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United Party for National Development (UPND) party president Hakainde Hichilema
A political Activist says it is taboo for any one to call UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema as a young man who cannot manage to lead the country as president.
In an interview with QFM, Dante Saunders says Mr. Hichilema’s age is in line with national leadership and complements with what is going on around the world today.
He says a man of his age is able to handle national issues because he still has fresh thinking and fresh ideas which can transform the country.
And Saunders says those agitating that PF leader Michael Sata is not fit to be president of Zambia are not fair.
He says despite Mr. Sata’s age, he is still fit to be president of the country.
He says people ought to understand that all people advanced in age have a health complication of one way or another.
He says there is nowhere in the world where one can find an old man without a health complication.
He says Mr. Sata’s health complications should not be used as an excuse for him not to contest for the presidency.
He says the issues of health and age should not be factors in determining who should be president of the country.
He says power to choose leaders lie in the hands of the people, adding no political party should be master of who should be president of the country.
He says in addition to people’s wishes, God ordains leaders hence no one should judge the conditions of other people on issues that affect national leadership
The National Revolution Party has launched its Green Card Campaign condemning both the Red Card and the White Card Campaigns.
In a telephone interview with Q fm this afternoon, Party Secretary General Kelly Walubita Junior says the Green Card Campaign whose aim is to promote peace and tranquility in the country has successfully been launched at Makeni Islamic Center in Makeni.
He called on Zambians to support the Green Card Campaign because it is meant to promote peace among all Zambians regardless of their origin.
He reiterated that the Red Card and the White Card Campaigns should be condemned because they are a recipe for violence and anarchy in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Walubita has called for a revisit of the national constitution to make some reforms to make the Zambia Police Service an autonomous wing.
He says once this is not done, the Zambia Police will always operate under instruction from the appointing authority and hence shall always be toothless.
He says the action by the MMD to send 250 cadres to Luapula to protect Dr. Frederick Chiluba is a sign that the police have failed to protect the former head of state.
FORMER President, Dr Frederick Chiluba, has urged the people of Luapula Province to unite and speak with one voice if they are to overcome the numerous challenges they face.
And Dr Chiluba was yesterday given a thunderous welcome at Mansa Hotel, the venue for an inaugural provincial consultative forum for members of parliament and traditional leaders of the Province.
The former President received a similar rousing welcome on Friday night when he arrived in Mansa from Lusaka.
Dr Chiluba said unity and co-operation are the only ways in which the province will find solutions to difficulties.
[pullquote]“Why should people question my coming here to Luapula Province where I come from? Without Luapula there could have been no Chiluba. Surely can’t I even visit my home province,” Dr Chiluba asked.[/pullquote]
Officially opening the consultative forum, Dr Chiluba said: “This is a big meeting and it will help in bringing development to this province, and development can only come through such gatherings.”
He said the meeting will help to establish the needs for the province and these will be presented to government. Dr Chiluba wondered why some opposition politicians criticised his invitation to the meeting.
“Why should people question my coming here to Luapula Province where I come from? Without Luapula there could have been no Chiluba. Surely can’t I even visit my home province,” Dr Chiluba asked.
He said his visit to the province has sent shivers in the opposition rank and file but he assured that he was not in Luapula to campaign but to thank the chiefs and MPs for the support he received when he was being prosecuted for seven years.
He revealed that PF president Michael Sata asked him to campaign for him in the 2006 Presidential election and in the event that the PF won, he would drop the court cases.
Dr Chiluba said he turned down the offer and asked Mr Sata to allow the court process to take its course.
“So why should Sata today say that my cases should continue when he came to me and promised to end the cases if I supported him? This shows that he does not understand the governance system of the country,” Dr Chiluba said.
He urged the people of Luapula Province to support President Banda in the forthcoming 2011 elections because he was a working President.
“I have not come here to campaign but to thank the MPs and chiefs that supported me during the seven years I was in court for offences I did not commit, so the opposition should not panic.” Dr Chiluba said.
He also wondered why some people in the province are supporting a person who has failed to become head of state on three attempts.
[pullquote]“So why should Sata today say that my cases should continue when he came to me and promised to end the cases if I supported him? This shows that he does not understand the governance system of the country,” Dr Chiluba said.[/pullquote]
Dr Chiluba arrived in Mansa on Friday night to a thunderous welcome by hundreds of residents. Police had a tough time in controlling the ecstatic crowd.
