This is a question that is on the minds of Sata’s supporters. It is a question being secretly discussed among the leaders of the Patriot Front. Opposition leaders are eager to know who their 2016 nemesis is going to be. After disappointing and disappearing acts of our incumbent president, Zambians are keen to know what his succession plan is.
The issue of leadership succession is often one that eludes Zambian leaders. History shows us that no previous Zambian leader clearly chose a successor. Kaunda never dreamt of ever leaving the presidency. The same goes for Chiluba until his third-term bid failed then he stumbled into Levy in the early hours of one morning—and boom Levy became president. RB was clearly not Levy’s choice though he kept him as his vice.
So who is going to succeed the Cobra considering that venom would not likely be poisonous come 2016? There is undoubtedly a long list of potentials to take over the party leadership among the PF members. In fact, some of the possible candidates are PF outsiders. Here is my list of people that are contending to take over the PF’s top job and maybe Zambia’s top job as well in a couple of years:
Edgar Lungu: Perhaps currently the frontrunner in taking over the PF leadership. He is acted as Republican President at least four times. He is currently the Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence and PF’s Secretary General. Insiders say he is approachable and easygoing. However, critics think his weakness for the brown bottle does not make him a strong leader. This choice would likely help the PF in mobilizing the much needed votes in Eastern Province to win a general election.
Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba : Sata’s former Defence Minister is very much in the race to take over from him. Although he resigned his cabinet position, GBM refused to quit his legislature job which created a feud between him and former Secretary General Wynter Kabimba. After the latter’s dismissal, GBM is back at the high table. He is PF’s richest man and very likely to use his financial muscle to ascend to the presidency. His education or the lack of it, though, has often come up as a concern to many critics.
Guy Scott: Though currently Scott does not qualify to be the Republican President, a change in the constitution will likely put him on top of the list to succeed Sata. A long-time ally of Sata, Scott will be a neutral presidential candidate with not so much of a tribe which is often a very hot topic when it comes to electing candidates in Zambia. Scott’s age and health will be a major setback as opponents will likely favor a younger and even darker candidate.
Wynter Kabimba: The former PF Secretary General is not out of the equation in solving the presidential succession puzzle. Though he has remained low profile since his exit from cabinet, WK is doing some underground work so he can come back strong. The Post Newspaper owner Fred Mmembe is on his side and it’s believed that he is still in talking terms with Sata. It is strongly believed, within PF, that WK will be a hard sell to the Zambian people because of his arrogance, corruption record and even his heritage.
Given Lubinda: Famously known as Zayelo, the former Foreign Affairs Minister and Kabwata lawmaker is probably the best candidate from this list to take over the presidency from Sata. Like many others, Lubinda was a victim of WK’s power struggle and was accused of selling secrets to opposition parties. He was fired, suspended and somewhat excommunicated. As Karma would have it, WK was fired and Lubinda was back in the limelight. It is rumored that he will bounce back as a minister soon. Lubinda does not have much formal education but is very intelligent. However, he remains a minority in a party that is dominated by the Bembas.
Wilbur Simuusa: The current Minister of Agriculture will be a surprising pick to take over from Sata. As one of the most educated ministers in the current administration, Wilbur is a very trusted subordinate of Sata. He has massive support from the Copperbelt constituency. However, his being Tonga will likely cost him the promotion although supporters say this will be a good way to send a sign to opponents that believe that PF is a tribal party.
Chishimba Kambwili: The Sports Minister has clearly shown interest in taking over from Sata. Whether or not he is capable of the job is another question. The overly vocal minister continues to make more enemies instead of friends in his quest for Zambia’s hottest job. Though some say he is a goal getter and would probably get a lot more done than his boss, others have pointed at his lack of diplomacy, his pro-Bemba agenda as some of the draw backs from such a candidate.
