By Prince Bill M. Kaping’a Political/Social Analyst
No sooner had one Hakainde S. Hichilema assumed the mantle as Republican President following a landslide victory against former President Edgar Lungu, the later a rising crescendo about President Hichilema’s delay to take up residence in State House and swiftly appoint his cabinet endured.
The loudest chorus would of course be generating from one Sean E. Tembo who carries himself as president of little-known Progress for Economic Progress (PEP). Other attention seekers such as former Water Affairs & Development Minister Raphael Nakachinda wouldn’t waste time joining the fray by inciting parents not to pay school fees for their children since Bally promised the nation of free education from primary education through to University.
It’s great pity some individuals are expecting Bally to behave like a bull in a china shop by immediately moving into State House and appointing his Cabinet at a lightening speed! We don’t need to be reminded that the results of such kneejerk reactions would be too ghastly to contemplate.
Allow us now to address such issues among others, on a case-by-case basis.
Moving into State House
Whenever a company or government recruits a new CEO or minister; care is always taken to extensively renovate what would be the new residence for the CEO or minister, and indeed add some new fittings. Depending on the extent of damage caused by the previous occupants, renovations may be inevitable! This may obviously gobble colossal amounts of resources and consume a great deal of time. Now if a CEO or minister can indeed be entitled to such privileges, what of a Republican President?
Apart from the foregoing, during the past 7 years, we’ve always heard or read reports of witch doctors being flown-in from neighbouring countries to perform rituals at State House and plant some ‘chingilizani’ (charms) inside and outside. If this may be the case, why should we expect Bally to move into Plot 1 Independence Avenue without any qualms at all, to be tormented at night so that he fails to perform his duties?
We are now very happy that the President has ‘opened’ doors of State House to the church regardless of persuasion. Saturday, we saw the Seventh Day Adventist at State House, and Sunday was allocated to the Catholic Church. We expect the body of Christ to flock to State House not to receive brown envelopes but exorcise the property of any evil spirits by praying for it and sprinkling holy water around the premises.
Appointment of new cabinet
People keep wondering why the President is taking long to assemble his cabinet…..Those that know and have interacted with Bally would attest to the fact that HH is not only a meticulous and methodical person but always pays attention to detail. It’s therefore not surprising that HH is seemingly finding trouble in coming with the perfect team!
One of the reasons why this country has ended up in such filthy mess is appointing ill qualified individuals as cabinet ministers. We don’t wish to take a detour and start mentioning names at this juncture as this would embarrass some certain individuals. In explaining the delay in appointing his cabinet HH pleads with us thus, “be patient with us, we want to appoint people on merit; by the time we’re done, you will be happy with us.”
We totally agree with him. We ought to understand that HH needs to vet most of the potential appointees and possibly rope in the intelligence community to do background checks on most of would-be ministers. Would we rather have morally upright individuals as ministers or crooks blemished track records?
Finance Minister Musokotwane
Hullabaloo seems to have broken loose on the appointment of Hon. Situmbeko Musotwane as Finance Minister, and some folks seem to have gone to the extent of alleging that during his time as Finance Minister during the MMD regime, he had his fingers effectively ‘soiled’ by playing a key role in facilitating conclusions on transactions on such deals as fire tenders and mobile hospitals. Well….if at all there is any iota of truth in this, how come he was never arraigned immediately PF took over from MMD?
Of course, some people are arguing that HH has embarked on a journey of recycling politicians form the dead! Bembas say, “umulilo uchingilile abakalamba taocha,” do you honestly expect Bally to discard all the madalas?
How come all of us were quite when President Sata made Alexander Chikwanda, a relic from the past, as Finance Minister? This is a man who had previously served in the UNIP government in differently portfolios immediately after independence and went on to work as Chief of Staff under Chiluba when UNIP was dislodged from power.
And just in case the nation has forgotten as is always the case, at some point former Home Affairs Minister Steven Kapyongo, a currency dealer from Lusaka’s Katondo Street, was appointed to act as Finance Minister by President Lungu, did folks like Sean Tembo take to the streets to protest his appointment due to his zero qualifications?
Raphael Nakachinda’s free education campaign
Nakachinda has gone on rampage inciting parents not to pay school fees for their children since HH had promised free education during his campaigns. This is very interesting, but the question is, who are the architects of the budget that the UPND government will be implementing henceforth? Is it UPND? Is it Pf? If it is indeed PF, how do you expect UPND to provide free education when in fact PF did not provide for the same in their budget?
As we conclude this article, we would urge all well-meaning citizens to allow HH do what is right before he moves into State House or indeed appoint his cabinet.
