By Daimone Siulapwa
THE date for elections may not have been set already, but to all intents and purposes, the campaigns are already underway. Of course, for the likes of Michael Sata, he really never stopped his campaigns even after losing the 2008 presidential by-elections.
In other countries, after an election, the winning candidate is normally given time to implement his election promises although it seems United States President Barack Obama has given-up that right by announcing his re-election bid now despite having two years to go.
However, in the case of Zambia, this has never happened, not since 2001 anyway. After the election victory of Levy Mwanawasa and the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) in 2001, the likes of Anderson Mazoka (United Party for National Development), Godfrey Miyanda (Heritage Party) and Christon Tembo (Forum for Democracy and Development) sort of went on a holiday.
But Sata never did.[pullquote]But as a society, we need to start moving from there and start voting for individuals based on their credentials[/pullquote]
By the time the 2006 general elections were coming-up, they found themselves trailing behind the ‘King Cobra’ in popularity. In fact, the three, Gen. Miyanda, Gen. Tembo and Mazoka got pre-occupied with the election petition that they forgot that they were opposition leaders who should have been keeping Levy on his toes through-out his rule. The result of this was that, when the 2006 elections came, Sata, who in 2001, was a distant fifth, came out as the only genuine threat against Levy and the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MDD). This was so notwithstanding the fact that the UPND had lost its President Anderson Mazoka and the FDD had changed leadership from Gen. Tembo to Edith Nawakwi. But worth noting is the fact that, these two parties had formed an alliance together with the former ruling party, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) called the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Despite that, they failed to pose a challenge as serious as the one by Sata, who was helped greatly with his charisma and anti-China tirades as well as ‘more money in your pockets’ message. Although some sections of society genuinely believed that Sata had won the 2006 elections, the Patriotic Front (PF) leader resisted all attempts to waste time by petitioning the results. He knew that it was likely to fail, and as such, an effort in futility.
Instead, he continued with his role as a credible opposition leader, providing checks and balances to Levy and his government, even when it seemed like the Post newspaper had finally gone to bed with the late President, and could not be distinguished in its reportage with the public media. The effect of all this is that when the so-called Presidential by-election came-up in 2008, Sata was in a position to contest credibly. The same cannot be said about the likes of Gen. Miyanda, who at the height of the third term debate, did seem like was going to make it to State House, or at least looked like a genuine contender and not pretender.
Hate him or love him, you cannot doubt the fact that as a political organiser and perhaps strategist, Sata has it all. Of the many people that expressed interest in becoming republican presidents in 2001, only Sata remains the most credible and serious contender. The others such as Ben Mwila, Enock Kavindele, Vincent Malambo, Tilyenji and Eric Silwamba have all gone into oblivion, concentrating their efforts in private business. Others have of course gone to the other side of town.
That said, the point of all this is that, no one should be fooled. Yes, the elections nominations have not yet been filed, but make no mistake, the stage is already set for a showdown. The battle is between Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata come election day with Hakainde Hichilema playing the role of a counter-weight or if you like spoiler. And as the MMD has already held its convention, expect the election date to be announced any time soon. But before that, expect RB to be busy on the road campaigning albeit in a not-so-straight forward manner.
Do not think RB going to Chongwe to commission the mobile hospitals or going to Kitwe to have a press briefing is not a campaign strategy. What is the point here? The opposition should not be fooled by waiting for an election date to be announced for them to start campaigning. They should equally be on the road.
On the other hand, while we know who the contenders for the presidency are i.e RB, Sata and HH, we need to know who the parliamentary candidates are. All the competing parties will help the electorate by announcing the names of their candidates in time so that they can start engaging and gauging them.
For far too long, Zambians have tended to vote on party lines, not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that. But as a society, we need to start moving from there and start voting for individuals based on their credentials. Far too many people entered parliament in 2006 simply because they stood on a particular party ticket, and as such, they were able to ride on the popularity of the leader. And yet, these are people that voters hardly knew or even know up to now. Added to that, candidates who were rejected by some parties simply joined another party and got adopted. Yet, in all truthfulness, it means these people hardly agree with the manifesto of the party they are joining, and their only reason for joining is for them to get to Manda Hill. The result of this is what you call ‘rebel’ MPs.
