A former MMD councillor in Choma, says President
Rupiah Banda should be given ample time to manage government and the ruling party’s
affairs.
Ms Tunia Mpamba told ZANIS today that it is unfair for some sections of society
to criticize President Banda when he has been in office only for a short time.
She said the period that Mr Banda has been in office is too short
to attract criticisms she said are based on political rivalry.
She said President Banda needs the support from all Zambians in order for his
government to continue with late President Mwanawasa’s legacy of new deal governance.
She noted with concern at the ongoing mudslinging in which President Banda
was being unfairly criticized especially over what is going on in the
country’s economy resulting from the global economic meltdown.
Ms Mpamba said what is even worrying is that this criticism is coming from
the old folk who are supposed to support president Banda as he leads the
nation.
He has urged Choma residents to give President Banda’s government the
needed support.
The President has undergone scathing attacks by his political foes within
the MMD party and the opposition with the latest being some prominent figures
in the ruling Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) who have since been suspended.
ZANIS/CM/Ends/MM
You mean more time to really mess up?Forget it!
What ample time? Zambia is a country not a bank! The last time we gave ample time to somebody a bank collapsed under his watch. Keep him on a tight leash Zambia, we are a country if we become apathetic, the little we’ve gained will be rolled back!
Nyangu,
You talk a lot of sense, i love your thinking!
Typical !! Just saying stuff that pleases his boss. What a shame
Jamaco so what do you want her to say? Condemn? Just to please desperate people in opposition. Let’s learn to appreciate.
Ms Tunia Mpamba has the right to say what she thinks. We the people also have the right to criticise the present Govt at any given time, if we feel it is moving in the wrong direction. Look at the prices of mealie meal !! You do not need to be in office for many years to make the staple food affordable. Ms Mpamba should have addressed the issues that directly affect the people and not just asking for ample time for RB! It is not RB who suffers but the people! RB and his followers are busy defending their positions and checking who speaks ill about them. They demand Respect? then let them earn it!! Ms Mpamba should speak for her self and her contribution to the people’s welfare!!
Well you can go ahead and enlighten us on what he has done worth writing home about. Unlike you others dont probably speak because they like the sound of their voices, rather they base on facts from the media and what they have seen.
If one lies to the electorate but does not deliver or show any signs of honouring his promises, I dont think it is wise,but folly, to commend such a leader. He has to be criticised. You are lucky he has reduced the prices of mealie meal, fertiliser etc as he promised,where u shop from. I am comparing him to Obama who has not had ample time either but is in the right direction and is not wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary tours & entourages.
Sense..
Ms Councillor, you have a valid point but it seems you want something in return(A ka job ka! since your are nonlonger a councillor)
Ms Mpamba needs to shut the hell- up and get a job.
looks like someone is looking for a job…keep blowing the trumpet brutha…..Plot 1 may hear you
That’s cheap!
Mrs C,
Can you tell us what you think Banda has done so far other than just fanning some in-fighting and acting like a zombie, firing people and making all sorts of threats to his subordinates…he needs to be kept in- check before he becomes too comfortable enjoying T- Bone steak at state house at the cost of alleviating poverty for your family.
I think the former councilor is right. Can’t see anywrong in what she said. The response I have seen here typifies the thinking of Africans. Always quick to condemn. The man needs time yes. Some people here have never said anything positive about MMD. What people have to realise is things have been bad for a very long time. There is no way they are going to improve over night. Zambians need to rise above being petty which is what I see here.
There will always be opposing forces at any given time , such is the natural foundation of life don`t pull contempt on fellow bloggers
Your point is?
let people speak and see beyond the facade of the councilor
This RB is finishing off the MMD. Just watch him. He does not know how much it cost Zambians to conceive it and bring it through to birth.
Let him continue hounding out the members of the party and see what will be left.
Fellow zambians: RB was voted in on account of continuing Mwanawasa’s legacy (cheap food, strong currency, strong economy, fight corruption, etc). it is clear that the legacy of Banda is not of Mwanawasa’s: reasons: hungry nation-price of maize meal is too high; no jobs, no development; more money for ministers; kwacha continues to lose value while malawi, tz, bots, namibia continue to maintain strong currencies and development; high rate of corruption; insecurity and hoplessness: no jobs in Copperbelt; dirty city centres (especially Lusaka) and weakening of the MMD as a party…hence collapse of democracy in zambia. what do we have to say? Hence the Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral letter!
