Northmead Assembly of God Church Bishop Joshua Banda has observed that it is essential for Zambians to take steps aimed at preventing all forms of violence and come up with constructive ways of resolving conflict.
Speaking at a Press briefing to mark the closure of a workshop on Peace Building Initiatives co-hosted with Patriots Worldwide in Lusaka yesterday, Bishop Banda said this is important especially that the country will be going to the polls later this year.
ZANIS reports that Bishop Banda said the greatest mark of a maturing democracy was through the country’s ability to conduct competitive free and fair elections in a peaceful and enabling environment.
He has further urged youths not to waste their energy on violent partisan activities but focus their creative energy in national defence and development.
And presenting resolutions of the workshop,United Party for National Development (UPND) National Youth Coordinator Brian Hapunda said participants have resolved that as the country heads towards tripartite elections, no alcoholic beverages should be sold in voting areas as it is a source of conflict.
Mr. Hapunda said it was not in the interest of young people to be used as objects of political violence but to be viewed as essential people to national development.
He also added that youth have resolved not to allow any political party to run an office or operate in markets and bus stations as this has for a long time now been the source of violence that Zambia has witnessed in the recent past.
He further said the sale of alcohol should be restricted to designated areas adding that any political party which will be found distributing alcoholic beverages should be taken to task.
Mr. Hapunda has urged the youth to get involved in meaningful developmental issues that will add value to their lives.
The one-day workshop attracted youths from political parties, the Church, Non Governmental Organisations among others.
ZANIS
Is this really news worth? Mr Banda Joshua is simply stating what everyone already knows and has not come up with any practical suggestions or new ideas.
For as long as our unemployed youths are paid 2 feign violet,we wil talk abt peace bt nt realise it esp if political parties dont take proctive steps 2 end violence
It’s Sata’s year, says Sondashi
By Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Thu 28 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT [320 Reads, 0 Comment(s)]
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It’s Sata’s year, says Dr Ludwig Sondashi.
Featuring on Mazabuka community radio station’s Livewire programme yesterday, Dr Ludwig Sondashi, the president of the Forum for Democratic Alternative (FDA), said support for Michael Sata has increased throughout the country.
Dr Sondashi said his party will not float a presidential candidate in this year’s general elections but will instead rally behind Patriotic Front leader Sata. He said a decision was made by the party’s extra-ordinary meeting held on April 16 for him not to contest this year’s presidential elections.
Dr Sondashi said Sata can make a good Republican president.
He…
Mansa is Listening my freind.. SATA for president
He said the FDA was not interested in cabinet positions once the PF emerged victorious but would want to see that Zambians are given a people-driven constitution that limits the powers of the president.
And Dr Sondashi has described as wishful thinking by some sections of society championing the cause for young people to take over the leadership of the country from the old.
He said experience was important in politics because it helped those in leadership to avoid making mistakes and added that a country cannot survive without the experience of old politicians.
Dr Sondashi said President Rupiah Banda has caused immense damage to the country since he was elected as Republican president two years ago.
He advised Zambians not to make a mistake and vote for President Banda in the…
Dr Sondashi said corruption in the country had now reached alarming levels because President Banda was embracing plunderers.
He said experience was important in politics because it helped those in leadership to avoid making mistakes and added that a country cannot survive without the experience of old politicians.
Dr Sondashi said President Rupiah Banda has caused immense damage to the country since he was elected as Republican president two years ago.
He advised Zambians not to make a mistake and vote for President Banda in the forth-coming elections because the consequences would be disasterous.
He said there was no development worthy of boasting by President Banda except that he had managed to reverse the mineral tax regime put in place by his predecessor, the late president Levy Mwanawasa.
‘’Rupiah is blinded by high copper prices on the world market and is now cheating Zambians that the economy…
Is this the same Sondashi who said he wanted to become president (of Zambia) so that his family can also enjoy living in State House?
Why do Religious people make noise in a political sense in Zambia. First, the government that starts to craft its laws in accordance with a particular belief set is going to run into trouble with citizens who don’t share that belief set. (see Taliban, for instance)
Secondly, if this MMD government use their religion as their guiding principle they will make decisions based on what his or her dogma teaches and supports rather than what is in the best interest of all Zambians (see “claiming of Zambia as a Christian nation)
finally, allowing any set of religious beliefs into a ruling body–which would be risked if the two were mixed–puts a government at risk of being subverted by those on a mission from God. That would make any non-believer an enemy. Thanks
Thanks Bishop for reminding us the best way to handle  ourselfs.