You are not different from Freedom Sikazwe. You are the people who spoil leadership by supporting them in everything without question.
ZRA needs to clear appointees,security agencies,local govt’s and ACC all need to approve them so why the illogical rush for HH to appoint ministers? You don’t move into a new house without inspection,do you ?
Time for campaigns and jokes is over…please stop calling him Bally…people are hungry…Cement is still very expensive…more loans coming…no jobs for the youths….easier said than done….HH will end up being the worst President ever…he will make Lungu look like a genius
Bally has been in wait for 20 years. Don’t tell me he didn’t make a list of suitable people he can appoint in government? Of course he has. And State House? How many staff are running around there? Twenty? And it would take them more than half a day to find those charms? Give me a break! The White House in the USA was turned around in less than 24 hours and it’s only SLIGHTLY larger than State House…….
Your reasons are very dry. You don’t expect to find yourself a good woman at a time you become a billionaire when you never bothered to understand women during your financial moderate days.
Of course everyone of them will portray a very good character.
Same goes to Bally he can’t tell us he’s being careful now when he had 10 years to constitute a strong team. If so then the guy is as vision less as the past.
DAY 8
Yes allow President HH to do things cautiously lest he be careless like Sata who hastily appointed his Cabinet and realigned some Ministries which eventually turned out disastrous
20 yrs in waiting and he comes up with fossil Musokotwane as Finance Minister…and it looks like outside forces are choosing his Cabinet…HH is not in control…the money lenders have taken over Zambia….we have enough billions but because we have a spirit of begging….and low self confidence we run to IMF…..and remember he never mentioned that he will add more kaloba during campaign..FORWARD FORWARD FORWARDED until you forward no more…I’ve stopped construction and laid off 6 youths who all voted for HH…i can’t afford them till prices of building materials
start going down
Yours Sincerely
Saulosi
I have started playing the the once famous song “BUFI” by Pilato.
@Spaka and Tarino Orange
How much money are you sending back to your beloved ones in Zambia…am sure all the diasporans are feeling the pinch in their wallets….Spaka even stopped buying property in Zambia..he can’t cope with the highly manipulated Kwacha
Rupiah Banda is a very cunning gentleman. Immediately Bally was elected he made sure that he was invited to his home Under the pretext of ensuring the transition is smooth. But what did we not know? RB was ensuring that his MMD boys continue running govt. Are you surprised that Musokotwane(MMD) is Finance minister? Will you be surprised when Mutati(MMD) is appointed to cabinet? Will you be surprised if Kingsley Chanda is not removed from ZRA? Watch the space in this MMD part 3.
Bally this Bally that….time for road shows is over…Sata was called man of action because he used to act….in HH’s case all I can say is ” BE CAREFUL WITH A NAKED MAN PROMISING YOU A SHIRT”….,looks like it has already ended in tears for the youths and diasporans kikikikiki Spaka and Tarino Orange seem to be subdued….with their tails tacked in between their legs…..still no Cabinet and it’s day 8 hahahaha……
@3 No Corruption Zambia, It takes months before a US president elect is sworn in and moves into the White House. It takes that much time to set the ground and working team in place before receiving the instruments of leadership. Moreover, Zed isn’t the US. We have our own unique problems. Talking about a list of potential appointees, he may have one…that needs updating and vetting, lest he unbeknowningly appoints wolves in sheep skin. But again, it shouldn’t take forever.
@Saulosi,
You really make me laugh. You are so full of humour (Be careful with a naked man promising you a shirt),
Just shut up Mwamba. you had seven years or 11 of theft and degradation and now you want to see miracles in 9 Days. very fool1sh
why modartion
To have Mutati and Situmbeko in cabinet is DUNUNA REVERSE!!!!
These are like drunk kids used to mediocre disastrous leadership……….
Let them continue complaining about HEHH taking care with his appointments….
3 months down the road , talk to me……
#10 I am also wondering
Grammar. Spelling. Coherence. None of it makes sense in this article. Terrible journalism continues.
These are like spoiled kids used to mediocre disastrous leadership……….
Let them continue complaining about HEHH taking care with his appointments….
3 months down the road , talk to me……
Let them continue complaining about HEHH taking care with his appointments….
3 months down the road , talk to me……
HH was in wait for many years, YES< BUT he did not have access to national intelligence. Now he has. Some of his UPND alliance associates may have skeletons in their cupboards, illegitimate children whom they are not supporting, tax evasion and tax avoidance, dubious sponsors etc etc. We do not want to appoint people who will be erratic and firing guns in public and shortly embarrass the government. Take your time Mr President, after all, the government is also saving money, for now.
