This is an interview of Zambia’s ambassador to the United States Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika conducted on the 10th of May, 2009 on the Public Broadcast Service (PBS) in the United states.
In the interview, Ambassador Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika discusses the efforts Zambia is making in fighting corruption and how Zambia qualified for the threshold status and how the country qualified for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact status.
Many thanks to the First Secretary (Press) at the Zambian Embassy in the US, Mr Ben Kangwa, for making the video clip available to us
I have alot of respect for Inonge but I am afraid she has given a one sided story in the interview with MCA. RB is not fighting corruption like Levy did. He is busy garavanting around the world as if the people don’t need his services. The result we have now, are strikes and these are likely to spread as long as RB is paying attention to workers and corruption.
Another Botricker
Lol ! She is an Ambassador what do you expect her to say? Have a sense of perspective!
I do not think any principled person can suggest that RB is fighting corruption. Just Keep quiet Madam before u loose ur credibility if at all you still have any. Dont be used by MMD Cadres like Ben kangwa.
Inonge why are you lying in much of what you saying?
Well it is indeed a government view on corruption and as an ambassador I guess that is what she is supposed to do. One point I totally agree with her is that MMD and Chiluba brought corruption to Zambia in 1991 and I wonder why people like her who were in the early MMD government never at least put a system in place to build on what they inherited from KK. She bears the blame on this one also. Otherwise one a personal level she is a great Zambia woman and a great daughter of the land of Zambia. If I may add it will take kicking out MMD and its incarnates like PF to kick out corruption in Zambia. Good luck mother Zambia. I hope another new party emerges. HH is a big time LOSER and he has realised, hence the deal with PF. Wonder why it took HH so long to realise he is a loser.
Yaba….I cant get the meaning of what she was saying ” zero tolerance to corruption” as her emphasis is opposite to what we are seeing on ground. There is selective fight against corruption as beeing noted in the curent case where only ka Kapoko is beeing prosecuted while the Big plunderers like Miti are out enjoying the loot. Her answers to all questions were a joke. Really she ia one of the BOOTLICKERS.
Thats what is killing zambia. Its time we learn to call a Spade is a Spade. It doenst matter what contribution she made to zambia in the past, After all that why she is a zambian.When someome is about to go wrong we need to show them a red light. Otherwise iam afraid we will continue to recycle this same politians and post them as ambassadors when infact they are just represnting MMD.
It sounds like the word Corruption is now synonymous with Zambia!!The bottom line is the Corruption is everywhere in this world.
I do not think that Corruption started during the Chiluba era.It was indeed pepertuated during his era but just like Nepotism and other vices,they did exist even during the Kaunda Era.
I think we now have more transparency in reporting these vices through independent Media and also whistle blowing from concerned and possibly jealous citizens.
Atleast i can vouch for that in the UK where i reside,currently.
She just wants to keep her job and is willing to sacrifice integrity and honesty. The perks of an ambassador job from what I hear are very sweet. To stay in such jobs you have to be a yes-man if you speak honestly you will end up jobless.
Kwena bupuba ubu. Thats what is killing Zambia because of such people telling lies.
Though I’m really fed of all this talk on corruption, it was quite good to watch an interview for a change. Let’s have more of these clips.
fellow zambian, where we are are, we should be patriots. No patriot should wash dirty linen in public and am sure thats what inonge tried to do. Yes we know that there is corruption but screaming to the whole world that there is corruption and that nothing is being done about can damage our country more. Viva inonge, you are a true ambassador.
so LT interacts with Mr Ben Kangwa, could he be actually our so loved SENIOR CITIZEN- just putting two and two together.
#11. That is shallow thinking. What we are saying is that Innonge should say the truth on what is prevailing in Zambia. The talk she made was about impressing RB and protecting her job finish. But is that what is obtaining on the ground? Thats why we shall never develop because of people like you or innonge. I would rather say the truth unlike try to impress someone to keep my job.
Whilst defence on corruption and praise for late President is well meaning, in my opinion the interview is ill-timed going by the happenings in Zambia. The Ministry of Health saga has links to the same people being praised. If in-depth audits were to be conducted on all Ministries, Embassies, Companies that receive Government contracts, Bank Accounts etc. the results would be very very shocking, the fact is that the, “mother of corruption” in fact took centre stage in the last 8 years. The whole 18 years of MMD rule has been disaster and Zambia deserves better. When Mwanawasa became president in 2001 he kept denying existence of wide spread corruption in his and former Government until the Post unleashed the corruption matrix which he quickly swung on to champion for his own survival.
75% of this interview was a lie!!! What support is she talking about that i am not are of….all this was orchestrated by Ben Kangwa…..good for the country’s public relations though!