WOW!! who gave Mushota a keyboard to type whatever she/he types? This person is definitely not straight up there…i really can’t make sense of your blogs mwandi! please stop smoking weed iwee we kana.ngwa!!!
Priests and Bishops should desist from making political statements.True
Christian religion should remain neutral when it comes to politics because at 2 Cor.4:4 it shows that Satan is the god of this world and no true Christian would want any part of Satan’s world including taking part in its politics. Jesus said his kingdom is no part of this world and his followers are no part of this world. Satan tempted Jesus by offering him all the kingdoms of this world if he just did one act of worship to him.(John 17:16;18:36;Luke 4:5-8) And Ps.146:3 tells us not to put our trust in governments or man. And Jer.10:23 states that it was not meant for man to rule themselves.So,these are scriptural reasons that those who are a part of true Christianity do not take part in mankind’s politics. Thanks
Did the PF youth wing from bust stations attend this meeting. Am sure the guys form chilata can’t read or write and so could not make any statement. What a party. I feel sorry for its futureÂ
Good remarks from the Bishop, am not pentecostal but happy with you and not those that advocate for violence. Continue for the peace of mother Zambia and others will emulate.
awe Mushota mwandi brains aren’t everything. In fact in your case they’re nothing.
This is pretty good, this is what we expect from the clergy and not the insults that come from people like fatherless Bwalya and the likes of Simon Kabanda.
Mushota what do you mean? The same people that form a country despite divergent political views are the same christians who congregate. They need guidance. Life cannot be separated as spiritual and physical. Life is the same. Christian leaders are the light and salt of the earth. However, they should not take a stance like Frank Bwalya or Bishop Chomba because their flock belong to different parties. They should promote co-existence, common good and good governance.
@Chibontaila.He ought to be advocating for truth and justice as well as peace because in the their absence conflict arises.I will assume you are a guy coz of the example am about to give.You played football growin up.am sure you played matches where you thought the ref was unfair.can you remember the anger that caused.I hav seen many a peaceful pipo get into on pitch brawls.We need to an environment that is just and seen to be just for all players.then no one will hav to implore anyone to be peaceful.
#11, you are too ignorant and immature to comment on religion and politics. You are better off posting on blogs where people of your caliber waste time. The best thing you can do is speak only to those things you know.
Any and every effort to ensure that peace continues to prevail in Zambia is very welcome news to us.
So stop criticising those seeking to inspire people to remain peaceful.
Thank you ba LT for bringing Bishop banda, This man together with imakando benefitted from the NCC, they are two most irresponsible bishops i have never seen, i wont say much for the sake of the people who are following these conmen, time will surely tell………
Good afternoon
Like #1 has said, nothing really news worthy about this lecture. Peace and non-violence is not only appreciated by the clergyman but by all law-abiding and decent citizen of Zambia.
What’s amazing to me though, is to see Mushota laying down some strong and meaningful arguments today. Has someone tied her up and taken over her keyboard? LoL.
Jokes aside, progressive debate is much better than the usual dirty mud-slinging we get to see on the blog. Let’s hold up the clean and fair commentary!
Bishop Banda is right. Positive reinforcement is very necessary. The reason why most people insult on this forum is because there was no one to teach them or remind them when they were growing up that it was a sin to insult people. We need leaders who can inspire others to do the right thing. You people have developed corrupt minds, you think when adult politicians insult each other, that is what is news worthy. You must repent!
I agree with what Bishop Banda represents, but I do not accept Clergymen getting involved in politics. Woe unto them if they do not preach the Gospel. I do not anywhere see the Apostles discussing the governance of the Roman Empire, and that, notwithstanding its evil. Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Mr Joshua Banda can speak about Politics, but not Bishop Joshua Banda.
Thanks Bishop.
We need such guidance as a nation.
Greetings Nine Chale, yes indeed all that bishop Banda has said has already been spoken. Mushota is on a sense filled switch today; especially the second one with the scriptures. I could add other scripture to show mushota and us all that the earth and all in it belong to Jehovah. Or that the earth is God’s foot stool but that is for another post. Yes as mr. Nine Chale has spoken let’s desist for once from politics on this blog and be Zambians one nation people.
Bishop, Bring back NCC money first before you talk of violence