Elias Chipimo: This one will be a wild card. The current opposition leader of National Restoration Party (NAREP) has been often named as a likely successor the day Sata became president. Chipimo has dined and wined with the Sata dynasty for a while. His criticism to the administration has been very mild and perhaps strategic. Will this opposition leader jump ship and take the opportunity of leading PF and maybe Zambia?
This list just shows how blind and lack of foresight by Zambian dictators. They are so often engrossed in amassing wealth and power that they give little or no thought at grooming one who will take over from them. Some have even given the thought of handing power to their sons—forgetting that they have to go through the election process. Sata’s biggest task at hand is to find someone who is going to take over from him and do a better job than he has done as the Republican President. This will be a legacy that will go down in the history of this country especially if he voluntarily steps down as president. Only time will tell what happens next…
By Wesley Ngwenya
Like Kamuzu banda i hope he does on the throne
Personally I think it is Blasphemy of the highest order
to talk of successions when the man has till 2021 to go
A little premature , I hate such articles like all of you
Thanks
No madam Mushota, you can make it. Would like you to run, I get even get back home.
iwe mushota,,, kamuzu Banda never died (does according to you) on throne, did you pass shosho studies?
back to the article,, Elias Chipimo is the best option in this case
Wesley this is a poorly written article albeit a little prematuire as per comments above
However where are the following persons in your rushed article
.Mulenga Sata
Chikwanda
Professor chirwa
Mushota Chimfwembe
Rupiah Banda
These persons’ odds are for me better than the likes of Simuusa who has not right to be there.
I know most of these articles are ill informed, rushed and lack the zip to convince the masses.
Personally and I speak for the Intelligent here such as Myself, Saulosi etc that there was no need for such an article as the earliest possibilities of any change of any kind at the helm is 7 years away in 2021.
Thanks
Ndobo, Banda was given days to live and he somewhat went on to live another 3 years,
But it was when they told him he had days to live that he relinquished and Multi party elections were held, effectively dying on the throne.
I am not a tube, I have full tank of knowledge data, you might benefit from.
You are welcome
Thanks
The next PF President will come from among Permanent Secretaries. I will withhold his name for now.
It will be a very good battle in 2016 or the presidential by election to come soon.The battle line will be clearly drown Between Bembas and the Tongas if the PF candidate will be Bemba.The Nyajas may go for the bembas while the lozis may go for the Tongas.This is the sad reality for Zambian politics tribe comes first than the Brains.It will be real chase as they PF will not be able to play pocker.Who ever will stand in PF his bitter rival will be HH.He has been in three presidential elections and in last election he collected atotal of 568,000 votes half of what Sata got 1,158,000 votes.This was not mean achievement.HH knows this is his last chance to stand under UPND.There is a quite feeling that the Bembas have become selfish and big headed going by PF appointments.
I agree with you Mushota. Definitly people like Wilba Simuusa are out of the equation. People Mulenga Sata, Chikwanda aka ABC are also very alive in the game. Lets remember that Sata is has been in the game of politics for a long time and knows how t play people. H e know he has to carefully choose a person who will defend him in future, his family and likely his mistakes and relatives he has employed in his government.
Though am reluctant about Chirwa then for you i can propose we put you a Minister without Portfolio, what do u think?
Professor chirwa
Mushota Chimfwembe
Rupiah Banda
It’s nonsensical to think that Sata will need a successor for 2016 with him alive. This carcass will want to go on and on. And from the picture above, if this man was an ordinary citizen who depended only on local hospitals offering crap services he would be long gone!
Do you say all this because you mean them all you just say it to piss me and others off?
Why did you not BOLD my name? This Lusaka times is as stupid as a Post Newspaper
Kambili is like Nsanda, Political Thugs.
The bembas however feel they are in control and that no other candidate from other tribes can win presidency.They strongly underrate there opponents .A huge surprise may engulf them because of the PF performance in the area of good governance and human development especially famers.It will be a different ball game from 2011 when people were just fade up with MMD.The focuse will economic development and political independence.The so called minority are busy teaming up for a show down.This time they are not showing the hate openlly ,they busy collecting the droplets form the Road deals and other business deals.
