Zambia Sugar a let down

1. Sorry, Mr. Daka, Zambia country doesn’t belong to you anymore. We are under economic colonisation. We sold all of it. Let the ‘white’ owners enjoy. When are you going to wake up? Have a good day!

2. Well that is the price of market driven economics. Mr Daka needs to wake up to reality. Days of hand out contracts are gone. You need to earn the respect of Zambia Sugar with high standard quality service. The world is flat and if I can get something somewhere cheap, I would do it. Screw the low quality local & expensive suppliers. That is economics, happens all over the world, that is why Apple, Nike etc have factories in Asia. It’s costly to manufacture in the US.

   The local suppliers just need to realize that they are competing with the rest of the world. Things are changing fast and soon there will be no borders in southern Africa and are you going to sing the same old song of locals are ripped off?

   Just up your game and compete with the best. If you don’t have resources to compete, that is not Zambia Sugar’s problem. Ask the MP Garry Nkombo to provide you with that. After all both you and Zambia sugar pay taxes.

3. Ba TRUE SAGE,
   Whatever you call yourself, I have just read through your question asking if there are any Bemba prosecutors in the on going anti-Grafti crusade in Zambia. I’m embarrassed with your blatant and foul tribal mess you carry though long exposed but empirically confirmed by time. Need to reveal that I have followed your illogical support of the Chilubas and unfruitful smear crusade for other tribes with much shame. I advise you to consider dropping the SAGE ID because you are a shame to any progressive Zambia integrated in the One Zambia one nation creed.
   Your sickness is no different from ba Shikulu ba Sata and all those tribalists we fought and defeated in the early 70s.In Kenya Moi has just denounce tribalits and maligned them in sudden preference of a nationalist Kibaki. In Zambia all tribalism has failed many potential politicians. UPND is in troubled waters because of that disease.MMD under Chiluba lost its grip because of tribalism perpetuated by ba Sata and Chitalu Sampa. Today the same Sata and Sampa heading PF have killed that viable party not on its way to Armageddon just like that.
   Read the headlines below from level headed Zambians. Tribalism and dictatorship can never deliver expectations.

   PF COUNCILLORS RESOLVE TO VOTE FOR UPND MAYOR
   PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Lusaka councillors on Wednesday resolved to vote for UPND candidate Jimmy Dons in today’s mayoral elections in protest against PF top leadership’s directive for them to vote for Stephen Chilatu as mayor. …

   LUSAKA COUNCILLORS, VOTE WISELY

   It seems the confusion that is rocking opposition Patriotic Front is starting to affect the running …

   MMD IS THE ONLY VIABLE PARTY, SAYS GEN TEMBO

4. TRUE SAGE,
   What the heck is going on in your Kantemba?

   PF councillors resolve to vote for UPND mayor

   By Lambwe Kachali and Patson Chilemba

   PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Lusaka councillors on Wednesday resolved to vote for UPND candidate Jimmy Dons in today’s mayoral elections in protest against PF top leadership’s directive for them to vote for Stephen Chilatu as mayor.

   And PF has stopped Lusaka deputy mayor Charles Msiska from contesting the position of mayor.

   But Msiska said he would defy the directive because he had a lot of support.
   And Dons said he would take advantage of the confusion in PF to win the position of mayor.

   PF sources disclosed yesterday that councillors differed with party vice-president Dr Guy Scott and spokesperson Given Lubinda during a meeting on Wednesday concerning the duo’s directive for them to vote for Chilatu and Msiska as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

   The source accused the PF top leadership of applying dictatorial tendencies and treating councillors like children.

   “At first we caucused on Saturday last week and it was discussed that the mayor and deputy mayor elections be subjected to free and fair elections.

   And prior to this (Wednesday) meeting, we gave Dr Scott minutes of the last meeting. But to our surprise, he just commanded us to vote for Chilatu and Msiska to maintain their positions respectively or else he will ‘Nakazwe’ us, meaning we shall be expelled from the party,” the source disclosed.

   The source said it would not help PF if its president Michael Sata and his top colleagues continued to run the party on dictatorial lines.

   “We are not kids to be commanded every time. During last year’s mayoral elections, Sata did the same. He commanded us to vote for Susan Nakazwe as mayor but she disappointed him. This is what is worrying us,” the source said.

   The source said Dr Scott, who chaired the Wednesday meeting, should know that voting was a secret exercise and councillors had resolved to vote in favour of Dons.
   “Our aim is to teach them a lesson so that they stop their coercive attitudes,” said the source.

   And Dons said several PF councillors had approached him promising to give him their votes.

   “It’s like PF has failed to give freedom to its members. I am taking advantage of this confusion and I have no doubts that I will win the elections,” said Dons.
   But Lubinda said in an interview yesterday that PF resolved to retain Chilatu and Msiska as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

   Lubinda said this had been done to avoid unnecessary acrimony in the running of the council.

   “I and the party vice-president conducted a meeting with the councillors yesterday (Wednesday) and we concluded that since Chilatu and Msiska have only been in office for a few months, they should continue in the same positions for another year so that they are known to the councillors,” Lubinda said. “Anyone who does anything contrary shall be going against the party position and will be looked at as having brought the party into disrepute.”
   Lubinda said the quarrels that have been going on between Chilatu and Msiska were not healthy.

   “It’s not acceptable that there be quarrels but the thing is that we have identified the quarrelling and because it is embarrassing we want to put an end to it,” said Lubinda.

   But Msiska maintained that he would contest the position of mayor because he has a lot of support. Msiska said this was not the first time he would be stopped from contesting his preferred position.

   Msiska, who is PF Kabulonga Ward 16 councillor, said during the last mayoral elections, he contested the position of deputy mayor even though Sata preferred councilor Mary Phiri for the position.

   Msiska was elected deputy mayor three months ago after polling 18 votes against Mary Phiri’s 14 votes.

5. MMD is the only viable party, says Gen Tembo
   By Patson Chilemba and Nomusa Michelo
   Thursday September 06, 2007 [21:01] Print Article Email Article

   MMD is the only viable party, former Republican vice-president Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has said.

   And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has welcomed UK-based automotive aerospace expert Professor Clive Chirwa to the political arena, saying politics is a serious commitment.

   But UPND Copperbelt Province chairman Joe Kalusa described Prof Chirwa as a hypocrite.

   Commenting on Prof Chirwa’s decision to join the MMD, Lt Gen Tembo – who is also former opposition Forum for Democracy and Development president – said it was only logical for Prof Chirwa to join the MMD because of its sound policies and direction.

   “As at now if you look at all the parties in the country, there are only two or so who are active who can give some sort of direction,” Lt Gen Tembo said. “First is the MMD and then the Patriotic Front (PF). Others are as good as dead.

   Now with the recent quarrels in PF, MMD is the only party which gives you some direction. Under the circumstances as on September 6, 2007, really you don’t have much choice. As at now, the MMD is the only party that is viable with direction and it’s only logical that he (Prof Chirwa) joins it.”
   Lt Gen Tembo said people were joining MMD not because they were job seekers but because it was the only viable party.

   “If you look at future development, I would be in difficulty explaining what development these other parties may come up with,” he said.
   Lt Gen Tembo said Prof Chirwa was a citizen and had the right to associate himself with any party he deemed fit.

   “As a citizen, he can contribute in any capacity or in politics. The new politicians can change the politics of insults,” he said.

   Asked if he had any intention of returning to active politics or rejoining the MMD, Lt Gen Tembo said rejoining politics required thorough consultations.

   “It’s not just a question of waking up one morning and say I want to join that party or this. You have to consult your family and those close to you. For the time being I will be farming, I like growing tomatoes. I haven’t done any consultations,” said Lt Gen Tembo.
   And Hichilema said every citizen had a democratic right to belong to a party of his or her choice.

