Thursday, November 28, 2024
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You’re doing injustice to mother earth; stop burning bushes!

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You’re doing injustice to mother earth; stop burning bushes!

During his press briefing at State House where he called for prudent utilisation of public resources especially during this critical period of energy and food insecurity induced by the drought, President Hakainde Hichilema bemoaned the culture of bush burning.

How many times are we going to be warned about the dangers of burning bushes or deforestation?The Earth is already warming up, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising hence increasing the risk of heatwaves, floods and droughts.

A lot of things had gone in this country; we deserve a lot of schooling. For instance, in the farming block where we’ve a small holding, children have a habit of burning bushes as they hunt for mice during this time of the year as adults equally go on rampage cutting down trees, indiscriminately, for various reasons!

While those of us that haven’t disturbed the environment that much, unless for cultivation purposes of course, get to enjoy the mushrooms, caterpillars and wild fruits (amasuku which unfortunately now face extinction) during the rain season; their land can no longer yield anything and they resort to stealing from us in the night……the very reason why we intend to get a revolver!

This is not the only area where our people need salvation; let’s consider waste management for instance……every other day, we see plastic materials and disposable bottles flying-out of moving vehicles on the highway while residents in the townships have no qualms choking the drainages with garbage and littering the the streets with all manner of rubbish! Little wonder why cholera is a perennial problem in this country.

We don’t surely expect the President to be always addressing such issues. Cabinet ministers; what are you doing to help the President deliver? We expect the one responsible for the environmental portfolio to be in the forefront of raising awareness on the causes and effects of climate change while their local government counterpart must focus on ensuring our people keeping their surroundings clean at all the time.

On our first visit to England, a friend of ours invited us to a McDonald’s outlet……finger licking good! After our feast, we were hastily heading for the exit only to realise our host had remained behind to clear the mess on our table. You can imagine the Ostrich egg on our face!

How many of us walk out of Hungry Lion leaving litter strewn all over the place? How often do we see school going children munching their jiggies and happily discarding empty packets or indeed adults helping themselves behind trees after they’ve had one too many?

We’re doing injustice to mother earth! Let us be good stewards of what God has bequeathed to us.

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Polical/Social Analyst

Zambia and China agree on some waivers to encourage more Chinese tourists in Zambia

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Zambia and China agree on some waivers to encourage more Chinese tourists in Zambia

Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba says China’s vast population provides a huge tourism market for Zambia.

Mr Sikumba says it is for this reason that his Ministry has chosen to partner with the Chinese government for strategic collaboration that will boost the Tourism industry.

He adds that the two countries have consequently coined 2024 as the year of tourism and culture.

The Minister who was speaking shortly after a tour of Lusaka National Park with visiting Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia, further explained that Zambia and China have agreed on some waivers to encourage more Chinese tourists in Zambia.

Under the deal, the two countries are strategising on having direct flights between China and Zambia as well as the removal of visa restrictions for Chinese tourists.

Mr Sikumba also shared that the two countries have agreed for China to help Zambia with infrastructure in the tourism sector and has called on all players in the hospitality sector to improve on service delivery in order to meet the demand that will be created by the growth in tourist inflows.

Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia has concluded his four day visit to Zambia

Tambatamba directs FRA to heighten its outreach programmes to enhance the maize buying exercise

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Tambatamba directs FRA to heighten its outreach programmes to enhance the maize buying exercise

Minister of Labour and Social security Brenda Tambatamba has directed the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Kasempa district to heighten its outreach programmes to enhance the maize buying exercise.

Ms Tambatamba says the FRA must heighten its maize buying exercise through engagement in extension and outreach programmes to ensure that the district is food secure.

She said this during the Disaster Mitigation and Management Unit district meeting in Kasempa district yesterday.

“We are in an emergency, we are not going to buy like any other year which was normal here it’s dash and run and do everything possible,” Ms Tambatamba added.

She further explained that there is need for FRA to combine the maize buying exercise with the outreach programme for their buying target to be met.

“You are buying there while you have got other people reaching out to the farmers because you know that their is stiff competition,” Ms Tambatamba added.

She urged FRA buyers to become more aggressive and be mobile as they conduct the maize buying exercise to ensure that enough grain has been bought.

