By Dr. Chiyaba Njovu
Changing People’s Attitudes and Behavioral Values is Every Leader’s Challenge: The Story of Uncompleted Buildings in Zambia
On one of my trips to Kigali in Rwanda last year, I took some time off to visit some interesting places including the genocide museum. What I saw and learnt was amazing and what struck me most are the people’s thoughts of the past and why that should NEVER be allowed to ever happen again in future. The motto of Rwanda is ‘NEVER AGAIN’. The genocide museum is one place you learn a lot about people, their values, culture and beliefs. Shocking pictures and videos but all aimed at educating the nation. Admittedly, I would not hesitate to say, Kigali is probably one of the cleanest cities I have visited in Sub-Saharan Africa. What also impressed me is the quality of infrastructure being developed or already completed. Touring the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and imagining the grand plan of our University of Zambia (UNZA), I could not help but ask myself – why do we have so many uncompleted building projects in Zambia? True, imagine the structures around most of our cities, Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola or even Livingstone. We have a lot uncomplete buildings strewn all over the place. Why? Has anyone bothered to analyse this scenario? In trying to come to terms with this scenario, I would like to look at our way of doing things, our attitudes towards each other, our views towards cooperation and the way we interact and relate to each other as a people. The last thing I want to analyse is our political conduct, which I feel capitalizes on our societal weaknesses with the result that we have ended up with some of the most incompetent members of our society being elected to high positions of responsibility either genuinely or dubiously. We value positions for what gains we can get but NOT for what we can offer or deliver in that position. This is not the objective of this article though.
On uncompleted building projects or other major projects, my observation is that we Zambians like the word ‘mine’ or what I term the ‘I’ culture. Not that saying ‘mine’ is a bad thing in itself but it reveals one’s attitude towards valuing others as partners in development projects. ‘Mine’ for most Zambians would mean doing things by yourself and not allowing other members of your family or organisation to learn from what you are doing. The consequence of this attitude is that if that person is no longer there to complete the project then no one can do it. A cooperative attitude, on the hand, would resolve this problem as it would ensure continuity of developmental projects, whether personal or organisational. A cooperative approach would help family members learn from their predecessors in the family or organisation.[pullquote] Zambians can show you their teeth when deep down their hearts they would rather see you dead. This attitude is a killer to development. Such people would never constructively criticize a person because they want to help him/her improve.
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But why would people choose an’ I’ approach instead of a cooperative one? The answer seems to hinge on our views towards things that are not personal. Look at our attitudes towards government properties or parastatals in the Second Republic. Most Zambians are afraid of the cooperative culture because of the jealousies amongst people. Jealousy, malice, gossip and some untamed personal egos are known to have created problems among societies. Through gossip, most people fail to see the honesty in another person just because of what they have been told by some malicious person. Malice breeds ill –will among people. That is, if someone is progressive, malicious people would be waiting to see him/her fail and if he plays in their hands, they would ensure that they make him fail. Jealousy, gossip and malice amongst people is what I normally refer to as ‘witchcraft mentality’. In other words, a society where this culture is prevalent makes individuals want to choose to hide what they are working on or about to embark on as malicious people would do all they can to put spanners in their way. I have seen very creative and ambitious projects fail because someone in an influential position or who can play a critical role is jealousy of the initiator. Witchcraft mentality is very destructive. Could some of these be answers to our many uncompleted buildings?
I am not trying to say only Zambians harbour these tendencies but I would like us as a nation to reflect on them if they can help us understand ourselves as a people. I m not trying to point fingers at any single person, but reflective thoughts would tell you that each of those uncompleted buildings you see in Zambia could have suffered from some of these traits – someone with witchcraft mentality could have caused it. I honestly would admit that showing our teeth to people we meet does not mean genuine friendliness. Zambians can show you their teeth when deep down their hearts they would rather see you dead. This attitude is a killer to development. Such people would never constructively criticize a person because they want to help him/her improve. Instead they would choose the most beautiful superlatives to deceive him/her into believing that all was well and that they were solidly behind that person. At his/her demise they are the happiest of people who would even throw a party and use words such as ‘I knew this was going to happen’. Gosh! What an attitude? I strongly believe that ‘we are all good at different things and that is why we are individuals. This belief is useful because it encourages learning and valuing each other for who we are and can do. It helps us understand other people’s shortcomings and where we can help from the bottom of our hearts. But it also encourages us to constructively criticise other people with a view that our criticism would help them improve. Tough choice but most people don’t like being criticised but if you consider yourself as a friend to someone, please do at all times offer your objective advice.