Meanwhile, traditional leaders have commended MPs in the province for organising the consultative forum.
Luapula Province Chiefs committee chairman, Chief Chisunka, said the traditional leaders in the province are happy that what was proposed last year in October has come to fruition.
“We want to commend our MPs for this initiative which will bring development to the province. Such meetings should continue instead of chiefs and MPs working in isolation,” Chief Chisunka said.
He wondered why some opposition party leaders were opposed to such a consultative forum.
Chief Chisunka said such meetings should be held frequently for the benefit of the people.
Speaking earlier, organising committee chairman Mwansa Mbulakulima said the criticism by some opposition politicians will not discourage the MPs and traditional leaders in the province from discussing development issues.
“We shall not relent because this is what we discussed when we met after the Chabuka ceremony. We are glad that this meeting has been held. This is good for the development of Luapula Province,” Mr Mbulakulima said.
PF Kawambwa Central Member of Parliament Elizabeth Chitika-Molobeka said the meeting will help enhance development.
Among chiefs that attended the forum were the Mwata Kazembe, Kashiba, Puta, Kasoma Lwela, Kayembo, Munkanta and all the sub chiefs from the province.
Other MPs in attendance included Mr Besa Chimbaka (Bahati), Mr Ernest Mwansa (Chifunabuli), Dr Kalombo Mwansa (nominated), Dr Peter Machungwa (Luapula), Mr Joseph Kasongo (Bangweulu), Dr Bernard Chishya (Pambashe), Mr Chrispine Musosha (Mansa Central), Mr Ben Mwila (Nchelenge), Dr Katele Kalumba (Chiengi) and Mr John Chinyanta (Mambilima).
GOVERNMENT will deal with opposition political parties intent on destabilising peace and unity ahead of the 2011 general elections, Vice-President George Kunda has warned.
And Mr Kunda has said the political alliance between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) is a “pact of total darkness and violence.”
Speaking when he addressed hundreds of Mansa residents who turned up to welcome him at Mansa airport in Luapula Province yesterday, Mr Kunda said government will not allow violence in the country especially that which leads to loss of lives and property.
“We have seen what violence has done to other nations globally, especially, when lives are lost and I am warning those destabilising the peace and unity of the country that government will deal with them in order to protect the lives of our people,” Mr Kunda said.
The Vice-President said the violence in the run-up to the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election recently should not be repeated as the country approaches general elections.
Mr Kunda wondered why the opposition is proud of the ‘Mapatizya formula’ which is associated with violence.
“This so-called Mapatizya formula is a violent system which if not checked can lead to loss of lives. The international community gets concerned when lives of people are lost through violence in the country,” Mr Kunda said.
The Vice-President also said government will continue to consult former President Frederick Chiluba on many national issues affecting the country.
He said the MMD government will not be embarrassed by consulting the former Head of State because having served as Republican President, President Chiluba has a lot of wisdom.
Mr Kunda wondered why the opposition should politicise the invitation of Dr Chiluba by the organising committee of a provincial consultative forum which opened yesterday and is being attended by Luapula Province traditional leaders.
“Dr Chiluba’s presence at the provincial consultative forum has sent shivers in the opposition,” Mr Kunda said.
He said government will also continue to partner with traditional leaders for the development of the country.
He said chiefs play a key role in the development of the country hence the need for government and the traditional leaders to work together.
Mr Kunda said Luapula Province has a lot of economic potential in tourism, mining and agriculture.
He commended Luapula Province members of Parliament for organising the consultative forum with traditional chiefs.
Speaking earlier, Luapula Province Minister Boniface Kawimbe said Government has continued to address the many challenges that the people in the province face.
Dr Kawimbe said a number of developmental projects are being implemented for the benefit of the people.
These include the Samfya District Hospital and school projects in Milenge district.
The Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes(SACCORD) has accused Republican President, Rupiah Banda of playing double standards in dealing with political violence in the country.
The organization has also questioned the national leader’s authenticity in fighting against political violence in the country.
Commenting on Lusaka provincial chairman, William Banda’s decision to send over 2500 ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy MMD youths to Luapula province, to counter any violence, SACCORD information officer, Obby Chibuluma says that it is surprising that President Banda seems to have not take note of that action.