And , District Administrative Officer Francis Makanga assured the Minister that the district administration office and FRA had put some measures to ensure the district was food secure.

“Like mechanisation is already there in far flung areas we have asked farmers to group themselves then we take mobile scales to be purchasing from there,” Mr Makanga said.

He disclosed that his office had written to the provincial permanent secretary to enable FRA to start buying maize on cash basis.
He was confident that FRA had put in place mechanisms which would ensure that they meet the target as a result making the district food secure.

Meanwhile, The Food Reserve Agency FRA has announced that it will soon commence the sale of maize under the Community Sales Programme in smaller packages in order to accommodate selected vulnerable households who cannot otherwise afford the 50KG bags.

The Agency has since commenced the packaging of maize into 25kg and 1kg bags to be sold at K165 and K66 respectively
The initiative is targeting households in the 84 drought affected Districts and complimenting governments safety net programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer programme .

In a press statement released today, FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe expressed optimism that the initiative will give the targeted households options of packages to choose from when considering to buy the commodity.

Dr. Zumani Zimba’s Calls on PF to Welcome Miles Sampa

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Dr. Zumani Zimba’s Calls on PF to Welcome Miles Sampa

In a compelling and spiritually charged piece, Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba, a renowned political scientist and former political advisor to President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL), has called upon the Patriotic Front (PF) to welcome, forgive, and celebrate Miles Sampa, referring to him as their “prodigal son.” Dr. Zimba’s article, infused with biblical references and reflections on divine favor, lays out twelve reasons why the PF must embrace Sampa’s return.

Dr. Zimba begins by drawing on the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically citing Matthew 20:26-27, to highlight the virtues of servitude and humility in leadership. He parallels this with President Lungu’s rise within the PF, noting that Lungu initially served as a deputy minister before ascending to higher positions under President Michael Sata’s administration. This trajectory, according to Dr. Zimba, exemplifies the divine favor that has guided Lungu’s political journey.

Reflecting on Lungu’s tenure as Zambia’s sixth president, Dr. Zimba attributes Lungu’s leadership to heavenly favor despite numerous challenges. He also addresses the political turmoil following the 2021 elections, accusing President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) of attempting to undermine Lungu and the PF by allegedly sponsoring Miles Sampa to create division within the party.

Dr. Zimba emphasizes that true national leadership, especially in a Christian nation like Zambia, is ordained by God, not by external influences. He cites Jeremiah 1:5 to reinforce the belief that Lungu’s leadership is divinely appointed. This spiritual conviction is further underlined by the unexpected midnight meeting between Lungu and Sampa on June 30, 2024, which Dr. Zimba interprets as a manifestation of God’s favor.

Drawing a parallel to the biblical story of the prodigal son, Dr. Zimba describes Sampa as having gone astray but now returning in humility and repentance. He urges the PF to embrace Sampa with love, forgiveness, and compassion, mirroring Lungu’s own response. Dr. Zimba contrasts this approach with what he describes as the bitterness and vengeance characterizing the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Dr. Zimba anticipates a time when the PF will be restored to unity, suggesting that Lungu will host a grand celebration to welcome Sampa back into the fold. He underscores that the foundation of the PF, built by President Sata and Lungu, is one of forgiveness and human love.

Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba is an esteemed political scientist with a PhD, MA, BA, and certification in Political Science. Known for his expertise in Comparative Global Governance and Democratic Theories, Dr. Zimba has served as President Lungu’s political advisor and is a proponent of Pan-Africanism and Afro-Christian values.

Chipolopolo set unenviable records at COSAFA

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Chipolopolo set unenviable records at COSAFA

Chipolopolo losing records continue to be posted and this time it was Comoros turn to make history.

Comoros beat Zambia 1-0 to end their five match winless run against the record seven- time COSAFA Cup champions.

And it was at the COSAFA Cup today that the Indian Ocean islanders met the milestone with that win in both sides final Group B game at Nelson Mandela Bay.

The milestone goal came on the hour mark and in style when Comoros striker and captain Ibroihim Youssouf beat two defenders and then chipped the ball over zambia goalkeeper Victor Chabu.

Youssouf’s goal would eventually seal Comoros passage to the COSAFA Cup semifinals.