Is all they got, shame on Zed. Madam Mushota can make a very great President. Zambia is so ready for a female President. Nawakwi screwed up so much.
You sir are a great analyst
You deserve happiness and God Bless.
The trouble I have is my mixed race children, of at all the Zambian people will respect them and accept them
Thanks
@Nkana, so you still don’t know that Mushota is a man? an ugly one for that matter…
Surprise! Surprise! The insults have not started. Wonderful analysis by the way.
Wesley Ngwenya get out of that box.Why do you think our options are limited to PF? To most of us PF will only serve as an example of a party that should never be any where near leadership.
He is n ot talking about the Presidency, he is talking about the leadership in PF.
Would you like to comment again?
Bon of a Sitch
Thanks
good article but it is leaving one or two peopl i think will feature on the list as we approach the 2016 elections – Mulenga Sata is busy doing his thing also and i think one wild card will be Felix Mutati
None of the above.
Someone else.
…we may need a pat 2 of this article..so many potential candidates left out…Kaseba, Mulenga, Kalaba, ABC etc….Remember there is still a vacancy of a nominated MP(for Mulenga I suppose)
I’m surprised, the author thinks Simuusa is very popular on the copperbelt..??…I thot to the contrary…..
Chipimo is the candidate for me.Zambia needs an obama very developments sack.I would love for sata to bring the boy in now
The front runners to the Presidency is Maureen. Those who have memories will remember that the COBRA had a secret reconciliation meeting with the Cabbage. At that meeting one of the key agreements was that Maureen should take over from the Cobra. No where in the mind of the CABBAGE did Nyama Soya ever floated to take over. MUMBWE,s name was in the far distance as Mumbwe had annoyed the Cabbage over DRC.
Lets respect the dead
Nkomensha
Mpezeni
Daniel Munkombwe
Cosmo Mumba
Fred M’membe
Bob Sichinga
ulishilu..hahahahahaha
@ Cycle Mata;
Its for Real. In fact don’t rule out
Judge Ngoma his being very Loyal to the President
Who is Obama grooming to takeover from him? Zambia is not a Monarch so what’s the point and what if the anointed is not wanted by the people? Zambians will only vote for a candidate that appeals to them.
You have missed the point. The author is talking about PF not republican president.
Who will succeed Sata? LOL. Answer is none of the above. Correct answer as far as Sata is concerned is his wife. He trusts on one.
To add on that list should be Magande. I feel he did very well during Mwanawasa’s time and was shunted to the dust bin by RB . Zambia needs a strongman , not a talker or a dreamer. Infact, one person once told me that Zambia needs a Dictator in order to develop because we have had lots of talking presidents (He was referring to Sata when he was in opposition). I feel straight talkers , ironmen like Kabimba and Magande can work wonders for Zambia.
Straight talkers – yeah right – Magande exercised VAT Rule 18 but criticizes his friend for the very rule he upheld. Trouble with Zambia is we think the first man to walk on the moon must always drive the space ship. That is why we suck when it comes to progress. There are a lot of sharp-wits out there that need not even be in the ruling party. WAKE UP.
From what you have written you are showing us that PF has got capable people who will succeed our might President. God will appoint one of them at the right time.
And you Mr Writer who succeed you?
I would include Felix Mutati, if I were you!
LUNGU IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT DUE HIS QUALITY LEADERSHIP SKILLS….
TODAY IS 01-10-2014.TIME TIMEEEEEEEEEEEE
ndobo
you have fund a job to teach someone shosho studies b4 she does.