   “It is good as long as one is able to commit to service and not doing it for personal gain,” he said.

   And in a separate interview, Kalusa said it was shocking that Prof Chirwa who only on Monday during a newsmakers’ forum organised by the Press Freedom Committee of The Post was condemning the MMD’s policies, was now citing the same policies as the reasons for his joining the party.

   “This is a man we were together condemning government policies. I’m shocked to hear that Prof Chirwa has moved to join MMD especially that on Monday we were together in Broadway (Cinema) where we were listening to this man giving academic talk to see how Zambia can regenerate,” Kalusa said.

   “We are surprised that barely two days later, he has switched to join the MMD. Even after Mr Mutayachalo challenged him that the way he was talking was like a politician, he denied that he had no intentions of joining politics.”
   He said Prof Chirwa at the Ndola discussion stated that the various sectors such as agriculture, education, health and transport were dead. Kalusa wondered how Prof Chirwa could say the MMD government had good policies.

   “He was even telling us that from the time he came, he has not seen a train because the rail system had collapse,” Kalusa said. “He was even saying that the health system in this country has collapsed and today he says they have proper policies? Where do the morals of this man lie?”

   And Kalusa said Prof Chirwa’s move to join the MMD did not pose a threat to the UPND.
   “As UPND we are not scared of this man, we will meet him in the battlefield. He’s a hypocrite. He should have been bold enough to admit rather than say he is an academician,” said Kalusa. “We know he is leaving to make some money. Let him make some money, we will meet him when he comes back. He is just like Nevers Mumba.

   From word go, he has shown us how dishonest he is. We will meet him in the political arena. He was the one saying the people in government are mediocre, now he wants to work with the people he is calling mediocre.”

6. Tribalism is indeed cancerous. It has killed alternative Governments in waiting. Has MMD engineered these intrigues to realise its so called 27 year rule vision or the myopic role of tribalistic leaders has wittingly killed their own parties?

7. And M’membe makes a final nail

   Lusaka councillors, vote wisely
   By Editor
   Thursday September 06, 2007 [21:00] Print Article Email Article

   It seems the confusion that is rocking opposition Patriotic Front is starting to affect the running of the councils which the party dominates.

   This should be avoided because councils are the instruments by which people cooperate together in order to achieve the common good in their localities or communities.

   An authority is needed at the local level to guide the energies of all toward the common good. All our councillors must be conscious of their specific and proper role in the running of our councils.

   The squabbles that today surround the election of the mayor of Lusaka are unhealthy and are not helping to move the city forward. Lusaka, being the capital city of our country and the home of over 20 per cent of our country’s population, requires the best leadership possible. We shouldn’t also forget that Lusaka’s example, as the country’s leading city, is usually followed by other cities, municipalities or towns.

   It is therefore important for the city of Lusaka to set a good example in everything that its leadership and residents do. If the city of Lusaka is disorganised and is dominated by anarchy, other councils are likely to follow its example. This will certainly not be good not only for Lusaka but for the whole country.

   With the problems our people are facing today of lack of social and other services, more efficient councils are more needed than at any other time. We need more competent mayors and councillors to run the affairs of our councils. Where there are limited resources, the most competent people are needed to run things.

   There is need for our politicians, at all levels, to take a more selfless and honest approach in the way they run the affairs of our communities, of our councils. Our councillors certainly cannot run the affairs of our communities efficiently if their own political organissation is in shambles.

   They cannot bring organisation to our councils when their own political parties, the organisations that are sponsoring them are disorganised or are in confusion. We therefore ask our councillors to run the affairs of our councils, including council elections, in a more organised and exemplary manner.

   We urge our councillors in Lusaka to make better use of their votes in today’s elections for the mayor and deputy mayor.