But Zambia also set another unenviable record at COSAFA.

It is the first time the record seven- time COSAFA Cup champions had lost three successive preliminary group stage matches,and without a goal for that matter, that saw Zambia finish bottom of Group A on zero points.

It beat Zambia’s 2021 record of two successive group stage defeats set at the same venue when Chipolopolo also made a preliminary stage exit as defending champions.

Overall, it’s been an awful nine-competitive match winless run for Zambia since beating Congo Brazzaville 4-2 on November 17, 2023 in Ndola in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

But Zambia’s only win since then was in a friendly when they beat hosts Malawi 2-1 on March 26 this year from an overall run of 12 internationals.

President Hakainde Hichilema Reiterate Government’s Resolve to Respond to Effects of Climate

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President Hakainde Hichilema Reiterate Government’s Resolve to Respond to Effects of Climate

President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated the government’s resolve to effectively respond to the effects of climate change that have resulted in a drought in the country.

And President Hichilema has called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in finding solutions that the current drought has caused on people’s livelihood.

The Head of State says there is a need to work together regardless of people’s political, social, tribe or religious affiliation in order to overcome the current challenges of the food and energy crisis caused by the drought.

He was speaking in Monze today when he graced the 2024 Lwiinde Gonde traditional ceremony of the Tonga people of Monze District of Southern Province which was celebrated under the theme” Chilanga” meaning drought.

President Hichilema noted that the government is focused on ensuring that it feeds all the people that have been affected by the drought and are in need of food aid.

He explained that to this effect, efforts have been intensified towards mitigation such as providing maize to the Zambia National Service and private millers to provide mealie meal for the urban population, while in rural areas the government is taking back the maize to depots for easy access by the people in rural areas.

“We are all aware that the country experienced a devastating drought which affected the entire southern Africa, but as a government we have already responded by declaring a drought an emergency meaning a number of measures have been put in place to ensure that our people are provided with food and water,” he said.

President Hichilema has further noted that the government will provide equal support to all the traditional ceremonies celebrated in all the 10 provinces of the country.

The Head of State noted that this is because the government recognises traditional ceremony as a tool for enhancing national unity and promotion of cultural heritage.

He said government will also continue to improve the welfare of traditional leaders and their retainers through the provision of basic needs such as decent accommodation and water among others.

President Hichilema has since directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Zambia Correctional Service to expedite the works on the construction of Chiefs palaces across the country.

“Am happy that the construction of Chief palaces across the country has started but I would like to urge my colleagues from the local government and correctional service to finish the work quickly. Let us not be on the same assignment for a long time, we need to work hard for the people of Zambia,” the President added.

President Hichilema also stated that government will continue to work hard to deliver according to the expectations of the people and also towards improving the living standards.

He said the government has since managed to restructure the debt, hence there will be space for government to allocate resources to other needy areas for the benefit of the people.

Provincial Minister, Credo Najuwa, said the Lwiinde Gonde traditional ceremony has continued to be a unifying factor as evident by the number of people it attracts from different parts of the country.

Mr Najuwa thanked the 33 traditional leaders for finding time to be part of the ceremony that is targeted at celebrating the country’s heritage and tradition.

And the host Chief, Senior Chief Monze, called on traditional leaders in the country to be champions of peace and unity in order to foster development in the country.

Senior Chief Monze explained that this is because traditional leaders as custodian of people have an important role to play in ensuring that citizens in the country embrace peace and unity through coexisting.

He noted that as Chiefs in the country, they have resolved to lead by example and ensure that people in the country embrace peace and unity at all levels.

Chief Monze further thanked the Chiefs from different parts of the country, including Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province for attending the ceremony, adding that this signifies the unity that the traditional leaders are trying to promote.
“For me I pray that this peace we have enjoyed should continue, there is no need for tribalism we need to co-exit. Us, as traditional leaders, we want everyone to embrace the one Zambia and nation motto which is about peace and love.

“Am happy that the Paramount Chief is here with my other colleagues from across the country to show you that as Chiefs we are united,” he stressed.

In his vote of thanks which was read by Chief Mnukwa, Paramount Chief Mpezeni called on Chiefs in the country to work with government in addressing the negative effects of climate change affecting the country.

