The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says the opposition Patriotic Front’s (PF) planned mass demonstrations over high prices of mealie meal were uncalled for as they could lead to political instability in the country.
ZANIS Kitwe reports that ZCTU Acting Secretary General Ian Mkandawire said it was not necessary for the PF and other people to hold mass demonstrations over the many social and economic problems facing the country because such issues could be resolved through dialogue.
Mr. Mkandawire told journalists in Kitwe today that government should re-establish the interparty dialogue in order to reduce the current misunderstandings between the ruling Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) and other opposition political parties in the country.
He added that the planned demonstrations by the Patriotic Front were as a result of lack of dialogue between government and various political parties.
He noted that lack of interparty dialogue could lead to political instability in the country.
Mr. Mkandawire observed that there was also need for government to initiate the reestablishment of an effective interparty dialogue in order to curb unnecessary suspicions and mistrust.
He pointed out that such dialogue would instead promote an exchange of political and economic ideas and tolerance.
He observed that the congress believed that the re-establishment of the interparty dialogue was the only effective way which could help resolve the main economic and social problems many Zambians were facing.
ZANIS/LK/EML/KSH/ENDS
Greetings to all my fellow bloggers
:”>goodnight
How you dialogue with riggers. MMD lack of planning has brought about this economic melt down.
let us not be tribalistic that we forget the objectives of our organisations. look at this Mkandawire. just because banda is from the east does not mean we can stand and oppose. first what is the fear of demos. the fear entails the govt motive to surpress the masses. people things are not alright. the govt knows very well that the cost is to high. here in the uk the govt decided to reduce vat and also avoid tempering with food because this is life. y cant banda do the same. instead they ve increased salaries 4 themselves. this is the argument of pf. dont stop demos find an answer.
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the only way to stop demos is govt action and commitment. am not a prophet. soon we shall have another Greece. it wont be demos it may just be one mistake by the govt. allowing them to demo while beefing up security with tight restriction can help relieve the burning pressure within. zambia is on a time bomb. people are hungry. and hungry dogs always fight. what people need is not an explanation but provision. please unions reason. intraparty talks cant work where Banda and his minions can even mock people dying of haunger as noted in schilima a minster for that matter. we are spectators….
Trade unions have become irelevant as they no longer speak on behalf of Zambian workers.PF is right to call for demonstrations as long as they are peaceful.Thats why sata is popular because he speaks on behalf of poor Zambians.Demonstrations are part of Democracy and they should be encouraged.if it was for MMD demonstrating, they dont need a permit.
Don’t just number your blog, pls contribute even if it means at the level of Teta or Shakafuswa to understand. Don’t waste numbers on the blog please, get a life mwe bantu.
Anutha reason to sit at a table and fatten thmselves with sausage and pie and wash it all down with an assortment of intoxicators. We have had so much dialogue, trialogue, and even multilogue with nuthin tangible to show and coffers in more debt than ever.
Mkandawire is another brainwashed chap from his utterances. 1) MMD rigged elections & your eyes were open. This is why people want a new Constitution so that useless chaps can be removed from office 2) Threats are being used by thes ill educated politicians, including IG who seem to have come out of Law school through the window as a normal reasoning person will not start threatening people as that is taking away human rights! 3) These MMD chaps think that they can do anything and people will not react, & this is why you see some Ministers talk rubbish! 4) MMD should know that politics is not a CAREER, but a service! Mkandawire, which people are you representing?!!
From the time RB won, Iam ashmed of being Zambian & from Eastern province!! ZCTU is supposed to address issues affecting the people rather than supporting Govt! They have misplaced priorities & have to be removed together with Hikaumba! I can see people being reduced to the level of chickens in Zambia, & If we are not careful, freedom won’t be freedom any more!
