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Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)Vice Chairperson, Emily Sikazwe has called on all eligible voters to register during the on-going voter registration exercise.
Ms Sikazwe said the commission is targeting at least 80 percent of eligible voters to be captured during the exercise that will run from November 9 to December 12, 2020. The ECZ Commissioner said this when she launched the mobile voter registration exercise in Ndola today.
“In 2016, we noticed that Copperbelt did not have the right numbers in terms of voter registration, the numbers were very low. We are hoping that this time Copperbelt province will lead the pack by registering over 80 percent of the eligible voters,” she said.
She urged all eligible voters to ensure that they register during the exercise in order for them to take part in next year’s general elections.
Ms Sikazwe further said eligible voters can register from anywhere and indicate where they want to vote from.
She further urged the media to help disseminate information on the on-going mobile voter registration exercise.
“The time for voter registration is from 07:00hours to 18:00hours and our officers will ensure that all those in the queues are all attended to. All eligible voters should register, because we have new security features on the cards we are issuing,” she said.
She explained that the new security features on the new voter’s cards will deter people from making duplicate voters cards.
Ms Sikazwe further explained that the old voter’s cards will not be used in next year’s elections as the Commission is capturing all the eligible voters during the ongoing mobile voter registration exercise.
And a clergy woman of Mbala district has called on church members to register as voters in the on-going voter registration exercise.
United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Trinity Congregation Reverend, Angela Kalombo says it is important for people to register as voters if they are to take part in next year’s general elections.
Rev Kalombo said this during the farewell church service of student Revered, John Bwalya at Kaluzi UCZ Church in Mbala.
Rev Kalombo who is also Mbala District Voter Education Committee (DVEC) Chairperson said the Electoral Commission of Zambia has indicated that the current voters cards will not be used in next year’s polls hence the need for everyone to acquire the new ones.
“Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is notifying people that the current voters cards will not be used in the 2021 general elections, so it is important for everyone to go and register as voters before it is too late,” she advised.
She indicated that ECZ has since dispatched teams of voter education facilitators to educate people on the voter registration exercise which has kicked off today.
“Voter education facilitators who are front-runners are already on the ground ensuring that people are aware of the voter registration exercise. We want to see people turn up in masses to register as voters so that they can participate in the forthcoming general elections,” Rev Kalombo said.
And the Movement for Voter Sensitization (MVS) has called on Zambians to register as voters in readiness for the 2021 general elections.
MVS Spokesperson, Justine Katongo says Zambians should seize the opportunity and register during the voter registration exercise which has commenced today.
Mr Katongo told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that parents and guardians should allow all their dependents who are eligible to go and register as voters.
“We want to make this important call to the Church, traditional leaders, Chiefs, Village heads to tell their subjects to go and register as voters and obtain the new voters cards as the old ones will not be used in next year’s elections,” he said.
“I want to also warn political parties that are in the habit of peddling lies about important national events such as this one to immediately stop doing so, as this exercise is meant to benefit all Zambians and it is their right to choose a leader of their choice,” Mr Katongo said.
Mr Katongo further called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to consider creating more centres to reduce the distance that people cover to access the registrations centres.
He has since called on all citizens to start registering as the exercise will only run for 30 days.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has today launched the voter registration exercise which will take place across the country.
A Zambian national who was found dead by Police in Tanzania has been identified by his relatives. Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Joel Njase said the body of Owen Nkupisha was picked up by Tanzanian authorities last week and was waiting for identification by relatives.
He said the body of the deceased has been identified by his cousin Chilufya Banda of Ntindi Village.
“The cousin to the deceased said his relative usually travelled by train to Nakonde and observed that each time, he visited Nakonde he crossed over to Tunduma in Tanzania to drink Kachasu, a local brew,” he said.
The Police Chief further said the relatives to the deceased said their relative usually used to take illicit beer without eating any food which would make him sick.
Mr Njase said after the body was identified by his relatives, the officers conducted a physical inspection and observed that it had no physical injuries but old scars in the neck, chest, left arm and right leg.
“The body of the deceased has been handed over to the Zambia Police who have since handed it over to his relatives and has since been buried,” the Police Chief said.
Last week, a suspected Zambian national was found dead at Chapwa compound along Tunduma Mbeya road in Tanzania on the Zambia-Tanzania border.