Meanwhile, traditional prophet, Douglas Halubinga, commended the government for being proactive to the drought that has affected the country.

He further cautioned people against the indiscriminate cutting down of trees for charcoal production saying that it is one of the causes of climate change that brings about drought.

Prophet Halubinga further gave a traditional rain forecast for the next rain season, noting that the country is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall.

“Last season we had a drought which I forecast, but we can’t blame anyone for this, we also need to change our ways of cutting down trees as this affects our weather pattern.

“But, thankfully, the government has responded very well and has assured that no-one will die of hunger,” he stated.

Farming Communities Appeal to President Hichilema Amid Severe Load Shedding

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Farming Communities Appeal to President Hichilema Amid Severe Load Shedding

The Socialist Party President, Dr. Fred M’membe, has voiced the concerns of Zambian farmers, who are grappling with extensive power outages that threaten their livelihoods. In a recent post, Dr. M’membe conveyed a heartfelt plea from farming communities to President Hakainde Hichilema, highlighting the critical impact of load shedding on their ability to implement irrigation farming.

Dr. M’membe shared a message from a distressed farmer, emphasizing the dire situation faced by those in the agricultural sector. According to the farmer, the daily power cuts, lasting between 18 to 20 hours, make it nearly impossible to pump water into storage facilities, a process that typically requires 6 to 12 hours of continuous electricity. This has severely hindered efforts to enhance irrigation farming, despite the government’s initiatives.

“Mr. Hichilema, you have come up with good initiatives for farmers to enhance irrigation farming. This is excellent, and we are ready to take up the challenge,” the farmer wrote. “However, if we are being load shedded for 18 to 20 hours daily, just how are we going to access water and pump it into our storage facilities to actualise your irrigation farming dream?”

The appeal also addresses the practical challenges of transitioning to solar power, a solution suggested by President Hichilema. The farmer pointed out that, given the recent drought and subsequent crop losses, many farmers lack the capital to invest in both irrigation equipment and solar energy systems. The high commercial lending rates further exacerbate the issue, leaving farmers without access to affordable credit facilities necessary for such investments.

“Here is a farmer who has lost nearly all his crop harvest due to the drought. He now needs to buy irrigation equipment and invest in solar energy. In the real world, where will such a farmer find the capital to do all these things?” the farmer questioned. “Where are concession credit facilities for farmers, given that we cannot afford the prevailing high commercial lending rates?”

The message from the farming community also criticized the government’s approach to implementing policies and the perceived disconnect between proposed solutions and real-world feasibility. The farmer urged President Hichilema to focus on practical measures that can improve their current conditions rather than discussing long-term plans that seem out of reach.

“Your spoken ideas are great, and I guess that’s why you qualify for many more honorary PhDs, but they seriously lack practicality. Learn to be practical and stop belittling us. We are not interested in 2026 but improving the quality of our lives right now,” the farmer implored.

Africa has the capacity to feed itself, Mozambican President

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Africa has the capacity to feed itself, Mozambican President

Mozambican President Fillipe Nyusi says Africa has the capacity to feed itself with the vast knowledge and technological capabilities that it possesses.

President Nyusi says he is impressed that Zambia is making already making great strides towards food security for the region through the production of one of the key inputs in the Agricultural process.

Speaking yesterday when he undertook a tour of the United Capital Fertilizer, Zambia’s leading manufacturer of D compound fertiliser, the President added that he is very impressed with the production capacity and jobs being created by the United Capital Fertilizer for the Zambian people.

“ Mozambique is a large producer of phosphate, which is one of the key materials in the production of fertilizer and added that Zambia and Mozambique could collaborate and trade in this regard, “ he stated.

Earlier, United Capital Fertilizer Board Chairperson Chance Kabaghe revealed that his company has grown it’s production capacity of D compound fertilizer from 300,000 metric tonnes to 800,000 metric tonnes from 2022.

Mr. Kabaghe added that the company’s expansion works have reached an advanced stage and will enable it to produce about 100,000 metric tonnes of Urea by the end of this year while targeting to produce 800,000 metric tonnes annually.

The over One billion investment, the company has created over 1,000 jobs and another 1,000 once the Urea plant is fully operational.