But we need not come to that level if we are able to scrutinise these candidates carefully. As this country is in a hurry to develop, we need to start ensuring that the best possible brains make it to Parliament. We do not need people there who are there simply to make numbers yet collecting tax payers money, but hardly contribute meaningfully to debates.
That’s why they say MC will win elections because he has always been on the road campaigning and giving the much needed checks and balances. He has been active through out the years leading up to this years elections.
Looking at the present situation RB will win the elections. People want development to continue under MMD. RB is the only credible leader at the moment. HH would make a good vice president and then became president in the future.
Yeah nice article….donchi kubeba.
Well thot article, i agree with you espacially on the members of parliament i think this guys are mostly to blame for the non perfomance of past governments.
Forget about HH the under 5 one can not contest an election 4 times, no sane zambians
Can ever bring in that tribalist’ forget it no tongalozi shall be Zambian president
Dream on in Tongalozi , it’s the bemba,s and us easterners period, LPM was lucky Don Chiluba put him there for his own reasons
Tribalist@!!!!!!!!:(:-w
RB does not have development plans to implement once Levy’s drafts and plans are exhausted. RB and MMD are merely following what Levy left behind. RB does not have time or a mind to concentrate on anything and follow it through to the end. That is clear from his unnecessary and very expensive trips he takes.
Beve bakayamba kuyenda sibaleka.
:d …………….word and the sooner the under fives namatebela yokowela realise that the better…your president is a judas for pulling out of the pact
If i come back to Zambia to contest as a President then am a spoiler? This is dullness at its peak in a democratic dispensation.Everybody is free to contest a postion of there choice.Spoil against who?Zambia owes nobody the Presidency…………As for number 4,i can estimate your monthly income looking at your reasoning……..We thought that allowing cleaners to access internet was a good thing…well,am embarassed.
Thats the problem with your reasoning, u think with your tribe not your brain.
I completely disagree with mosi yanga WE the the cleaners of yo educated filth have a right 2 comment on the goings on in our country Now am embarassed of U “educated “man/woman yaaaaba
RB is winning coz people have seen a lot of developmental projects going on across the country. Between the two, RB and Sata, I think Zambia will be much safer under RB than the Snake who thrives on insults and violence.
In fact RB is just waiting to host AGOA summit after that he will disolve parliament. Those who are not campaigning will not have ample time to do so. RB is sole candidate for MMD and his going around the country commissioning this and that project is a strategy to get his opponets off guard. As for HH the gentleman is just a spoiler. He wont matter during the forth coming Presidential and Parliamentary (General) elections. The best HH can do for now is to stand as a parliamentary candidate and be part of MPs. The guy cant just sping up from some where and ruash to Plot 1. His political leadership is yet to be tested. If UPND contniues with HH as its leader, I am afraid its representation in parliament will diminish even further. The BIG contest will be between Old friends RB & SATA.