This article is quite good and I like the thoughts that were brought by the Author. However the list is too long, its only three that have highest probability of Succeeding Namely; Given Lubinda, Edgar Lungu and Bob Sichinga. If this list fails then the second category is; Alex Chkwanda, Wilbur Simuusa. The third category will be a surprise list. Opposition member of the party taking over Leadership in Zambia forget, even the best man Mutati or Chipimo, they are not PF and they are still engenged in their parties. Reason why Lubinda can become a President, Given Lubinda was among the top four heads leading PF, Guy scot, Kabimba, Lubinda and Sata. He knows how they came to the top, he know how they defeated MMD and his personality will definately meet with the Party discipline.
But you know very well that PF is a tribal party. There is no way a none bemba can take over from Sata. Given Lubinda, Lungu and Wilbar Simusa should use this opportunity to just eat as much as they can. The moment Sata goes, those three will be shown an exit door and join their friend WK.
The article is indeed shallow, but provokes a very important debate. erstwhile comrades my view is possibly a lady president Edith. under unity government.
My list goes like this:
Mampi
Ruff Kid
Chester
Kasaka
Magiza
Danny Pule
I would vote Kasaka, hands down!
Pf can float any riffraff they wish but fact is this time around Zambians are going to make the right choice by correcting the monumental error they made in 2011.Standards have gone down in all walks of life.At this moment in time there is nothing inspiring in Zambia due to poor ,I mean very poor leadership.There is need to raise the bar.There is no pride in being a Zambian at, this moment in our country’s history.
Your ranting seems like you are UPND
Dear fellow bloggers,
I think the right person to take over from SATA is MAGANDE. No one else can beat Magande. He has qualities of a leader. He has been tested. Magande can beat his tribesmate HH.
To be sincere, no Bemba will be accepted after Sata. This is the fight in MMD. All MMD members know that Nevers Mumba can not win because he is bemba and bembas have taken us for granted for too long.
If I was given an opportunity to strategies for the PF. Wilbur should be considered to take over the Vice Presidency this year for the following reasons.
1.) He has had interactions at different levels with different types of people. No major tribal tag against him, having spent most of his adult life on the CB
2.) He is in the 50’s which is I think our next president should, age is on his side
3.) He is educated, which has been a cry of some who believe that experiments have cost as over the years and more so that we are now heading into economical politics
4.) He has had a lot of exposure in the current cabinet with at least 4 portfolios over the last 3 years (talking about political/administrative experience.)
5.) Ha has not been associated with internal power wrangles.
Next is…
For outsiders I would say the following:
1.) Magande
2.) Nawakwi
3.) Mutati
Lungu is our next president chapwa.
Got it in one! Lubinda for VEEP.
From the opposition, I used to think the Young Buck, Chipimo had a chance, but his point of view on the mines put me off voting for him. He was correct, but I think we need solutions rather than upholding the mining situation. Knowing the mines he ought to have taxing suggestions rather than uphold the current vat rules.
HH worked very hard, if he had stayed off seditious stuff with his cadres, he could almost be likeable as the underdog pretender to the throne.
Anyway, whoever takes the crown, as a patriot, I shall support as long as They unite Zambia and provide clear direction economically with prudent political solutions.
Eastern province does not vote tribally. This is a misunderstanding. There are more non-eastern province people in Eastern province than any other rural province excluding the urban Copperbelt or Lusaka. Just check the telephone directories.
Easterners vote strategically.
Mpezeni chose Sata instead of Banda.
Edgar Lungu must prove himself before he can be voted for in EP.
Kwena Munjeleleko nangula mwalimpata, but ndemona kwati ngatwalile ku convention elyo GBM achita float ishina lyakwe pali bukateka kwena 70% mu PF ba ka musala, elyo ndemona kwati pali Lubinda na Simmusa nangula E Lungu kuti pafuma vice, lelo Mu Party fye ba yama ba Chikwanda kwena eba kaba ba President… My Opinion though!!!
Kwena mulasabaila bane, tekeni bola panshi. God is in control he has prepared one for you in advance just have patience and let his will be done at the appropriate time
possible…
Fellow bloggers, everything that you have written above is total NONSENSE! why are you leaving my name from the first list? Jealous down!