   They should consider it their responsibility to vote for the most suited person, the most competent councillor to lead our city. Their voting should be guided by what is in the best interests of the residents of Lusaka and our country. And as they vote they should remember that as councillors, they are bound to responsible judgement and decisions.

   As such they must vote wisely and only for people who are known for their honesty, ability, dedication and concern for the welfare of all. They should allow virtue to open a way for itself, merit to prosper. And they should not allow conniving, greed and cheating to succeed. Only those with absolute loyalty to the people should be voted for.

   The dissension that has rocked Patriotic Front over the election of Lusaka mayor and deputy mayor, in some way, reveals the poor and undemocratic manner in which our political parties are run.

   The state of intra-party democracy among our political parties leaves much to be desired. There is very little democracy in the way most of our political parties are run. They are run like personal property of the party president and those close to him or her. While we accept that there is no civilised organisation that can run without a hierarchy, this does not mean that those in top leadership should ignore the feelings of others in the party. There is need for the top party leadership to always mull over things and consider the feelings of other leaders and even of the general membership of the party. Yes, democratic centralism may be necessary in the running of political parties.

   But democratic centralism is not synonymous with one-man decisions, with dictatorship. Political leadership of a party should be a collective responsibility and decision making in a political party should be collective. Even where the principle of democratic centralism is highly accepted, this does not mean decisions have to be made only by one person at the apex; there will always be need for consultations and collective decisions. Even the Pope, who has the right to run the Church and the Vatican on decrees, consults others within the leadership of the Church. Political parties cannot be run on decrees.

   They are not personal properties of those who founded or lead them. Political parties belong not just to their members and those elected to be their leaders but to all of us, including even those who oppose specific political parties. And because of this there is need for political parties to broaden their decision-making processes and take into account the views of all leaders and other ordinary members as far as possible.

   The Patriotic Front having the majority of councillors in Lusaka deserves to take a leading role in deciding who should be mayor and deputy mayor. Ideally, the mayor of Lusaka should be a Patriotic Front member. But there’s nothing stopping them from electing a councillor from another political party who they consider to be more able than their own members. It will be interesting to see if this will happen in today’s elections. If it does happen, this may be a turning point in the politics of our councils.

   We do not want to see anarchy and confusion in any of our political parties. There is need for the leadership of the Patriotic Front to work hard and ensure that unity is maintained in their party. And we urge all other political parties to do the same. We cannot have a strong multi-party political system in this country and indeed good governance without well-organised and disciplined political parties. But if unity and discipline are to be achieved in our political parties, the primary requisite is to eradicate the cause of dissension among party members.

8. #3 FACT.What`s your comment on LPM`s FAMILY TREE?

9. Who the hell does Fred think he is?? He was busy insinuating that PF councillors have resolved to vote for Jimmy Dons, just this afternoon, the Councilors where all in unison and voted Chilatu back, Jimmy Dons di dnot infact stand. This kind of Journalism is just stupid, Fred and his Reporters are merely cooking up things to promote their stupid political agenda.

10. I have to agree that the lack of serious competition to the Post has increased their mediocrity. The editorials churned out these days leave you without doubt what happens to quality and objectivity when people become foolishly biased. Whats happened in PF always happens with the MMD in parliament and certainly happens in the US congress. So while his editorial may be right in principle, he spoils the party by turing his argument into a direct attack on PF. He baselessly characterizes them as a “party in shambles”, even contrary to Gen Tembo’s view in his own paper. He chose to say nothing about a more serious matter of Charles Chumumbwa wasting tax payers money by causing a useless by election in Nchanga. This guy’s run out of intellectual steam, with his sycophants at the post who cant see something serious has gone wrong there.

11. #10 Francis,

    Why has the Post newspaper suceeded were others seem to fail? What is the secret behind the success of this paper? Does the paper get any external funding? Why is it that we have only one major private newspaper? Does the post play some role in ensuring that other papers fail in order for them (post) to hold on to a large market share of the paper industry? Who are the shareholders of the Post?

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