Mr. Chibuluma indicates that president Banda did assure Zambians that the MMD would never engage in violence and it is very shameful that he has decided to keep quite over the transportation youths.
He says that President Banda should have stuck to his word and recalled the youths who have been sent to Luapula in order avoid the situation in Mufumbwe recurring.
Mr. Chibuluma has also challenged government to allow an independent board to inquire over the violence in Mufumbwe.
Republican president, Rupiah Banda has held a closed-door meeting with 13 traditional leaders from Copper-belt Province at State House to discuss a number of issues pertaining to development in their area.
President Banda met the traditional leaders following their request to meet the Head of State to discuss issues of development.
The meeting discussed among other issues, the road network in Copper-belt, especially in rural areas, rural electrification programme, construction of schools and mining activities.
President Banda thanked the traditional leaders for the initiative to discuss various developmental issues with him.
He said the spirit of dialogue between Government and traditional leaders should be encouraged in order to foster development in the country.
And the traditional leaders promised to continue supporting the Government of President Banda.
The 13 traditional leaders who attended the meeting include, Chieftainess Lesa, Malembeka, and Shimukunani.
President Banda was accompanied to the meeting by Local Government and Housing Minister Hon. Kazonga, MP, Permanent Secretary Timothy Hakuyu and some Government Officials from the House of Chiefs.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Did you know that you life will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts? If you’re constantly down on yourself thinking you’ll never get ahead, then you won’t. But if you’ll choose to believe that you are an overcomer, that you have victory up ahead, that God has good things in store for your future; then that’s what you’ll end up with.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure our thoughts are the same as God’s thoughts. Just like a computer, whatever you allow into your mind is what will come out in your attitude and actions. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the more you will transform your thinking to be like God’s thinking.
Choose today to focus on the Word of God and allow your mind to be renewed. As you focus on God’s thoughts, you will see your actions become more like Him and you will see His hand of blessing in every area of your life.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, I submit to you all that I am. I ask that you renew my mind by the Word of God so that my thoughts are Your thoughts. Transform me into Your image. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Power Dynamos beat Nkana 2-1 away in a heated Kitwe derby away at a packed Wusakile stadium this afternoon.
The game did not disappoint especially on the second period after an opening 45 minutes of hot and cold action before controversy boiled over in the last 45 minutes.
Power took the lead in the 11th minute against the run of play through Zambia junior international midfielder Mukuka Mulenga who tucked in the ball from close range after beating a poorly organized Nkana offside trap.
The goal came after Nkana had dominated the opening 10 minutes led by Maxwell Phiri, Mwila Kabwe and the ageless Douglas Chiwaya who put Power under the cosh.
Power could have added a second goal in the 39th minute through former Jomo Cosmos and Orlando Pirates striker Davies Mwape but his effort was tapped out by Kelvin Mulenga.
Nkana’s passing and movement was pleasing to the eye but they just lacked the cutting edge in the opening half to deflate Power.
That changed after the break after the arrival of Clement Mulenga in midfield for an ineffective Rabby Lwambula.
However, the dark cloud of controversy inside a tense Wusakile crept in after the hour mark that started with Nkana’s equalizer on 66 minute.
Referee Wisdom Chewe of Kabwe ignored calls to halt play when Mukuka was fouled just inside Nkana’s own half of the pitch as Whiteson Mbewe raced with the ball before passing it to Chiwaya who was lurking on the edge of the visitors box to blasted in a trademark long-range shot to beat Rabson Muchelenaga.
Power were stunned as the equalizer sent Nkana fans into a deafening roar that was cue to the rumble of theIchilata that reverberated around Wusakile.
The equalizer sparred on a Nkana onslaught as Power’s defence held out thanks to Billy Imoonda’s leadership at the back.
However, Nkana fans were brought back to Earth on 81 minutes when Power again took the lead against the run of play through a sweetly struck free kick from Joseph Sitali after Elson Mkandawire was brought down on the edge of the box.
Sitali whipped in the free kick that sailed around Nkana’s wall to dart and squeeze into the right angle of posts beating Mulenga’s outstretched hand.
Three minutes from time Nkana were awarded a disputed penalty when Renold Kampamba went down in a seemingly innocuous 50-50 ball outside the box before he rolled into the box only for Chewe to point to the spot.