Mr Njase said Police received a report from their Tanzanian counterparts that a body of a man suspected to be a Zambian national aged between 30 and 40 was found dead and suspected to have been strangled by unknown people.
He explained that facts on the matter are that on Tuesday morning last week, November 3, marketers who were going to the market for their daily business, found a male person suspected to be a Zambian lying in an unconscious state.
The Police Commissioner added that after the Tanzanian Police visited the scene, they found a motorbike registration number MC 359 AIB red in colour meters away from the body and suspected to be that of the deceased.
He added that after a search on the body was carried out, a national registration card was found bearing the names of the deceased.
The Police Chief said an on-spot examination of the body revealed that the deceased had marks of strangulation.
He said it is suspected that he was attacked from another scene and dumped where the body was found.
Mr Njase said a docket has been opened in Tanzania while Nakonde Police station has opened an inquiry file.
Forest Rangers are the only Zambian side that will start at home in 2020/2021 continental preliminary action.
Continental debutants Forest will host AS Bouenguidi of Gabon whom they will host in their CAF Champions League preliminary stage tie.
Winner has a massive date against five-time Africa champions TP Mazembe in the pre-group stage during the Christmas period.
The winner will be away in that second round tie.
Zambian champions Nkana are on the road to Bantu FC of Lesotho in the first leg.
It will be Nkana’s first continental trip back to Maseru since 2000.
Winner of that fixture will play Akonangui of Equatorial Guinea or Petro Atletico of Angola for a place the group stage.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Green Eagles mount a third successive attempt group stage qualification attempt with a preliminary date against Musongati of Burundi.
Winner will face UFC Sokode of Togo or Cameroon giants Coton Sport in the second stage.
Napsa Stars make their Confederation Cup debut with a first-ever trip to Comoros by a Zambian club a preliminary tie draw against Ngazi FC.
Waiting for the winner of this COSAFA zone clash will be the tournaments predecessors’ winners DC Modem Pembe of DR Congo who won the 1994 Africa Cup Winners Cup.
The first legs will be played November 27-29 and return leg during the week of December 4-6.
The Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region has applauded the diplomatic efforts to resolve the border dispute between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting lauded the political will and engagement of Member States, which has culminated into various positive developments aimed at realizing sustainable lasting peace and socio-economic development.
The Ministers also endorsed the candidature of Angola for the position of Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, subject to appointment by the Heads of State in the region during the forthcoming 8th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Great Lakes Region scheduled for November 20, 2020.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji, participated in the 8th Session of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) aimed at reviewing the security and political situation in the region.
The virtual meeting which was held on November 7, 2020, was hosted by the Republic of Congo and attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs/External Relations and representatives of Governments of Member States from Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
The committee received reports on the security, political and health situation in the Great Lakes Region and deliberated on the status of the annual contributions by the Member States.
The committee commended the Republic of Burundi and the Tanzania for the peaceful and successful political transition in their respective countries.
The meeting also commended the Burundi and Rwanda on the recent meetings between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs aimed at normalizing the bilateral relations between the two countries.
It further welcomed the formation and operationalization of the Government of National Unity in South Sudan and hailed the signing of a peace deal on 3rd October, 2020 between the Sudan Government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) to end a 17-year conflict.
The committee saluted the decision of the Council of the International Organisation of Francophonie to lift sanctions on Burundi and further urged the European Union to consider progress in the political situation in Burundi and consider lifting sanctions.
The ministers further welcomed the on-going procedures declared by United States government to delist Sudan from the countries sponsoring terrorism.
The Ministers’ meeting was held in preparation for the Ordinary Summit.
The virtual Summit will be convened under the theme “Fostering the Implementation of the ICGLR Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region by intensifying Regional Economic Cooperation and Development.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Public Relations Officer, Chansa Kabwela in Lusaka today.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Nkandu Luo has handed over three thousand improved village chickens and 320 goats to 80 women groups in Chadiza district of the Eastern province.
Prof Luo handed over the chickens and goats to the women at Tadyela Primary School in Chadiza yesterday.
Prof Luo disclosed that the livestock is an exercise to stock and restock animals under the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Program (E-SLIP) which is meant to improve the incomes and nutrition status of poor households countrywide.