Why excuses all the time, RB has not been in the office for a short time, he has been there from June 2008 remember. Let RB work instead of asking for more time. More time to do what?
While the data in the news makes sense, I am appalled by “She said President Banda needs the support from all Zambians in order for his
government to continue with late President Mwanawasa’s legacy of new deal governance”.
Which legacy is she talking about? Is she the only one who does not know that Mr Magande N. has been sidelined from the MMD and that Mrs M. Mwanawasa is also seemingly being marginalised. How about the Kwacha ‘s performance which Mr N. Magande managed to improve while working with the late former President LP Mwanawasa?
How about Mr Shakafuswa and Mr Chibombamilimo who have been dropped fro Cabinet and expelled from the MMD? What legacy is she alluding to?
Although she may be bootlicking, I absolutely agree with most of what she has said, however unpopular it may be on LT. This site reports a positive government initiative pretty much everyday, yet people are quick to construe everything in a negative light, and make RB pay for externalities beyond his control, as well as internalities he did not contribute to facilitating. This is the exact same way we treated Levy when he came into power, but it would be naiive and grossly unfair to deny that he conferred some benefits on Zambia during his tenure. Every country is suffering in this recession – food prices have skyrocketed, unemployment has risen – Zambia is not unique in that regard.
Oh yes, and if any one who disagrees with me wishes to reply, I would appreciate if you did so in a civilised and respectable manner. I’m not here to exchange insults or engage in pointless bickering.
Citizen: I do understand what you have said but I want to dwell on the facts: kwacha lost value within two months of RB’s; food prices went up within short period; immense job losses; life is too difficult in zambia right now! See my point: Tanzanian currency is ever stronger right now; food is five times cheaper in Tanzania than in Zambia right now (know that Global recession affects every nation); Malawi’s currency is strong as ever even competing with the Rand and Pula. See this: some countries do not even have minerals as we do; see it clearly…this is not a speculation at all and I am non-partisan myself. I don’t belong to any of those parties or attached to any leader in Zambia.
Simple man… That is a good charge on the incumbent and every time am arguing a point against the ruling government I my argument on the same premise and also on the fact that RB has no blue print to pull us out of the mess. I find it amazing that some Zambians are pretty happy and busy trying to attenuate sensible arguments from people like you. I’m keen to read on Citizen’s counter argument on the indefensible… Am waiting!
Citizen I would recommend you look at the big picture… We all appreciate it is a global crisis pulling down economies… Can you also explain why the neighbors are performing better and whilst you are at it, can you also explain the blue print the incumbent has to pull us out of the sinking ship.
I am in fact, looking at the big picture, and recognising that there is very little developing countries can do to mitigate this economic crisis, even though we did not contribute to it. That unfortunately, is the unfairness of the problem. Now, asking me about RB’s blueprint diverts from my initial argument against him being blamed for the consequences of this downturn. Those are two separate issues, and I absolutely agree that he should be held to account for the steps his government is or should be taking to cushion the effects of the recession on the Zambian economy.
Blaming RB for the consequences of this downturn is in fact not looking at the bigger picture. If you based your observation that “our neighbours are performing better” on actual empirical evidence, rather than a post on LT, you would know that in fact, Tanzania’s Nile perch industry for example, is collapsing under this recession, leaving roughly 300,000 Tanzanians unemployed. The stability of Malawi’s economy is the product of Bingu wa Mutharika’s leadership since 2004, but even its exports are suffering. The reason Zambia is in the mess it is today is due to bad management and leadership, which stems from way before RB’s presidency. People must learn to see the wood for the trees.
As I mentioned in my previous post, RB is being blamed for “externalities beyond his control, as well as internalities he did not contribute to facilitating.” Within a few months of Obama becoming president, the US unemployment rate has increased, its trade deficit has grown, and more companies are collapsing in this recession. Is it fair to blame him for the consequences of a global crisis he did not facilitate? I don’t think any right-minded individual would do so. Then why should RB be blamed for similar things being experienced in the US simply for being president at an inopportune moment? He has been in power for too short a time to be blamed for all the factors you alluded to.
