By Henry Kyambalesa
At independence in 1964, Zambia, as the World Bank once observed, was potentially the richest country in sub-Saharan Africa. Forty-four years later, however, it has become one of the poorest, with nearly 70% of its people wallowing in abject poverty.
But how could a country that is blessed with good weather, fertile soil, several perennial rivers running through it, abundant mineral endowments, and very peaceful and hard-working citizens find itself in such a predicament?
Well, we have an outdated education policy that is designed to cast nearly half of those who enroll in Grades 7 and 9 onto the streets every year. We have a healthcare system that is hardly accessible to the majority of citizens. We have so many of our fellow citizens who have no access to clean water and electricity. We have a critical shortage of decent public housing nationwide. Public infrastructure and services are deficient. Civil servants are not adequately compensated for their services. And a lot of civil service retirees cannot get their hard-earned benefits.
Further, crime, corruption and unemployment are widespread. Taxes and interest rates are extremely high. Single-source government procurements, the appointment of alleged perpetrators of corrupt practices to key government positions, and the sacking of officers who attempt to pursue or expose key government officials allegedly involved in scandals have become a normal practice. And selective prosecution of alleged offenders and the perpetration of violence and threats of violence against innocent citizens have become acceptable political campaign tools.
Besides, the National Constitutional Conference is recommending articles and clauses that are designed to exclude certain individuals from contesting the Republican presidency, and those which are designed to suit the needs and interests of the ruling political party. And rehearsed warnings that we should not experiment with leadership have started getting louder—somewhat suggesting to us that the deadwoods among our current crop of government leaders hold the key to Zambia’s future! Soon, we will be bombarded by rehearsed calls that the Republican president should be given more time to complete his projects and programs beyond 2011—projects and programs which include touring the world, and “drive-through” deliberations with chiefs designed to secure votes.
The seriousness of socio-economic woes facing my Motherland is heart-rending. Unfortunately, the Republican president and the Republican vice president are oblivious to the problems facing the common people. They seem to be more interested in lining up their own pockets, and the pockets of their sympathizers. Winning elections to them seems to be an end in itself. And they will continue to abuse the power they wield to win elections—including the divide-and-rule strategy once used by the colonial government, and the use of intelligence briefings to tell the nation upon landing at airports that they know what is happening in opposition political parties.
Does any individual or political party have the key to lock the door to socio-economic decay and backwardness, and unlock the door to greater opportunities and a higher quality of life for all Zambians in Central Province, Copperbelt Province, Eastern Province, Luapula Province, Lusaka Province, Northern Province, North-Western Province, Southern Province, and Western Province?
No sleep for my Motherland!
:d “the deadwoods”
Unfortunately, the Republican president and the Republican vice president are oblivious to the problems facing the common people.
Are you sure Mr Internet Party President? I think you are suffering from hallucinations and stuck in the past. Let me SOKA you my friend as we say on the street. RB is fully aware of the problems Zambians are facing. You think the budget was made to align his pockets? You are misguided my friend. What do you think these MEZ are being setup for?
It the private sector that can develop and create jobs for our country, even these hospitals people go to abroad in India or SA, they are private hospitals and not government Hospitals. If you think you still need hands you enjoyed when you were a kid, forget it, they were not unstainable. MMD is creating ..
MMD is creating a conducive environment for the private sector to take off. That is a true engine of growth and not the Government led works to build a road to nowhere.
Look at the town of Ndola, it is RB’s acumen to seek that funding for the Ultra modern stadium, once again the city of Ndola has life. Foreign Banks like FNB have started opening branches there. Lodges and Hotels are upgrading. That stadium will attract big matches and people from all places in Zambia will flock to Ndola again and you think all these economic activities will only fill up RB’s pockets and not lift the people in Ndola. You must be joking.
If you have what it takes, bring your Internet Party to Milanzi by election for a Test drive and lets see if you will get votes more than MR SPOILED VOTES
One thing is clear, as long as this nation is left to be driven by these “Hungry” politicians, even the little dreams that we have will be choked. How many professionals have lost their jobs because of sleeping on duty? And yet Shikapwasha is still expecting a large chunk of tax payers’money through allowances and the questionable gratuity. Its time to sensitize the citizens to be sober and improve their lives without putting all their hopes in these politicians. Its time for us Zambian people to know our role as employers not servants to these politicians. .