“Government has put livestock development on top of its agenda as it is critical in creating wealth and alleviating the sufferings of rural communities countrywide, livestock are a multiplying resource which can help to grow the country’s economy if well harnessed,” she said.
Professor Luo called on the beneficiaries to share the livestock once it multiplies as it has been given as a pass- on- the- gift arrangement.
Prof Luo also challenged youths to get involved in cooperatives and avoid vices that may disturb their lives.
“I don’t want pregnancies in this programme, don’t create marriages but work together by seeing girls as your sisters and not girl friends,” she said.
Meanwhile Chadiza Member of Parliament Salatiel Tembo thanked President Edgar Lungu for considering Chadiza women clubs on the E-SLIP program.
Mr Tembo said the handover of the three thousand chickens and 320 goats to the clubs is a testimony of government’s pro poor policies.
He is optimistic that the empowerment program will help people in Chadiza especially the women folk to fight off poverty.
And Tigwilane Manja women’s club chairperson Dorika Phiri said the cooperatives in Chadiza are grateful to government for recognizing them as beneficiaries of livestock.
“These chickens can help us to make money through meat and egg sales and so I want my fellow beneficiaries to really take care of the chickens so that together we can realize the benefits,” she said.
E-SLIP is a seven year government program which is being implemented with support from OPEC and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).The project’s small livestock sub-component is targeting to benefit 28,000 poor small households of which 50 percent should be women, 30 percent rural youths and 20 percent men.
Cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) have risen to 7,640 countrywide in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 6,788 recorded during the same period in 2019.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said there was an increase of 852 translating into 19.8 percent (%).
Ms Katongo stated that the third quarter of 2020 disaggregated data indicates that 1,849 children were abused countrywide representing 24.2 percent of all the victims of GBV.
She indicated that out of the 1,849 child victims, 1,363 were girls representing 74 percent while 486 were boys representing 26 percent of all abused child victims respectively as well as 4,425 women and 1,366 men were abused countrywide representing 58% and 18 % respectively.
“Under sexual abuse, 832 cases of sexual offences were recorded representing 11% of all the reported cases. Out of 832, 741 victims were girls translating to 89%, 67 victims were women translating to 08%, 23 victims were boys translating to 03%, whilst 01 victim was man translating to 0.1%.A total of 714 cases of Child defilement were recorded of which 713 were girls and 01 case of a boy,” the statement read in part.
Ms Katongo also disclosed that Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases with 301 translating to 42% of the child defilement cases reported countrywide with Central Province having recorded 102 cases translating to 14% followed by Eastern Province with 89 cases translating to 12%.
She pointed out that Southern Province had 48 cases translating to 7% and Copperbelt Province recorded 44 cases translating to 6% of all the reported defilement cases.
“Others are North Western with 35 cases representing 05%, Luapula, 27 representing 04%, Western and Muchinga recorded 23 each representing 3% each, Northern had 20 representing 03%.118 rape and 21 attempted rape cases were recorded during the period under review. The country also recorded 36 cases of indecent Assault out of which 25 victims were women, 10 girls, and 01 boy. 28 cases of incest were recorded in which 14 were girls, 10 women while 04 were boys as victims,” she said.
Under Physical Abuse, Ms Katongo said the country recorded 2,368 cases translating to 31 % of the reported cases of which 394 tanslating to 17% were males, 1,762 cases translating to 74% were females, 98 cases translating to 04% were girls and 114 cases translating to 05% were boys.
She further said during the period under review, the country recorded 25 GBV related murder cases compared to 23 recorded in the third quarter, of 2019 showing an increase by 02 cases translating to 08% increase.
Under Economic Abuse, The Police Spokesperson said 452 cases of failing to Provide Necessaries of life and 351 cases of Neglecting to Provide Necessaries were recorded translating to 10.3% and 7.9% of reported cases respectively.
“It has been observed that during the initial stage of COVID-19, victims of crime were hesitant to report GBV cases due to misinterpretation of some COVID-19 preventive measures such as the Social Distancing and Stay at home campaigns. The Zambia Police Service has been working closely with cooperating partners in providing support to victims of crime as part of the COVID-19 response and in ensuring that Victims of GBV continue accessing essential service from the institution,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Ms Katongo explained that Police in the recent past have recorded an upswing in the cases of theft from motor vehicles whilst parked more especially at shopping malls.
Ms Katongo emphasized that unsuspecting members of the public have lost various property among them huge sums of money and laptops.
She appealed to members of the public to avoid leaving valuables in their motor vehicles as such attract criminals.
“It is also suspected that criminals are also trailing unsuspecting members of the public from various banks who they later steal from after parking motor vehicles hence we advise members of the public to avoid moving with huge sums of money and adopt other safe transactions such as online banking,” the statement read in part.
She further indicated that police have intensified patrols in strategic areas such as at various shopping malls to enhance security as the country is approaching the festive season.
Transparency International Zambia Chapter President Rueben Lifuka has been re-election as Vice Chairperson of the Transparency International (TI) global Board of Directors.
TIZ Executive Director Maurice Nyambe congratulated Mr Lifuka on the successful renewal of his mandate adding that the board has no doubt that he will continue to fly the Zambia flag high in the global fight against corruption.
Mr Nyambe said Mr Lifuka has spearheaded far reaching governance reforms that have positioned the TI movement for greater impact at different levels of the fight against corruption across the globe.
He said that the renewal of Mr Lifuka’s mandate is a recognition of the efforts that TI-Z continues to make in the fight against corruption in Zambia.
Mr Nyambe said such recognition puts us as a country in the spotlight when it comes to issues of corruption and good governance.
The newly elected TI Board, which is chaired Argentine Dr Delia Ferreira Rubio and comprises members from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, North America and Africa, will provide strategic direction to the global anti-corruption movement for the next three years.
“We therefore wish to renew our call to the Zambian government and other stakeholders to accelerate efforts to fight corruption and promote good governance in Zambia, not just to protect our resources but also to ensure
our good standing in the international community.”
“TIZ remains committed to collaborating with different stakeholders in our quest to eradicate corruption from Zambia, and our presence in these global spaces gives us greater resolve to succeed,” he said.
President Edgar Lungu greets Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa during the remembrance day at the National Cenotaph in Lusaka.Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANISFreedom fighters Jackson Bwalya, aged 103 (right) and John Monze, aged 98 being led to go and lay wreaths at the National Cenotaph during the remembrance day.Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANISFrom (right) Former Vice Presidents Enock Kavindele, Nevers Mumba and two Cabinet Ministers Bwalya Ngandu, Finance and Joseph Malanji of Foreign Affairs during the remembrance day at the National Cenotaph in Lusaka. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANISForeign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji (left) confers with his Finance Counterpart Minister Dr Bwalya Ngandu during the remembrance day at the National Cenotaph in Lusaka.Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS
Lusaka City Council Councillors pose for a picture with Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa during the remembrance day at the National Cenotaph in Lusaka. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANISService Chiefs give salute during the remembrance day at the national Cenotaph in Lusaka. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANISPresident Edgar Lungu talks to Freedom fighters John Monze 98 (left) and Jackson Bwalya aged 103 years during the remembrance day at the national Cenotaph in Lusaka.Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS. President Edgar Lungu lays a wreath at the national Cenotaph during the remembrance day in Lusaka. The day is observed annually to remember the fallen heroes who fought in the first and second world wars.Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has appealed to Zambians not to get disenfranchised in the 2021 General Elections for failing to register as a voter.
ECZ Chairperson, Esau Chuulu said Zambians must seize the opportunity and register in order to vote in next year’s general elections.
Justice Chuulu said this when he launched the national voter registration exercise at the civic centre in Lusaka.
The ECZ Chairperson said the voter registration will run from November 9 to December 12, 2020 and will be conducted at civic centres in all the 116 districts in the country.
Justice Chuulu stated that all eligible voters are required to register to avoid being left out of the new voters register.
“If you want to participate in the elections next year, you better register now because indeed you have a duty as a citizen to register, and indeed to ensure that you’re not disenfranchised next year,” he added.
Justice Chuulu stated that the old voters card that people currently have will not be used in the 2021 general elections as the Electoral body is issuing new voters cards.
“The voter’s card which was used in 2016, will no longer be used in the 2021 general elections” said Justice Chuulu.
He advised that anyone can register anywhere in the country as long as they indicate the polling station where they want to vote from in the 2021 elections.
“This is a national commitment, if you’re a citizen of Zambia, and eligible, seize the opportunity,” advised Justice Chuulu.