The match was stopped for five minutes as Power players swarmed Chewe while Police rushed onto the pitch while some unidentified Nkana fans stormed the field accosting Power players before they situation was brought under control by the security personnel.
Chiwaya then stepped up to the take the disputed penalty but poetic justice was meted out when Muchelenganga parried the ball to leave Nkana fans and players stunned.
Meanwhile, the situation was tense after the match but no major incidences occurred and Power safely left Wusakile to Ndeke the happier side after winning part one ahead of the September return leg date in Week 25.
And Power supporters quietly left Wusakile for their own safety and at the Savage Yard at the city mains bus station, fans cheered and chanted while some hooted from their cars to celebrate the Arthur Davies first victory in five games.
On Saturday, May 15, the good City of Kitwe will finally get a wholesome feel of its first derby in six years when Nkana host Power Dynamos in Wusakile.
Two years ago, Nkana returned for the first time to the Super Division since they were demoted in 2004 after four violent and ugly seasons in Division 1 north.
Unorganized and uncertain Nkana stayed just one season in the top flight before making an undisputed return to Division 1 north.
This season, Nkana have come back with some color with only two defeats all so far, but are unbeaten at home.
Today, a Nkana will for once have a spring in their step and walking with more self-esteem as they take on archrival Power who rightfully defeated them in back-to-back league wins in 2008.
Nkana have this time around assembled a formidable side of new and old players led by veteran Douglas Chiwaya who has unashamedly treaded on both sides of the Kitwe-Ndola Dual Carriageway for the last decade.
Moreover, Nkana’s current disposition will mean for the first time since 2004, Kitwe will truly be divided into red and yellow.
While there has been very little semblance of derby day approaching all week, Saturday will be an exception when one walks the streets of Kitwe on the morning of May 15, with vuvuzela’s and chanting very evident.
Even the savage yard, Kitwe’s main bus station will be divided into red and yellow.
However, the battle lines there will be hard to distinguish but each bus will show its allegiance in the mayhem of commerce as the transporters go about the business of making hay from their payload.
Talking about commerce, Nkana have thrown away notions of economics coming into this match.
Nkana have decided to take the risk of playing a major money spinner at their Wusakile home ground.
“Pa Chilata” as the iconic venue is known by Nkana’s friend and foe, is porous and how much the club will make from its 5000 seater venue will be interesting to know.
Nkana refused to entertain the thought of the match being played at a more secure 15 000 seater venue home ground of their rival Power stating common sense was to play at their official home ground and nowhere else.
Nkana may not be wrong in their wish to play in Wusakile.
The odds in this match favor them.
Power will be without four key players with prominently missing being their influential duo of attackers in Kennedy Mudenda and Luka Lungu due to CHAN commitments.
Also missing will be goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga and defender Daudi Musekwa.
The onus will be on their fading striker Elson Mkandawire and new-boy from DR Congo Xavier Tshiboko and Zimbabwean midfielder Trevor Nkomo to give Power some semblance of tangible decency.
Simon Bwalya too is available and one hopes it will click to him that it is derby day and not Lusaka Dynamos versus City of Lusaka at Queensmead.
Meanwhile, Nkana will greatly miss the services of their Buchi import from Kitwe United in midfield hard man Joseph Kamalondo due to injury.
Striker Rabson Lwambula will also be missing due to CHAN duties but Chiwala will be there to offer some wisdom and inspiration in a match Nkana have more to gain than to lose.
University of Zambia students Union (UNZASU) has commended University of Zambia (UNZA) management for rescinding its decision to effect the 25 percent increment across board on tuition fees.
UNZASU Information and Publicity Secretary Mutinta Lunda said in a press statement that students would continue to pay the same amount they paid in their first year until they graduate.
Ms Lunda thanked UNZA Management for creating unit with the students to ensure that peace and stability continued at the institution.
“This is a positive step towards better UNZA. UNZASU is pleased with Management for bringing stakeholders to the table to better the lives of students,” Ms Lunda said.
She said the difficulties that the institution was facing require the concerted effort of all stakeholders to restore UNZA to its rightful place in offering better education, research, and public service.
FLASHBACK: Former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa waits to renew her MMD membership card in Lusaka
FORMER First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa has accused government of failure to investigate fully late President Levy Mwanawasas’ death after he collapsed at an international meeting in Egypt in 2008.