Accompanying President Nyusi was his foreign affairs and international cooperation Minister Veronica Dlhovo and other Mozambican political and administrative leaders and Zambian Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba.

He is in the country on a three day working visit which he will conclude tomorrow 30th June after officiating at this year’s 58th Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola.

There is no US base in Zambia, Army Commander

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There is no US base in Zambia, Army Commander

Zambia Army Commander Sitali Alibuzwi says there is no US base in Zambia contrary to some assertions that the United States US has a military base in Zambia.

Lieutenant General Alibuzwi has clarified that Zambia had been cooperating with the US AFRICOM for over 15 years and that it was unfortunate that some individuals who had the correct information projected a false image.

Lt. General Alibuzwi added that the Zambia Army received military assistance in terms of courses and training which did not interpret into a base being created.

In a statement , the Zambia Army Commander was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the Zambia High Commission, in Gaborone, Botswana.

“We have been cooperating with the US AFRICOM for quiet some years now, more than 15 years. I want to assure everyone that there is no base.

“ Of course we do receive some military assistance in terms of courses, training and medical support this does not interpret into a base and therefore it is unfortunate that even those who have got correct information go way out to falsify things and project an image which is not there, thereby creating fear to the extent of our neighbours and this is unfortunate, ” he said.

Lt. Col. Alibuzwi was in Botswana to attend the African Chiefs of Defence Conference (ACHOD) 2024, which was being co-hosted by the Botswana Defence Force and the US Africa Command.

The ACHOD provides an opportunity for senior military officials from across Africa to discuss topics such as counter terrorism, collaboration in crisis response, and the importance of civilian and military relations.

At the sidelines of the Conference, General Alibuzwi held bilateral discussions with General Charles Q. Brown Jr, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General Michael E. Langley, US Africa Command Combatant General.

The discussions centred on matters of Defence and Security development in Zambia and continued Defence Cooperation with the US military.

Lt. Col. Alibuzwi later interacted with the Zambian students training in the Botswana Defence Force Colleges.

Zimbabwe Crush Chipolopolo’s COSAFA Mission

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Zimbabwe Crush Chipolopolo’s COSAFA Mission

The sun is setting on Chipolopolo Zambia’s defence of the COSAFA Cup title following a 2-0 loss to arch-foes Zimbabwe in their penultimate Group B match on Sunday at Nelson Mandela Day.

Two goals in the opening 43 minutes and a second straight red card for Zambia at the COSAFA Cup sums up their forgettable quest for an unprecedented third successive regional title and a record eighth.

It was Chipolopolo’s second straight 2-0 Group B loss after Kenya beat them in their opening fixture on June 26.

Zambia are bottom of Group B on zero points, Comoros and Kenya are tied on 3 points while six-time champions Zimbabwe are flying to the semifinals on maximum 6 points with a game to spare.

Comoros beat Kenya 2-0 in the lunchtime kickoff.

Zimbabwe ran rampant against a basic Zambian defence particularly tormenting young right-back Mathews Banda from whose position one of the two goals was generously crafted from.

Michael Tapera scored an early contender for goal of the tournament when he raced from just inside Zimbabwe’s half on the left wing to mount a solo run beating three Zambian defenders and then shooting from an acute angle to send the ball beyond Charles Kalumba.

On the other wing, Tinotenda Meke continued to give Zambia problems on that flank heading into that moment of Zimbabwe’s second goal.

In the middle of all that, Zambia suffered two setbacks with firstly defender Chitoshi Chinga substituted for an injury in the 24th minute and was replaced by Mathews Chabala.

Then defender Killian Kanguluma walked after two unnecessary yellows in the 24th and 32nd minutes.

Zimbabwe grabbed the opportunity and marginal superiority in manpower with both hands and sealed the contest in the 43rd minute when Takunda Benhura headed in Farai Banda’s cross.

Sadly, Chipolopolo continued to look tame in the second half in what is their worst run of preliminary stage starts at the COSAFA Cup.

A face-saving mission awaits Chipolopolo against Comoros on July 2 in their final Group B match.

