Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has urged Change Life Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya to respect First Lady Thandiwe and avoid dragging her into purely government business.
And Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha has revealed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has started a screening exercise of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure that those that have departed from their agenda are de-registered.
Gen Shikapwasha, who was speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, said the First Lady is not part of government and, therefore, should not be dragged into matters which concern the running of government.
He was reacting to reports in The Post Newspaper that Fr. Bwalya has written to the First Lady to ask President Banda to cut down on trips abroad and reserve the savings as money for transport for released prisoners.
“The First Lady is the mother of the nation and, therefore, she should be allowed to carry out her role and not be thrown into issues which are purely Government,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said it is impossible for government to stop President Banda from attending important meetings abroad and undertaking trips which bring investment to the country.
“We have a set programme for the President and his trips have benefited this country in terms of investment. We have also seen Zambians prospering because of these programmes,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said government has a programme it follows and that they are well budgeted for and approved by Parliament. He said care is taken to ensure that the money is spent appropriately.
“So, whatever is being spent on trips is budgeted for and is being spent to prosper Zambians economically. So, Father Bwalya cannot determine what Government should do or how it should operate,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha wondered why Father Bwalya rushed to write to the First Lady on a matter which directly involves President Banda.
“He should have written to the President himself. We have so many Zambians who write to the President and he replies to them. And as Government, we take into consideration some of their suggestions,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said the MMD government is working hard to ensure that it brings prosperity to the people of Zambia.
“There are so many indicators that there is economic growth, there is construction taking place everywhere, among other activities, this is as a result of the hard work the MMD is putting in,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said the economy will continue to grow while employment opportunities will increase. He said those civil society organisations and some political parties which always criticise Government do it out of jealousy of the MMD’s achievements.
And Gen Shikapwasha said Government has observed that most NGOs have departed from their original agenda. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs is checking on such NGOs, and that those found to be pursuing political agendas will be de-registered.
“We have seen that a number of these NGOs have gone political, so we will de-register them to allow them to form political parties,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Another RED CARD from the first lady (Red Dress). The Red Card campaign is in RB’s bedroom. ahahah
Fr Bwalya should have his NGO de-registered so that he can officially join PF.
Fr father is slowly losing it. Let him concentrate on distributing red cards and leave the first lady alone. His msg in the post was very good however, it was addressed to the wrong person.
Shikapwasha is absolutely right. Leave his wife alone and out of politics and let her lead her own private live.
This hate campaign must stop. What has his wife done to you. Leave her alone.
Mother of the nation? What an ambiguous pronouncement!
As a mother; she is the chief advisor to her hubby; Shikapwasha; unless you say RB does not listen to the wife as well!
Children often ask for stuff from their fathers thru the mothers, so Fr Bwalya is using the same approach asking mummy Thandiwe to ask Daddy RB to spend more time at home with his children, us the Zambians.The screening of NGOs will be done to silence all those who speak out against the wrongs in Govt. Thats why theymed the NGO Act so negatively.
Wat positives has the MMD scored Ronnie?You are failing to control the floods, people are getting poorer except for you who is getting fatter!Learn to LISTEN
I have always questioned if these guys Bwalya and friends have even tried to invite anyone from the government to attend there meeting if they refuse then you have a case … but they dont want to do that instead here we are he is writtign to the first lady… Such actions makes some of us question its agenda is it one of embarracing the president ..one of hatred .. or really a love for this country…
Like it has been mention write to the president even Sata has done that on several occations
deleted after 5 complaints
Aitaya apa Father uyu apa:o:o:o:o he is becoming a nuisance,i think the Red card is more than enough beyond this lock him up and throw the keys:-t:-t
”So, whatever is being spent on trips is budgeted for and is being spent to prosper Zambians economically. So, Father Bwalya cannot determine what Government should do or how it should operate,” he said. No wonder HH describes this man as ‘big body with very small brain’ because it f**lishness to say Fr Bwalya has no right to advice he’s forgotten that Fr Bwalya is a voter and a tax payer for that matter. UNBELIEVABLE
Did i hear you right Mr Shikapwasha? First Lady NOT part of this government? Then what is her stance in this country? I bet she might as well not be the first lady…Everyone is part of this government, whatever concerns the president concerns Thandiwe as well. Shikapwasha, think before you vomit. Since Rupiah doesn’t listen to the people, probably Fr Bwalya thought the president will listen to the wife through the open letter. 8-|>:p:p
I knew somebody from Govt was going to react to Fr. Bwalya’s letter. And these immediate reactions to whatever he says makes me wonder if there is a percentage of wisdom in some Govt officials. Surely the wise would just read Fr. Bwalya’s comments and carry on with business, no one is obliged to give a reaction. The more they react to his comments, the more they create him into a “hero”.