I like this article, I actually heard a campaign message for MMd on Zambezi FM in Livingstone yesterday, the announcer first read a disclaimer then the nonsense about what RB has done followed, but they are late because us in PF have never stopped campaigning, besides he’s just wasting MMD’s time by delaying to announce the election date
#4….If state house was meant for you guys then stop saying tongas and lozis are zambians,if you attack as lozis we will give you a good one,firstly ask your self if you are normal,tribalist and if at all you have morals to attack other beings created in God’s image,the country is what it is becomes of your tribal men who faile and stole from us,LPM was not lucky he tried to change the face of our country from thiefs like you,criminals minions like you,wolves,day robbers like you,if zambians were leaving as one respecting other tribes we would have developed but people like you who dont change will leave to regreat,you are no more zambian than others respecting you doesnt mean we are fools,i wish i could see you with your poor reasoning,if your married you are a disgrace to your family
@Sata Chibontaila, its very typical of people to say things like snake, insults and violence in the same line as Sata because he is giving you headaches. The last time I checked for the definition of insults and violence in the dictionery William Banda’s face came up! The article is nicely written and has given a good view of what has been and what will be. HH made the biggest err of trying to pull a fast one on Sata now he cant be trusted by us “Kaponya’s” as we are refered to by the Highly Educated…
Vivi black diamond u have my vote come election day
and your tribe,where do you put one zambia one nation??????dont think you are smart in posting some comments,they injure us as normal people,think before you talk that rubbish you have vomitted,dont just support because you are from the same area,people like you are always beggers in life who leave on political thieving.no politics no food on the table that how those you support are,thats why they have no shame left in them anymore,they insult you,they steal from you,they kill you and tommorow they come to you for a vote you even smile back to them because of your foolishness in understanding issues,thats why we tongas and lozis will not sucum to such midiocre kind of thinking,respect other people’s tribe and leave as one!!!!!!
sorry no 4 its this midiocre no 5-tonga no hope,rubbish name!!!!
DAmn, this is a good read ::!!! why don’t they post more of such!!
well pointed out, pragmatic and realistic reporting , i give it to the dude who wrote this !!
checks and balances, Maybe that was what he was meant to do
Are elections in Zambia going to br held this year? If so why have the date of elections not been announced yet? In case someone doest know this is May, almost going towards half the year. Maybe we will need in future to have a set time and date of elections rather than playing a guessing game.
If Mazoka had not died he would have won in 2006. Sata was an afterthought for most people in 2006 because HH could not fit in Mazoka’s shoes.
Viva pa Bwato ..
# 4 Tonga No Hope, even your name says it all. # 4 the F00L, you should be shot by #12 and myself for deserving it! You have no right to insult any tribe whatsoever! I am Bemba and I am offended by your comment. You are a shallow, pathetic and pitiful human being, may JEHOVAH GOD forgive you. The article above is very interesting and thought provoking. It is a realistic analysis of the different opposition parties and leaders that have existed since 2001. However, we all know that MMD sycophants hate reading anything factual as they have become brain washed by the propaganda machinations of the TOZ, Daily Mail and ZNBC. # 13 Mwelupwa, good one, I agree that violence, criminal intimidation and insults are synonymous with William Tekela Banda and his hood of MMD cadres. Call me Kaponya?
but her ladyship, william banda was trained and mentored by one Micheal Chilufya Sata when they set up UNIP vigilantes
Its not how many times you fell but how mant times you rise. That is the principle that can make any person sucessfull at the end. Am sure it has worked well with Mr Sata. He deserves the popularity he is enjoying. An MMD campaign of characters assination against a man who is resilient like Mr Sata is making him more popular. In most Zambian mind MMD is associated with poverty, unemployement,corruption and a more reactive than proactive government. And these are the issues they are supposed to be addressing than targeting on Mr Sata who is looked upon by many as the man who can help to address these problems. Dull Chimba, Lifwekelo,Siulapwa and MMD campaign strategist.Your campign is a fertile ground for sympathy vote for Mr Sata. Who does not know King Cobra.We surely need him.
10. HIS MASTER’s VOICE. spoling for who and against who? you guys are dull. it means you dont know that the whole of democracy is to split votes. i reaaly dont understand the thinking of pf kaponyas. there will be no vote that will be spoiled. go to sleep and get a life my freind.
Ha Ha Ha Diamond wabeja!! Let the truth be told for the 1 billionth time – Satan will never rule Zed regardless of the percieved strategy, popularity, proactiveness, hard work, lumpenising, etc. We have said it time and again since 2006 that people are free to hallucinate but it will never happen.
