The son of late president Levy Mwanawasa, Patrick has said he is not part of the planned legal action by his sisters against their stepmother, Maureen.

Patrick has since advised his older sister Mirriam not to rush to court but consider resolving the matters at hand in an amicable manner.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Patrick said: “I don’t know what is really happening because I just heard these issues in the media. While Mirriam has the right to go to court, I think that this matter is better sorted out in a family manner.”

He charged that bickering over the matter in public was not a good thing as doing so compromised the integrity of the family.

On Sunday, Mirriam called on the Registrar of Societies to de-register the recently launched Levy Mwanawasa Foundation (LMF) if former first lady Maureen did not explain its purpose.

Mirriam claimed she was not consulted when she was made one of the board members on the foundation, which was launched after this year’s second memorial anniversary for the late Dr Mwanawasa. Mirriam has since threatened to sue Mrs Mwanawasa over the issues.

And Levy Mwanawasa Foundation Chairperson Nelly Mutti has dismissed claims by late President Levy Mwanawasa’s first born daughter Miriam, that the foundation was formed to benefit former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa and her biological children.

Mrs. Mutti said it was wrong and unfair for Miriam to insinuate that the foundation was meant to benefit selected individuals when the objects and purposes of the foundation have been clearly outlined.

She stated that one of the major objects of the foundation was enhance and uphold the legacy of the late president and his ideologies and vision for the country.

Mrs. Mutti also said the late president believed in the Rule of Law which should be respected in his absence adding that it will be very unfair for anyone to start making profit on issues he totally disagreed with. Mrs. Mutti said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday. She has since advised Miriam to remain calm and use the right channel in airing her grievances than rushing to the press.

[pullquote]And when asked on whether there are any provisions under the Zambian constitution where a deceased persons Will can be altered, Mrs. Mutti said there are such provisions as long as the applicant is aged 18 years and below.[/pullquote]

Meanwhile Mrs. Mutti, who is a lawyer by profession, has also advised Miriam and her sister Lona to engage the family on how best they can resolve their disputes regarding their late father’s estates than dragging each other to the courts.

And when asked on whether there are any provisions under the Zambian constitution where a deceased persons Will can be altered, Mrs. Mutti said there are such provisions as long as the applicant is aged 18 years and below.

She said the applicant should also prove under any reasonable doubt that he or she has not been well catered for in the Will.

Mrs. Mutti said it is from this background that the court can alter a will having fully studied the application and are convinced that the applicant has been deprived of what belongs to him or her.

Last week the late president’s daughters namely Miriam and Lona threatened to drag their step mother, Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa to court over their late father’s estates.

The duo also called on the registrar of societies to deregister the Mwanawasa foundation on assertions that it was launched to benefit the former first lady and her biological children.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda says Zambia is capable of becoming a developed country if the Zambian people have confidence in what they do.

And President Banda says Zambia has got a lot to learn from Brazil, a nation that was under-developed to an industrious nation it is today.

Mr. Banda observed that the world is watching Zambia in what she is doing but expressed confidence that Zambians have the ability to turn around things using the abundant resources available.

Mr. Banda says Brazil has developed tremendously in her key sectors of the economy such as bio-fuels to become an industrious nation to what it is today largely because of the unity, hard work, huge investment in key sectors of the economy as exhibited by the Brazilians.

Mr. Banda was briefing Journalists in Lusaka today shortly before he departed for Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

He said there is need to invest in the agriculture, education, health and infrastructure for Zambia to rise to greater heights.

“The whole world is watching us as a country and what we have done. For example in Brazil, we are interested in bio-fuels in that country as you maybe aware that Brazil was under developed but has became an industrious nation within a short period of time,” Mr. Banda said.

He further noted that Zambia and Brazil enjoy warm and cordial relations which have lasted for many years now.

He said that though, he as a Head of State is receiving accolades from the international community on Zambia’s achievements, there is more to be done to propel the nation forward.

[pullquote]President Banda has said that PF/UPND pact leaders Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema who have been condemning his trips abroad would also be traveling if given an opportunity to be head of state.[/pullquote]

President Banda said Zambia needs to invest more in the agriculture, aviation, education and health sectors of the country.

He disclosed that while in Brazil he would take an opportunity to open up linkages and woo Brazilian firms to invest in Zambia to help the nation develop.

He further said that government will bring a number of airlines in the country as well as expand the Lusaka International Airport to transform and improve on it.

Meanwhile, President Banda has said that PF/UPND pact leaders Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema who have been condemning his trips abroad would also be traveling if given an opportunity to be head of state.

Mr. Banda said his travels to other countries have greatly benefited the nation and they were a result of Zambia being recognized and respected by the international community like Brazil and not of his own making.