Mbewe Stays Positive Despite Chipolopolo’s Early COSAFA Setback

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Mbewe Stays Positive Despite Chipolopolo’s Early COSAFA Setback

Chisi Mbewe is certain defending COSAFA Cup champions and ten-man Zambia will bounce back from Thursdays big defeat to Kenya.

Two first half goals ,one of which was a penalty, were enough to hand Chipolopolo an early setback in a match Kenya won 2-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa to go top of Group B on match day one.

The defeat left Zambia bottom of Group B while Kenya lead on goal difference tied on 3 points with Zimbabwe who beat third placed Comoros 1-0.

“I think we have a chance to qualify.The most important thing is we don’t need look down because of the loss.We need to be strong in the next game and ensure that we keep our dreams of defending our title alive,” Mbewe said.

Kenya took the lead from a penalty conceded by Chitoshi Chinga in the 9th minute that was converted by Austine Atieno.

Patrick Otieno then beat defender Brian Chilimina to fire in the second goal in the 19th minute.

Kenya then looked comfortable absorbing some tame pressure from Zambia to give the defending champions a mountain to climb but not before Kelvin Kapumbu was shown a second yellow in the dying minutes of the second half.

“Otherwise if you saw the way we played, I think we did not play badly but we tried our level best but sometimes football can be like that,” Mbewe said.

“So the most important thing is we have to rise up as quickly as possible.

” We shouldn’t let this defeat destroy our ambitions of defending the trophy.”

It only gets harder for Zambia who must beat their COSAFA nemesis and arch-foes Zimbabwe in their penultimate Group B on Sunday or will see their semifinal hopes die.

Only the three group winners of the 12 team championship and best overall second placed side qualify for the semifinals.

President Hichilema Confers With His Mozambican Counterpart

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President Hichilema Confers With His Mozambican Counterpart

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema, has commended his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Jacinto Nyusi for allowing the SADC troops to undertake a peace, security and stability mission in Cabo Delgado.
President Hichilema said through maintenance of peace in Mozambique, results in peace, security and stability for the entire SADC region.

The Head of State noted that President Nyusi allowed the aspect of peace and stability to take centre stage, part of the responsibility that Zambia carries as Chair of the SADC Troika on Politics, Defence and Security.

President Hichilema was speaking at Statehouse today, during bilateral talks with his Mozambican counterpart President Nyusi to discuss social and economic collaboration that foster development in the two countries.

The Head of State highlighted the progress made on the joint Chanida One Stop border where the two governments want the border to operate 24 hours to facilitate enhanced trade.

“Today we are going to discuss issues around supporting our economies, investment and trade,” President Hichilema said.
President Hichilema appreciated his counterpart for accepting an invitation for a state visit, which he said remains cardinal for fruitful engagements.

He also extended best wishes to the people of Mozambique ahead of the October 2024 general elections.
President Hichilema called for a democratic process, by allowing peace to prevail before, during and post elections.
He commended President Nyusi for his leadership provided to Mozambique during his two terms.
Meanwhile President Nyusi, indicated the need to do more towards enhancing relations between Zambia and his country.
The Mozambican Head of State is hopeful that the discussions will border around economic relations that will improve the two countries.
“We need to do more in terms of economic diplomacy and this is why we are here,” President Nyusi stated.
He thanked Zambia for its support from the time of liberations that has helped reduce challenges of terrorism in his country.

President Hichilema; thanks for demonstrating you’re smarter than Edgar Lungu

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President Hichilema; thanks for demonstrating you’re smarter than Edgar Lungu

There’s no doubt about it; Edgar Lungu and his cronies in the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) used the opportunity to have their rally over the weekend in Kitwe to abuse and insult President Hakainde Hichilema instead of providing alternative solutions. Understandably, this left many of his ardent supporters seething with anger and they took to Social media to castigate and school Lungu!

Therefore, when State House informed the nation the President would be addressing the nation through the press, Tuesday, many of us were anxious to know the issues the President would be raising. In one way or another, we suspected the President would be responding to some of the personal attacks occasioned on him by his nemesis.

However, many of us were taken aback when the President focussed on addressing pertinent issues affecting the nation as opposed to reducing his status as head of state by dwelling on petty or irrelevant issues. Even the master of ceremony, Thabo Kawana advised the media to stick to issues raised by the President in his briefing instead of sneaking in non issues.