Back to my Kigali experience, I was fortunate enough to have audience with some leading political figures in that country and their story is very candid. They strongly believe that the Rwandan massacre was caused by the witchcraft mentality among its own people. Therefore, as a first step to restoring harmony in the country the leaders had to educate people on the dangers of those traits –jealousy, baseless gossip, and malice. Tell anyone a political lie in Rwanda; you will be in custody before you know it. Therefore, a lesson to those of us who travel to other countries is that NEVER discuss Politics or RELIGION in a foreign country. Learn their principles and values. Is that true for most visitors to Zambia? The answer is NO. Zambians discuss their jealousies, frustrations, or ill-conceived views with strangers without restraint.
In conclusion, our uncompleted buildings strewn all over the place simply tell a story about our principles and values. We are together but in terms of development we are collections of individuals working on disparate projects on the same piece of land. There is no continuity in projects implementation, whether national or individual, and any change in personnel at any level would see a total reversal of what the predecessor had started. In some cases, we even disregard the huge investment already made and just choose to abandon projects already started. My lessons from Rwanda and its change of paradigm from a war-torn country to one of the most progressive developing Countries demonstrates one leadership quality. The ability to change people’s attitudes and beliefs. It is every leader’s challenge to change people’s attitudes in a nation on the basis of sound principles, values and beliefs, which, I believe, are key to the long term aspirations of any prosperous nation. Prosperity does not come from the ‘i’ culture as development is never delivered by a single individual. It is a continuous process that relies on people being able to build on what their predecessors initiated. Economically, politically and to some extent socially – these are Zambia’s challenges. We seriously need a cooperative culture that encourages the values of team work and honesty in working together as equal players in different roles. Projects, whether individual or organisation must be allowed to go the full cycle even if there is a change of ownership or leadership. Valuing projects should be measured in terms of benefits to the nation and not who initiated or completed it. That is Zambia’s challenge and the sooner we get a leadership that can change this attitude in Zambia, the better for our prosperity.
You are just one of them
poor management-Government. Say no to inequality. Red Card.
that’s a good observation my brother.
Rwanda is one of the cleanest country in Africa simply because all offices uphold the rules and regulations. If people of Zambeziland in given government and private institutions valued their responsibilities, we would be talking about complete buildings.
PWD, Building inspectors, Mununcipal Councils, Lands, Banks giving loans etc… someone somewhere, knowingly or unknowingly or due to political interference, is not performing.
During my last visit to Site & Service, Chiwempala, Chingola, my home, I was saddened by more mushrooming houses on unserviced plots. This is in addition 1970 unfinished structures. Coming to Lusaka, Carrusell centre littered by plastic paper was an eye sore. Iye 😮
There are cases where Co-operatives have succeeded. We too can do it. Thanks Dr Nsofu
Zambians are lazy lazy lazy. Attitude towards work is really bad. A zambian would rather wait and ask for hand outs or cook up some get rich fast without trying schemes than sweat and work. Look at the government if you need an example. Change attitudes, jealous and that typical african crab mentality then maybe we can develop. You expect a zambian to draw up and build stuff when endorsing a simple document with a signature takes many many weeks. Look and learn from Asian communities especialy Indians. They are so close knitted as a race that it very very rare to find one struggling as they help each other improve in many aspects of there lives. Nomba mu african they even go to witch doctor to bring down a neighbour who is doing well. Ha! Good luck with development…
I have to disagree with you. The culture of we and cooperative will not build or develop Zambia. This idea of cousins, uncles, ba aunt, bamayo mwaice, bamayo mukalamba is what is killing Africa. If I am in office, I am going to do just about anything and everything to give all these people jobs.
On the other hand, learn to differentiate the responsibilities of the government from those of people. If I or the government put up a structure which is not complete within a period of time, the council (government) should do something about it.
