professing itself to be wise, it has became a big fool.
Good afternoon.
As someone already observed in The Post, the ordinary people of Zambia are not really interested in a president who holds a degree. They are only interested in a president who will exhibit true leadership qualities and show genuine commitment to the development of the country. Moreover, one with enough courage to protect them against foreign economic plunder. These values are not acquired through a degree.
If this clause was in place 15 yrs ago. FJT would not have come along and nearly destroyed Zambia through stealing. This clause helps filter candidates seeing as the elctrolrate would vote for anyone. Most thieves do not have degrees, a look at the prision population would justify this.
Sata is not a right person for Zambia. He is a criminal. Let other people rule. Give T. Kaunda a chance. UNIP can do it. VIVa Unip viva TK
Home run,home run,home run.Hatontala,you just hit that ball out of the ball park.
If this clause was aimed at SATA, then the MMD government’s intelligence has under-performed! How could they miss the fact that Micahael Sata has a degree!!!!!! I said in my earlier blog that SATA is too cleaver for MMD!!!!
If this clause was aimed at SATA, then the MMD government’s intelligence has under-performed! How could they miss the fact that Micahael Sata has a degree!!!!!! I said in my earlier blog that SATA is too clever for MMD!!!!
The majority of people who support this MMD clause ( also claiming to have degrees), have proved just how shallow their “degree reasoning” is. In fact, I can sum up their limited reasoning on the back of a postage stamp with ample room left over! It does not take an educated person to realize that this requirement is simply moronic. The “degree holders” supporting it are individuals with a serious inferiority complex, and not deserving of leadership positions. If you are so confident you are the more intelligent individual- what makes you fear to compete with whom you’ve deemed the “lesser” person. The author is right- there are so many wrongs which can be listed on the pure callowness of this recommendation. Leadership is one thing education is quite another.
Bembas think they are the only one to rule. Not any more. They think other people are foreigners. You are cheating urselves. Which degree has Sata? Has a degree in fishing from Zambia open or AIBT or What matero University? hahahahahahahha. Sata wawa!!!!!
Kapoko, infact Mr Sata himself did not complain personally about this clause, he merely said it would be bad for zambians with no degrees. I hope the MMD do not raise the bar to masters degree because he already has that too….
So Chinsali Inc, tell us since u claim to be level headed. Does not supporting NCC make u a clever fool. Let everyone’s view be respected. A shallow minded person is one who views others point as pointless. So since u have ur own view stick to it and respect others with theirs. We need reasonable leaders and not criminals and uneducated fools to rule this country.
Chinsali, i would follow your thoughts better if they were in bemba, english is my second language you know.
#38 Let me state that I have not always followed the NCC to give a fair assessment of their OVERALL performance. But what I see in the news is most unfortunate (such as the 50% +1 as well as the degree issue). Then as far as this degree thing- I find it shallow. If we are talking like you say “respect for each other”, don’t you think excluding Zambians from the Presidency on such easily arguable grounds is a form of elitism, which in implementation “disrespects” other Zambians? What form of respect categorizes ppl with no degrees, in your own words as “criminals and uneducated fools”. Let me stress this point “If you are so confident you are the more intelligent individual- what makes you fear to compete with whom you’ve deemed the “lesser” person”.
#39
Very funny. Let us find a degree holder to translate for both of us! You know degree holders are magicians….they can even turn Zambia around. Mugabe DID turn Zimbabwe around! Pun intended.
Mushimba , remember that the ppeople who will be vioting for the none performing degree holder like RB are 90% without. The 90% plus have had no opportunity to get this degree because favours were given to you by you relatives who managed file at the bursaries by sending you to Rusia and other countreis to study at there expence. I find you to be an anoy mo******er faaker, who needs a br******n check. And by the way if you are abroad remember that you cam only become president after your mo*****er f*******er syas in country for 10 years. So dont be a bu***un for goods sake. Id******ts should vote for there felloww id*****ot. You learned one should for your own. 2011 kuya bebele.
long overdue. that is why the 95% of your chiefs are not helping in development, because they are illitrate. lets have educated pipo with a degree leading like all progressive countries.
Hatontola- that is exellent. you are worth a degrees holder.
What surprises me is how people like Kabinga Pande, MMD deputy national chairman, and Michael Mabenga the chairman, voted for this close when they hold diploma in journalism and teaching certificate, respectively. I also wonder if most of the pastors on the NCC have degrees. What they have just done is to shoot themselves in the foot.
You can’t compare with Zimbabwe and President Mugabe. That is as mypopic and deceptive as my claim that Iraq could launch WMD in 45 minutes. From 1980 to 1990 Zimbabwe was growing because no one (including myself) was interferring with its politics. President Mugabe is an intelligent man (smarter than me for sure) and did a good job of running the country. But he is not as sly as I am and so we managed to coerce his country into going for structural adjustment and that is when the economic and social decline started. Then after that we gave them sanctions for daring to redistribute land (and they had also had the nerve to fight our puppets in DRC!). If Zimbabwe did not have President Mugabe it would be like Somalia.
Hantotolo, well spoken dear. We have been telling these silent degree holders that this clause is a joke. If masters and PHD holders cant boast what more the silent degree holders? It is democracy and let people chose whoever they want not the silent degree holders dictating to people. many people in Zambia dont have degrees coz they are from poor families which cant afford the exhorbitant tuitions. PLEASE REMOVE THIS CLAUSE WHEN WE STILL HAVE TIME TO DO SO.