LT NICE OBSERVATION,U ARE GIVING PEOPLE AN INDIRECT CLUE ABOUT WHO THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR.WE NEED HARDWORKING AND PRACTICAL LEADERS,NOT THESE RUBBISH BOOTLICKER.VIVA PF
IT IS NOW CLEAR WE ALL NEED TO STAND BEHIND PF FOR CHANGE
We are not against other parties, but we need a fresh start, and l hope all reasonable people will put differences aside and support PF to have Zambia start afresh. UPND and others are still welcome to continue providing checks and balances as we don’t want to slip into a one party rule again. My call is for all UPND, FDD Unip etc to all give PF a hand so that we can move on other than stand in the way even when it is clear current affairs favour PF.
People praising this article have very low educational standards. I doubt if they have gone beyond grade nine. The article would get a fail grade even as a grade twelve composition piece of writing. Title and contents do not tally. It does not tackle any specific issue but it is all over the show. It tries to be a narrative, an analysis, a piece of dogma e.t .c
From the on set this is biased article. Clearly the writer is Pf kaponya. Who does not know that Mazoka got ill less than 2 years after 2001 election and sata started campaigning arround the same time as he thought supreme court would annul the presidential elections that were petitioned by andy. As usual Kaponyas lack serious annalysis of issues and rush for vague and fake simplicity. Keep dreaming kaponyas and making yourself happy on the web,celebreting the chick before it is hatched. PF will never win the forth coming elections
Number 5 you are a fool. Am sure you come from a broken home. useless chap
No. 28 Surely you are a mad horse. Finshi bachita abashaya kusukulu, kapoli iwe. Instead of contributing constructively all you noticed was the english grammar stanyoko, go to england if you are much more interested in seing people speak or write good english. Don’t forget it is our uneducated parents and uncles that sent us to school and the fact that they did not go beyond grade 12 makes them dull or did not have the grey matter to do whatever you claim to have done. Cheekala chobe.
Between the one being whipped and the administrator of the punishment, it is obvious that the screaming will be from the one being beaten. It would be absurd if the one doing the beating should be the one making the most noise.
This analogy is a fitting description of the contest between MMD and pf, the latter being the whipped and the former the administer. The clearest chance pf had to make government was 2008 with all the uncertainties, confusion, and dilemma the ruling party found itself in having lost unexpectedly their leader and national President in Mwanawasa. Anyone who doubts that the MMD has since re-emerged from their capricious state of affairs this time around will be in a rude shock.
Like the word spoiler: The following are the SPOILERS of the forth coming elections:- HH, Miyanda, Milupi, Magande, Chipimo if they will stand. VIVA SATA na RB ukuyuma babili VIVA!! VIVA MMD na PF UKUYUMA BABIBILI VIVA!!
It is clear that Sata is already conditioning himself from the premonition of what he knows will follow, another defeat, evident from the statements he has been making these past recent months. The same phenomenon is happening to his followers who have conditioned themselves to believe that any thing other than a win for pf will be as a result of ‘rigging of the elections’. The whip has sunk well enough to leave a vivid premonition.
The ‘conditioning’ also appears in blanking off from his mind anything standing between his goal by acting and making statements as though he was already declared winner of the elections, a thing evident during last elections when for instance he went to cabinet and gave instructions as in-coming President on who should attend his inauguration ceremony
Sata is probably going to win,but then again both RB and SATA are fossils Grandpaz who should be in retirement homes.so whoever wins come the next elwctions they definately wont be around!!!
Sata is probably going to win,but then again both RB and SATA are fossils Grandpaz who should be in retirement homes.so whoever wins come the next elections they definately wont be around!!!
Sata is probably going to win,but then again both RB and SATA are fossils Grandpaz who should be in retirement homes.so whoever wins come the next elections they definately wont be around!!!
@ number 5 Tonga- no-hope
my heart is bleeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RB will win with a land-slide because he is a practical and focused person. Thanks to RB
‘A week is a very long time in politics.’ Harold Wilson (British PM).
This article is premature. Wait for the day of nominations. We have a VERY VERY VERY long time to go.