Justice Chuulu called on the church, civil society and Members of Parliament to ensure that the general public is informed and sensitized to go and register.
He explained that the online pre-voter registration which started on September 21, is still running alongside the mobile voter registration.
“We have made it possible for citizens to go and register at any place of their convenience,” said Justice Chuulu.
And ECZ Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Nshindano urged voters to ensure that they verify their particulars before leaving the registration centre.
Mr Nshindano said failure to verify details can lead to a voter not being able to vote due to the details which may have been captured wrongly.
He assured that the Commission will ensure that it has adequate personnel and registration kits to speed up the exercise.
Mr Nshindano further expressed optimism that the Commission will capture the targeted number of voters.
He explained that the voter registration is not just for the new voters but also the old voters who have to be transitioned to the new voters register.
Mr Nshindano added that the new voter registration exercise will capture new details and a person’s biometrics that will upgrade a particular voter’s details.
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He urged eligible voters to take advantage of the online voter pre – registration in order to spend less time at the registration centre.
The Electoral Commission is targeting to register about nine million voters under the new register.
Zambians that have attained the age of 18 or by 9 of May next year, are expected to register as voters for the 2021 general elections.
Brand new soulful music from the veteran herself, Maureen Lupo Lilanda, She’s has titled this impressive educative joint “Love Me A Lie.” The audio was produced by top raking sound engineer Jerry Fingers.
When Love Is a Lie will guide you towards accepting the narcissistic abuse for what it is so that you can actually move on with your life. Breaking free mentally is the key to breaking free altogether from someone with a narcissistic personality.
Maureen Lupo Lilanda, provides a story in form of song as an intuitive method for beginning this process. It’s a doable solution for everyone that will get you on the right path to becoming narcissist-free.
In just under 300 days, Zambians go to the polls to choose a President and a new Parliament. The choice of Zambia’s 7th President will have an irreversible impact on the future of our nation from both the political and spiritual point of view.
To day I wish to have a conversation with the nation on the gravity of the decision we are all about to make. This includes the path to August 2021 and the quality of our electoral process.
ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY:
The latest developments in the United States in which President Trump has challenged the integrity of that country’s electoral process calls for deep reflection by all nations which subscribe to the western type of democracy.
It is clear that the democratic election experiment is approaching the sunset of its relevance. The western system of democratic elections has started to fail in many parts of the world, especially Africa. It is time Africa begins to craft for itself a new, more credible system of choosing leaders which in the end reduces conflict and places in office leaders of morality and integrity.
As we head towards our own election next year, it is important that we truly and fully interrogate the integrity of our own electoral system. The MMD has led the way in challenging the integrity of our own electoral system. We have insisted that the only way to build confidence in our electoral system is to ensure that consensus is reached at every stage.
The path to the August 2021 election starts here and today. Our demand is that all stake holders must be satisfied that the process serves the interest of all Zambians. The 2021 election remains rigged unless all pre election issues are resolved. This includes corrupt free management of the voter registration. Corrupt free issuance of national registration cards. The unfair application of the Public order act. The selective access to public media like ZNBC, Daily Mail and Times of Zambia. More importantly, we demand the full independence of the electoral commission. ECZ in its current state is too politically compromised to deliver a free and fair election. Under the current ECZ, violence and vote buying are not punishable. Continental research on the destabilization of most african countries reveals that corrupt electoral bodies are responsible for most of the carnage taking place in Africa.
MMD therefore insists on an electoral process that is free from interference from the party in government. MMD insists on a depoliticized police service. To build confidence in the electoral commission, we demand that the current ECZ be re instituted and re organized to acquire the necessary confidence from all stakeholders.
We wish to remind the ECZ that you are not our masters but our servants supported by tax payers money. We demand for consensus on all matters relating to elections. The first act towards creating an acceptable election path is to immediately call for an elections Indaba which shall consist of all political parties, the ECZ, the Police, the media, the church and civil society. This Indaba is meant to help in building confidence in the electoral process. Such a process will help in keeping peace and unity after the elections. Contrary to some overzealous responses from some sections of the media, our call for a respectable and dependable electoral process MUST be the cry of every Zambian. How do we improve the quality of our democratic institutions if we are unable to question the dangerous cracks we see?