“Any respected country will be invited and this is exactly what Brazil has done and I’m happy that my colleague President Lula da Silva has invited me because he promised that before he leaves office he would invite me to visit there,” the President said.

And Mr. Banda says he has also been invited by South African President Jacob Zuma in December, this year as one measure of strengthening the bilateral ties that exist between the two countries.

Mr. Banda will be in Brazil for a four-day reciprocal visit, following the invitation by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who visited Zambia in July this year.

While in Brazil, President Banda will among other things tour Dedini, a company which is the largest bio-fuel equipment producing company in the world.

President Banda will also address a Brazil-Zambian business forum which will be held in Sao Paulo.

He will on Thursday hold talks with his counterpart, Lula da Silva, in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil, and might later meet the President-elect.

Mr. Banda will also pay courtesy calls on the president of the chamber of senate and the president of the chamber of deputies and the Supreme Court.

The Zambian and Brazilian government will also sign at least two agreements in different fields.

Mr Banda’s advance delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande, Minister of Mines Maxwell Mwale, Minister of Livestock Bradford Machila and Deputy Minister of Commerce Lwipa Puma and other senior government officials.

President Banda is expected to return home on Thursday evening after concluding his visit.

ZANIS

Speaking in separate interviews, PF lawmakers for Mwense, Jacob Chongo, Luapula Peter Machungwa and Kawambwa’s Elizabeth Chitika said that there were numerous development projects that the president was undertaking as well as running the country effectively.

Ms Wina was recently quoted as saying President Banda was the worst among the heads of State that had held the presidency.

Mr Chongo said there was no justification for Ms Wina’s assertions as she could not offer substantiated evidence to justify her statements.

“It is without justification to say that President Banda is the worst. She is just politicking and wanting to demonise the president. They can’t provide the facts,” Mr Chongo said.

He said if Ms Wina wanted to see the worst president, they should just allow PF president Michael Sata to run the country for a week and would see the opposition leader was the worst head of state to run Zambia.

Mr Chongo said to claim the president’s association with second Republican president Fredrick Chiluba would haunt Mr Banda was wrong because in 2006, the PF won popularity because Dr Chiluba supported the opposition party.

“The popularity of Mr Sata was because of Dr Chiluba associating himself with the PF and so there is nothing wrong with him associating with President Banda,” Mr Chongo said.

Ms Chitika said it was hard for her to believe that Ms Wina, whom she regarded as an educated person could utter such remarks simply because the PF’s leadership was totally against President Banda.

“For sure, Ms Wina can see what’s going on in infrastructure development. She is saying the president is the worst simply because of group thinking. That is the belief of the PF and so they do not see anything good from the current leadership,” Ms Chitika said.

Ms Chitika said there were many development projects that President Banda has initiated as well as completing the ones started by his predecessor Levy Mwanawasa.

“There are so many things that have been done in road infrastructure, health, education and as opposition, when things are being done fine let us say so and not to criticise,” Ms Chitika said.

Dr Machungwa said it was difficult to comprehend Ms Wina’s statement as she did not provide facts.

“Those are the kinds of politics which are difficult to comprehend because there is no data and no logic other than discrediting the president to make him unpopular and make their leader popular,” Dr Machungwa said.

Dr Machungwa said the comments by Ms Wina were cheap politics that could not take the country anywhere saying there was need for the opposition to offer objective criticism.

He said the opposition should be offering alternatives to the Government and not to perpetually insult the country’s leadership. He said such acts were taking the country backwards.

Dr Machungwa said on the contrary, President Banda has managed to offer guidance and proper leadership to Zambia. Even in the face of the 2008 financial crisis, Mr Banda ensured the economy was not adversely affected by providing sound economic direction and policy.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth”
(Psalm 34:1, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

It’s easy to get focused on what’s wrong in life, what we don’t have, and how big our obstacles are. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose sight of all the good things God has done. We’ll take for granted our family, friends, health and the opportunities God has blessed us with. We’ll get so busy and stressed out that we won’t appreciate the gift of today. What’s happened? Our perspective has gotten off.

Perspective is all about how we see a situation. There’s power in your perspective because you will draw into your life what you constantly meditate on. Business may be slow. The economy may be down. The wrong perspective is, “I’ll never make it. It’s just too much.” The right perspective is, “God is supplying all of my needs. He said He would prosper me even in a desert.”

Today, I encourage you to evaluate your perspective. Choose to lift your eyes to God the Father no matter what is happening in your circumstances. Remember, as you set your perspective in the right direction, your life will follow. When you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His blessing in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I choose to bless You at all times. I declare that You are faithful! I lift my eyes to You because You are the source of my help, strength and joy forevermore. Thank You for leading and guiding me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen