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Gen Miyanda’s full Address to the media

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Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda
Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda

STATEMENT BY BRIGADIER GENERAL GODFREY MIYANDA, ON THE OCCASION OF ANNOUNCING HIS CANDIDATURE IN THE FORTH-COMING PRESIDENTAIL BYE-ELECTION, AT 10:00 HOURS ON THURSDAY 201TH NOVEMBER 2014, AT THE BLUE NILE INN, LUSAKA.
[20th November 2014]

Members of the Press, welcome.

I thank you all for considering it fit to attend this Press Briefing. On behalf of the Heritage Party I welcome any other dignitaries and civil society as well as other political parties if there are any.

The immediate situation that has caused this gathering is the demise of our Republican President, His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata. On behalf of the Heritage Party I once again offer sincere condolences to the immediate family of the late President, to the Patriotic Front as well as to the Zambian family at large.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are meeting now, after the momentous occasion of the 50th Jubilee celebration. We had been celebrating and observing the past years of independence for 49 years. For us in Heritage 2014 is the Lord’s Day and year and we were glad in it because it has given us a chance to reflect, review our ways as individuals and as a people. It is a season for forgiving one another and repenting of the many wrongs we have done against others. It is a good season to be in Zambia so I pray that this spirit of Jubilee continues and produces the anticipated fruit.

Everything I am about to say revolves around the Heritage Party manifesto, which is our guide in all our undertakings as one of the political parties in Zambia. I refer to it because it has a direct bearing on the situation confronting us and our response to it.

The Heritage Party Manifesto sums up our vision and strategic aims and methods that we adopted in 2001 to bring about rapid the transformation of Zambia, while avoiding cosmetic changes for election purposes. It describes how the Party would mobilize all her people first to recover their sense of self-worth and dignity, then to give up their prejudices, their hate and their selfishness so that they may truly reach out and embrace each other regardless of social status. These steps are essential if we are to work with one another as a people, claim our inheritance and build a strong nation with a sustainable economy. We believe it is time we Zambians did ourselves a favour and pursue our common destiny. But this will only be achieved when Zambians find their self-confidence both as individuals and as a people and discard their petty prejudices against one another.

We declare that each one of us has a claim to this inheritance; it is NOT the preserve of any single person, tribe, ethnic group, denomination, political party or class of people. Each individual, each tribe, each province has a claim to this inheritance, NOT just those in power; NOT just those in leadership; NOT just those in the ruling party. This is the message from the Heritage Party. It is a clarion call to action for all Zambians across party lines to wake up and reclaim their inheritance. We are not enemies against one another but members of the same family Zambia.

From inception in 2001 this has always been and is still our vision and strategy to create conditions that promote and encourage industries to expand and spread to every corner of Zambia. However we emphasise that while we welcome foreign investment but it remains our resolve, by policy, intent and plans to ensure that ALWAYS Zambians remain and continue to be the prime beneficiaries of ALL economic strategies and programmes, howsoever these are birthed.

As Heritage Party we believe that for our dreams, hopes and aspirations as a people to be realised we must practice good and relevant leadership at all levels of our national undertakings. We formed the Heritage Party on the quest for effective leadership and management of our nation. We value the individual and hence the family. In this regard we uphold the obligations of the family as the foundational unit of our communities. We treasure the sense of ownership and sharing which inspired our forefathers and mothers. We remember all of them, even those who have passed on. This is why as Heritage we always declare that all Zambians should be proud of their Zambian heritage, a heritage that stresses the individual’s personal responsibility in the context of his or her family, community obligations and the inalienable right to a place in this God-given land called Zambia. This heritage guarantees secure livelihoods for each and every one of us. We refuse to accept any excuse for the high levels of poverty now prevalent in this land of plenty. The only reasons for this state of affairs are our apparent lost vision, lack of appropriate and purposeful prioritisation, lack of discipline, absence of a sense of purpose, selfishness, greed and the cancerous corruption, especially on the part of those who aspire for public office.

It is not possible for one person to resolve these problems but we can start by recognising the errors we have made over the years, and identifying the real problem and taking steps to ameliorate the situation.

It is on this basis that I stand before you, the gallant members of the press, to speak to the people of Zambia, through you, to apply and offer myself as a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election of 20th January 2014. I do not claim to be the best or even the most experienced person. But I believe my tour of duty in Government, as a former Republican Vice President and Minister of Education, has prepared me well for the high office that I now seek.

As a baby Christian I have humbled myself before my shepherds, a good number of whom have been much younger than me. The service, receipt of instructions and spiritual guidance has shaped me further into an obedient person. I believe my testimony is exemplary in terms of discipline, faithfulness, loyalty to the people of Zambia and the nation as a whole.

Zambia is not short of leadership, that is why none of us aspirants must be claiming to be the best; there are many citizens to choose from, old, young, women and men. God’s plan was for the family to be the foundation and fulcrum of the human race to provide continuity of our race.

I thus offer myself as a servant and formally announce my application to the people of Zambia to consider me for this demanding responsibility, of course sponsored by the Heritage Party.

I believe that I am suited for the transition which occurred as a result of the passing on of our President as I shall provide continuity and unity. Heritage Party Symbol stands for “Two Hands, Leaning Against Each Other, Signifying the Unity of the Nation”.

I have been consistent in campaigning against violence. During the ailment of the President, many citizens, including myself, expressed concern about the handling of the President’s health. We were called names and accused of being too ambitious for State House. But finally the truth, God’s truth, arrived as the heavy burden that many were bearing and fearing happened. That is a classic example of very bad leadership and management of state affairs at the highest level. I do not have to be PF in order to take on the programmes actualised by the PF. I am a leader, a patriot and have been well prepared firstly in the Defence and Security service as well as in other Government appointments. All the programmes initiated by PF in 2012 are in the Heritage Party manifesto of 2001. So it is easy for me to adapt and lead this transition.
May God Almighty richly bless our nation and our land. Thank you.

GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
ASPIRING CANDIDATE AND APPLICANT
[20TH NOVEMBER 2014]

31 COMMENTS

  1. When I advise fathers that their daughters should go to school, they often tell me, “Who do you think you are, telling me what to do with my daughter?” It is difficult to change people’s mentality. Child marriage hits close to home, to people’s personal lives.

    • Gen Miyanda

      Why don’t you join UPND?

      Answer me please?

      You and i know you are like Motherwell in the Scottish PL who shall never win the SPL title.

      You could make an opposition party stronger because from the poll I undertook this afternoon, most feel you have a lot to offer Zambia but the vehicle you are using is circumscribed and curbed.

      Educate me please?

      You might want to know I have MBA, MSc, CIMA ACCA Bsc and a PhD student
      Thanks

    • I’ve not read the article above for obvious reasons. Roy Clarke (MHSRIP) referred to him as “Meandering Miyanda”. I need not add more.

  2. I have no problem with ‘prayer’ as silent self-reflection. The risk is to think someone else is hearing your thoughts and acting on them.

  3. The problem with this parentage clause is that it affects many: Guy Scott, Mulenga Sata, GBM, Rupiah Banda (born in Zimbabwe), Kenneth Kaunda and I guess Tilyenji Kaunda, and now we hear, Edgar Lungu etc.

  4. Aba niba psycho. He could have just donated the K10000 nomination fee to Cheshire homes than waste it just like that. Seriously, i think Cosmos Mumba has more sense than this dude,

  5. Words, words and more words, ba Miyanda. Your words are ever so boring. Your ever- boring words will never take you to statehouse. May I suggest you consider teaming up with another words-only politician, Elias Chipimo,Jr, for joint wordy- platforms?

    • @chitutuma: ba Chitutuma, words are important that’s why you are using them to make your point! God used them to create the earth and all that is in it. Without words how are you, the youth, going to communicate? Find other things to criticize otherwise you are completely lost on this one.

  6. Ba Miyanda, you refused to work with late Mwanawasa when he offered you, in good faith, the position of Vice-President, and I still do not understand why you did that. That’s the time you missed the opportunity of becoming Zambia’s President. If you didn’t turn down that offer, you would be president of Zambia today. That’s the time I stopped supporting you.
    And it beats all understanding as to why you keep contesting for presidency when you know very well that you do not stand a chance of winning. I don’t see any wisdom in you choosing to vie for top job when you know you do not have the numbers. I am not even sure why people say you are wise, especially if you can make decisions such decisions. Donate that K10,000 to the noble work Mama Miyanda has been doing for the community.