Duty calls,
I will be less seen on LT and will only show when I have some spare time…….
We have work to do…….
Zambia forward……..
Prince, who says we were silent when Sata appointed Chikwanda? One paragraph 3 under Finance Minister, its quiet, not quite.
You start the article talking about charms and witch doctors and how HEHH and team must clear state house of such. Don’t promote superstition please.
@13, you are right, so many grammatical errors here, even the first paragraph is unclear…. ” no sooner….the later…”?
Everything else is terribly constructed.
@Spaka
You will be seen less on Lusaka Times….I told you my brother that Politicians are just like fake Prophets…they promise you a better life in heaven whilst they live in luxury….just go and start driving UBER in your spare time so that you can make extra money and cushion the fake manipulated kwacha gains….imagine if you sent US$1000 ….your family used to collect K23000 and now all of a sudden they’re collecting K14000 on a US$1000…..Bally will fix it…I have never seen such gains in a shortest period of time…and gaining like that against the most powerful currency in the world….I think Zambia has been auctioned….it now belongs to the IMF/USA
Ba Kapinga you are indeed some dull piece of wasted bilogical material….
Any party whilst operating at opposition level has what is known as a shadow cabinet such that it should not take ages to usher in a competent cabinet within the shortest possible time.
My fellow Diasporans…regardless of any Political affiliation…is there any way we can write a petition to HH and complain about the Kwacha manipulation….HH is killing diasporans and they contribute to the country’s GDP…but if the Kwacha manipulation continues….then very few Zambians will be sending money back home or even buying property
HH MUST GO……HE WANTS TO PLEASE THE WEST
#28 Saulosi
August 31, 2021 At 10:19 am
“My fellow Diasporans…regardless of any Political affiliation…is there any way we can write a petition to HH and complain about the Kwacha manipulation….HH is killing diasporans and they contribute to the country’s GDP…but if the Kwacha manipulation continues……”
I invested $5,000 in the kwacha when 23/1
I knew it would strengthen……
Then I bought more kwacha with a syndicate at 19/1……
Waiting for the 5/1 mark to make an absolute killing, …..oohhhh how I like it when a plan comes together
@Saulosi,
You seem to have much in common with the imposter K.aiz.ar Zulu…..
Let HH do his job in a manner convinient to him, iwe, you seem to still exhibiting the chipante pante way of thinking…..those days are gone, iwe. It’s now called “New Dawn”, where every step or decision matters and has to be justified. Your push on HH to speed up things does not make sense, HH is not doing anything that is outside the law. So what is your problem?
@Saulosi,
You seem to have much in common with the imposter K.aiz.ar Z..ulu…..
Let HH do his job in a manner convinient to him, iwe, you seem to still exhibiting the chipante pante way of thinking…..those days are gone, iwe. It’s now called “New Dawn”, where every step or decision matters and has to be justified. Your push on HH to speed up things does not make sense, HH is not doing anything that is outside the law. So what is your problem?
Again, moderation ….damn!!
@Spaka
Feel for fellow Diasporans who do 2 to 3 jobs and they take care if families back home…do you think this is fair…and you know how expensive things are here in the west…now they have to dig deeper in their wallets in order to support families back home….am sure all diasporans are crying…am in tears also….and the prices are not showing any signs of going down…….my friend just closed his bureau de change business last Friday…he used to employ 4 youths….Bally will do what…..with Mutati and Musokotwane it’s back to MMD days
HH should have left the kwacha at K22 and try fix the economy with our own money not begging from IMF….now he has removed all the incentives for the Diaspora Zambian community in order to please IMF/USA…
The USA still wants to keep us in shackles and economic slavery…one day you will remember Saulosi
#31 Saulosi
I am not an economist, but a kwacha at 15/1 to the dollar looks optimal for the country, ………
@Saulosi August 31, 2021 At 11:24 am
“HH should have left the kwacha at K22 and try fix the economy with our own money not begging from IMF…..”
Iwe, Saulosi, HH doesnt hold or determine the rate of Kwacha, its determined by market factors. No wonder the ranting all over every LT article.
To me we don’t yet have a t.0.n.ga president because I do not recognise ka HH as my president. In the same way that he didn’t recognise ECL as president, I do not recognise him. Until a credible free and fair election is undertaken where a t.0.n.g.a emerges victorious, I am afraid we don’t yet have a president from the South
Keep on crying…
ECL was not recognized because he rigged 2016 elections. People here have always told you, ECL would never win a free and fair election, and this was the case. 1 million votes iwe, no matter how much you wanted to rig, it was simply impossible.