Interesting article. MMD during Chiluba’s time ushered in so called educated people with doctorates and degrees in to cabinet and the end result was greed and economic mismanagement. Former British prime minister John Major is not a graduate but in comparison to Tony Blair who holds a 2/1 degree in Law, one would say John Major had the wisdom and integrity. The fact that Robert Mugabe holds 7 University degrees, he also uses this to intimidate anyone that opposes him by undermining their intelligence . Now our president wants to do the same. No even the Queen of England is a degree holder but she’s head of state!
One of the most emotional and very unresearched piece of writting I have seen from a learned collegue.
1. Mugabe is not the most learned president that world has ever seen. Ghana has a PROFFESOR!,
2. Mugabe did far better for Zimbabwe than Kaunda did for Zambia. The Author doesnt seem to understand the cause of Zimbabwe’s melt down. At independence, Zambia was far reacher than Thailand and Botswana, now these two are far better than Zambia. Go check the accademic records of their presidents.I bet that LPM would have done far far better if he ruled in kaunda’s time and that long.
3. Unza is badly financed by govt. Its problems are not primarily from poor management….did the Author ever go to Unza?
The use of UNZA as an example is really out of sorts….research and write again
Its interest to note how ignorant non degree holders are. All are degrees; Master degree, PhD degree and Bachelors degree. So when we say degree we mean any of these. So don’t be misguided by showing your lack of knowledge. You see, its clear that people don’t understand. So I hope you understand now Mr/s Kambongolo
The trouble is even people like Shikapwasha who have served the country in areas where degrees were not a pre-requisite surprisingly voted for this clause. This very unfortunate poor country has spent billions of kwacha so that we may come up with a constitution that isn’t aimed at individuals but that would be a benefit for every citizen. Some times am forced to agree with racist psychologists that our average IQ is only superior to that of aboriginals because instead of looking at important issues that affect our people the mob that Levy and co sent to sit at NCC were pre occupied with ways of fixing Sata and his party. Even tin pot dictator Mugabe at the climax of his madness never reached this baseness of blocking his nemesis despite his(morgan) humble education.
If you see this “Degree” article from the perspective of being meant to block an individual ….it is wrong. If you see it from the perspective of giving the country a president who has a developed critical thought process….its Good!
Has anyone of you watched our MPs debate in Parliament?….they are a bunch of jokers….but then what do you expect from parliament whose majority members are semi-iliterates?.
Those of you using Chiluba’s graduate studded cabinet as a case of how useless accademics are, hold it right there? the Bembas say “isabi lyambila kumutwe ukobola” If the head is rotten, the whole fish is done!
What is so irritating about this whole debate is that it has only created a virtual war of academic protagonism characterised by a negative thought pattern which has led to a hothouse of ultimate puerility and intellectual attrition, wasting our time and fading our view further and further away from the most important issues that we are supposed to be commenting on.
[-(
# 50 ..MMMD its you who is dull in the head. The clause says first degree peiod. May be you dont understand english dear. The basic requirement is first degree not masters or PHD? Cant you see the difference? Sure your are among the people with SILENT DEGREES…… uluse ine!!!:d/:d/. To tell you the truth, you will not find Masters and PHD holders boasting about it and they would not come up with this meaningless clause. This is because Masters and PHD holders have done so many research studies and they Know that leadership is very different from management. Management need education but for leadership you need vision and focusness. These are the things silent degree holders like you MMMD cant understand. IYEE ULUSE BANE:-j:-j:-j:-j:-j:-j:-j
The sad part is the Degree holding president requirement does not solve social economic issues that the country faces. That is evident in the so called new wave of educated leadership (thieves) that come with the hour phenomenon. It was exciting to see that change but the country was not better positioned to face the new world changes in doing business (the educated leadership did not have a solution). The country with very little access to higher education should not use that to pick its leader. If you want to make a degree requirement make it a useful degree that applies to running a government. Leadership is not learned in school especially not UNZA.
# 47 & 54 Kambongolo … I second that.
i’am a highly trained medical doctor and disagree that good leaders should have degrees. People please reject this at all levels.
The sad truth is that this is a narrow minded idea to eliminate Sata from the competition. This highlights ideologies of our leadership who only focus on short term goals and put very little thought in long term initiatives that last beyond the two terms of office. Our leaders are more interested in racking up riches for themselves than leaving a legacy for the country.
Is there a way we could put a clause in our constitution for manditory televised and radio broadcast debates for would be mps and the president. With an option of translators in every province. That would solve a great deal on peoples choice of their leaders to be.
😕 After a long and focused analysis I have found that this clause is discrimatory at a very inhuman level. If only the Zambian populace had a voice.
Excellent article. The author has exhibited flawless reasoning. Let these guys go back to the drawing board.
35yr old requirement is actually discriminatory as well, but acceptable for some reason. some kind of discrimination has to be in-built if seen to be good. i mean a 25 yr old president would be vibrant, except they can not stand due to age discrimination. if education is any good, how about president should atleast be a grade 7, ho does that sound? another one, president should NOT have a degree, could this one be better then?
Rumour has it that Professor Patrick Mvunga, Justice Esau Chuulu and Dr Rodger Chongwe are now working on a piece of legislation to outlaw PACTS. Zambians, we are being attacked from all fronts mwebantu. Beware of these mikukulu who want to divide the nation for their selfish ends. BenaZambia segukani mitu tapapata.
What I do not agree with the writer is on qualifications he mentioned like ACCA or CIMA. These qualification in my little knowlede are above degree holder. For example a degree holder in Accountancy at CBU will only be exmpted in part one of ACCA and CIMA if he wants to qualify as an accountant. If one is looking for a job there must be a minimum qualification. Presidency is the highest position in the land which the writer sugests that it should not be considered for qualification. I disagree totally.