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A developing country for donkeys years and many many more donkey years to come. (:|(:|(:|(:|(:|(:|(:|(:|(:|(:|
THIS IS A SPIRIT OF POOR FINISHING IN MOST ZAMBIANS INCLUDING THE WRITEER OF THIS ARTICLE. AS GOD FOR HELP, BECOZ HELP OF MAN IS VANITY!
AFKAK STORY……NO SENSE
Thanks for this Njuvo..our towns/cities are small but we have still failed to run them where buildings are concerning and the only habit we have is……………LACK OF IMPLEMENTATIONS!!! We would talk today and agree but our ideas in actions becomes a big problem………
#5 Ala not all Zambians are lazy… read UKZambians and see how hard working we are.
#6 Lima Jazz… true the ‘eating extended family’ never brings development to the giver. Nomba between you and me who are not blood relations… can we come up with something tangible to develop kumushi ku mwesu? Can we as Zambians in the diaspora come up with proposals and commit ourselves to see them succeed? This could be a challenge to our Ambassadors/high Commissioners.
I totally agree with the writer, basically the whole issue boils down to our attitude as Zambians. The attitude of one person wanting to have all without sharing, thats greediness and as Zambians, i v come to notice that alot if not 99.9% of Zambians are jealous when the see someone making it in life. if we can change our attitude and work as one then we can develop this country.
This is simply a well-thought out article. Well done Doc!
Wha with the attitude where when you critise something is going wrong you are viewed as a trouble maker or ven in political circles, anti government and promoting violence. Get on any of these big buses. You will see conductors puting small chairs for people to seat on in the passage. Once you complain the conductor and passengers will rebuke you saying you are some of us and that you should buy your own car. That attitude, resistance to good change, is what makes us lag behind so so badly in development and the economy.
I have read this article and I think I will try some of his thoughts. Kuntu bakwipaya ama Zambians zoona ka!!
The writer is quiet about money and planning. Some of these buildings are unfinished because of poor planning which led to running out of money. Project management lacks in many cases. Some retiring zambians would start building a house or shop only to run out of money. Some business man starts a building only to run out of money. Unfinished buildings are a financial loss, no one starts out to lose money. Managment of resources, and planning is key. Politics is another factor – some buildings were started by govt officials, who failed to complete them once out of office.
I do not think that there’s a cultural spin to these buildings. They are a result of poor management, leadership, and planning. They are finacial catastrophies.
to #3,5 and Dr. Njovu
Maybe if we invade Congo, kill 5 million people and loot their minerals we will have the money to finish all these unfinished buildings.
Zambia’s problems can not be solved with your so called Rwandan formula. Rwanda has many advantages with the economic approach it has taken which would be disadvantageous if we were to follow them. I wouldn’t like to see all the branches of Government and public institutions under one man in Lusaka.
Zambia needs a free market entrepreneurship oriented economy with institutions to safeguard private property and accountability in the public sector.
Good Evening
Much as I agree with the author on a number of points, I do not like his tendency to generalize. There may be a lot of Zambians with a negative attitude towards productivity but there are also those Zambians, especially in the upcoming generation, who when given a chance can demonstrate their ability to perform and shape the transformation of the country from a failed state into the craddle of prosperity.
#18, Don’t look at the generalisations, he knows and you know it that some people are good BUT it is those rotten ones who possess this witchcraft mentality he is trying to advise to change. I will try his ideas in my constituency, otherwise, kuntu bakwipaya!!
We are a very jeolousy people.Just look at the politicians politick.They never acknowledge even something good has been done.Their is constant armchair criticism void of solutions.Tragic!!Tragic indeed!!!
#21 should read: Theirs is
Secondly,political will lacks on the part of successive govts.Just look at that building along Katondo and Freedom Way.I ve never heard any plans regarding its future let alone who started and owns it.
#16,Planning and money could be helped in a cooperative culture. Did anyone of you know that if there are ten of you in a team, you can borrow money without collateral? And do you know that most people borrow money to start a project even if they have their money in the bank? Do you know why they do it this way? It is to have the lender chek your business or project plan, assess potential risks and advise on how to hedge those risks. All these are things that many of us could learn if the leadership persuaded us to view things that way. Another example, do you know that the Council can force completion of all buildings in a particular area and if the owner has no money, they would advise him to be a tenant in that building until the council recovers its money used to complete the building?