You are claiming to be looking at the big picture and yet keeping a blind eye on the blue print which implicitly does not make sense because it is part of the big picture. You seem to be self contradictory… You point out that there is little developing countries can do to mitigate economic crisis, but the little there’s to do is what RB is not steamrolling and that is part of the picture that we the people are criticizing
Citizen: our country is truly sinking! we all agree that recession affects many countries, but we see the efforts of some leaders: Angola, Moz, Malawi, Tanz…all these nations are having a stable economy at the moment. even the issue of job losses that you mention is just felt by few sectors of economy, but they have alternatives unlike zambians-who look to copper for everything. their currencies are still quite strong. they have got food, a basic right of a person. Tell me in truth and honest what you may think RB has done so far for Zambia in improving the economy? Know: Zambia is the only country in southern africa that sells fuel at a highest price!
You guys are mixing two separate issues. My point is, and has always been, that these calls for RB’s resignation are based primarily on the dire consequences we are experiencing from this global downturn, which he personally did not facilitate. I have not commented personally on what measures he has put into place to mitigate the effects, but it would be unfair to expect overnight changes as people here seem to be suggesting. Obama is putting into place measures HE believes will help the economy, but we will only see whether they work or not in the next few years, not tomorrow. Does that mean he should resign as the economy gets worse before it improves? No. So, why should RB?
I take into account your comment Nyangu, about RB not steamrolling the little that can be done, but please explain what that is, and how you know that he is not doing it, because even if RB were to do anything now, the fruits of his initiatives would not be felt for a long time. America is still in the same position – many don’t think that Obama’s policies will work, but you don’t hear dissenters calling for his resignation because only time can tell. Nothing can be achieved today or tomorrow, so why do we expect that here?
LT, of all people why get a story for a councillor. To make matters worse a former councillor. Can’t you find credible sources e.g business community, diplomatic members, economists plus plus. This is embarrassing.
LT is okay, this message is not about the councillor, but rather what is in the mind of RB” I need more time”, so some small councillor just said it loud, this is a big story if you are a big thinker.
Mrs C, what is wrong with criticizing a Govt, we the people put in power, to serve and to protect. Not to be served Mrs C. We are quick to criticize coz we don’t even need time to think about this man who seems to think at all. Things may have been bad but there is no assurance that they will be any good under his leadership. Tell us some positives that we may be missing, maybe that will make us appreciate him a little better. But nay, he is a failure.
Obama has only been in power for 6 weeks or so, he has laid down a blue print what direction he wants to take the country. RB on the other hand has made more appearances in public anguing with the post, his cabinet members and travelling out of Zambia when people need to know what direction he is taking the country. We don’t want him to do anything , but only show us he knows what he is doing. For this reason RB does not deserve anymore time. He needs to RESIGN.
Iwe ci Counsellor which ample time are you talking about, you want us to buy mealie meal at 100 pin or more shame on you. Zambians why are you allowing that defiler to rule us.
Former Cllr, you are dreaming! Zambia has no time to waste with all these challenges we are facing and you expect our top servant to relax (be on a honeymoon)? Stop day dreaming
What more time do you need us to give RB, when he saw it fit to raise his and those of his cronies salaries and conditions of service. Spare us the trash you cadre.
Iwe cadre! What time? Are you out of your mind? If anything, we have over given him time!! Please shut up!
All I see now in Zambia is more poverty, mediocre life, disappointment on the part of the voter, more plunder of our meagre resources, more voter apathy,increased joblessness, enrichment of corruption and nepotism/tribalism(the wako ni wako bullshit), crooked leadership,retrogression and I can read anger on enlightened people’s faces. RB knows he is not capableof introducing anything that can benefit other citizens but only his ugly dark soul and his scandalous sons and a few of his hideous bootlickers like ka-Mulongoti and Teta. He should have left this job to capable people within or without MMD.Let us just prepare for more mediocrity till 2011.