No one has commented on the writer exageration of Mugabe’s academic achievements, really, is he the most educated president the world has this far seen? Most presidents in the US tend to be former university professors, like Bill clinton, now Obama.
ba doctor number 57, please next time just state your qualifications and leave us to judge whether you are ‘highly trained’ or not, its less patronizing that way, and better for free discussion.
#64, even examining bodies such as ACCA and CIMA would now only allow people with degrees to enrol on their programmes. This rule will take effect from next year. ACCA and CIMA are not necessarily above degrees but they are professional qualifications whose real purpose is to train an andividual into that profession and not broadly academic such as a degree. Academic degrees are broader in depth and more generalised than professional qualifications which are basis for training individuals into specific profession.
Discrimination will always exist in life. Why is it that a boy aged 10 can’t marry? Life without laws is dead. Why not allow all Zambians to vote even babes. Why allow a country with so many educated people be run by illiterates, God forbid. Now is the time we need a sound president. Mwanawasa was a graduate and what he did, amazing. Now look at Chiluba with his certificate in call boys, only stealing. Banda is doing fine. This is what we need in Zambia.
66. I gree with you, my point is if ACCA or CIMA holder can not qualify to be president then what you are saying is contrary.
Just do away with the, so called degree holding presidential candidate.RB thought PF leader had no degree just to sideline the most popular man in today’s zambian politics.Just go back to the farm in chipata baba.3 yrs is more than enough for a man who actually retired from politics and never even dreamt to be president of zambia.Retire in peace. you are only a transitional president sir.Emulate Mandela style of governance.
ACCA/CIMA are not degrees and do not qualify. But if one is degree holder and has ACCA/CIMA that is something else. Its common sense that the two are not degrees. With passes people do these courses but fail to go to university. I am a graduate and am a holder of CIMA. But I can’t stand showing my ignorance that CIMA is above degree. Its a shame. You can’t call a paper of a book a book no. That is a profession qualification. its like calling a driving license a degree. We need education to sensitize Zambian to know what a degree is. God help us. Next you will hear NATECh is a degree. hahahahahahahahahaha. NCC you are doing right and you represent all Zambians.
#68, I don not support this clause personally and feel this type of clauses create a storm in a tea cup. What we are envisaging in reality should be that in politics, organisational skills are paramount and in my own assessment, educated people should use their education to compete politically. It is the unfair game of discrimination that causes wars. I am happy to have many educated people in politics and am against illiterate politicians bribing their way to the top. Let us be fair and play a game that bring development to our Country as we are all good at different things.
70.MMMD you have missed the point, we are not saying ACCA or CIMA is a degree, but a qualification which is on the same level or even higher than a degree. The reason why Unza can not take those with passes is because of the capacity hence only few who have higher marks are selected.
This is a very useless article, everything is wrong. UNZA is a wrong example. UNZA is in bad state because we have grade 12 MPs who dont want to allocate funding to UNZA. It goes back to education, if we had educated MPs, they were going to allocate enough money to UNZA. **==**==
Why do you want zambia to be the only country with uneducated presidents in the whole world ? even malawi is following the trend of using educated predios.
Pleas push this law throu, we can not afford any more FJTs to con the pipo to vote for them.
Without some form of protection even a chinama patient can be president as long as he buys the equally illitrate chiefs chibuku and chitenges. We are talking about a voting population who would keep voting for some one like Katele who is covered in excriment of corruption. With out some filters Zambia will always be dragged back by substandard presidos, like FJT.
72. Who said ACCA/CIMA are of the same level or higher than a degree? That is a dream my friend. The fact that if you have a degree in account from CBU to do ACCA you will be exempted from some courses. I have a degree and CIMA am considered higher than my friends with only CIMA why? Lets call a spade a spade.
73&74 Now good points. We know those Die Hards for Poor Finishing are crying foul for a degree holder the live in Chachacha era
I think the bolggers with degrees who do not support this cluse are disappointed and frustrated that their hard erned degrees have not translated into wealth and a comfatble lifstyle. Dont blame education, it was wasted on you. If it was some one else they would appriciate the wisdom and logik a degree education brings and would be comfatable with a degree person formulating ploicy for the masses..
75. Logic is that one with a ACCA or CIMA can earn more money in employment than one with a mere degree true or false?
ACCA/CIMA are not degress so under the new constitution all of you who never entered any University Lecture room you are not elligible. Dont delude yourselves that CIMA/ACCA are above a bachelors’ degree. #66 you put it right.
This clause is becoming interesting eeeh! ACCA/CIMA higher than a degree….my foot! Try to apply for a Masters with your tuma ACCA and CIMAs and see if they will accept you.
75. You will be exempted from some courses. Why not exempted in all course? simple answer is ACCA is on higher level logical.
#78, We have known ba guy you have no degree. A lawyer makes more money than a university lecturer: Does that make a law degree higher than being a Proffesor.? You see, your lack of a degree is already selling you out….lack of critical path thinking! This is what we dont want in a President….Viva NCC!
The degree bloggers who dont want this law and bewlidered and full of enviy when they look around and see non degree holders doing better then them, and thus think a degree is usless. 3/4ers of any countries degree holders live comfetably because they have rational reasoning in this computer age. Why not have the masses benifit from this kind of rational reasoning by having a degree presido. I am not saying non degree holders are non rational thinkers, it is probability numbers we are talking about. The probability that a degree educated presido will formulate better polices than a non degree one are higher.
#82, you are worthy your degree my friend…say that again. I think we have degree holders on this blog who got their degrees by crooks!:d:d Am amased at what brainwash and blind loyalty can do. Dont Universities have powers to recall some of these degrees they dished out?
80. tell me what u mean by ACCA being higher? Can you be exempted if you have ACCA to do engineering? Lets think and not calling a dog an elephant. Time is now to appreciate your friends. Jealous is bad in life. If you were not accepted at UNZA/CBU for poor results does nt mean you condemn every graduate. Zambian graduate perform well overseas why? Having more money does not make you a good leader. Comparing leadership of Zambia is not fair and show shallow thinking. They way non-graduate are against UNZA/CBU is the same way grade 7 MPs are against funding these institutions. The author is a certificate holder from Nomagen College in Lusaka. What can you expect from such shallow persons. Banks have closed in Zambia, who was runing them?is it not these ACCA/CIMA guys.
81. The Legacy. Those with degrees sometimes want to win an argument like laywers in the course of their legal battles, they often seem to win a court case at the cost of losing sight of the truth. This is what I’m getting from degree holder on this blog. Thank you good nite
This clause makes sense if you think in terms of numbers. If you pick a pool of hundred people with degrees chances are high that they will have a better understanding of issues. On the other hand, if you pick a pool of hundred people from the non-degree population, the probability of getting people that can articulate issues and think logically is much lower. If we really care about our country, we should have this clause.
The level of formal education plays an important role in government. Look at China, they have a lot of engineers in their government and their economy is production oriented. In Zambia, we have a lot of leaders with non-practical oriented education and look at our economy. We need people that are good at innovating solutions not just managing problems.
#84, just leave these deluded fellas who never made it into Universities…..its getting boring to argue with them
# 86. Thank you for your comment we have seen the difference the degree holder get annoyed when challenged.
#86, thanks for that. It takes a graduate to understand issues. These people need tutorial on every thing. How do we develop sure?
This clause makes sense if you think in terms of numbers. If you pick a pool of hundred people with degrees chances are high that they will have a better understanding of issues. On the other hand, if you pick a pool of hundred people from the non-degree population, the probability of getting people that can articulate issues and think logically is much lower. If we really care about our country, we should have this clause.
The level of formal education plays an important role in government. Look at China, they have a lot of engineers in their government and their economy is production oriented. In Zambia, we have a lot of leaders with non-practical oriented education and look at our economy. We need people that are good at innovating solutions not just managing problems.
89. A good analysis.
I feel sorry that Zambians seem to say things they think suit them. Appreciate diversity and value other people if you are going to be valued. View things objectively and respect those who know what you don’t know because they may eventually help you overcome your weaknesses. Why are you ashamed to say you don’t know it all? Is that a problem? Do you think there is one human being on earth who knows it all? Be real and accept the fact that we are all good at differnt things and stop laughing at people’s weaknesses but help them overcome them as brothers and sisters. We say a degree helps you learn the tools of analysis and properly applied you can fit in any role. But not all degree holders are wise and can apply their knowledge wisely. Simple, individuals will always be individuals.
# 91 we appreciate your comments and they are good, but why should unza and graduates be attacked over the clause as though they are the initiators. Respect is good indeed.
#3, 4, 6,…MMD Chief Bootlicker:
There are places meant for playing the “odds game”! The CASINO is the right place for the “odds nonsense,” not at the NCC. You want to start playing odds with future generations? And you wonder why many “African constitutions” never stands the test of time—the lack of foresight is disgusting! Even countries with good and well developed College/University systems don’t have such ridiculous clauses in their constitutions. What more in Zambia with only two dilapidated universities?
The 35yrs age requirement makes sense because other than death there are no artificial barriers to prevent any Zambian child from attaining the age of 35. But there is plenty that prevents perfectly intelligent kids from going to college. Being POOR is one!
The author of this article is trying to state what most non-degree holders want to hear. But in my view that is not the issue. We are against any discrimatory clauses that don’t make logical sense. Take for example, the stupid clause about domicilty, do these people think that you can spend ten years without travelling abroad either for training or R&D? Surely, any progressive individual should do some form of training R&D or training elsewhere not necessarily local. I do not want people like Chiluba who think that attending a workshop in Geneva is real development. Be real work with firms that can help you cure you ignorance. Study the Obama model and why he left his lucrative job to do charity work.
This is a good move people. every one who holds a higher position in office needs minimum degree.
We need professionals/ managers then we will see development. how can someone who has live in kabuta Nchelenge for the last 30 yrs plus can understand development/ or social issues. we have to try to be on the same level with developed countries. For how long are we going to be a developing country that will never develop.
#87 there is no one who is getting anoyed here my brother :d, some of us have very humble beginings and do still remember our friends who never made it to Uinversities because of the shackles of povety even when they were equally inteligent and some times even better. I think #89 has put it very well. There are many degree holders who can make good presidents and a few who cant, there are many none degree holders who cant make good presidents and a few who can.
Despite our varying levels af accademic qualifications, we are all equal and shoukd treat each other as such. Key is that you should be proud of what you have and turn it into bread and butter.