I wish we could refrain from insults and remarks based on tribal lines ,A principle of constancy is when you see a POTHOLE every day and it becomes normal that such is life .Zambia is not poor .Who owns minerals in zambia ,china ,dont argue because all income goes to banks in china.What do natives gain.I like when Sata said he will sit down with investors and discuss about economy etc,When Chiluba came into power ,we saw great improvement in many things.What happened afterwards ?Though i am not living there but i saw the differnce in Dec.
How can you nhave people like Chiluba as advisers ,People has spoken ,PA BWATO ,SATA ERA ,TIME FOR CHANGE
We need to teach RB a lesson for the brutal killings which has taken place since he took over.
DONCHI KUBEBA,
If you are honest with yourself and wanted the best for this nation, you should could not be backing a person who is affront with the dictates of true democracy. It is certainly clear to me that the fact Mr. Sata, one you support, has very little Democratic credentials is none of your concern. What freshness do aspire to see in a Sata administration, if I may ask?
As much as change is a well come thing, what most concerned Zambians have aptly noted without a seconds thought is that Mr. Sata certainly does not represent the change anyone should wish for. It is clear in many minds that with a Sata administration, Zambia is certain to go backwards, not forward. This is absolutely clear!
Nice analysis, I have always wondered how Sata has managed to stick around while people like Brig. Gen. Miyanda that had some credibility as early as 2001 have all but faded into oblivion. This article has about answered my questions, although RB’s fumbling and extremely poor decision making and performance has also helped in propping up MCS.
Where did u go Donchi #41. Great advice. # 5 is has monkey reasoning.His reasoning power is extremly low.
If all was square and even, factoring out especially this dent of tribal inclination to political affiliation and support, certainly such candidates as Sata would not be within a mile length of our democracy. Why, because their past misdeeds.
Yes people do change, and Sata might as well have changed, but that is besides the point. The best that such people could do on account of their past misdeeds and if they are truly remorseful about them should instead do the next thing of backing a candidate who best represents their aspirations. To take up that responsibility despite their past misdeeds, yes even having regretted them, is simply a show that they have not truly repented nor have been grieved about them – a clearly selfish aspiration.
when i hear people say that zambia needs a fresh start and change, and in the same breath mention mr sata, i wonder what size of brains they have rabbit or spider? this is the same sata of mmd in its corrupt state, the same third term proponent, the same panga wielding maestro, the same guy to be blamed for all the mess that the old mmd has been condemned for and which mess other leaders have been trying to clean up, the same sata who now wants to come back, the same sata who has now re-grouped with all the bad elements in yesteryear’s mmd in order to bring back all the badddest things that the old mmd has been condemned for. and someone who thinks normally talks about change? ha, bakuluna luya kakayi?
A murderer even when he has repented does not enjoy the right for his life to be spared. It is only the prerogative of the Head of state to pardon such a one. The same goes with Sata as far as his past misdeeds. When he willfully engaged himself to disregard the constitution of Zambia to champion the illegality of a third term for the Chiluba regime even by use of force, he in terms of democracy committed murder. He might have repented of it, yes, but if he did, he should not be claiming it as his right to be pardoned.
‘of the many people that expressed interest in becoming republican presidents in 2001, only Sata remains the most credible and serious contender’ . just a small correction on behalf of the writer mr daimone siulapwa, please remove ‘most credible’, and maybe remain with serious contender.
Change of government is inevitable in Zambia this year. Whether it will be for better or for worse is another matter.
”The battle is between Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata come election day with Hakainde Hichilema playing the role of a counter-weight or if you like spoiler ”. underline the word SPOILER.
And as ‘pf government’ has perfectly outlined above, it is incomprehensible that such a one as Sata should in anyway represent a fresh change, which should mean ‘forward’
But as ‘Blue Blood’ in # 51 stated, in as few words, most pf people have this idea of a change regardless of anything but egoistic triumphalism – nothing based on real reform and progress.
One does not need to be a prophet to see that if by chance, God forbid, Mr. Sata became head of state, the nation of Zambia will degenerate into veritable chaos.