#4 There you go , making a mole out of a hill. Have you not ever dosed off while listening to something boring. You make it sound like Honourable LT Gen Shikapwasha hired a truck went to his house, loaded a bed onto it drove it to parliament, unloaded the bed and put it right in front of the speaker and got into his pajamas and jumped into the bed slept while all MPs were doing business around him. Please get serious you and your petty and gutter journalists at the Post.
It is common sense people sleep in meetings, lectures, churches for one reason or another especially if you are not the one talking. Haven’t you heard of a boring sermon that put people to sleep? Get real ..lets debate issues than waste time on trivial
LEADERSHIP HAS GONE TO SLEEPING DOGS. OR IS IT SLEEPING DOGS WHICH HAVE GONE TO LEADERSHIP?
The road map to people’s emancipation is not in risking the country with illiterate leadership that fails to read, write, articulate and reason. Basic education in leadership is a precursor to social progress. The world has become a complicated arena where leaders have become moving pieces of engaging discourse and resolutions.An educated leadership has the passion and personal value for education. President Banda’s 1 year leadership is manifesting this passion if we look at new schools under construction around the country.Uneducated leaders are more appeasements to their political constituencies of cadre whom they promise more public money in their pockets and mansions within 90 days with economic rationality.
On “But how could a country that is blessed with good weather, fertile soil, several perennial rivers running through it, abundant mineral endowments, and very peaceful and hard-working citizens find itself in such a predicament?” We have had very bad leadership especially after KK and UNIP were allowed to overstay in ruling Zambia and similarly since MMD has been misruling us for now alomst 20 yrs.
I just hope the U-Team will win the 2011 elections so that we can have new educated leadership in GRZ willing to drive the Nation to prosperity in this 21st century.
Be blest.
_
“In fact, they should not underestimate or look down on one Vernon Johnson Mwaanga; he is a Maestro in his own right.” – Brig Gen G. Miyanda, POST NEWSPAPER of 27/02/2010.
#5 mmd chifi jombolicker, I didn’t know parliamentary sittings were such trivial. Anyway, thanks for correction.
#2,3,5 It’s time you openned your eyes and look beyond your political affliations. Quite frankly you are a huge let down together with MMD party’s governance. True in RSA and India the private sector owns a good chunk of economic activity but the private sector is mostly owned by the locals and not the foreigners. In Zambia outsiders are given 5 year tax free periods besides freedom to externalise funds at will. The obvious thing that capitalists do is keep sales (and not profits) in their own countries and abondon their investments after 5 years. Worse still they buy or invest in Zambia at almost no cost to them. KCM’s owners recovered their investment in the company after 3 months and you think your party has the well being of our nation at heart. Change your bootlicker status please.
The onus is on us the youth,the talking has been done,the damage has been done and is still being done through the raping of our constitution,its time to do something for our country,lets usher in a new breed of selfless leaders,lets identify among ourselves individuals who are willing to sacrifice for a good cause.the current leaders are past their use by date,they are tired,thats why they find it prudent to sleep in parliament,im sick and tired of the circus going on pa zed
#7 May you define education for me. Education has nothing to do with people’s good leadership it’s wisdom. Look at how the educated have messed up our country. With all the educated Zambians around we keep on giving away our God given natural resources, begging foreigners to come and rip us off, spend most of our resources and time on trivial issues like taking criticism as enemity and where we are exposed of our shortfallings we call it pornography. You go about telling school children that you had a lot of girlfriends and you call that education. We need wisdom please.
MMD Chief Bootlicker Waba I lyobe ITOLE:
The private sector is supposed to be the driver of economic growth. All the hospitals, schools, housing, etc you have suggested should be done by the private sector in the urban areas so as to give govt more resources to place such infrastructure in the rural areas were the private sector is unlikely to go. Complaining day in day out on blogs is not going to make your living standards any better unless you are willing to work for it.