#19 I get your point but I think that jealousy and envy are just minor problems that affect us on the surface – the real problems that hinder us from progressing as a nation lie deeper. The author has touched on it in his last paragraph; it has a lot to do with the way our bureaucracy and tools of governance: Zambians, like many other African nations (including Rwanda) have been implementing foreignly imposed policies in return for promises of aid, investment and loan procurement. This is what has led us into a “dead end” situation.
We need to build an intellectual system where we can implement our own policies and plan changes which we believe in without being susceptible to foreign manipulation. The concept of an African Union can be a powerful instrument in this regard.
One of the things that we grew up with as kids in Zambia was the mentality that we did not have to care for government property. If anything was government property (ifya gavar), nobody was really responsible for it, the “government” was somehow expected to come and fix whatever we destroyed. So we damaged street lights, we damaged road signs, we damaged school property (students still do that at UNZA), and many other things.
But what was happening actually is that a mentality was forming in us. A mentality that taught us not to care about what infrastructure around us looks like. A mentality that says somebody else, Gavar, will come and fix it for us. I don’t know how, but somehow our mentality and attitude toward public and private property needs to change.
#24, spot on that is why the title of the article about changing attitudes and behavioral values – Spot on!!
That is why we need Sata, see how and what he did at UTH, Cairo Road and even Main Post Office in cairo the building was painted. Let us just try old Sata once and see how and what he can do.
We really do not care type of zambians.He even stoped people from ukusunda in public, remember when he said if i find ulesundila in public i will get a picture of you if married send one to your wife and the other one to your mother in law’ Remember? Maybe am wrong- but he one time said this.
No 22 has valid points. councils should reposess sites standing incomplete for too long but only for commercial or affluent hoods. In their defence, less affluent people with no access to loans have to save for many years just to get their houses to waist level and many more years to get to them to roof level. Painting is a luxury. We should give credit to such people for their discipline to save but what sacrifice! Saving is near non-existent in places like the USA where people rely on debt. But debt got them very far. Incomplete buildings are symptomatic of poor financial infrastructure and limited access to it which needs addresing We can see evidence of change especialy with the proliferation of used Japanese cars on our roads Mo action is reqd, this is an OPPORTUNITY 4 the clever ONES
Yeah # 23 and 24, a culture of lack of patriotism, Pull him down, poor work ethic and even a tendency to scorn on success. Just look at how few heroes we have as a country. We zambians hate to have heroes sow e try to discredit anyone another. Just look at how all our presidents ( except RB) have dicredited their predecessor and normally very unwilling . There is need a great change in attitude
Kuyamba vintu tiyamba bwino, koma poor finishing ndiye ilenga.
Very interesting article, however, we should not kill freedom of speech. “Zambians discuss their jealousies, frustrations, or ill-conceived views with strangers without restraint”. This is what makes Zambia tick.
You are among those that have said something about incomplete projects. General Miyanda said the same thing a few days ago. One of my best friends told me the same thing a year ago. The problem that we have is lack of knowledge in the impementation of “Project Management” concepts. Coupled to this is not having policies in place that force builders to complete structures timely as shown by the schedule. The other problem is that when an office changes hands, the project(s) dies as well. There has to be continuation and not abandonment.
Its about poor planning and supervision on the part of GRZ and sometimes because of organisations and individuals not taking responsibilities. I am so scared for example when I think about the disposal of imported second-hand motor vehicles in Zambia because at the moment, Zambia/councils have no facilities/capacity to crush these vehicles and no designated dumps. In a few years to come if this has not already started, there will be abandoned non-runner motor vehicles everywhere coupled with uncompleted structures, Zambia will look like a war zone. We are doing Japan a favour by ordering these second-hand vehicles.
#31 Ichalo Lif, dont worry- You have identified a busness oportunity!! Go for it
#Not a bad idea at all. Happy Easter.
In addition to what has already been pointed out on this thread as the reasons for Zambia’s arrested development, another sad observation is how HIV/AIDS has badly affected our economic and social well-being. The impact of this disease in Zambia and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole is far more severe than previously thought and will continues to seriously undermine our development prospects.
Just imagine the million losses of ‘human capital’ and the wasted economic value in terms of training, skills and education.
hoops! meant #32
Ichibote cibe nenu ba Chale and have a good Easter Holiday in Gelemani (Germany).