Mrs. Mwanawasa has also charged that the MMD government was at the time in a hurry to hold elections in its bid to hang onto power without due consideration of the passing of her husband.
She made the allegations on a British Broadcasting Corporation Network Africa monitored in Lusaka yesterday.
But Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) president Stanley Mhango in an interview advised Mrs. Mwanawasa to complain to the investigative wings of government if she strongly felt that there was foul play in the death of her husband.
Mr Mhango, who is also chairperson of the Justice for Widows and Orphans Project, said that the former First Lady should consider bringing up the matter with Government rather than going to the media.
He said rushing to the media over such sensitive matters can lead to unnecessary confusion in the country.
Mrs Mwanawasa said it was difficult for her to ask government to institute investigations especially about what happened in the last 30 minutes before President Mwanawasa collapsed and was evacuated to hospital.
And on her allegations that the MMD Government rushed into campaigns for the elections to replace her late husband, Mr Mhango said the polls had to be held within a period of 90 days in accordance with the country’s constitution.
“In as much as we were mourning the late President, Government had to continue running and elections had to be held. We saw what happened in Nigeria recently where the President was sworn-in immediately after the death of his predecessor and about two days before the late President was buried.
“She should know that she is not the only one who lost the husband but that all Zambians are still mourning their beloved President,” he said.
And Mrs. Mwanawasa also revealed that her aspirations were to lead Zambia one day
Mrs. Mwanawasa told the BBC that she had her chance as First Lady and she does not want to become one again.
“My next aspiration is not to become a First Lady because if I aspire to become a First Lady, I must find a President to get married to. I am not interested in that. My aspiration is to lead this country one day,” she said.
Mrs Mwanawasa said she was a hard working First Lady, a development which made Zambians to believe that there were two Presidents in State House.
“I was very hard working to the extent that I don’t even have to say it myself. But if you ask Zambians, they believed they had two Presidents in State House,” she said.
When asked if she was also running the country, Mrs Mwanawasa said she was not part of management of the country’s affairs but that her late husband was lucky to have a supportive wife.
Mrs. Mwanawasa said also that it has not been easy for her to live without her husband although she has virtues which the late President Mwanawasa gave her while he was still alive.
She said the late President gave her room to be herself, courageous and hard working and that she has support from her family and friends who are there for her.
Mrs Mwanawasa said although it has been difficult, the inspiration her husband gave her has helped to make her family move on.
She complained that she gets paid 50 percent of what a President earns, about US$1,000 (over K5 million) per month from Government but that it was not enough to pay her children’s school fees.
Mrs Mwanawasa said she pays about US$2,000 per term for her child in school while her other child in London requires about 10,000 pounds per year for tuition alone.
She said since she is educated and has decided to go back to law practice and start working.
Luena Independent Member of Parliament, Charles Milupi
LUENA member of Parliament Charles Milupi has resigned his parliamentary seat to take up the leadership of Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) party which he officially launched in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Milupi who was an independent member of the National Assembly said he will re-contest the Luena seat on an ADD ticket.
He said he has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa to notify him of his resignation from Parliament.
“I hereby announce my resignation as MP, as being a member of ADD has changed my status in Parliament from being an independent member,” Mr Milupi said.
He said his party will also contest the 2011 general elections in a bid to form government.
Mr Milupi said unlike other political parties, the ADD has been founded around a desire to eradicate poverty.
He said it is a paradox that a country endowed with much wealth should have some of its people living on US$1 a day.
Mr Milupi said if an ADD government was elected, it will grow the budget by ensuring that all sectors contribute to the economy.
He said an ADD government will have zero-tolerance to corruption and abuse of public resources.
Mr Milupi pledged that his government will bring back the lost dignity of a Zambian worker and retirees.
He said his party will ensure that jobs are reserved for Zambians, with expatriates only coming in to provide labour which Zambians cannot do.
Mr Milupi said education will be looked at as an investment and not a cost to allow everyone to have access to good quality learning.
He said every province will have a well equipped specialised clinic so that all Zambians can have equal access to health.
Mr Milupi said the ADD will focus on issues and will not be party to politics of insults which have become the order of the day.
He said ADD will put in place a properly functioning civil service which will be founded on principles of adherence to rules.
Earlier, Douglas Shing’andu, who was interim president, said the party was formed in September last year with a vision to bring development to the people of Zambia.