Lusaka Times was not started by govt but by an initiative by private sector players who were willing to provide this service. Innovative citizens tackle the problem of lack of water by putting up water tanks in their homes.
This is no longer UNIP were the treasury was drained so as to provide you with everything for free.
cont. from #14
This is a capitalist economy were those who are innovative and hard working make it. The time for free handouts has gone as no evidence shows that an economy that runs on govt handouts has made it to OECD level of economic growth and development. No evidence whatsoever.
Even China had to open dockets of capitalism (if that makes sense) so as to lead to further economic growth by encouraging Foreign Direct Investment and Private Sector participation in the economy resulting in moving close to 300 million people out of poverty.
In Zambia, a similar approach is being used like the Multi Facility Economic Zones which will lead to industrialization of the country and further economic growth.
cont from #15
Time to forget the “good old days” of govt handouts which bank-robbed the nation and come to terms with capitalism which is an efficient way of eradicating poverty. Even if you looked at the top 10 richest countries, they practice capitalism. The emerging markets of China, India, Brazil, Chile, Russia, South Africa and Botswana all practice capitalism or to some degree of it.
We have enough evidence that proves capitalism works and no evidence whatsoever that socialism works. This is why capitalism policies in Zambia must be strengthened, FDI encouraged and SME’s growth driven even further.
The article is a depressed cry by a human Zambian. I have always argued on this blog that we have missed the ‘principle’ issues. What is the principle behind Zambia’s existence? As a people what are our aspirations? Where do we come from? Where are we? Where do we want to go? Ask these questions before you do anything and you will find that as a nation, though you claim one zambia one nation rhetoric, a united country is a country with a shared vision. The principle behind our existence has been lost. In Zambia we have been addicted by a corporate evil spirit of greed. You know that eveil spirits are hard to deal with. Almost everyone is concerned by their lodge construction, their family estate, their new car, their this and that. Few and marginalised are concerned about the country
Zambia’s poverty situation is self inflicted. If you are not careful our neighbours will arise form their depression and over take us. Not that they shouldnt progress, but that we are wallowing in utter lack of national principle. As a nation let us get back to the basics, what is the principle behind the existence of Zambia? At some point, we had a princple of zambianisation. It was a principle that brought a lot of changes in the country. I suggest we adopt a new principle as a nation. I suggest that principle should be, In Zambia no one is poor – principle. If you have leaders ready to support that we should be well on our way to freedom. However, show me a man with a principle for his nation, and I will show you a population of thieves.
It all comes to Leadership. If you had a calibre like Mwanawasa having bee President in 1991, we would have been a different Nation by now. We now have to reverse this in 2011, and take back what belongs to us.
# 14 Zambia requires a principle. All sectors of the economy have a role to play, including the private sector, and success in economic growth alone is insufficient to eradicate poverty, though is essential as an ingredient. So, consider all factors, political, social, economic, etc. My point however is that if we lack a basic principle of approach, we shall view other countries as saviours of our destiny and not tools for our success. Let formulate our own coroprate principle and consult stakeholders that can help fulfil our desired aspirations. It has taken us half a century to tar the road to Mfuwe……….. private sector? my foot.
You’re only dull if you make yourself believe you can’t. We are so scared of trying things & want to seek refugee in the comfort of a formal job. we need to embrace the good of capitalism & start innovating things. As it is we are busy pointing the accussing finger at govt. Only in Zambia have I seen that we are not good at lobbying politicians to help us with those developmental issues we want to pursue in the private sector. SMEs are so defragemented one wonders if they even have a database. MMD is not the party that brought us to this point. We need to start thinking big. We have UNZA & CB graduates with a mentality that the degree certificate they have will get them a job. Come out of this mindset & know that the basic tenat of school is to make us survive a harsh world out there.