All this Kapoko business happened in Mwanawasa’s era. Dr. Simon Madoff was also in that era. When was corruption being fought against. Bo Inonge has been in DC too long.
Corruption is there there is nothing being done to culprits ,I wonder what this lady she is presenting, tell the world the truth or keep quiet. Imagine donors withdrawing their support what does that imply. Let us call a spade a spade period.
Am even afraid to listen to what she is pooping around. But judging from the comments, its fair to say she is lost and out of touch with reality. These folks at the embassy in the USA can’t even reply to our questions on new passport forms…what a shame!!
This lady does know what she talking about!!! LT you also post one of the videos for Dambisa Moyo.
These guys at the embassy are corrupt themselves. Most of the time they sit on their hands, doing nothing yet mis-using our money. When you call them for information it it will take ages. Or if if visit them you will find them just sited doing nothing. So this was time for her to shine. Let a financial audit be done at this embassy.
We have lost our jobs. We cant just be talking about corruption when there are serious issues to deal with. First kill Kapoko and miti them will know that you are fighting corruption. Wait they audit you then you know the talk about corruption.
Its difficulty to know who is/was fighting correption bacause the same mouths that talk/talked about it are same mouths that have been ‘eating’ public funds secretly according to reports we hear from home.tell us who is telling the true?
Thumbs down
Imwe ba Fred Mmembe Choir, from reading this blog one would get the impression Zambia is the worst country to live in. This is not true. All this venom is because of the malice of Mmembe towards Rupiah. Do you think Rupia is so bad that he has destroyed the whole country in seven months. Of course it is not true. The truth is that Rupia has no deals with Mmembe and wants him to pay the debt he owes DBZ with Nchito and that is the problem.
Since Mmembe wants to destroy every body who disagrees with him, perhaps the Mmembe Choir on this blog can now start proposing him for President. He would be over the moon.
#25 you are definetly sick in your head, what things has RB done to mark any difference apart from ru? None at all just trotting the African continent. This is a failed govt runned by almost like headless chicken or a visionless leader. MMD senior cadres are so worried about the current govt affairs. is RB has the energy to make a difference in developing Zambia,? how can he go to South Africa to have a simple operation with a large entourage. How much is the poor govt spending on security, accommodation, food, allowances for staff, transport and other logistics which accompany presidential trips? Mmembe is just doing his job to report and make the govt refrain from abusing national resources. The money he is unwisely spending was used to buy drugs for ordinary pipo lives will be saved
She is full of Sh*t. This lady brought her daughter as her private secretary. She is a failed leader and those who listen to her diatribe don’t know what she is. Immediately she was elected MMD Youth Chairperson she showed the true signs of a failure. Ask her why Zambians in US apart from one job seeker in California despise her. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. This woman has selective memory. She is telling the world that only the Chiluba Govt was corrupt. What kind of politicking is that. Francis Kaunda at ZCCM will beg to differ with her. Mr. Hachipuka lost a train engine, and some Gold and Silver from Kabwe Mine, Capt Kawanu endangered lives at Int’ Airport when he turned off electricity. On this one, I am ready to come out and debate her openly.
#25 Ba Nkole you are right. This Mmembe Choir never cease to amaze me. They just sit there can’t read and analyze things on their own and make an informed call on their own. Look at #20 KINTE028 for example, without even watching and analysing the video and taking it on merit, they just read other people’s few comments and jump on the criticism bandwagon. Indeed they are the Mmembe Choir. Kudos my brother for coining the phrase. It perfectly fits them.
#26 there goes another choir member. These are the same people who were attacking LPM and calling him Cabbage when he just took over. Anyway, there goes another broken record. We have heard this before, been there done that, wait 2011, its 80% landslide and you will do protests again like your colleagues in Iran.
This woman should stop this nonsense. She telling the world about 10 Years of the Chiluba err and leaving out that when she was appointed Ambassador, she came with her daughter as her Private Secretary. From the 10 million Zambians, only her daughter was qualified for that position? What a nut case she is. She is a failed leader who couldn’t win anything in her life. AU rejected her diatribes and now the only survival for her is suck it up to RB. The embassy is no ,longer an embassy, it is a village and an embarrassment to Africa. Fool me once, Shame on you. Fool me twice, Shame on me. She will never fool me after all I know about her life and failures. Her own brother was given Zambia Ceramics to run, what did he do? She has amnesia or selective memory it seems like.
If MMD wins in 2011, I will no longer be a Zambian. That country is full of BS. Some people here are also full of the same. Thank God I am not even there to see how failures have ruined that nation. Boot lick as much as you want. But I am scared you might not be licking boots alone.