    • @zambian: I shall not respond to irrelevant issues but to your lies about late President Mwanasa’s invitation to become his Vice President. You were NOT there so I call you a liar because that is what you are. There were only four people in the room when the message was delivered namely His Royal Highness Senior Chief Nzamane at his palace, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda before he became Vice Presidenthave, my Assistant Lawrence Mwale and myself. RB was the emissary and I confirm that he delivered the message for me to accept the Vice Presidency which I accepted and requested for a meeting with the President for further discussions with him on the modalities. RB promised to arrange meeting but did not get to me till today. Unverified reports indicate that he was told I had refused!!! Don’t…

    • @Onezed: as a believer I hav NOT found in Bible that qualification for leadership is age or gender. There are 70 year old fools and 70 year old wise people. There are cruel women and wise women. There are lazy and wise young people. So you should NOT be looking for an old man, a youth or a woman. Zambians must be looking for A LEADER. Any way it is your vote, use it as you deem fit///

  7. Look at these people, they are rich, they have money, they have it alot,they have put it in their bank acounts waiting for each and every five years so that they pay for nomination,sometimes hoping for a less than 5 years, but wait!, why is it that when they became rich all that comes in their minds is standing for presidency?, why dont they think of puting their money together and creat something like privet universities?, some big locally owned compagnies?, some big institutions to even offer advise to the gvt?,

  8. General Miyanda, since we have the pleasure of having read what bloggers have to say, allow me to be very clear. I think Zambians respect your value to bring to several national discussions, whether they agree with them or not. I think they also consider you to be firm and consistent in most cases.

    The problem Zambians see is your poor appetite for collaboration. At this point a more youthful leader who is in touch with the grass roots is would be the most effective type of leader. Good luck with the nomination process. I can’t say the same for the elections. The outcome is quite obvious, given the presence of HP on the ground.

    • @OneZed at 10: thanx and noted your advice which is welcome. At the moment I don’t know the outcome, and I believe no one knows except those who have rigged!

  9. Why do we waste our time debating Ba Miyanda? I feel like even now these are precious minutes I will never get back. Who is he trying to cheat?? Even he himself knows he does not stand a chance of winning, just doing this to remain relevant in politics. He is failed and should retire to his farm in Chipata. Doesn’t this old man not have Children who can stop him from embarrassing them or uncles who can whip some sense in him????

  10. Gen Miyanda is a better presidential choice than the cabal of PF candidates but his military background is a big risk.

    Military men are all about control and strict orders and thus not suited to taking in opposing viewpoints,consensus building and respect of free choice.Also the idea of respecting co-equal branches of govt might be alien idea to a military guy like Miyanda who’s culture is one of “chain of command”

    So do we take a risk with Gen Miyanda and his military culture and when elected he’ll morph into a dictator?

    • @Mzamani wa Zamani at 13: you comment on the military is too general and would require a lot of space to discuss but:
      1. Military culture: “chain of command” is an organised way of doing things. Your body is an example with various organs having specific things to do: e,g. the heart, the brain, limbs, eyes etc. These work harmoniously when the body is functioning properly and in sync!
      2. As a youth be better informed and enlightened. There are generals in the Bible, heard of General Joshua? What keeps the Israeli nation functioning? Know General Moshe Dayan? By the way in Obama country, how was that country created? Heard Washington D.C.? Its about General George Washington.
      3. Risk: every minute on earth is a risk; the PF was a very risky gamble; take your risk, let others do…

  11. The fact of the matter is Heritage party offers the next big step. UNIP brought independence, that was one big step. MMD brought multiparty democracy, that was another big step. Now, Heritage Party offers to bring the next logical big step forward i.e. seamless development between our urban and rural areas by embracing our Heritage in a similar manner to what the western developed countries have done and continue to do to get to where they are today.

  12. ba General Miyanda is a textbook definition of a loser. I don’t know the man so I’m only talking about as far as Zambia presidential candidates go. This man is one big loser. If candidates got a few coins for losing ba Miyanda would now be two Bill Gates rolled into one. I’m not even kidding

    • @Nyau, the Heritage Party offers seamless development between our urban and rural areas by embracing our Heritage in a similar manner to what the western developed countries have done and continue to do to get to where they are today. There is nothing textbook about that. The western world is proof it is doable. Please do your research or visit developed countries and learn.

    • ba Miyanda na ba Cactus, this is nothing personal. I even admitted that I do not know the man personally. I simply looked at the record of his presidential election performance since 2001. He started out really bad and it only got worse over the years. Until in 2011 it almost seemed like only people from his village voted for him. That’s what made me think this this man is a unique kind of loser. And if his ideas are so great, why can’t he convert them to a practical use?

  13. First ba Mushota, no one is interested in knowing what you studying, masomo yobe ayo. Secondly, ba Miyanda aya a book mwalemba no one has time to listen to. Your party consist of your family. Why can’t you join our HH, you have a place to bark. Sorry sir, never, will you rule. Chapwa

  14. @ Editor at 8.1: you have blacked a word I used, leaving the impression that it is an expletive! I got the word from the Bible. What is the point, esp when not addressed to any person? Anyway you are my boss and I bow to your decision.

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