Just move on, ECL has accepted the defeat, he couldn’t even petition, as there is no way the concourt could have overturned 1 milion votes. You have no option than to accept HH. Move on !
The guy masquerading as Kaizer Zulu (In the UK) is breaking the international laws and implying that he works for the CIA and other law enforcements agencies whilst spewing hate speech and innuendos. This is now a warning. You cannot hide behind a keyboard whether in internet cafés or unregistered gadgets. I am sure he has been careless enough to send some of his vile messages from his genuinely owned gadget leaving a trail whether behind a VPN or spoofed IP Addresses. The net will close in soon. Each gadget he has used will have a unique MAC address and we will demand footage of all the places where this person has entered to go and spew his vile messages. This can’t go on like this! Lusaka Times, we would like you to help with the investigations through your archives. Thank you.
I really don’t think it’s fair for us to be discussing the occupancy of state house by the President, it’s not an issue and its very petty
We all know that before a house is occupied it has to be prepared and made ready for the next occupant.
Well, let us give him room to pick his team. We can talk as much as we can, The poor fellow has not yet settled.
#33 Spaka
August 31, 2021 At 11:42 am
” #31 Saulosi
I am not an economist, but a kwacha at 15/1 to the dollar looks optimal for the country, ………”
When I said 15/1 the dollar exchange rate being optimal for zambia , I got 3 thumbs down …….why , dont be haters for the sake of hating , debate why you think not 15/1
As I said , I ain’t no economist but my simple reasoning is ………
An average sized dressed chicken is about $6 in the west…..in zambia it should be half price, or there abouts , $3.00 equivalent to Kwa45.00…….that is with the 15/1 rate.
My reasoning could be flawed and I stand to be taught…..
Amafacts when we had your fellow tribesmen here insulting ECL and even naming themselves with insults against ecl it was OK? But now because you are tasting your own medicine you want to cry like the little beech you are. Fork off!!! Go and call the cia fbi or whichever other agency you want. I am a free man who can express myself. As your hh says, respect my freedom.
Continue comforting yourself that I am masquerading as my self. Why you think I use vpn? Haha you will search for me only to be directed to yourself. I use UK based ip because of you upnd members attempted hacking on my accounts here in zambia
It is very interesting to read the comments that this article generates. Freedom that has dawned in Zambia to express ourselves should not be taken for granted as a form to insult and abuse each other. Back to the article. The author has reminded us on the need to pay attention when making serious decisions. Running a country is not like running ones kitchen or backyard business. There are so many factors and rather take time and make the right decision than rush into disastrous decisions. Give them govt and the president time to form his cabinet for the good of all of us. Sour grapes and hate will not help anyone. Six months if things go south, we have every reason to be criticise. Now, let’s move on as one Zambia one Nation one People.
The hypocrisy and immaturity of the losing PF vuvuzelas! Take time off and reflect on the loss of your Humble One! Grownups and smarter ones with integrity are now in charge.
Me, won’t bother debating with these pinheads numskulls!
@ “I use UK based IP”. Keep lying to yourself loser. Why would you use a vpn and use a permanent IP? This is not WhatsApp d!mwit Mushota, masquerading as Kaizar Zulu.
Ba Saulosi, what is the use of being a man of action who acts without thinking? Sata was the genesis of economic decline coz there was no thinking associated with his actions. Ba Lungu bena worse. HH is thinking and all of you complaining will have zero impact on how he decides to do things, but at least he is doing them right. With your string of failures from the time you took over in 2011 to the time you were recently kicked out it’s even shocking you have a voice to try and demean HH. Your funny bonds which were the worst performing on the bonds market are now on high demand because of the market confidence in HH’s leadership so while you PF chaps focus on petty issues, our eyes are on the major positive reactions to HHs presidency. You were petty while in power and you are even…
This is were the PF have come mourn their loss, unfortunately very few are being sympathetic with them. It seems throwing tantrums at HH makes them feel a little better. Truth is Pf will never recover.
@ Saulosi so before HH was even handed the instruments of power he had already started manipulating the currency??? PF logic is a special thing.
Saulosi – We didn’t come to Europe on a PF canoe yesterday to be crying about appreciating Kwacha in fact we are overjoyed. We lived here through the FTJ days, Mwanawasa, RB, Sata and LAZY LUNGU…those days of sending money are long gone people there are more established now our investments have matured and people in Zambia send money this way….I am very disappointed with your mindset you are now behaving like the UK based troll.
Corruption scandals…. – Dont waste your energy with the impostor