Having siad that, I support the clause. The Asians economies are booming because they value education
# 92 you are right. We should respect everyone with or without a degree. The clause is not meant to disrespect non-degree holders. We are not saying non-degree holders are lesser human beings or even lesser leaders. We are just saying that mathematically we have a higher chance of getting a “better leader”
#92, I fortunately have all the degrees on earth and am not bothered by anything like this. However, I feel that we do not have to legislate against all things. Let the society judge for itself and choose the leadership from their knowledge and observations. What you need to know, however, is that where there is abject poverty real democracy never works.Sso let any good government address poverty issues among its citizens and the choice of leadership will slowly become obvious. I am not saying education does not help, it does help but it is not a panacea to all problems. Mwatelela makani ka. Mwautwa no malozi, na mufwa mwe ba Bemba and mwamvela ba Nyanja.
Those who are againist this clause are mostly doing so coz they realise their preffered leader wont be elligible BUT this is also wrong. A country can not be held to ransom just to accomodate an individual!!!!
“I always feel ungrateful to see all my people falling in sin. Why do you love the world so much as thought it will last long. Its futurity holds no much prologation as we face the prompiquinty of our expective extermination and of our pacable mandanity….author unknown..
WIth these words I caution the so call NCC…members to assess gthe education status. How many of the NCC members have law degrees as to come up with the Republican Constitution. How many of our MPs have first Degrees?? The MMD Executive is full of Certificate holders such as Mabenga wh had ONLY a certificate in teaching…. and many more
#99, The Legacy:
What makes you think this clause is not trying to advantage an individual in Rupiah Bwenzani Banda by legislating one of his formidable opponent out of the election. What makes you blind to that possibility?!!!
#101, I very much know that this legistration’s timing is meant to seemingly advatange the MMD by isolating Sata….this is BAD and I dont agree with this kind of myopic thinking. BUT excluding RB and Sata from the equation, this clause is good. MMD will still loose if the pact members dont act selfishly. In another thread I did mention that PF has a lot of degree holders so they can float one of them or HH qualifies. Problem is Sata wants to be president at all costs just like RB wats to! The sooner we do away with both these old men the better!
Am not blind to the way the MMD want to use a clause that, of itself is good, is good to gain political advantage. The clause also says the candidate should be zambian by birth…RB was born in Zimbabwe! I wish both RB and Sata get…
It appears ba ‘village concept’ has always lived a deluded life believing he has a higher qualification than a degree.What a rude shock,sir. I must acknowledge you made a good choice to do ACCA because you can get a good job (well, in Zambia) and make more money as you said. You dont need a degree to enjoy life, you could make a good example of a successiful non-graduate carer, be an inspiration to young ones who do not aspire to be graduates.
I have just had a look at the POST’s ‘Sata has a degree story’. Mr Kabimba appears to be in a newly converted room with bathroom style tiles in one corner but what is more conspicous is Mr Sata’s degree on the wall behind him.Smashing!
What is the population of Zambia? How many people have got first degrees in Zambia? If these do not tally with the total population then Zambians are f o o l s to accept this s t u p i d clause.
What is the population of Zambia? How many people have got first degrees in Zambia? If these do not tally with the total population then Zambians are f o o l s to accept this s t u p i d clause.
I think MMD chief bootlicker has definately made a point that having an educated leaders actually increases the odds of having one of the best leaders. We might wish to talkabout other leadership attributes that makes one a better leader,for instance, we need a leader that inspires others, a leader that has passion for his work. in this era it is also important that we have visionary leaders who is patriotic. I would also disagree that most educated leaders have made the worst leader of our times. i have no idea which stastics you are using? I know there are educated leader that have inspired radical change like Obama. He is is just the best
Again I ask:“If you (degree holders who can’t think beyond text books) are so confident you are the more intelligent individual- what makes you fear to compete with whom you’ve deemed the “lesser” in elections? Already as a person with a degree, I feel these half-baked degree holders are embarassing the graduate fraternity with the dismissive arguments you putting forward. There is a very acute inferiority complex at play among “ba-some-of-us”. Your analyses are quite m/o/r/o/n/i/c to say the least.
Then you “degree holders” are busy patting yourselves on the back over the most weak statements ati increases the likelihood fimo fimo…ati twa kamba manje! This is now pure comedy. For those claiming you went to school- do the critical thought “why-why” analysis and you will find that Zambia’s problems begin with a Presidency which has excessive powers-not educational merit. Only simpletons see the Presidency as a “job” which one applies for. The Presidency is an institution of a nation. Not to be a “some-of-us”, but I have a bachelor’s in Poli Sci, and pursing a masters in Intl Relations
I find Hatontola`s article very useless and a waste of space. There is no critical analysis in the article and authorities cited are baseless. NCC is doing a great job. We need sanity in the management of national resources. Not everyone can qualify to be president. Infact they should also include that only morally upright characters should be allowed to stand for presidency. We don`t want people who have failed to manage their own home to rule. Thats why they end up stealing other peoples wives. This office is so powerful that we can`t allow every Jim and Jack to jump on it. Well done NCC.
One more thing-getting a degree is indeed an achievement which should give you confidence. But remember.
CONFIDENCE: Food for the wise, yet liquor for f/o/o/l/s.
May I ask a silly question? does Our PF president have children and if so how many have been to school and how did they go? I mr sata is married to a Medic and a HeadTeacher.
May I ask a silly question? does Our PF president have children and if so how many have been to school and how did they go? I hear mr sata is married to a Medic and a HeadTeacher.
NCsC has missed the mark and the majority of it’s members lacked common sense, Look at Zimbabwe Mr.Robert Mugabe is educated but a huge disappointment to his people.South Africa has a very smart man in leadership with no formal higher education.I humbly ask the Zambian people to reject this stupid law which will lead the country to slippery slops,If you require a degree for the President then all the voters must have a degree to vote too.This law shows the world that Zambia has alot of empty heads why come up with a law like this one in a country where you have less than 3 universities in a country of 12 millions.Zambians should reverse this law now or in the future.