We are not innovating, we lack ambition as a people & we don’t aspire to own nice things as in businesses, property etc in the right way. We want to take short-cuts and make money the easy way. We don’t even know the meaning of sacrifice.We are good at drinking Mosi, bonking & complaining about things we really can’t change. Instead of channeling our efforts to things we can change we gripe just about everything. What is your individual contribution to the development of Zambia??? If all Zambians that are abroad & have some access to extra cash where to build a smal three bedroomed house in Zambia where would that take us in terms of the accommodation problems we currently have in major cities. We just like to talk no action. This is my challenge for all bloggers who are based overseas…
#22 I agree with totally. Look at how white farmers will go into the bush, stay there for some time and later you hear he/she is flying a plane etc. Zambians want to steal imprest to build a lodge. Or buy a Mark II from a bank loan of K 45m. Zambians want to get a formal job and laze around whilst posing big, and speaking an accent. How many Zambians have the guts to raise their children with proper morals for the future? How many Zambians are willing to sacrifice? Very few. Many are in Lusaka, posing. I for one choose to build a legacy for my family based on values of sacrifice, hard work, faith and prayer and over coming. Thanks Abwezi.
Well , Mr Kyambalesa , i have disagreed with some of your views in the past , but on this one , i see nothing wrong with what you are saying.
# 22 Abwenzi , It’s all very well to preach self reliance, self empowerment and so forth but even to attain the freedom to do that , one needs to have connections.., to know someone in a position of influence who can facilitate self reliance. The bureacracy and red tape that is endemic in official circles is a major hindrance to self reliance and innovation.
Abwenzi# 21 and 22 you are so on. the problem is us Zambians and we need to aspire and fight for better things. smooth criminal, you have too simplistic a view. It has to start with us. The new selfless leadership whatever that is will come from us. they will reflect our values. the presernt leaders are a reflection of our society that is you and me. You talk of the youth just look at how they are living, Do we have a dicsplined hard working group of youth/?
zambian presidency is vacant..pliz we need to fill the vacancy come 2011…
#20 Zambian Prophet.. Your contribution is solid and right on the money! You couldnt be more correct.. I hope Bootlicker and friends have understood what you’ve said..
EVERYBODY LISTEN..ONE WHITE WOMAN WHO VISITED ZAMBIA SAID ZAMBIANS ARE THIN.. VERY SAD…MILLIONS DEAD ..MORE TO DIE.. MORE BAD TO CAME ..MORE TIES ..AND LESS SMILES…MILLIONS COMPLAINTS IN ALL AREAS..THE PRESIDENT IS FAT THAN AN AVERAGE ZAMBIA….ONE WHITE WOMAN WHO VISITED ZAMBIA SAID ZAMBIANS ARE THIN.
#28 So you think RB became FAT after becoming a president. Why have people lost their senses today? Is it because it is sunday? Get real .. go feed bushmen or pygmies all food you want in the world and lets see if you will Generate a PEPE KALE among them. That white person must be dull, being thin has nothing to do with whatever you are trying to say. West Africans are generally big people , chinese people are general small and Germans are generally giants.
In all fairness, the biggest problem our motherland faces is that we are making very slow progress. This is because those who are educated are not given an opportunity to make a difference in the country. We have seen freedom fighters rule since independence and we have seen that things continue to get worse. The freedom fighters have done their part and have given us freedom. Let them stand aside so that we can lead them into the next age. Zambia needs to grow, but in order to do so, the old must make way for the new.
Go to bed Zed, sleep, sleep and go on sleeping .:-\”:-\”:-\”:-\”
#30 The question to ask ourselves is how can the so called Freedom Fighters give way? Are we really sure we have not had educated Zambians enter into government? Have they really never had a chance to change this country, the educated Zambians who have served as leaders in our Governement since Independence. Is that the real problem we face? I don’t think so. I am sure historian can recount how many educated, non freedom fighter Zambians have had a chance to be leaders in governemnt and yet what have they really done? Build themselves mansions…. Yes, if you remember the POST articles of profiles of leading Zambians, mainly they wil include a picture of a Zambian who has built a mansion somewhere around Lusaka suburbs, living there with his wife, while the children are abroad.