Here are some of the highlights from today’s briefing:

  • Controlling Officers and public service workers in Procurement Departments have been directed to continue using resources in a prudent manner.
  • Major steps have been taken to address the energy crisis in the country such as working on lifeline power supply for small business in communities that have negatively been affected by energy insecurity caused by the El Nino induced drought.
  • The President reiterated his directive that Hospitals should not be load shedded.
  • Maamba Collieries phase II with a production capacity of 300 Megawatts will soon be launched noting that US$90m had been secured for the project.
  • Government expects companies selling solar products to reduce their products as government has zero-rated tax on solar equipment.
  • Citizens who can generate power in excess were encouraged to consider selling to the national grid.
  • Open access electricity has been operationalised and ZESCO limited has no option but to supply the electricity.
  • The President directed that Hichilema has civil servants must have access to transport 24/7 for efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, overriding the pronouncement earlier made by Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa.

What do we make of this?

The President has simply demonstrated that he’s definitely not cut from the same cloth as his predecessor or any of those bitter and desperate individuals shamelessly parading themselves at the podium to promise pies in the sky; he’s far smarter than them! He’s in a class of his own.

From now onwards, we should expect the President not to dignify their attacks on him with any responses. He should leave it to his Cabinet ministers or the party’s media team, which is inactive unfortunately, to respond to them, pronto!

Thanks a lot baadala.

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Polical/Social Analyst

Exposing Political Manipulation by the “Church Elder” Hakainde Hichilema

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Exposing Political Manipulation by the “Church Elder” Hakainde Hichilema

By Misheck Kakonde

Today, we face a bitter truth of political betrayal and evasion. We were promised a future where corruption would be rooted out, the economy would thrive, jobs would abound, taxes would ease, and crucial sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture would flourish. These were not mere campaign slogans but solemn commitments from the “church elder” Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

Instead of progress, we are offered excuses and selective references to scripture. Leaders now cite Hunger as Biblical, while in Matthew 25:35 Jesus calls for compassion towards the hungry and needy, not as a rallying cry for action but as a shield against accountability. This is not leadership banene; it is a betrayal of trust.

Matthew 25:35 does not absolve leaders from the consequences of failed governance. It demands compassion and decisive action qualities lacking in those who now use it to deflect criticism while our people suffer.

True leadership is judged by actions not by how many international trips one has had, not how many press engagements one has, not mere words, but by integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to every citizens well-being. It means honoring pledges made to voters, not discarding them once in power.

The church elder and his team must uphold their promises. Leadership is a sacred trust, not a license to avoid responsibility. It is not a license for warming plane chairs every week, neither is it a license for giving tax holidays in the mining sector or any other sector at the expense of the common man in Zambia.

In media addresses that do not hold any water, presidents must not hide behind empty rhetoric or sidestep pressing national issues. We demand answers on critical matters: questionable land allocations agreements at ZDA with Vietnamese, the rise of political violence by UPND caders, concrete plans to combat hunger,updates on abducted MPs, the currency's performance, measures, and the protection of national resources like Kansensenli gold Mine.

A president must prioritize domestic concerns over international travel, demonstrating a commitment to Zambia, not globetrotting. We seek updates on diplomatic efforts been undertaken with neighboring countries that fill insecure with our actions as a nation, not irrelevant religious references and playing to the public gallery.

Zambians seek economic progress, not religious lectures. Enough evasion and deflection. Our nation needs accountable leadership, rooted in action and responsibility.

Therefore, ba church elder, remember that the scripture above does not absolve leaders; it reminds you to act decisively for the common good. We demand leaders who fulfill promises and prioritize peoples needs.

Our future hinges on it, not of using scriptures for political advancements.Lastly, rallies for opposition leaders must be given as Zambia is not a banana republic.

The author is a legal scholar, comparative politics specialist.

Is it time to subject Hichilema to a psychiatric evaluation?

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Is it time to subject Hichilema to a psychiatric evaluation?

By Sishuwa Sishuwa

Responding to the growing complaints of debilitating hunger from starving ordinary Zambians during his recent press conference , President Hichilema justified the hunger as an act of God, claiming that ‘hunger is Biblical’. Given that he seemed genuinely serious when saying this, Hichilema’s response suggests one of two possibilities.