The truth of the matter is there will be no PF to talk about after Sata’s departure from the helm… these vultures will eat each other alive (mark my words!). The saying goes: PF is Sata and Sata is PF… watch this space.
Obviously someone will be there temporarily just to save face… but once the fog has disappeared in no time, PF will be relegated to the history books. There are just so many vested and competing interests for the party to survive. It’s foundation is built on shaky grounds. They need to bring in real democracy for it to survive, like going to a convention (at least).
If it’s about the ‘anointed’ ones, obviously going by current events, Lungu has a pole position. His love for alcohol looks like hasn’t disadvantaged him, at least for now.
@Maverick
I think you undermine the determination to survive in mankind. They will order themselves for survival. I really don’t think it could go the way you say. They are already calls for unity and announcements of unity by Guy Scott.
On the other hand they seem to labour that point of unity too much to be convincing!! Probably they are boxing each other at these frequent meetings! They should just draw sticks, shortest wins!
Never again shall the destiny of that beautiful country be entrusted into the hands of jackals in the name of the punching fists(pf)…the way they are fighting themselves is reminiscent of piranha fish in a feeding frenzy…governance is just through guess work…just to demonstrate can you imagine riffraffs like the hoe can even begin to imagine they can also become presidents!
sometimes I wonder which type of people in their right minds can go and vote for such trash.
Who, if not Guy Scott? Why, if not the color of his skin? What, if not the nagging racism and tribalism that has come to characterize politics in Zambia?
I propose HH as president of PF!
Yeah right! On which planet! Get real. They’d eat him alive!
Its brian chituwo mark my words its an outsider taking over very ahead of every body pf for ever .10 years in proper opposition zambains have never seen 3years massive developments pf pf pf
How can you say Lubinda does not have much formal education when he was at NRDC? During our days people who never made it to UNZA went to NRDC, Evelyn Hone or other colleges but this does not make them less intelligent. We have to admit our education system is pyramidal – the higher you go the less openings there are available. Not sure about Lubinda’s heritage. Looks to have Indian blood so I would suspect the Zambian consititution would bar him from standing like they did to KK. Just remember we are dealing with low information voters who do not vote on the basis of quality. They can even vote with their noses closed like they did during the last election so long the Post Newspaper urges them to do so.
Given Lubinda
Vincent Malmbo
Elias Chipimo
Patrick Chisanga
Inonge Mbikusita Lwanika
Nkandu Luo
Ng’andu Magande
Wilbur Simusa
Kabinga Mpande
Situmbeko Musokotwane
Patrick Matibini
Edith Nawakwi
Robert Simbyakula
Frank Bwalya
Bwalya Chiti
Felix Mutati
Hakainde Hichilema
Charles Milupi
Katele Kalumbi
Chifumu Banda
Godfrey Miyanda
The fact is nobody knows who will succed Sata. Not even Sata himself. Thats how we do things pa zed. It is called lack of planning. As matter of fact we plan to fail.
I really thought I was going to read something sensible from this article….disapointed
PF IS A FAMILY PARTY!
DON’T YOU SEE?
PF = FP= FAMILY PARTY AND SO SATA’S SON MULENGA WILL SUCCEED.
HE IS ALREADY BEING GROOMED.
THAT IS WHY KABIMBA WAS HOUNDED OUT.
WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
His Excellence Given Lubinda. I liked his being very presidential at all ministries he headed. Labour, foreign affairs and the other. Sober minded, level headed, articulate, knowledgable on subjects at hand and never lost, good contribution in parliament, energetic and not tribal in his approach to issues
YOU DO NOT UNDERATE DR CHITALU CHILUFYA. HE IS ON A CAMPAIGN TRAIL. SO THE LIST IS:
DR CHITALU CHILUFYA
EDGAR LUNGU
FALIX MUTATI