We are failing as Zambians/Africans and the whole world regarding combating of HIV/AIDS? At first I thought it was all about sexual apetite by certain individuals but alas, got something to do mainly with Poverty. As long as Zambian families cannot make ends meet, I mean having a full stomach, and we are only talking here about a basic meal (Inshima on the table), families especially a girl child will remain vulnerable of contracting diseases such HIV/AIDS,Heps, Syphilis etc. Secondly, the spread of such illnesses have something to do with education especially on the part of civil servents. You all know how MPs behave at parliament lodge (law/policy makers) and you have also seen how some of them behaves when they go out for workshops and countrywide tours. They are killing Zambia.
#36 Ichalo Lifupa Many thanks. Icibote nenu nemwe uko ku Mangalande.
Dr. Njovu ought to have observed that Rwanda is infact running on benevolent dictatorship. This type of dictatorship characterized the early development thrust in places like Singapore, Malaysia, China & even Japan. Without benevolent dictatorship, development is still possible but takes longer & is haphazard. In ‘democratic’ India, (Bombay) notice the pandemonium of cattle, dogs, sheep, cars and people on roads & just next to shining Oberei towers, you see lots of incomplete or dirty structures. Zambians now take politics too seriously & productive work too casually. The gossip, jealousy & PHD phenomenon that Njovu refers to is world wide remnant of man’s primitive evolution & surely should never have been used at this level economic analysis Ba Njovu pleaseeee!
And most unfished buildings in Lusaka have legal and standards issues. This would support my initial observations that in Zambia we play politics and take productive work casually. Approval of buildings require compliance to land tenure & town planing issues both of which are ill administered in Zambia. If Botswana with a smaller population has the capacity to do better, our failure in Zambia can only be due to poor governance. 15 years ago a local govt minister cum plot 1aspirant wanted to demolish Simoson building ostensibly for very good reasons. Once Mr. Mwewa’s (owner) connections and funding to UNIP diminished, he relented, allowing business in that time bomb. I agree with most if not all contributors here especially Nine Charlie who brought HIV?AIDS issues.
#31…I dont see your point, if Zambians bought brand new vehicles, would that sort out the problem???? Even a brand new car will one day break down and need disposal! I think the problem of second hand vehicles is about us killing our local industrial potential not dumping iwe!
Wow, at least I can read an idea based article in a Zambian news paper now. All the time I read about Sata ans Rupiah banda as if zambians don’t see development as being more than who is President. This is a breath of fresh air or me but I enjoy the zambian politics of insulting each other. Hahahaha!!
Dr. Chiyaba Njobvu your article is not very widely researched. You are only comparing our situation with that or Rwanda. You need to do more research on this one otherwise, the article is incmplete. If you were my student, I could have easily given you a C- for this piece especially that you are a Dr.
#43, if your mind is that shallow then I know you not be lecturer at all. This article is what we call, a critical thinker’s view. I am not saying should go the Rwandan way but I am simply reflecting on positives that are observable from a war-torn Country and how peopl’e attitudes could change from a war situation to a development agenda. Would you surely mark a piece of work without a marking scheme? Very irresponsible lecturer you would be and am sure you are NOT one. Go to School chap and shut up if you know nothing!!
Zambia Ka
Commenting on this subject will get me shot
but i need to ask everyone complaining about this article to come up with a diferent reason behind all un-finished building is instead
and why we still only have One UTH, One UNZA, One Stadium, One HighWay..and no Proper Rail Line.
but everyone in the so called upper class has atleast 2 Cars and a fully furnished house…
am happy the writer of this article only used Rwanda, he knows that zambia is not even at a level to be compared to Namibia Botswana or even let alone the once great Zimbabwe in terms of infrastructure
with the abundance of copper at Lumwana mine if we had strong leaders we would see an ultra modern town developing in Solwezi to give lusaka, ndola, kitwe a break…
every zambian town needs…
#43, you are really amazing, what level of education have you attained? Do you think everything about reviewing literature without stating why you are reviewing it? The author of this article has engaged in what we call critical thinking or brainstorming possible answers. He has not prescribed that we should do it the Rwandan way. He has used Rwada as an observable possible trait which could be emulated. But for you to start grading a piece of work without a marking scheme sounds veryb subjective and shows your ignorance. A ‘C’ for is everything that you disagree with, is it? Thank God, you are NOT a lecturer as you would be very distructive to our society or wherevr you serve. God forbid!! Shut it if the subject is beyond you!!!