Imwe guys only soccer players should be shown red cards not the WAGS(wives and girlfriends) Ala ba Father you have blundered, ukupela sweet 16 Thandie a red card shuwa. Anyway, maybe desperate times call for desperate measures…maybe Thandie will hide the keys to the Challenger and ask ba mudala to spend some time with the twins at home.
Fr Bwalya lust for recognistion will end up badly. Just join Bishop Miligo and marry. Fr Bwalya is acting out of missing one basic needs, sex.
Fr Bwalya is just being human. He has realised Nyamasoya cant listen to anyone perhaps he could listen to his wife so he makes it like he is addressing her. At the same time Fr Bwalya is clever! By addressing the letter to the First Lady it attracts more attention. More people are reading it and look you bloggers Thandiwe wont give this message to Nyamasoya She doesnt have to.. he will read it
Mr Frank Bwalya must focus his energies on catholic priests who are humping young boys from the rear, defiling unsuspecting young girls and committing adulte.ry and breaking up marriages. Clean up your house Mr Bwalya, there are so many scandals in the Roman catholic church which you can address instead of prentending to be the voice of the oppressed when the very institution you represent are the worst oppressors. Rwanda genocide, World War, Vatican bank scandal etc.
As far as I am concerned the first lady status is a government office which is used as the softer office of the head of state in terms of it’s outreach to the community. It is wrong that Ronnie is trying to distance the first lady from government which it pays for it’s services!
The first lady has the capacity to influence the President to remove Ronnie Shikapwasha if things are not going on well. The first lady is a useful tool in our set coz she is more recognisable and respected that the Minister of Community because of where the office is!
Iwe Chi Shikapwasha, All past 1st ladies except Mama Betty have been campaigning for their husbands while in state house. Vera B4 divorced used HOPE Foundation, Maureen used MMCI and Ka Thandiwe since kaiche is trying to fuss herself in NGO’s that support RB. She has already started popping up RB ala. So why target the NGO’s that criticise you only. Atase.
He said those civil society organisations and some political parties which always criticise Government do it out of jealousy of the MMD’s achievements.
Iwe chi Shikapwasha Stop making noise!!!!!!!!!!! Your mouth stinks too much
Lets leave Tandiwe alone. Fr. Bwalya has lost it here. I wish to advise him to transfer his energies in sensitising the catholic church on the so many sex scandals going on, not far but within Zambia amongst the priests and sisters, then we shall listen to his moral advise. As a catholic, I feel bad about his behaviour. No wonder most young catholics have left the church. They seem not be a biblical spirit in most of them starting from some bishops, its a shame.
Father Bwalya! What is wrong with you. Leave our 1st lady alone and concentrate on Church issues. Maybe you can join pact for the sake of your anger. That could make you a bit happy. Leave MMD alone please abusa
its agenda is it one of embarracing the president ..one of hatred .. or really a love for this country…
Like it has been mention write to the president even Sata has done that on several occations
Leave the First Lady alone. Let Father Bwalya put his energy in poor people’s issues. Let him write directly to RB.
I was expecting him to comment (reaction) on the early release of a convicted white murderer and living conditions of prisoners. But he has avoided this subject, Why??
VIVA FR BWALYA. red card.