MMD chief bootlicker sometimes I write very good I was wondering why til I was reminded to te fact that your name says it all. You carry with you the persona of the rest of them that continue to rape our country of its resources. Those that rule us clearly with no strategic vision for our country. I have seen how many people will refer to a person renting an expensive apartment and driving an expensive car as rich in Zambia, sadly that how alot of people including you describe as development what the MMD is doing to Zambia. Foreign companies come here pay our workers peanuts to you its ok because thats creating employment.
No. The Zambian problem is not that of freedom fighters clinging to power. The problem of Zambia is that we have lost of national principle as a country. Let me tell you one thing, how strong is One Zambia One Nation, even as a rhetoric? How strong is it? It is very strong. Why? Because it was a principle that one leader pursued and used to direct the country. That is why when you travel abroad you will find a group of Zambians will have no problems identifying with each other. Take the principle of Humanism, it was so strong that why we have no problems with ourselves as a people. We need a national principle. I have suggested a principle , In Zambia – no one is poor’, as a principle for the future. Twenty years from now, you would be shocked to find no Zambian is poor.
Good Afternoon
Great food for thought and debate this Sunday – quite a relief from the solipsistic micropolitics that dominated the front-page of the site the past few days.
Well, the challenging question paused by Henry is one that we must continue asking ourselves until we see better days in Zambia: does any individual or political party really have the key to put an end to backwardness and lift the country up to progressive heights?
From today’s perspective of the political scenario and leadership, I would say the answer is NO.
From the great resources that our country is endowed with, plus the great fighting spirit with which our people have mastered our existence despite the rough circumstances, the answer is YES. If only we ALL put our shoulders to the wheel, WE CAN!
You are blessed with selffish leaders:o
#32, you seem to speak wise words, so I’ll amuse you for a while. While I cannot say for sure what the actual problem is with Zed, I can say that it has not made the progress that we expect from a country that is one of the top 10, or so exporters of copper. With China growing bigger with each year, and computer networks on the rise, why should a country that has as much copper as we do, be this poor. Why do we starve when we have a few months of no rains, why do we have blackouts when kariba can power the whole of africa? The truth is, we may never what why things happen the way they do in Zed, it could be money, education, short-sightendess, greed. Zambia Prophet, why do you think Zambia has progressed as slowly as it has?
as much capitalism is good we need a good govt to drive it.We all know that Zambia was much more better than it is now under KK & Unip.what we need are people who are not selfish like the MMD THAT HAS REALLY MESSED UP OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ZAMBIA.
I also feel that it is time Zambians stopped relying on the leadership and politicians alone to improve their quality of life. Like many successfull individuals from other nations (e.g. China, India etc.) who have managed to set up strong companies whose products and services have gained worldwide recognition, Zambians too can learn how to generate their own momentum.
I know the challenges are great but with the spirit of determination, we can shape our own future. A positive development in social and economic areas of a country always begins with it’s citizens.
building & having lodges that is not development please.what Zambia needs is to improve our heath,education sector & change the concept of people like the mmd bootlicker.we are blessed with so much natural resources that we can utilise to improve the living standards of people in Zambia.2011 MMD KUYA BEBELE,CHANGE IS COMING & LET US ALL VOTE WISELY
#40 what change is coming in? Do you mean Sata, the one who saw leadership under colonial rule-he was there, One party state- he was there, Second republic-he was there, now wants leadership again After 2010, mwe bantu come on, what change is that please. Are you sure that is the change you can talk about. So please show me another change, coz if its Sata, you are lieing my friend there is no change there, ubepelefye dammit kafupi.
#34 … a complete rethink of things, a new principle you say. We seem to be on the same page. While we can’t do away with the old, we must be seen to be progressing. If we can’t run, we must walk, if we can’t walk, we must crawl, but we must never stop moving (MLK). I think zed has been moving sideways, even backwards, but we have crawled forward every now and then. What can we do to speed up the process? We can stay here and pass blame all day, and we each will be satisfied that our point was put across; but when our heads hit the pillow, we are still crawling. Perhaps we should continue to sleep. A sleeping man commits not crime.