It makes my skeleton to shake due to utterances such as these coming from Ian Mkandawire. Maybe we need to deport him to malawi. Does he understand the word dialogue to even refer to MMD to talk to the opposition. He is speaking as though he has not been resident in Zambia lately where Mulongoti, Teta, Mabenga, RB, Shakafuswa, Shikapwasha, Mpombo and the list is endless have been shouting into our ears that they have a mandate (from the unimformed rural areas) to govern and therefore they are not ready to listen to anyone on how to rule. Meanwhile the rural areas who voted MMD are now dying of hunger. So what’s wrong with this Ian chap, who is not fit to in any union.
if the greeks can protest over one life lost,what are we waiting for if many a lives are at risk?
i thought trade unions never really agree with anything that GOV. decides.they are the concious of leaders to do better than average.
so if MKANDAWIRE is agreeing with gov. then what is his purpose?
Civic Education should be part of the Education curriculum.Secondly no one in Zambia should be left behind in terms of education everyone needs to have the opportunity whether formal or informal.NGO’s, churches also need to play an active role in educating all the Zambians on civic education and their rights. Special emphasis should be given to rural areas.I look forward to the day in Zambia when everybody and anyone shall feel free to demonstrate their civic rights without fear or intimidation of dissappearing mysteriously ,being jailed or their businesses or employment being at risk. When individuals can freely stand in a public place holding a placard/poster voicing their concerns
All you Zambian illiterates stink! Cant you engage in meaningful discourse devoid of insults and tribal attacks? What a shame. As the hon Mainza Chona would aptly putit “Shemuna !”
contd, I look forward to a time in Zambia when individuals do not have to wait to organise a group to exercise their civic rights only although this is also good, but can also freely exercise their civic rights individually in public places. I look forward to a time in Zambia when bloggers, pundits and commentators do not have to use fictious names to express themselves on their civic rights because of fear of victimization but will use their real names and know that they are safe to express their views and concerns on the nations welfare and issues affecting Zambia. God bless Zambia.
If it’s true that mealie meal prices are too high for most Zambians to afford, then the peaceful demonstrations planned by Sata and PF are justified and will be successful. For brute force cannot subdue the aspirations of people who are allied to truth.
didnt know zctu is now into politics . ian where is hikaumba now :((
WHAT DIALOGUE IS THE GUY TALKING ABOUT? FIRST AND FORMOST, THE REASON FOR DEMONSTRATION IS CRYSTAL CLEAR! HIGH PRICES OF FOOD!! THIS IS BETWEEN THE PIPO AND GRZ! ITS NOT PF! PF IS JUST SHOWING THE PIPO HOW THEY CAN ADDRESS THEIR PROBLEMS.. MOREOVER ITS THE RIGHT FOR THE PIPO TO DEMONSTRATE PEACEFULLY. WHY ARE THESE SO AFRAID OF THE DEMOS? THERE MUST BE SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT THE ALL THING
Chopsy, U are talking about ZCTU. 2/3 rds of the nation are polticians!! What do you expect. Bickering all the time!!
What demonstrations!! PF are just such bad losers they are an embarassment!!
A teenager was killed by police and the whole country demonstrated in Greece. What of masses unable to afford basic commodities in Zed. Stop being paranid and be realistic before we turn into another Zim for fear of standing up for ourselves
Stop using PF to justfy failure. Just get into action and alleviate the suffering of pipo. I wonder where we stand with the MDGs???? :-w:o Povertywise we are skyrocketing.
The ZCTU president Hikaumba gets K18m per month for being v/chairman of NCC. what do you expect from the Labour movement??? Highly polarised and heavily compromised. ZCTU stopped speaking for the masses a long time ago (b4 1991). we have bootlickers running unions.Gone are era of the late Simakuni (former MUZ c/man) and the gallant leaders.what we have a bunch of chancers. Impeach ZCTU leaders now. PF has assumed ZCTU real role.it speacks 4workers & the poor.
Will demonstrations grow maize and raise copper prices?
Demos are a process of democracy, one and all are entitletd to express their views in a manner they deem fit albeit through dialogue or demonstrating. All this must be done within the confinces of the law. No one is above the law. What is regrettable is that politicinas and technocrats alike have all forgotten about the purpose of their positions, it is to SERVE THE PEOPLE. People first, self later. I sometimes wonder if changing govts will take us further, as it might a matter of swapping one selfish group for another. Power to the people.