A mention of the Post ,Dipark Patel and the civil society in the initiation fight against corruption along side LPM would be near to the truth. Somewhat articulative though than our First lady on matters of the Nation.
Bantu bamwi banyina nsoni……………………
Which persons/groups camped at parliament when the lifting of FTJ `s immnuity was being debated? short form of memory I suppose!!!!!
Inonge is a failure in life and has done nothing for Zambia. She participated in the 2001 Prezidol elections and, came No. 10 after LPM, Mazoka, Tembo, Tilyenji, Miyanda, BY, Sata, Nevers, and Gwenie Konie in that order. She later tried AU Chair in 2008, where she got only 12 votes while Gabonese, Jean Ping got 44 votes. She blew up K2 billion during AU campaigns, which money could have gone long way to develop Zambia. Why keep such pipo, ba RB?
who started the concept of matrix of corruption in Zambia. ?
ba zambians lets stop talking about who is wrong or right, lets just save some dollars and buy an island in pacific ocean close to USA and live they peacefully.
So even the poor Zambians should buy islands and so that Zambia is taken over by tyrants and tycoons, who will never speak on before of the voiceless, how shameful.
to read on behalf of the voiceless
Come to think of it, is Zambia short of man power to have the Lewanika- Mbikusitas in all key places? Sista is Ambassador to US, brother Wamundila (former PS finance) is Ambassador in Japan, and another brother Aka is state house presidential political adviser? I smell fish.
Nepotism put Bo Inonge there, not the fact that she is qualified for that position.
Watch that clip carefully and if you know anything about body language you can tell that she’s just a sitting duck.
#41Recycled Material
Read history of Zambia, vis-a-vis, Barotseland Protectorate and it will explain to you why the Lewanikas are ubiquitous.
An independent media and a tolerant democratic government have been the catalysts to the fight against corruption. Like all chemical catalysts, they just quicken or accentuate the reaction. They do not cause it.
no insoni. lies 100%
Yaba ati “Let me repeat again” who uses repeat and again in the same sentence!
Did she jsut say “Colluption?”
I will leave this one for the SENIOR CITIZEN to around it up quickly
I think it is time to form a Party here in the Diaspora. If we don’t do anything about this silliness they will forever take advantage of our being. I know for sure Senior Citizen who facilitated this kind of nonsense to be spread will fight us. But Ladies and Gentlemen, we are the Josephs of that nation. It is Joseph who during the famine that engulfed Israel, Joseph being outside and in a position of authority in Egypt, saved the family and the people of Israel because of his dreams. We can also do the same for that country. Believe me, ladies and gentlemen, we can bring change to that nation. This nonsense that the overstaying ambassador is spreading will come to an end. Let us think about this seriously.
#47 Kalos2020 – I am in.
#17 is correct.Corruption in Zambia has reached a higher level. Look at the recent stories in the Post about Deer Sillier, Dr. Siphone Mighty and the new kid on the block with all sorts of “mercs” and different girlfriends.That tells you a lot abou acountry that is trying to fight corruption. Good public relations by Ben Kangwa for the country though.It is also good that we have been able to see what was broadcast on American tv. Bo Inonge, however, did not convience me in her explanations. I think she was in a hurry to get off the interview.Next time she should, perhaps let the the PR Embassy man handle such interviews after all that is his background.
Are you kidding me #49. Do you think that lady can let a poor former ZNBC employee take the limelight? You are joking.Think again
#48 My sister, this the only way we shall change our beloved country. All this talk and no action seem like we have no substance and we are of no consequence to the failed leadership in that country. They don’t even think of us when time for elections come, Why? Let them know that since they cannot find own leaders on the ground, we are ready to step in and steer that ship into better waters, where there’s something for everyone, not only the few annointed MMD cadres while our mothers and daughters, doctors and nurses, teachers and police officer go hungry. Why should we be spectators in our own game? Remember my sister, one definition of insanity is to believe that you can keep doing what you’ve been doing and get a different result. Every Generation needs a revolution.
Also we should understand that leadership determines the direction of the country. Organization determines the potential of the country. Personnel determines the success of the country. Believe me, Zambia lacks the all three. So, what could be the solution? We also should know that Ideas won’t keep: something must be done about them. I have floated this idea, please if there’s some that want to start this thing, I am here. It is said that the best cure for a sluggish mind is to disturb its routine. So, let us disturb MMD, PF and UPND sluggish minds by starting something that will be credible and free of their history and corrupt mentalities. It pays to plan ahead. It was not raining when Noah built the ark. We can do it guys.