P. Hatontola, you must be a true Zambian !!!! Well expressed. I just wonder if our Degree complex clowns at NCC would understand what you are saying. Ups for you again.:)>-
To all those f o o l s supporting this clause. Zambia like any other African country is a very poor country where f o o l s end up with degrees by virtue of say being a minister`s son or something like that. Intelligent children are left scrapping for useless diplomas and yes certficates. I would have had no problems if we had carried on with “free” education and people were not just willing to go to school.
If this clause was introduced in a developed countries, it`s people with degrees who would have rejected it before it even went to “NCC”. But because we still have bush man mentallity, all the enemies of the opposition let alone Sata are jumping up and down. Intelligence has nothing to do with having a degree. When are people from the dark continent going to realise this?
The other thing is, as always with Africans, a lot of grey areas here. So what if one has got a degree in say Photography obtained like they used to in the UK over 6 years, Beauty therapy, Hair dressing etc? No disrespect to people who have them but such crap really? Sorry I forgot, a degree is a degree in Zambia let alone Africa! Foolish continent.
From 118 comments here I can safely conclude that degree holders do not know anything about ACCA or CIMA. For your information ACCA/CIMA is equivalent to a UK Masters – go on the net and research for yourselves and come back with data, I have a degree in Economics and ACCA too. I thought we degree holders will be able to critically analyse this misplaced clause of a “degree” .Take a moment and reflect- do you the USA, UK, Russia,China, Germany and these other developed nations are dull not to include such a clause in their commandments? Its not a prerequisite, sooner or later we shall see some of these political parties back paddling to change this clause because their popular candidate has no degree. Lets wait and see.
Its really a shame to see that these selfish, dirty minded politicians are going ahead with this sick law. Just becoz one person i.e. Banda’s hatred for Sata then he decides to make a law, does he or they think about what affects this will have?? Its only pipo with bush manners as # 118 has stated that can make such useless decisions on behave of the nation and future generation.I hope this nonsense will not prevail, shame on all of them……Its not good to look down on others weather they have a grade 12 certificate or diploma. Not everyone can afford to get a degree, more than half of the population is poor,education at colleges and universities are not free hence its not affordable. Instead of discussing constructive issues, these greed politicians are wasting time on this..
Njobvu. This just goes to show how far behind Africa still is to being developed and democratic. Unbelievable really! With fools like #13-14 it`s good luck mother Zambia!
Its is true as some bloggers have pointed out that pipo with degrees will have a better understanding on issues unlike say a person that left school in grade nine. However, a degree should not be used as a weapon to stop those that can be good presidents from taking part in elections. It shouldn’t be law but young ones can be educated on the importance of having a degree or PHD….When it becomes law, it becomes discrimination especially at this time that we have a one candidate “SATA” whom everyone believes has no degree or didn’t complete grade 12.
Thanks Hatontola, its one of the very few smart articles i have read on this blog.
Supporters of the degree clause should realize that there is a huge gap between knowledge and performance. Hatontola has given a very good example of poor performance at UNZA, KK and other presidents who have ruled Zambia. Performance is influenced by a lot of attributes and academic qualification is just a small percentage of those attributes.
I never knew degree holder were this dull? Kuti mwateka imwe bamambala you cannot even show some analytical skills here- Thats why form threes keep you awake the whole night and just end up making these stupid decisions of “degrees” .
Am with Hantotola on this one. What MMD Bootlicker cannot explain from his social science perspective is what mechanism has been put in place to ensure that of that pool of degree holders who shall be eligible for presidency, the best is selected or elected? The electorates is 90% illiterate or lack not even a grade twelve certificate or college diploma. How do they discern the best person among the degree holders? It goes to show that from the education levels, the adoptors at the NCC, were just motivated by other issues than serving the nation. For the nation to prosper on this clause only, everything should be measured with minimu requirement oif a degree. The question that shall always remain is what type of degree?
Itol Lay Africa is really behind more especially us Zambians as a nation. If you look at South Africa, this nonsense of degree holders as Presidential candidate doesn’t exist. Just becoz MMD as a whole hates Sata then they will do anything to bring him down even if it means killing him. The motive behind what they are trying to do is bad, inhuman and makes me sick…
Engineers thought of the internet which you are using. A leader can come out of any pool of people. Intellectual arrogance is folly. Any constitutional clause that discriminates against any Zambians will not stand the test of time.
A timely warning. This constitution will be changed governements change and the NCC members will have to pay back the money we have wasted on them.
The article lacks well research cohesion, i.e., “For example, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, could not attain even a grade 12 qualification as he was a fugitive. He was in exile while others were going through the ranks of education in class rooms. Notwithstanding his humble educational background, the social and economic strides made by his government are enormous for all to see.” is badly done. This is because Zimbabwean Leader Mugabe was in the same situation of freedom fighting but he exciled in school even to the extent to doing a degree while he was in prison.
As for the South African economy, it is not about President Jacob Zuma, who has been there for a few months, but about the insstitution that the successive white and balck goverments left.
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Matt 6:33
Chaps sitting at the NCC forget that the majority o Zambian voters are semi literate. Whjat do you think would happen if a politician like Sata goes around the country telling people that, “The MMD says people like you (the illiterate), are not fit to lead but to be lead. As long as you dont have a degree, you are nothing!”.