#11 what tax does Ka FB pay? he is just a parasite on poor church goers!!! he has never paid any tax in his life he is just a loud mouth who is full of hate. these child molesters are a big problem world over Zambian is not an exeption!!
shikapwasha sha! help us stop dosing in parliament. these are the results u end up dreaming what to say. Come back to reality.
“The first Lady is the mother of the nation”- “The President is the father of the nation”.I have always been confused by this madness. This is a silly phrase to cower citizens into submission. I have only one earthly father and mother. Get out of here with this bootlicking….
Mr Frank Bwalya next time you smoke, write to your pope. Please don’t forget to inform him that the brother-in-law to archbishop Mpundu receives eucharist despite fathering kids with his sister out of wedlock. The holy father will no doubt also want to be informed about the various se.x scandals in the Zambian parishes. Then hopefully the pope will permit you to start a red card campaign to bring morality and justice to the parishes. You misguided hypocrite!
it’s my hope and prayer that when PF comes into power so that all the people in the diaspora will return. if only, honorable willie nsanda will pass a motion in parliament to pay for their air tickets to come home. the finace minister then, honourable gbm will give you transport. we have seen how they are suffering as slaves. some sleep in one rooms as if they are in kanyama. others have failed to raise enough to even call home.
PF shall save all us zambians. and bring the diaspora home. no more nursing homes or odd jobs. you will work for the taiwanese.
viva the pact!!!lol
Ba Fr. Bwalya, please don’t drag innocent people into controversy. Thandiwe did not ask to be elected and is not a public official. You can invite her to visit an orphanage, because there is no question of controversy there. But to ask her to stop RB from undertaking foreign visits is controversial. Fr. Bwalya do you think that giving released prisoners money to pay for their bus fares is the most important priority in this country. You might think so, but I asure you, there are bound to be contrary opinions over the matter. Thandiwe can not stop RB from travelling just to support your controversial favourite project.
Thandie: Honey, I received a letter from our son FB?
Bwezi: Yes girlie.What does he want now? Last time I told him that I hated his red card activities. Hmmm, let me see the letter.
Thandie: Here you are, honey.
Bwezi reads the letter in silence …….
Someone once said, One wrong thing about a young fool is an old fool who says there is nothing more to learn. People let us listen from one another and forge forward as a country. If we cannot listen to one another then no one else will.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:((:((:(( batu tukila ka gelo!! Things seems senseless everyday. One can’t tell the difference between fools and the wise. Thandi is the govt. and she is enjoying our money that the hasband is stealing, she even has started calling shorts in the Emerald mine rights, trust me I we got the insiders from PF> U spill the beans we will spill yours, let Sata rule and we will let you go!!
FB is doing a great job. Giving MMD sleepless nights
I do not even know if them guys read papers. Shikapwashya can not read. Weak Soldier-
I will send Madame T some nice red lingerie that will surely give RB a heart attack
This guy Shikapwasha enjoy sleeping in parliament butdont know whether he doesnt sleep at home.
From the poor decision to write to the First Lady to the representation he made for the prisoners – I think Father Bwalya should have remained in prison to continue speaking for the prisoners. Followers of such a character are clearly psychopaths – does the pact support the Red Card campaign? The Father reminds me of one Captain Mphangula Banda.
The only way Thandiwe can be left alone is when she leaves that house meant for all Zambians. As long as Bwalya is a Zambian and thandiwe is squatting in the house Bwalya and other Zambians pays for, she has no choice but to be addressed by any concerned Zambian. After all she has not even paid back the money she stole as a GHOST WORKER at our MoE.
Kalos2020 You have been talking about this ghost worker crap for ages now. If you are a really concerned citizen, why don’t you take legal action against the “ghost worker”. The house where Thandiwe is squatting as you put it is for every Zambian – true. There are rules and guidelines on who squats there. Try to move your family there tomorrow – because you are a Zambian — and let’s see who will assist you shift. Your failure to be rational in your postings amazes me so much. Were you born after 1991?
As at now, every thing about Tandiwe is Government. To begin with the house she sleeps in, Her alowances, Food, clothes, Trips, Saloons, intertenment, the list is endless, so for Mr Minister to say leave first lady alone she’s not part of government is lack wisdom.