He said the party has been looking for a leader and that after a long search decided that Mr Milupi was the best person to lead the party.
ADD vice president Mathias Mphande said Zambians must embrace the new party claiming that it is the last chance to change their lives for the better.
He said the party will not dwell on power but will focus on empowering the people.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Namwala member of Parliament Robby Chizyuka says his party president Hakainde Hichilema is scared of holding a convention because he knows that he will be voted out of office.
Major Chizyuka said Mr Hichilema can never make the UPND win the 2011 elections hence his clinging on to power as party president.
He noted that the UPND is being lead by a leader who cannot cross any bridge because he is unpopular.
He said it is very sad that the party leadership has decided not to hold the convention ahead of the 2011 elections because five years have elapsed.
Maj. Chizyuka accused Mr Hichilema of adopting Mr Sata’s tactics.
“It is unfortunate that HH has adopted king cobra’s undemocratic manners by refusing to hold a convention,” Maj. Chizyuka said.
He said it is the tradition of UPND to hold elections every five years and that defying the party’s constitution will set a bad precedence.
He said UPND is not a personal kantemba (kiosk) because it was founded by people who respected the tradition of holding conventions.
Maj. Chizyuka said Zambia should be wary of leaders like Mr Hichilema and Mr Sata because they have the ability to change the constitution to suit their interests.
PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba recently announced that the party convention has been set for October this year.
At independence in 1964 Zambia’s first president naively thought that Zambia had entered a new era of post-tribal politics. Kaunda had managed to convince the Litunga to have Barotseland proceed to independence with the rest of Zambia as one nation. He had also managed to bring the churches together to form the UCZ which he inaugurated barely four months into power. His United National Independence Party was the principal brand of unity. The national motto was quickly hoisted to be “One Zambia One Nation.” For Kaunda, he had achieved his dream; a united Zambia had been formed.
However, just three years into power, Kaunda realised that the Zambian tribes were not as united as he had thought. The first post independence UNIP convention saw a very bitter tribal fight. The Bemba—Tonga pact had at the UNIP convention bitterly defeated the Lozi—Nyanja alliance. Kapwepwe was elected UNIP’s vice-President to the consternation of Kaunda and Kamanga an easterner had been defeated In fact, it was during this time, that some UNIP members started doubting Kaunda’s loyalty to the Bemba tribe since he had Malawian parentage. Kaunda knew very well that he needed to do something more to overcome this new era of tribalism that had started to engulf the nation.
To overcome this, Kaunda retraced and reemphasized his loyalty as a Bemba subject of Chief Nkula in Chinsali. He also made a point to try and persuade Kapwepwe to step aside since two Bembas could not possibly hold two top positions in both UNIP and the government. Kapwepwe reluctantly obliged and Kaunda quickly brought in Mainza Chona, a Southerner to replace Kapwepwe. But this deeply displeased Kapwepwe and several other Bemba hegemonists, who latter proceeded to found the UPP, a party mainly popular in Luapula and Copperbelt provinces.
[pullquote]I do not just see how a president can manage to appoint all the 73 tribes to Cabinet and Foreign Service all at once. Additionally, accusations that Banda has appointed more people on tribal grounds do not stand to empirical scrutiny. We said this slightest to Chiluba who actually appointed more Luapulans to cabinet and parastatals than any other president has done for his tribe. As such, accusations that Banda is tribalistic may actually be a reflection of our own tribalism.[/pullquote]
To cure the issue of tribalism Kaunda started what he called Tribal Balancing. In this new arrangement he made sure that the provinces were well represented in government. It was so intentional that you could actually predict who would be in Cabinet and who would not. However, the position of Prime Minister was almost exclusively reserved for Barotseland. Out of six Premiers, from 1973—1991, four were Lozis and the other two were Tonga. This was KK’s tribal balancing at its best. It was mostly dictated by province more than it was dictated by specific tribes.
When Chiluba came into power, the intentional and deliberate tribal balancing was effectively overruled. Chiluba would appoint people on “merit.” However, it still remains to be answered why under Chiluba almost all parastatal chiefs had akin names—Chungu, Musenge, Musonda, Mwansa, e.t.c. From just this it may be clear that appointment on merit may have meant tribal merit as well. But even if this is the reality with Chiluba, he was never accused of playing tribal politics. I guess if it were a Lenje doing the same thing, some vocal quarters could have condemned the practice. This assumption among some Zambians that only non-Bemba speaking peoples are more capable of tribalism is erroneous. Comparing all the past presidents on tribal appointments Chiluba appointed more people in his cabinet and parastatal companies that were Bemba more than any other president, and yet the tribalistic label has not stuck with Chiluba. As such, we as Zambians should seriously address this predisposition.