What am trying to say is that in Politics, such clauses will work against the MMD.
Hatontola..well-done my frined. Your article was meant to provoke our brains… and you have achieved it.
In my opnion you have given a very balanced view on the subject… hence those with different views should present equally detailed article so that we could have another angle. Ba wishi …good-work. Keep it up. I agree with you 1000%.
What is interesting is the fact that, you dont have to be educated to see that this clause is discriminatory! Its in black and white. I can guarantee that this clause (should the MMD follow it through) will only last one election. It happened against Kaunda and (interestingly), William Banda. Mwanawasa saved Banda and today the chap is a Lumpen.
This degree clause will come back to haunt us. The basic principle in law even if you are not a lawyer is that “LAW or the Constitution should be equitable.” Mind you Jesus didn’t have a Masters Degree……………………………………………………………….
Having a degree is not everything. What is important is what iyou an do with your qualification. I am a degree holder doing my last part in ACCA and I have friends from Zimbabwe who have done certifiates and diploma courses in mechnic and refridgration and are living much better lives than medical doctors, engineers and other so called degree holders earning scare skill allowances here in the diaspora.
Well spoken Hatontola. The truth will never lie.
GOOD ARTICLE, WELL ARTICULATED I HOPE THESE DUFT PEOPLE WE HAVE FOR LEADERS ARE READING!
i hope the author of the article realises that theres alot of politics involved in running unza…the professors have nothin to do with..its all govt and thats why its in tatters!!
Ladies and gentlemen, this day and age compounded by globalization – this is a step in the right direction whether aimed at individual or not. The degree requirement is a start on this journey of continual improvement. Today it is just a degree, 2morrow if the country seesit fit degree in social sciences, etc. We got to improve systems as we move on. Systems are dynamic not static.Systems will change the quality of candidates that shall be subjected to a vote. Sieving must start at application stage. Good show NCC. Leadership is also about taking difficult decisions but best for the majority that do not have the qualification – degree.
Ino ninzi ? kansi ni chani ? ninshi kanshi ? kanti kingi? kasi nivichi ? There is nothing wrong with the clause. Amongst the degree holder presidential candidates to be, a wise one will be glorified by the hand of God, just like God did in USA. Don’t be scared of nothing. We want knowledge and wisdom like Obama !:)
If left at the whims of the uneducated – no degrees, even deejays (:d) can become presidents. This needs to be checked
There are illiterates who are very wise and there are knowlegeable people who are unwise as well. Amongst these there shall be always an intersection set comprising of people who are both wise and knowlegeable those are the ones we will vote for. Their articulation on national issues will be exhibited by their wisdom. This is coming ! GOD BLESS ZAMBIA ! KWACHA ! NGWEEEE !
As long as you vote for a DJ, he will become President. Whats wrong with That? Dont Discriminate!
NCC SHOULD ALSO COME UP WITH CLAUSES IN OUR ZAMBIAN INVESTMENT LAWS WHICH SHOULD PREVENT EXTERNALISATION OF OUR RESOURCES! LET US NOT CONCENTRATE ON INDIVIDUALS BUT ALSO CAST OUR FOCUS ON THOSE EXTERNALISING OUR TRANSFORMED RESOURCES ! A LOT OF MONEY THROUGH RESOURCES IS LEAVING THIS COUNTRY AS IF WE ARE BLIND ! NCC COME UP WITH SOMETHING !
:d Number 141 that is recklessness and not a mark of a leader. If the presidency is all about playing music then I have no problem with a deejay. But presidency is complex, moreso now and needs certain attributes as a minimum. The country needs this minimum package at entry level. If you truly hold these qualifications in your name above, then you are a bad example of persons with degree. You are born to be ruled my friend by a deejay :d!!!
8-| # 36, you have serious issues man…go get yourself some therapy.
Well done for the powerful article. This is the best article of the 2010. This man should seat on the NCC and analyse issue of high values. I will not talk too much and agree with this article 100%. If you have a different opinion please we can discuss it on this forum.
In Zambia, how many political parties are led by degree holders. Already I can think of
1. Unip
2. MMD
3. FDD
4. UPND
If degrees dont matter that much, why then do we already have party presidents who have degrees. Dont they have uneducated people in their ranks. Let’s not be hypocritical. With or without this NCC clause, it is very likely that Zambian presidents will have university degrees.
May be we dont need this clause in our law, but we certainly need educated leaders. Why do we take our children to school. Why do we want them to get the highest academic and professional qualifications they can get? An educated mind is a great asset. After all a man is what he thinks.
The writer should be a sad person for failing to get to unza. After obtaining a certificate from vendoring colleges in Lusaka now turns on unza. Shame upon you and if you think the people without degrees will rule us graduates you are mistaken. I am a proud graduate and I suffered for it. This is why you people are now able to get these cheap degrees from street universities in Zambia.
Those thinking that is law is discriminatroy against individulas, try not to think of the individuals you suppose are being excluded, think of the masses and the country as a whole, what zambia will benifit. as Legacy says above, “There are many degree holders who can make good presidents and a few who cant, there are many none degree holders who cant make good presidents and a few who can.” We might chance a good non degree holder to be a good president, but we have a better chance if we limit plot #1 to only degree holders. I will say this again, without some form of checks and balances, even FJT can come back to plot #1 after buying our illitrate chiefs to force their also illitrae subjects to vote for him. better still include also clause “anyone charged with corruption need not…
The writer should be a sad person for failing to get to unza. After obtaining a certificate from vending colleges in Lusaka now turns on unza. Shame upon you and if you think the people without degrees will rule us graduates you are mistaken. I am a proud graduate and I suffered for it. This is why you people are now able to get these cheap degrees from street universities in Zambia.