#54 Nsingo darling you spending too much time on the net lecturing to everyone, most voters if not all have by now made up their minds and know who they are going to vote for so its a waste of time drumming about how bad Sata is and stuff. In any case MCS won’t be any worse than this disaster at Statehouse at the moment, as for HH i quote ” The battle is between Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata come election day with Hakainde Hichilema playing the role of a counter-weight or if you like spoiler”. enough said already.
54 Nsingo darling you spending too much time on the net lecturing to everyone, most voters if not all have by now made up their minds and know who they are going to vote for so its a waste of time drumming about how bad Sata is and stuff. In any case MCS won’t be any worse than this disaster at Statehouse at the moment, as for HH i quote ” The battle is between Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata come election day with Hakainde Hichilema playing the role of a counter-weight or if you like spoiler”. enough said already.
As we get closer to elections, we will be subjected to more and more dogma and propaganda like this article. We will have to learn to look for real news in the forest of dogma and propaganda.
RB doesnt respect civil servants and he forgets that they are potential voters.Anyway we will see come voting time.Viva donchi kubeba.
@Nsingo.
I understand your frustration at the possibility of a Sata victory.but think of how frustrated the masses that coalesce around sata must be of MMD and RB.Massive unemployment but our gvt pays lip service to serious job creation.the burden of creatin millions of jobs has been outsourced to patels,lui gongs,von heerden and such “foreign” investors.A frustrated and desperate person is unlikely to make the most logical of decisions.
I agree. ‘A week is a very long time in politics.’ Harold Wilson (British PM). With septugenarian politicians anything can happen.
ali mwana, that is the whole point. rb may not be the best that we have in zambia but sata is most certainly worse and most definitely cannot deliver what those unemployed masses yearn for. if you care for this country it is incumbent upon you who understands the issues to impress on those masses that those who promise 90 days and more money in your pockets are taking them for a nice jolly ride which they will enjoy for short time but forever pay for with their blood. why do you think we have replaced our very rich pf slogan with a more realistic cut and paste manifesto which we don’t even understand?
This article is refreshing and well articulated. It appears that the Siulwapa who wrote this article has some pretty good matter between the ears, a stark contrast with his namesake who is full of hot air. I wonder if they are related….
Ooops, just noticed that the last names are actually different.
Lol!! Noticed again, they DO have the same last name!!
donchi kubeba
i believe you are lozi? you heard TONGA-NO- HIOPE told you? no tonga or lozi wil be president of this country. examine ur brain and come to ur nsenses
Daimone Siulapwa: Your article will score high grades in the Post Newspaer editorial room and a grade D to any independent intellectual. Your attempt to window dress Sata can not fool us. Why are you systematically hiding the fact that Sata went into a marriage of convinience with Chiluba from 2001 to 2008 just to enable him build his support base of mainly people from the North? How can you conviniently ignore the fact that Sata was constantly criticising Mwanawasa for persecuting bembas and promishing to champion their cause? Why are you ignoring the fact that Sata went into the 2006 elections with the support of a splinter group from the UPND that formed a pact with him? Don’t you think such factors favoured Sata and enabled him perform better than his opponents who were new?
Siulapwa: In 1991 Zambians were advised to support Chiluba, against the likes of Arthur Wina, because we were told that he was the only one popular enough to defeat KK. What did we end up with bwana? Do you want us to make the same mistake of voting someone just on account of his apparent popularity and not merit? Don’t you think if Zambians, especially Northerners, had put tribal feelings aside and rallied for the reknown economist Arthur Wina Zambia would have been a better place totay?
On the issue of HH, why do you keep down playing his achievements and chances? In politics you can not underestimate your oponents and regard them as spoilers. HH has an equal chance of wining like Sata or RB. HH is pulling crowds at every rally.
I am disappointed with ECZ, we still have adverts on 2008 elections everywhere. What is a problem with our leaders. This is why we fail because we always behind. We are in 2011 elections period. Put new adverts.This why us a people we still want old people to lead us. When are the ones going to get jobs and rule this country.
this heart will burst ..sata is losing grounds..with Lubinda and Kabimba gone…hahahaha