Good analysis but not so professional. If it was an exam, the writer could have received 45% because he either underestimates or does not know the importance of capital in completing these buildings. He writes as if a change in attitude and cooperation alone can make a diffrence. His analysis can stand assuming that all people have equal and unlimited access to capital . However, this is not true. Giving loans to individuals on favourable terms can make a very big difference in our development strategies regardless of external social factors.
Most people fail to complete their structures because of lack of capital, period. Poor student, if you are trying to write a paper, this thought, although I have many others, might help you to balance your paper. No more help, go gallop!
I agree with the think of the writter .Nevertheless, the Government must be totally involved in all this things.The must be delibarate policies exepecially on working class Zambian as well as interpricsing ZAmbians.Let Government impower these Zambians with Loan easly.Not a situiation where for a Zambian to get a loan is something very difficult like crossing the ocean with a small boat.
The Governmental instituions must genuenly work for the mother Zambia ,by all means avoide Curupt practises.
Look at the diet tall building along Freedom Way / Katondo street.One wonders who the owner is and what next .Another good example is the along kafue road /Lumumba road near COMESA.
The UNZA structure also from a distance it looks like a place where poeple live 50years ago.Very diet
What do you expect from a country full of semi-iliterates, wizards/wiches, mahule and a people whose only hope is in a dagga smoking flip flopping educationally challenged old man….
Originally designed to be a ‘Garden City” ….it is now a “Cowboy City of Luaska ” . . .looks like it has just come off some major F16 bombing sorties… that what you get when you think professional Architects, Town Planners are not necessary and then the WARD CHIRMAN takes over the planning, land services, building control etc functions. . . .GO TO SATA and he will sort everthing out in 100 days
The best you can do is to admire how good Jobug, Harare or Nairobi is . . .stupid bembas
#16 UK-ZED observer you are on the SPOT correct. Project managment is lacking in this country.People do not plan their building project in Money,Machinery Manpower,Materials and the Method of building of that project.ALL these cost money.The law is clear on the people who fail to complete their stated time.
I have got one word for the reson behind this disgusting behaviour “Procrastination”8->. Nobody just seems to care nor follow up on projects. A lot of educated Zambian leader appreciate being feared while i office but take them out of ther comfort zone and put them on the ground flow and see how hopelessly useless they are.~o)
#44 Lecturer or not, the fact is that the article is not well researched. Just read comments from other bloggers instead of insulting me- ‘Go to School chap and shut up if you know nothing!!’ I did not expect this sentence from a learnt person like you. I rest my case.
This is a brilliant article. Obviously not everything can be covered in an article of this size. Anway, the problem with Zambia’s building and housing policy is the highly politicised local government system, which has give rise to illegal settlements, unsupervised buildings, sub-standard finished structures and uncoordinated building designs. Local government should be allowed to operate professionally by re-introducing council tax for every citizen ( the loathed poll tax Zambia abolished in 1964); a planning department, not councillors, should allocate land; attaching value to state land; etc
The only structures we make sure are completed are those ugly wall fences that make residences look like mini prisons.
#55, Excellent observations. You are the men and women our Parliament needs. Put your heart in the ring and I will contribute a penny or two towards your campaigns. I am sure you would add value to Zambia politics. Bravo!!!
The article is spurred by a very good observation, however thereafter, the article becomes very muddled!
Rightly as someone has already pointed out, POOR PLANNING & LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES are the main culprits. Take for e.g. Mwewa’s building & Carousel centre – both built with the intention of mega constructions, with a poorly judged plan of renting out most of a partially completed building, which would then fund the rest of completion – overpriced & unattractive structures didn’t draw in the anticipated numbers, leading to a floundering project. Most people think to build homes at retirement – usually grand designs, these too flounder because inflation isn’t factored in the retirement income, hence the unfinished projects. As for govt, don’t even know where to start!!
As for Govt, name it…..Nepotism, Corruption, etc etc with Tender procedures, & becoz of this background, companies without capacity nor track record are engaged, after someone’s hands have been ….oiled is the word. Unbelieveably, some of these companies get paid a substantial amount upfront.