The first is that Hichilema may have lost his marbles – the implication of which is the need to take mental health seriously, including when it manifests its symptoms in public leaders whom we often think are immune from such illnesses. We may be dealing with a president who needs help, not ridicule. A careful examination of some of his recent public speeches reveals a worrying series of irrational and uncoordinated statements. Even at the same presser, Hichilema accused himself of “working hard” at a time when the country is sinking with major crises. This includes crippling power outages lasting as long as 20 consecutive hours a day.

He also inflicted praise on himself for being the first president of Zambia to meet King Charles III, the British traditional leader who ascended to the throne a year after Hichilema’s election. Hichilema, who appears to consider this meeting as an achievement, is overlooking the point that if Zambia’s previous presidents did not meet Charles or his predecessor, it may be because Charles was not yet King, or that they did not suffer from elements of inferiority complex that appear to emerge from his excitement about meeting the British monarchy – an excitement that he, perhaps without much awareness, openly exhibits whenever he meets white people. The only conclusive way we can rule out the possibility that Hichilema has lost his marbles is to subject him to a psychiatric evaluation that will establish if he is mentally sound and simply remarkably out of touch.
The second possibility is that Hichilema, in claiming that hunger is Biblical, may have been trying to conceal his administration’s policy failures by formulating a false narrative on the subject – that a natural disaster has caused hunger, electricity and water shortages, not the ruling party in general and its hard-working president in particular – and using the media to induce the public to accept it. We live in a world where, increasingly, what counts most is no longer recognising the “concrete reality” but building “narratives” around the actual reality. For inept liberal leaders and their supporters, winning this war of “narratives” requires hoodwinking ordinary people by manufacturing false public consciousness around the challenges that confront them.

By claiming that hunger is Biblical and a result of supernatural forces, Hichilema is (ab)using faith to shield himself from blame and completely divert people’s attention from the concrete reality that hunger is a human-made challenge, and that its occurrence, specifically in this case, is a consequence of the persistent failure of the government to plan better, ensure food security, and provide affordable food. The obvious fact of the matter is that the present government has been hugely negligent in relation to food security. In pursuit, recklessly, of the policy of liberalisation of maize trade, the Hichilema administration sold over one million tonnes of maize and mealie meal – all from the sufficient stock that was left behind by the previous administration – to other African countries when both commodities were already out of reach for Zambia’s starving population. He has also presided over a chaotic distribution of farming inputs that has badly affected agricultural production in recent years. Hichilema knows all this and his claim that the current hunger is an act of God is a result of either wilful and unforgivable dishonesty or a futile attempt to escape responsibility for his government’s policy failures – and whichever it is, neither is acceptable since it does not resolve the hunger problem.

I must concede that the warped and depressing thinking that human challenges like hunger are acts of God or nature is not restricted to Hichilema alone; it is a belief that is prevalent among Zambians today. I do not know if it is the dominant and degraded Christian theology and practice (which is largely pacifist) or a history of personalised rule, or perhaps both, that seem to have disrupted ideas of cause and effect among many Zambians. People do not attribute outcomes to their likely causes, but often to supernatural phenomena. They do not recognise their own agency and the agency of those around them. In removing human agency from the actual causes of hunger, Hichilema is exploiting the current national psyche and character structure of the ‘typical Zambian’: unquestioning, passive, cowardly, zombie-like, easy to manipulate, naive, superstitious, and worshipful of authority. I am curious to know if Hichilema thinks that countries elsewhere in the southern Africa region that also experienced drought but remain food secure are much more in God’s favour than Zambia. 

There are times when I feel that Zambia must kill God, if we are to make progress. When God dies, we will take His place – our success or failure resting squarely on our shoulders. For the reality is that as long as our lives and how they turn out remain God’s will, we abdicate responsibility for changing our plight to that God. It also means our leadership, in our minds at least, is God’s choosing. So if that God gives us a Hichilema, we cannot question His wisdom, notwithstanding Hichilema’s obvious poverty of anything remotely resembling the virtue to be associated with a benevolent deity.

Source: https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1806326349511971094

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