The fall of Bill 10 must call for reflection on both sides of the political divide. The government must understand that democracy means governance by consensus. This bill lacked consensus from the beginning but the PF government chose to use the arrogance of power to try and force the bill through. The result was the rejection of the entire bill. We call for consensus in the management of our country. That’s what democracy is all about. One single vote can shift the direction of an entire nation. There is no small or big player in democracy. Every voice matters. The outcome of Bill 10 would have been different if consensus had been pursued.
It is in this same vein that the MMD condemns any plan to table yet another bill, THE POLITICAL PARTY BILL. The PF government must not lead us into temptation by bringing bills that have the ability to divide the nation further after the failed Bill 10. We are too close to the election to start agitating the nation with more divisive bills.
The MMD however calls upon all Zambians to ensure that they are registered to vote. Our fortunes will not change if we choose not to register to vote.
STATE OF THE NATION:
MMD Chairperson of Finance Ambassador Felicity Chulu sharing a light moment with an MMD member
Our nation stands divided and paralyzed. We are at war with ourselves. We must fix this breach in our governance system. We must not divide ourselves along tribal or political party lines.
No one, outside ourselves shall bring decency back to Zambia except ourselves.
The New Hope MMD is of the view that the ongoing debate on the illegibility of President Lungu to stand is an issue for PF to resolve. Our colleagues must legally convince themselves that the law is on their side on his matter. The assumption that PF’s incumbency shall reward them in this matter is being negligent. Let them call on their best lawyers to guide them on this subject.
They must base their position on the law. The MMD can serve as a litmus test on this matter. Former President Chiluba’s bid for a third term in 2001 received overwhelming support at our party Convention. We even adopted President Chiluba as our candidate for 2001 election.
The law of the land stopped us.
MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH:
MMD National Secretary Hon. Elizabeth Chitika greeting the MMD members
In 1991, the trade union movement was at the forefront of ushering in the multiparty democracy we enjoy today.
In 2021, the lot has fallen on the Church to take the lead in deciding the outcome of the August election.
Whatever the Church shall decide will have a major bearing on the results of next year’s election. But for the Church to deliver on this mandate, she must assume a position of incorruptibility.
The first step for the church to be relevant is to say NO to monetary gifts from politicians. A compromised preacher is of no effect in the shaping a nation. A good name is better than silver and gold. It is more honorable to accept to suffer than to be corrupted and lose your voice and Godly authority.
The second step is to get rid of FEAR. Many great ministers of the Gospel are in paralysis. Afraid to lose what they have. Fear to be imprisoned for saying the truth.
In 2012, God gave the former ruling party to us Christians, following my landslide victory at the MMD convention. The first time a member of the clergy became a leader of a mainline political party.
We were persecuted. Fought against and Imprisoned.
We fought back. After a long struggle which lasted almost four years, we finally overcame with a landmark judgement from the High Court which declared us as victors.
MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY:
Part of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members and MMD members
Today, I wish to submit that I have never and shall never compromise on who I am. My first call and my first love is that I am an ordained Minister of the Gospel. I belong to the church fraternity. I have served the Lord for 44 years. I have seen Zambia transition from being a mediocre Christian society to a fully practicing Christian Nation.
I wish to echo the words of St Paul, “… I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Before Politics, in Politics and beyond Politics, my position remains unchanged. I am God’s servant first, then a politician. Just like Paul was first an Apostle and then a carpenter. I am running for President of Zambia to infuse Godly values into our governance system. I therefore call upon every confessing Christian in the land to stand behind us as we prepare to place righteousness on the throne.
These values of integrity, justice for all and equitable distribution of goods and services to all Zambians are what shall build a strong and resilient economy.
I held the second position in the land when our economy hit its summit of success. We became one of the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Our foreign reserves were intact. We had almost run towards a zero debt portfolio. Zambians had disposable income in their pockets. As President I intend to build upon that success.
FOREIGN POLICY:
Under the New Hope MMD administration, we shall not be an appendage of any foreign power. We shall never ever be colonized again, either politically or economically. We shall live within our means so that our existence is not dependent on other economies. We shall be free to make our own political decisions. We shall choose our own friends and we shall demand for respect in all our multilateral transactions. We shall ensure that Zambians have the first share in all the resources of the country. We shall ensure that Zambians are the bosses within the boundaries of our nation. We shall strengthen all productive and mutually respectable bilateral relations. We shall also further cement the Zambia- Israel relations by moving our embassy to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel. Zambia has a rich history with Israel and we intend to strengthen this.