But you degree holders are dull chaps! How can you be scared of competing with someone without a degree? Give then a chance and if really you can prove that a degree performs wonders you can beat them in any race. Lets think about our cousins, daughters, sons, nephews who will have no chance to attain a degree because tuition fees are high. You degree holders of nowadays don’t even have a human heart to keep the extended family, remember mulupwa mulafima nabashili abasambilila. Unless walifyala weka na chi degree! Dull chaps.
This article is true. This clause in the proposed constitution is a joke! It exposes the ignorance and stupidity of all those who conceived it.
What is a degree? Not that I despise it but have (them) too. It’s not an academic qualification that makes one a good president illiterate Zambia. Like the article clearly say’s it leadership, true leadership!
Wake up people, wake up!
The clause is a joke. Leaders are not born, they are made. Its a pity that till now we Zambians still think like this. KK is not as eduacated as some of u or pipo in govnt yet he saw the building of most of infrastructure in our country. Tell me what has MMD built? See roads in place like george compound, Materoa, Desai, Malota, Kuk etc. How can an eduacated man give someone rights to mine our copper n not pay tax? this is just a joke. Pipo are selling the country while we stand aside look. And little do we know that we and our children n childrens childrens re n will be the victims of the situation. We will remind everyone who attended that NCC one day and they will py coz they will be exposed. One Zambia One Nation
That a person like Sata with a chequred political past should even be a serious contender for the presidency make Zambia a REAL joke! With or without this degree whatever, we are supposed to be discussing serious people like Prof Chirwa, Magande, Mutati, Magande, Sakwiba and not this Sata of yours.
The Legacy, Dr Clive Chirwa will also be seriously affected by the clause on 10 years of staying/living at home in Zambia for the 2011 elections should the NCC recommendations be enacted into a new Constitution. As for Mr Magande and others let them show interest in leading Zambia seriously not this kind of hoping that someone will leave the Zambian and Party Presidency to them as in a Monarch.
Enjoy and keep well all.
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Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of god and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Well…Zambians you are at it again!!! George Bush jr had a degree and look at the US economy,Bill Gates is Microsoft founder i mean look we Zambians are just displaying lack of intelligence,the father of Relativity Einstein had a high IQ!! let’s develop education in Zambia to levels of South Korea,having a degree does not mean you are wise or intelligent and does not mean if you don’t have then you are banished to poverty,my Africa!!!we as Zambians are just despairing because we have failed to turn our economy,we have failed miserably,then you start with BS!!forget about your third world mentality we are just potraying our backwardness,let’s solve our immense problems on the continent,rather feed your people that pettyC-R-A-P like this,it is dishearting to say the least Zambians
THIS CLAUSE IS REALLY A JOKE AND DOESNT HAVE ANY FOOTING AT ALL.BILL GATES WAS ONCE THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD,BUT WITHOUT A DEGREE,REMEMBER HE LEFT COLLEGE TO FORM MICROSOFT,AND MANAGED PEOPLE WITH DEGREES!!!!….THE ONUS IS ON THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE TO START CHOSING THE RIGHT LEADERS TO BETTER THE COUNTRY.MAYBE ZAMBIA SHOULD JUST BECOME A KINGDOM.
Number 65, Both Clinton and Obama have only JD(Masters at Law equivalant).
Henry Kapoko for President…………………………!
First of all hands down to author of this article.You see that’s the reason this clause should not be tolerated,already we’ve had a sample of i don’t how many degree holders on this blog and you can see the type of products they end up becoming,stereotypes,too much pride,self centered,insensitive,very opinionated! nah, nah we need humble beings in plot 1, degree or not as long as someone can use their brains and be able to use or manage other human resource that’s what its all about.
#158 You are dead right, the right choice of leadership will redeem us all. I am not ready to be ruled by a proffessor who is full of ideas but fails to give me basic needs. Selfishness is killing Zambia. If the NCC want degrees let then go to university get a degree and take care of their families properly. It is a shame to the world that we are the first country on earth to think of a degree as minimum qualification for presido. Whoever brought up the idea must be very selfish and heartless.
The President doesnt need to have a college degree. What he needs are some very well qualified educated advisors.
Having gone through UNZA and many other universities in the world, i have come to realize that intelligence is not the key to success. I have seen my colleagues who attained Distinctions whilst i managed Merits but as we get in into the so called working environment, it is so shocking how much one with a merit and or pass is able to perform better than one with distinction. I am not disputing there ability but God has given us different abilities and whether degree holder or not if anointed and appointed by God one is able to perform. I get to believe nowadays with no facts though that some students getting into UNZA do so via likages which spill off until they even graduate. Zambians lets wake up and its never too late. What is a degree without passion.
Personally I am not impressed with the degree holder clause. I sincerely doubt if a degree from UNZA shows that you can analyze issues. UNZA students prove it. They steal toilet cisterns, light bulbs and tubes from residences to buy chibuku. They peridiocally riot and smash things up in support of whatever cause of the day are these our so called intellectuals and leaders. Now they claim this qualifies them for State House ? I think not. Bill Gates, Charles De Gaulle, Winston Churchill, Jesus, Buddha, Park Chung Hee, Thomas Alva Edison, Henry Ford, John D. Rockerfeller, Mother Theresa did not need degrees to be outstanding leaders.Leadership is not about academic qualifications nor do you need degrees to become a good manager and administrator. Studying