While there is nothing wrong to demonstrate, i feel it is spearheaded by a wrong man (Sata). Since the coming in of MMD in power 17 years ago, the agriculture sector has gone to the dogs, particularly during the time Chiluba and Sata were in power, i.e 10 years of 17 years of MMD rule.
I have a strong feeling that this demo is not about food but about the lost election by PF. Sata has nothing to offer but just wants to make the country ungovernable. He is just using the mealie meal issue to advance his evil agenda. Has he now stopped talking about demos concerning salary increaments over which his MPs voted for????. A clear mind can see that Sata has a born to chew with one person -RB.
#27, I think you have some sense in your talk. It is about scores to settle here. I smell fish here. 😮
Welcome to capitalism. This is a simple matter of supply and demand. Why should the poor farmer subsidise urban dwellers? The only way out is for the govt. to pump in money, which will be reverting back to Kaunda’s days of coupons. We don’t wanna go down that route, do we?
Anyone aspiring to leadership position in Zambia to have some farming experience.Some of our leaders dont understand that Maize comes from the field after farming thats why they think by demonstrating the maize will sudenly be on the market.Surely where will the Maize come from if they themselves dont want to own small farms and lead by example? its rain season now and instead of going to the fields they want to go to the streets.Even those of you in town dont just talk, if you cant have a small field for your own consumption then where do you want the maize to come from because Govnt has no farms. Just paying PAYE can not bring maize because even rural farmers also pay several taxes.
#27 mbo
You are spot on. People should demonstrate with a clear objective. In this case how will the Demo bring maize or what should the Govnt do to bring Maize today. because as far as i know the maize can only come from the fields and the govnt has no farms its individuals like Mr sata and every other citizen who are supose to have farms and produce maize. As #29 NTOBOLO says ‘its supply and demand’. if the Maize price becomes too low then how are you going to motivate the farmer to grow maize?The other year maize price was too low and the forks went for cotton and tobbaco.with the dollar above 4000 i can asure even this time they are going tobbaco and cotton.Grow your own maize my dear!
Ukutumpa Mkandawire. Just because you can afford 3 Sq meals on poor workers sweat you think dialogue can work.
#31 Point is GRZ during campaigns assured us that there was more maize at FRA than we could consume. So where has this maize gone. May be Mr 31 you can explain for us.
Leonard Hikaumba earns K18m per month from the NCC. Does he care about the workers he represents? Zilch!
Iwe mkandawire, dont you know that its a democratic right to demostrate? I ll edge PF and all those willing to support these demos to go ahead and put our concerns foward to those who claim to be governing our country. Zambian dialogue in such issues is usually associated with payments from taxpayers money, remember the infamous INDABA and its outcome. check what is happening in Greece and other countries in the far East, its another way of expressing displeasure and has been successful in most cases.
If the so called listening government doesn’t want to listen then demos might help. ka mkandawire just go to sleep if you have nothing tangible to talk about, ka mmd iwe.
#4 YOU amaze me. Why look at the legs hands or tribe of the contributer? Its better to analyse the content not the tribe.
What Ian Mkandawire said is true, but you can only dialogy to a reasonable man a person who is prepared to accept his mistakes and has called for help. We have reason people in the current GOVT but people like TEtamashimba, Mulongoti I do not think even I can accept to sit with this people. Let MMD GOVT convince people that they are the best for the job to rule, then people will stop talking about DEMOS. Lip service, Job creation, to fight poverty uplighting the living standard. The simple solution is look at the prevailing situation, you have company which create jobs such Ndola Lime give them the licence to produce cement at the cost of K16500 per 50kg it is possible,study was done.
30 and 31 Bakaamba Ba Engines
Its not all of us who can farm or own a farm or garden as you put it. Some of us stay pama flats and we are both workers, meaning my wife and i. Much as what you are saying is possible, you are too aware that it can not be or happen. People contribute to the well being of the country in different ways. I will also say other than complain about poor gorvernance why can we all from our parties and then run our governments and implement policies that will avail maize in abundance. RB to all who are familiar with Zambia is slleping about food crisis and job loses on the copperbelt period.
ZCTU leadership is pro govt, and no union that supports the govt succeeds. Just ask them what they have achieved in they tenure……nothing…..and this warrants that they should all be removed at the next congress. The problem with the civil servants they continue contributing to this toothless union and the executive members continue sharing the cake amongst themeselves. They want to live and behave like govt ministers………..
continued from 38
Why are we all complaining about UTH when the medical shools are there for all to qualify ad Doctors and Nurses and treat ourselvesa nd stop mourning about poor health delivery system. Is that your approach to problems Ba Engines.
MMD is running the government and two months down the line of rising mealie meal prices that when one called Dr Mwanaumo comes on TV and says we are releasing 20,000 tonnes pof maize tocushion the rising maize prices. This is 10 days requirement for a serious miller like Chimanga Changa Ndola only. Is this leadership you are trying to promote and protect.
All Zambians should join the demonstration,too much is at stake a lot of kids are dying including adults due to hunger simple nshima because of the cost of fuel which is abnormally too high. PF is right and all the Zambia should join the demo
Dear Mr.President,
My open letter to the Zambian President,It is surprising that at a time like this that Zambia can give salary increments to it’s Ministers and Members of Parliament when all over the world leaders are taking pay cuts and cutting away allowances.Working as a civil servant is not a job per se it is a service.Where are you going to get the money to pay all these huge salary increments?Since unemployment is over 50% which is a huge source of taxes,In your campaign you promised the Zambian people that you will create 4,000 jobs we want to see you fulfil this promise sir.Mr.President fuel is too expensive whenever I visit Zambia I find it to be to expensive to drive it is abit c
Ba engines
The maize is supposed to come from govt ment through exterternal resourcing if need be. It has the responsibility of ensuring that the standard of living for all citizens meet acceptable conditions. Amano mwalikwata sitikana But think not a sthe comfortable diasporian but a s suffering Zambian. Take only five minutes and think what the pipo back home are going through.
And what happened to staeowned farms naged by ZNS? they are suposed to produce subsdised food crops on behalf of GRZ
Shut up chi mkandawire, what have you done for the workers who have employed you? You have been bought with the brown envelops and now instead of fighting for the workers you re against them. I cant afford mealie meal which is a staple food and you re saying no demos, waitaya. VIVA PF, VIVA DEMOS 8-|:-\”:d/:((
Ku Zambia uko ubucushi tabwakapwe, reason- abatutu, the uneducated villagers decide who rules that nation. Secondly, cowardice is killing that nation. when you have people like this Mkandawire in leadership of ZCTU- the once fearless organization that helped to bring down Supper Ken, know that you cannot go far. Zambians must learn from the people of Thailand abafumishepo ubuteko bwabo by peaceflly taking over airports and their Prime minister’s residence. Cilemoneka kwati uko ku zed tamutamba CNN. I cannot see why abantu abalelala insala can fail to register their displeasure by peaceful demos. Ikaleni na bukuwe bwenu. Mwakulacula ifyofine.
ZCTU it will just take a spark……..just a small spark and the Zambians that you have taken for granted for too long will react…just a small spark.
We have already done our fields. We have planted our maize, but when duty as a concerned citizen calls, we shall demonstrate and after the demonstration, we shall continue planting etc.
Zambia is not for RB, MMD, PF, HH, Honourable ministers, ZCTU. ZAMBIA IS OURS
Guys demos for what, prices for mealie meal. All milling companies are owned by GBM, Chat Milling, caleb Mulenga etc. They pegg the prices of mealie meal. Chiluba and sata privatised everything. Now who are the demos targeted at? Millers or govt and if govt so that they do what. Someone needs to explain. My fellow zambians think and dont be emotional. Analyse the probblem. PF is failing to understand the pbm. PF whenit was in power thru sata (One man show) privatise these milling companies and left prices to market forces. Now what are the demos for? Let and others and certainly not Sata talk about demos. We in UNIP controled prices of essential comodities and we had good reasons.ICHILI boti
Icili boati chalibunda, Ba PF kale mwalusa. Kicks of a complete dying horse. Merry christmas :d/:d/
Mkandawire is misdirected. What interparty dialogue. The govt should be able to dialogue with the people it claims it is serving. You only want clubs through which public funds are pilfered. Get lost Mkandawire, you Malawian.