NATIONAL MOBILIZATION:
Today, I am honored to flag off one of the most ambitious mobilization programs ahead of next year’s election. Under the supervision of our National chairperson for Mobilization, Madam Sylvia Nawa, I am confident that the political fortunes of MMD are about to flip positively.
I am convinced that the season for the Church to provide national leadership is now. We have been prepared for a generation and we cannot be called unqualified. In this generation we have upped the Christian influence to 97% of the population. We have declared Zambia a Christian Nation and we have adopted Christian principles and values as the guiding light into our future. What is left to complete this progress is to elect practicing Christians as Counsellors, Members of Parliament and President. August next year gives us an opportunity to complete the Godly project of making Zambia a truly Christian Nation and a light house on the continent of Africa.
CONCLUSION:
The question on your mind might be, but is MMD electable? Maybe your question should be, Is morality and integrity in a Christian nation electable? I believe it is, because we need it. There will always be those who are satisfied with the status quo. They were satisfied under colonial rule. They were satisfied under one party rule. They are now satisfied with the status quo. The New Hope MMD offers continuity of all democratic freedoms, a healthy economy, a new Christian leadership and a proven track record.
There is a shift towards God in the nation. There is a hunger for equitable justice. Zambians have shifted and New Hope MMD is here to provide the leadership.
Jesus said to the disciples,”…Launch out into the deep for a draught….” the disciples contended that they had tried to fish all night but with no success, but at thy word, we shall do it again, and when they did two boat fulls could not carry the fish..” remember it was the same waters they had dealt with the whole night. But when Jesus confirmed the season of harvest, the same ‘impotent waters yielded fish..’
MMD labored all night with nothing to show for it, but I now hear the voice of he Lord saying, throw down your nets one more time. At his word, from the same Zambian population, electoral victory is at hand.
I, therefore, charge all MMD members nationwide to go into all Zambia and announce that righteousness on the throne is now possible.
In the USA, a former Vice President Joe Biden of a former ruling party is about to be sworn in as President of the United States.
Four months ago, in the neighboring country of Malawi, A pastor Rev Lazarous Chakwera, running on a former ruling party was sworn in as President of Malawi.
It is not beyond Zambia’s reach for a former Vice President and a Pastor Nevers Mumba, running on a former ruling party to be sworn in as the 7th President of the Republic of Zambia.
May God bless our great Republic. Zambia Shall be Saved. I thank you.
Joe Biden didn’t just drop from a privatization scandal to seek the presidency like some clown who want to project themselves as Joe Biden of Zambia
He is an experienced politician and leader. He served twice as Vice President of America from 2009 to 2017:He was a running mate to Obama for 2terms.
He started as a County Councillor in 1970, then served as Senator for Delaware from 1973 to 2009.
Americans have learnt their lessons of entrusting national leadership to a businessman with no experience in governance. Trump was criticizing the chinese in public kanshi he owns a private bank account in China, Typical of shrewed businessmen like one in Zambia.
We dont have to repeat the mistake made by Americans to realise how dangerous it is to have a businessman with no governance experience for a President
Chief Chikanta of Kalomo District in the Southern Province has advised fellow traditional leaders in the province to consider working closely with the government of the day in order to attract development to their respective areas.
The chief has noted that it will be difficult for traditional leaders to achieve much of their developmental needs if they work in isolation from the government which is key in facilitating resource mobilization for developmental programs.
Chief Chikanta emphasized the need for a strong partnership between traditional leaders and government in order to foster socio-economic development in the various rural communities.
The chief who is also the chairperson of the Southern Province Council of chiefs was speaking in Dundumwezi yesterday during the Lwiindi Ceremony held at his palace which was attended by more than 10 chiefs from the southern province.
Chief has maintained that because of his strong partnership with the PF government his chiefdom has witnessed unprecedented development including the first-ever electrification programme, erection of six communication towers, and the construction of an all-weather road linking Kalomo to Itezhi via Dundmwezi.
And Chief Chikanta has pledged to mobilize the people of Dundumwezi constituency to register in masses as voters as the exercise opens tomorrow.