Inspite of all this, such companies (includes brief case companies) or individuals go scot-free, becoz interested parties have no desire to persue them, as they both gain, whilst “boma” is a free for all!!! Indeed this last aspect has been identified by the author of the article! Recognizing that govt property though not directly your personal property, is still your property, becoz it belongs to zambia, & unless am mistaken, each & everyone of us is a proud zambian, thus our property!!
#17 Toko Well done cos you are spot on! People are just too backwards and not well informed. Many of the countries that have some sort of infrastructure in Africa are the ones that have had problems for years and years and so tend be awarded ludicrous amounts in Aid and along with that; ludicrous numbers of NGOs who in turn require infrastracture to operate.
Yeah, I agree with Dr Njovu, its very sad for the country with rich of minerals, get money from Donors from all the mines and naturals resources tht country has you are failling to change the Image of tht country, yes kigali is improving with everything, luk at Dar es salaam how is changing now they buildings that you cant even compare with ZED, although there are some corruption scandals, ZED is a small country where by it was suppose to be shining nd to ve a beautiful clean environment, with no street vendors, build more shopping malls more markets to avoid our brthers ,ssters nd mothers from street vending. example like Kitwe, is not suppose to luk like a village, thts a third big city of ZED therefore to ve more job opportunities, High Schools, Universities for in nd out scholors…
Politicians dont just on you mouth do the actions once you are given the opportunity to do so, Old building should be rebuilt to creat the good Image of the town, the town should be clean street vendor should be allocated to new projects, MP’s should do the job for the Nation not just luking onto yo pockets, other wise we should bring back the white pple to building or to finish where they left their job of building the country, woke up yu pple these pple they are laughing at us, though they are giving us money.~X( at least the next team we need changes through out ZED%-( GO TO SATA and he will sort everthing out in 100 days
=d>:))=))
##55 well said. But, is there political will, looking at the last three governments including the present?
Our government never stops to amuse me.Over the past days its come to my attention that its investment from spending that contributers to perfomance which leads to increase in our economic output.Hence there will be a high GDP per capita.Investment without a doubt leads to job creation and a big effect in the multiplier process.In developing countries investment is influenced by Govt spending,lets try to get a leaf from economies such as China.So unless that is done then we are doomed.
April 3, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Am interested in reading the MANIFESTOS of all parties involved in the next elections. My advice to all parties involved, is to start publishing their manifestos now so ordinary zambians have the chance to start deciding on who to elect.Am personally interested in how the parties will tackle or address the issues ofgross under development once in office.Please advise where we can find this information if it is available.If not,why is this important information not only available,accessible, as we are all stake holders.We need to know the developmental priorities of all parties,areas identified for restructuring, time scale,how/where the money is going to be raised to meet the relevant objectives.Now is the time to start selling yourselves through the manifestos…
Lets look for solutions instead of whinging.wake up people.we need to be pro-active.We need laws to stimulate the economy for example,if one buys an electric stove,there should be a law stating that only a qualified electrican can install the appliance.what this means is there will be jobs for electricians as well as the safety aspect, hence putting food on ones table.Zambia needs alot of these similar laws.this will create jobs,improve the economy etc. This is what the developed countries do to sustain themselves.We need laws to regulate the building industry thus not having unfinished buildings.God help zambia if we ever have an earth quake.Most of the buildings are not safe.Lets debate solutions,its a start which is better than whinging,a positive,a step in the right direction
#62 Chansoni sana.you are full of sh it. Tell us how and what you intend to sort out in the first 100 days.Keep your mouth shut if you have nothing positive to write otherwise back your words with facts.Its annoying because people like you seem to mislead the headless ones
#62,that statement was from me not peter
Musukuma….Sata is not the solution. This guy is over rated. I don’t think the man know his Job. He talks a lot about stuff we already know. His Party PF are in charge of all local governments in the urban areas. They control Lusaka City Council and what are they doing? Nothing. In the meantime all his Councillors and MPs are getting paid taxpayers money for doing nothing. They deliberately do nothing because they have the MMD at central government to blame. As an opposition and in charge of local government they can do something….Some WORK. He is just as bad as his former buddies in MMD. Sata alone will not do anything. He is not doing anything other that shout an criticize. The day the PF controlled councils start doing even a little work, I will agree with you….
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