Our strengths are seen in the things we stand for; our weaknesses in the things we fall for. Let us stand for change and for a better Zambia. We cannot just let our nation be taken to cleaners every time there’s a new govt. What are we? Whimps? No way. Next time they will tell you that George Mpombo or Tetamashimba is new President.
We have not forgotten about the story of how bo Inonge and her sister poured Acid on a poor woman’s face over a marital problem in Lusaka in the 1980s. For doubting Thomases, go to Times of Zambia or Daily Mail archives. Personally, I have no respect for such people.
Nice and great message from the Ambassador Lewanika M. Inonge (PhD, ?). Such are messages that deserve praise.
Starting from initiatives to train kids in (pre-school ?,) primary and secondary school by changing their mindset on acquiring things by hard work only to the Millennium Challenge money that was sourced from USA is just supper. Thank you USA also for the GRANT.
As for the Dambisa Moyo (PhD, UK) issue, I believe Ambassador would have done better by saying I have not yet followed all her arguments properly and can not give a good analysis of her book and aid issues. Sometimes it is good to say I do not know than to appear as if you are useless by failing to articulate an issue clearly.
May God bless Zambia as progress is noted.
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Prevention is better than cure
I LIKE WHAT # 49 says it has sense. what shall we name the party lol.
#58, Nkomjos, The name will always be based upon the ideals and the stand the party takes. It will have to carry simplicity but logical. The ideas and reasoning behind the party must be ones that answers several questions that go unanswered in the current and previous leaderships. There are a lot of brains on this blog, some of them brilliant, some not so brilliant and others basically good for current MMD leadership. We know one finger cannot pick lice. Therefore, we should understand that the richest soil, uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds. So, even those that we think are bystanders, kaponyas, etc might have solutions for mother Zambia. I know for sure that leading people is a responsibility, not a perk. To whomever much is given, much will be required. MMD lacks both.
ati educated pipo, this woman knows she is talking about. i always give her respect and she is one of the Zambian women i give respect! thanx for the vid.
Thanks kalos2020 #59 . I respect and appreciate your Patriotism for my mother Zambia which happens to be yours too, am really encourged in the way you reflect on issues and one can tell your credibility for leadership .However I must suggest that we Unite as Zambian to make our country move forward ,Regardless of the geographical location we can find ourselves placed.
It not just enough to blog and comment on these leaders who can not deliver ,but let us fight we all represent our Country and let us keep the Zambian flag High.
Enough is enough “Badya pakwana “
People, let’s be objective, Inonge has done well to put Zambia on the lips of some American Churches and NGO’s. She has so much zeal to put Zambia on the worldmap, but she needs to let-go and not be selfcentred. Under the circumstances, the interview was well intentioned.It could have been better had she had been prepared. Economics is not her field and hence some shortcomings. I got the feeling that she was not advised or simply rushed into it. It is good that we are debating this interview so that we can all learn from one another. Let us stick to the subject and not her personality.
Number 62, thank you. I have no problem with what you have said.What about the comments by number 20 on the passports? The visa boss has not impressed basome of us here. No page response and no answer to any of the questions we ask. If you get thru its the machine that makes you wait until you give up.If you are lucky then the man himself asks you unneccessary questions as if you are a refugee.
#61, Thank you. The uniting thing is what has eluded us for some time now. KK worked well with that. But how do we forge ahead? We are the future of that nation and only us will save and serve that great nation. When people talk of corruption, they leave out one pertinent evil of tribalism and the need to unite. We saw what tribalism can do in Germany against Jews, Kosovo, Rwanda, Nigeria, Sudan, even Ethiopia were there’s one tribe but fought each other on the basis of clan. You and me might be of different dialects, but we come from one huge tribe-ZAMBIA. We should build and grow our nation on that foundation. Ultimately, we have only one Zambia and for sure it ours regards of how small, big, short or tall, dark or light, ugly or beautiful, smart or not so smart, Zambia is ours.
64 Kalos2020greetings and nice comment on your “We should build and grow our nation on that foundation. Ultimately, we have only one Zambia and for sure it ours regards of how small, big, short or tall, dark or light, ugly or beautiful, smart or not so smart, Zambia is ours. I just hope comments like “When people talk of corruption, they leave out one pertinent evil of tribalism and the need to unite. We saw what tribalism can do in Germany against Jews, Kosovo, Rwanda, Nigeria, Sudan, even Ethiopia were there’s one tribe but fought each other on the basis of clan. You and me might be of different dialects, but we come from one huge tribe-ZAMBIA” will be taken seriously by our leaders inn GRZ.
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Prevention is better than cure.