The traditional leader who is also the National Ambassador for the Movement for Voter Sensitization said it is important for all the people to participate in the electoral process by ensuring they exercise their right to vote.
Earlier the Movement for Voter Sensitization urged the people of Dundumwezi to take advantage of the voter registration exercise opening tomorrow (MVS)
MVS spokesperson Justine Katongo told hundreds of Dundumwezi residents who attended the ceremony that the movement will focus a lot on voter apathy and electoral violence as these vices have the potential to erode citizens ‘confidence’ in the electoral process.
The best way to honor those that lost lives in world wars 1 and II is through the maintenance and sustenance of peace said Anglican Bishop Trevor Selwyn Mwamba during a diplomatic remembrance mass held at St George´s church in Berlin on Sunday.
The Berlin-based and Zambian-born clergy appealed to a gathering of the members of the diplomatic corps that braved a chilly autumn morning that peace was something the current generation must keep working on daily and guarded jealously.
“It is the best way to honour the fallen heroes that lost lives from across the globe in world wars of the past,” Bishop Mwamba said.
The retired clergy from Canterbury said, “every person is endowed by his or her creator with the capacity to undertake specific tasks that could contribute to a better life today and in the future of peace.”
Bishop Mwamba was speaking in the German capital Berlin during a sermon to mark the 75th World War II celebrations which were attended by, among others, Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany His Excellency Anthony Mukwita, spouse Elaine and Defense Attaché, Col. Sylvester Himwiinga along with the Indian Ambassador and other diplomats.
“Think of just being kind a simple concept, yet so very impactful. It can make the world a better place by ending suffering at the hands of war, hunger, human rights violations, and injustice. It has the power to drastically improve our own wellbeing as well as that of our families, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. The very act of expressing kindness to one another makes us more empathetic of other people’s hardships”, Bishop Mwamba said.
Quoting Matthew 5:9 in which Jesus Christ said “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God,” Bishop Mwamba cited notable individuals such as the UN second Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, a Swedish economist and diplomat who died in a plane crash on the 18th of September in 1961 in the then Northern Rhodesia now Zambia while pursuing a peace deal in Congo now the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC.
He also cited John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States who is widely credited with the prevention of a nuclear blood bath during the famous Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 in which the then Soviet Union had been reported to have moved nuclear weapons into Cuba and stationed them just 145km from the US shores.
In this case, President Kennedy diffused the tension by peacefully courting his Soviet counterpart Nikita Khrushchev who, as a consequence, ordered a retreat and immediate removal of the missiles. Eminent carnage was avoided by the simple act of peace.
Bishop Mwamba said, “each one of us who seeks peace honors the memories of those who gave their lives in the wars that have been fought as this is their request to the present and future generations.”
He said, “we must ask for nothing but remembrance of their lives and a promise of peace for future generations. By remembering their lives, we show respect and honor; and to promise peace to future generations, we strive to prevent the madness and evil of war.”
Reflecting on the sermon, Ambassador Mukwita said those that have governed Zambia from the founding father Kenneth Kaunda to the present leader, President Edgar Lungu, must be commended for their pursuit of peace since the country’s independence 56years ago.
“The peace we enjoy today under President Lungu has been passed on from the founding father Dr Kenneth Kaunda and as a citizen of a great peaceful country like Zambia, we must continue guarding it jealously,” said Ambassador Mukwita.
Together with the Zambian people, Ambassador Mukwita said, President Lungu and others before him have managed to maintain the peace and stability the country continues to enjoy.
“As long as we can continue to pursue peace in all we do”, Ambassador Mukwita said “the blessings the Lord promised in Matthew 5:9, will always be ours”.
He also commended the African Union for the program “Silencing the Guns by 2020”, a continental effort to realize peace in Africa while ridding the continent of illegal weapons, a program that has and continues to score notable successes as more and more people voluntarily surrender weapons in an arms amnesty that has been declared in several countries, Zambia included under President Lungu.
This year’s WWII commemoration at St George was restricted to a small group of diplomats under the strict observance of COVID 19 rules following a partial shut-down of the country as the virus escalates in Europe’s largest economy.
Up to 75 million lives were lost during the wars including Zambian soldiers conscripted to fight side by side with British soldiers as a colony of the kingdom.
This is according to a statement issued by Kellys Kaunda, the Press Secretary at the embassy of Zambia in Berlin.