However, when leaving power in 2001 Chiluba wanted to have a minority tribe to take over. This honour obviously fell on Mwanawasa—of both Lamba and Lenje heritage. Even without objective evidence, Mwanawasa was quickly accused of appointing a family tree in his cabinet. But once objectively assessed you will see that Mwanawasa’s cabinet was more tribally balanced than Chiluba’s at any given time. Mwanawasa also brought in some tribal diversity in parastatal companies. However, when he appointed Sisala as ZESCO Managing Director, more tribalistic accusations were levelled against him. This again plays to my thesis that several Zambians believe, erroneously, that only non-Bembas are more capable of tribalism. Mwanawasa tried to please the Bembas by appointing them to the Vice-Presidency. He only revolted when he lost the Bemba vote in 2006.
However, under Banda the issue of tribalism has taken on a new shape all together. In the past it was sufficient that provinces should be represented in the Cabinet. As such, Eastern Province would not normally complain if a Chewa, Tumbuka, Ngoni, or Kunda is appointed to Cabinet. However, with the utterances of Paramount Chief Mpezeni, there is a demand in some quarters that tribal balancing should not just be provincial balancing but rather should be about tribes. As such, His Majesty the Mpezeni is complaining that among the five cabinet ministers from Eastern Province in this current cabinet none of them are Ngonis. Without Ngonis in Cabinet, Mpezeni feels left out of national development. This intra—provincial tribal conflict is the greatest danger to Zambia’s future development. Similarly in Luapula Province, there were complaints that the MMD had started to sideline Southern Luapulans (mostly Ushis) in preference of the Northern Luapulans (Lundas, Bwiles, etc). Northern Province is even more dynamic, Hon GB Mwamba recently said while campaigning that Northern Province belonged to Bembas, ignoring its multi-ethnicity.
One Zambia One Nation will only work, if the provinces stop intra-province tribalism and begin to look at themselves as one people. Otherwise, if we continued on this path, we may just end up being one Zambia and no Nation. I do not just see how a president can manage to appoint all the 73 tribes to Cabinet and Foreign Service all at once. Additionally, accusations that Banda has appointed more people on tribal grounds do not stand to empirical scrutiny. We said this slightest to Chiluba who actually appointed more Luapulans to cabinet and parastatals than any other president has done for his tribe. As such, accusations that Banda is tribalistic may actually be a reflection of our own tribalism.
Some athletes recuperate after intensive training at the National Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
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Some young karatekas follow proceedings at the National Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
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Some Athletes prepare for a race at the new National Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
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President Rupiah Banda greets staff members at the Nigerian Embassy when he went to sign the book of condolences on the death of President Umaru Yar'Aradua
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President Banda is mobbed by Lusaka residents before he opened the National Youth Development Centre
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President Banda is mobbed by Lusaka residents before he opened the National Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
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President Banda about to cut a ribbon to officially open the National Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
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Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia Folake Marcus Bello is sandwiched by Defence minister Kalombo Mwansa (r) and foreign Affairs deputy minister Fashion Phiri (l) at the Nigerian embassy in Lusaka
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National Soccer team assistant coach Lucky Msiska captured at Football House in Lusaka shortly after he arrived from Belgium where he was based until his appointment
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Lyambai Institute of Development Director Kusiyo Mbikusita Lewanika with Zambia Agri-business Technical Assistance Centre Director Likando Mukumbuta after a signing on development ceremony in Mongu
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Health minister Kapembwa Simbao captured in the VIP lounge before departure at Lusaka international airport
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Konkola Copper mine shaft four in Chililabombwe Township
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Chililabombwe-Kasumbalesa Road near the border with Congo DR
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Chililabombwe Township houses near Konkola Copper Mine the mine area
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Chililabombwe Town Centre
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Moses Siame and his young brother Rossel Siame making making trays out of reeds at Chililabombwe mine market
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Crocodiles at the Zongwe farming Enterprise in Siansowa area in Sinazongwe district.2