MMD chief bootlicker…!! my friend you’ll one day fall into adversity that will make you cry over the sentiments that you so freely utter..mr. blind man, mr. ass-licking..shame one you..change before its too late…
Only KK worked as a servant of the people, the rest, its difficult to point at what they have done The current one is a tourist.
On the leadership issue of Zambia, MP George Mpombo was quoted in Today’s POST as saying “I can tell you that Mr. Michael Sata has more knowledge than a lot of educated people with degrees“. Now, the question that begs an honest answer is does Mr PF Sata MC have any degree in light of the above data from MP Mpombo and Mr Sata MC’s claims that he has two degrees?
I hope Mr PF/MC Sata will demand an apology from Hon MP George Mpombo for misleading the Nation.
Otherwise, congrats MP Mpombo on your graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science – and all the best on MMD 1.
_
“In fact, they should not underestimate or look down on one Vernon Johnson Mwaanga; he is a Maestro in his own right.” – Brig Gen G. Miyanda, POST NEWSPAPER of…
Movement for Maximum Destruction (MMD) as it should stand for has always sounded like an old LP record no wonder MMD chief bootlicker is a their number 1 fanatic bcoz he is an old fashioned zambian who believes in empty promises as long as he gets the crumbs from MMD loot…look at him in that cheap partsian piece of cloth..MMD have claimed from day 1 that they are creating a conducive enviroment for the private sector but they have not acheived anything tangible apart from looting govt funds through dubious companies set up by their members and corrupted friends …we all know that and this is y people join that party bcoz it is a gateway for defrauding the taxpayers .its unfortunate mwanawasa died , he cleaned up MMD to a point of virtue but we are now doomed . #:-s@-):((:o#:-s
#14 – #16 Mr Capitalist
Your posting makes interesting reading.I wish to point out that central govt has a role in creating a condusive enviroment for the private sector to thrive.The taxes are too high and prohibitive on small businesses,the red tape is too much to overcome.Central govt must invest in a good road network to take advantage of our geographical position.Zambia being landlocked must create intercity freeways
continued from #47
Funding could be addressed by getting the private sector involved.For example,the Central govt can sign an agreement for let`s say 50years.The private company constructs the freeway and sets up tollgates.They collect all funds during the period of the agreement to recover the their investment.
#47 … progress, we must see a way forward. I like what you’re saying. Zambia’s landlocked state is a good thing as she is strategically place at the center of southern africa. Making zambia a transportation hub would greatly boost several industries. Angola/Congo can quickly reach Malawi/Mocambique via Zambia. Zambia can serve as a train/bus/plane hub. That would also open up her borders. Investing in intercity highways, is definately the way to go. Positive thoughts. This is our Zambia; one zambia, one nation – where no one is poor?
How about going back to the basics – food security. Zambia was once the bread/green basket of southern africa. We used to be able to produce enough food to even export to the rest of Rhodesia. What happened to the Silos that were supposed to secure our food. Most likely the FRA is not doing their job. If every province where to produce enough food to feed themselves and have enough left over; then that food should be stored in silos. Next years harvest will also be stored and the previous years storage consumed/exported. That is how we secure our food.
Swap those blacks in Africa with say the British. Leave them for 20 years and pay them a visit. You would cry! Zimbabwe was only 30 years ago a beautiful country. See where she is now.
#2 kwena ulisaka. RB is aware of the problems Zambians are facing? So what?
#51, 52, Mrs Magic – take your time as you read through the comments – most are time wasters, some are serious. As you read through, try to keep a positive mind – this is our Zambia.
Zambia Prophet, those are excellent comments: I agree we need a ‘slogan’ like ‘no one is poor in Zambia’; under the guidance of leaders with a vision for the country….then as we declare that ,change will come. This is because poverty is mainly a mind problem among the citizens.
#29. No. He did not become FAT when he became president. RB has been stealing since UNIP days up to date. Ask his brother-in-law, KK. RB has just increased his fat-ness because now he is feeding like a pig since he has few years more to leave, and when he was pa munda life was hard. So, ni mwavionela nji.
#37,#54 Thanks for your good comments. We have to sell the new slogan to others. In Zambia know one is poor. Yes, we can do it. One Zambia One Nation worked wonders. Man North, Man South, Man East, Man West worked miracles. No one is poor in Zambia will work wonders if we all determine that as a country we shall ensure that no Zambian is poor. In Zambia no one is poor.
In Zambia , no one is poor indeed! How do you interpret that? How do you **** interpret that? By saying that Sata has more knowledge than an UNZA graduate? How many books has Sata, Banda, Chiluba read. Kaunda , yes, he provided food for thot with his Humanism. Please dont insult UNZA, becuase it gave me knowledge that has allowed me to live a life that many can only dream off, including Mpombo himself. Thats why he can be tossed about at will and I cant!
Zambia has Mountains , plains, valleys, Lakes, rivers, rocks, trees, the soil, insects, animals (wild, and domestic), grasses, crops, seasonal fruits, sweet potatoes!!! How do you turn these things to give you a life, comfortable life, decent life? Education period!! At the moment there is little and poor quality of it in Zambia.
Kaunda had priority in education, one secondary school per discrict each churning out about a 100 form fives a year. Chiluba (whoof, hoof!), interested only to sell what Kaunda put up and stealing , Banda interested only in travelling even at this age and era of internet, Mwanawasa yes, I was beginning to understand him , but nature robbed us. but as someone else said, we needed a principle and Mwanawasa sad to say did not have any.Education, Education, Education and Education is my Principle and anyone who wants to know please get in touch. I think I can “turn grass into diesel”; remember this joke or was it?
MMD Chief Bootlicker (#2) … I agree with Kayambalesa; how would you justify George Kunda’s K5 billion extra for Lusaka-based MPs who are already using free gas, vehicles, housing, phones, etc.? How about the 100 hearses which could have cost Zambia US$9,000 each but ended up costing US$29,000? Where did the US$20,000 go? How about the mobile hospitals which Rupiah wants to buy when existing health care infrastructure is dilapidated or inadequate, when there scarcely any drugs in hospitals, when doctors and nurses cannot be paid adequately, etc.? Keep your job well at the Zambian Embassy in South Africa because you will surely suffer when you get back home. Ubuchushi bwachilamo mu chalo chesu …
… I mean Lusaka-based MPs who are members of the NCC.
The Saga of Mobile Hospitals (Pepe Kale #59) … I wonder if we have enough ambulances in Zambia! Since a lot of Zambians in rural areas have cell phones, it would be wise for Rupiah Banda to buy ambulances so that when someone gets sick, they can call for an ambulance.
Mr. Capitalist (#14): You are suggesting that “All the hospitals, schools, housing, etc you have suggested should be done by the private sector in the urban areas.” I thought you are in Canada … is this what you see being done in Canada? You must be damn daft! If you are recommending this kind of 14th Century capitalism, then what would be the purpose of having a government? Even in the USA, the number 1 capitalist country in the world, the government provides for free education up to grade twelve, Medicaid for the poor, and decent low-cost housing.
“At independence in 1964, Zambia, as the World Bank once observed, was potentially the richest country in sub-Saharan Africa.” Henry, Henry! The operative word is “potentially.” In Physics we know that potential energy is inert and until it is brought to work it remain so forever, bar entropy! Now I get angry when people do these comparisons. The potential wealth was in the hands of a very few. Look at the demographics. The population has grown almost 4 times from 3 to 11 million! Number of graduates at independence less than 1000 and all educated outside. Number of doctors 100 and only 3 were Zambians. 11 first Medical school graduates in 1973, 8 were Asians! We have spent our wealth on human resources and infrastructure.
In 1965 January, several whites only schools were opened up for the first time to black children. Most of these children were from middle and upper civil servant and miners levels. There was no University, no Teaching Hospital, only one rail line from Livingstone to Chingola, only one tarred trunk road again from Livingstone to Chingola. Lusaka International airport terminal was built for the Commonwealth and Non-aligned summits and so was Mulungushi Conference centre. Several schools, roads and bridges were built in the first 10 to 15 years! Money was spent and very little was coming in to replace it because of the rapidly expanding non-productive population sector – child boom! In 1969 there was heavy ‘capital flight’ after the Mulungushi reforms were announced.
This ‘potential wealth’ became the very basis the financial institutions were lending us money left, right and centre. No bank lends to a poor country. When Rhodesia declared independence unilaterally in 1965, Zambia had to ask the Royal Airforce to come and defend our airspace. We had no Airforce. We had no airline. We had no railway stock because 90% was detained in Salisbury! We had to start buiding these from the scratch! Why am I saying this, it is not to say that there were no mistakes, of course there were! But, it is time Zambians learned to look to the future with PRIDE and not with dismay> It is time we BUILT ON THE GOOD we have than tear down. It is time we moved on with determination and purpose. God bless our GREAT nation, Zambia!
Over and above all this, there was FREE education, healthcare and grossly over-subsidised public utilities. This is probably the greatest mistake the UNIP government made and that is to fail to make people self reliant and self enterprising. Houses were maintained by the PWD or London County Properties (fore runner of Mpelembe Properties) on the mines. Now, all that exacted a very heavy toll on the nations finances. Thus, Zambians must learn to be wary about politicians who promise heaven in “90 days!” We need to work harder than we have ever worked before. In the past, everyone was rewarded whether they worked or not, but now let him who does not work not eat. Government must be concerned about the old widows, orphaned and disabled FULL STOP!
It is time, Zambia rewarded thrift and individual hard work. Those who work hard and earn their money justly must not be sneered upon but must be encouraged. KK’s UNIP sent siniffer dogs (SITET, ACC) after them. Indeed leaders must be open with their assets we must know how they get their “$8 million” stashed in a government account. We need probity and transparency. I would even suggest that we return to National Service for compulsory recruitment of all who are not in gainful employment. There, they can be taught skills like carpentry, horticulture, animal husbandry and upon graduation be given a handsome loan to start up a business in the area of expertise. Those who excel should be rewarded with more responsibility. Humane capitalism should be encouraged.
# 38 dammit kafupi says, Zambia was destroyed under KK, so stop saying Zambia was better under KK and Unip. Zambia was better until it was run down by KK with his bad principles of socialism , nationalisation etc. MMD was going to save this Country from total collapse but their mismanagement did’t help, although fruits of certain policies have beguan to as we can see a bit of economic growth. KK destroyed the economy of this Country
“Zambia today stands at the cross-roads with a unique moment to choose between two options, namely life or death. Our country is under siege. We have seen known criminals, plunderers and thieves coming together to push an agenda that is clearly against the wishes of the people of Zambia,” Fr Bwalya said.
“The question is: if these criminals, plunderers and thieves can decide to forgive one another and form an alliance to achieve their selfish goals, why shouldn’t we patriotic Zambians come together and save our country?”
Fr Bwalya said people were tired of a government that did not consider people’s views who put them into power.
“It is time to start our journey to freedom, to the Promised Land,” he said.
Strange but not surprising all the people contributing to this topic seem to have either sense or common sense. Zambia is not poor but mismanaged. How can you be poor when you have land and minerals?
True, KKs policies went awry. The thing is to learn from that, and learn why FJT went awry, and why if we are not careful Chinese investments may go terribly awry for the future.
Copper prices are going up soon after the chile eathquake. Is Zambia going to gain from the high copper prices? This article below is in the Zambian economist is disturbing. How does one expect Zed to develop with such policies ? A mixed economy would suit Zambia and w/fall tax reinstated in my humble opinion would bless Zed.
Zambian economist article quotation
Monday, 24 August 2009
Still undermining Zambia’s development
“Last week, we were amazed that 682 tonnes of nickel was exported at 10,000 dollars per tonne per nickel, meaning six million dollars altogether. The minister of finance was asked how much did government earn? He said government earned 300,000 dollars. So where is the other money? It has gone. The current mineral regime is not fair to Zambians.”
Wise words and a history lesson coming from The SAINT. Keep them coming – what else are we missing, what don’t we know? We need to move forward as a nation, but we also need to know about our past.