President Rupiah Banda has said that he will not use the title of Doctor, despite being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in political science by Rusangu University, a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA)-owned university.
According to a statement issued yesterday by special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere, the President said that he wanted to maintain the title of Mr although he appreciates the gesture by Rusangu University to confer a doctorate on him.
At the function the President Banda said he was deeply touched to be bestowed with an honorary doctorate degree in political science by a local university.
“I would like to thank Rusangu University for honouring me with a title of a doctor for political science. I am deeply touched and humbled. What is more pleasing is that Rusangu University will be one of my own and I accept the challenge of building the institution,” he said.
Rusangu University chancellor Harrinton Akombwa said the university had decided to confer Mr Banda with the honorary doctorate degree because of his political and economic contribution to Zambia’s development.
Dr Akombwa said President Banda’s good leadership has led Zambia to being ranked a lower middle-income country.
He said the university has bestowed Mr Banda with the honorary doctorate degree because of his distinguished career in political and economic affairs, and liberation of Zambia.
At the same function, new Rusangu University vice-chancellor Mutuku Mutinga said the university is playing its role in contributing to the development of Zambia through the production of highly-qualified personnel.
Prof Mutinga also commended Government for grading the six-kilometre road which connects the institution to the Monze-Livingstone road.
And PRESIDENT Banda has urged Zambians to continue investing in upgrading their education because the country’s development is anchored on an educated society.
Mr Banda said at the 5th graduation ceremony for Rusangu University in Monze yesterday that Zambians should continue advancing their education through which they will contribute to the economic growth of the country.
“We are going to be judged as a truly developed country only when our people have attained education. No country will develop when its population is less educated.
“Education is not a waste of money; money spent on removing ignorance from children is worth investing because the key to success is education,” he said.
President Banda commended the SDA for the role it is playing in supplementing Government’s efforts of providing quality education to Zambians.
Mr Banda said the SDA has played an important role in the development of the country and yesterday’s academic work is evidence of its immense importance.
“Allow me to say that my Government appreciates what you are doing and fully supports your initiative of providing a holistic education that seeks to train the head, the hand and heart of the whole person,” he said.
President Banda said Government is strongly committed to supporting higher institutions of learning such as Rusangu University because it recognises that the task of educating citizens is expensive and should not be left to Government alone.
The head of State said by providing training facilities locally, the church is helping Government to conserve foreign exchange that would have been spent on training Zambians abroad.
Mr Banda said he is happy Rusangu University has pioneered the training of professionals in science, which most private institutions have avoided because of high costs involved.
He urged the graduands to use the education they have obtained from Rusangu University to serve Zambia and help the country to develop.
“In the recent past, we have witnessed a mass brain-drain in various disciplines in the region. Since your country has provided a platform for your training, it is only fair that you go back to serve the people,” Mr Banda said.
Meanwhile, professors from leading universities in Zambia have hailed President Banda for his outstanding dedication to education.
The professors present at the colourful ceremony were Zambia Open University vice-chancellor Dickson Mwansa and Mulungushi University vice-chancellor Vernon Chinene, and Lusaka University’s rector Pinalo Chifwanakeni.
Prof Mwansa said Mr Banda was present at the crowning of the first vice-chancellor of Mulungushi University and commended the President for committing himself to the improvement of the education sector.
Prof Mwansa said since Mr Banda ascended to the Presidency in 2008, the education sector has witnessed a massive growth of private universities that are offering quality education to Zambians.
And Prof Chinene said Mr Banda was supposed to have been on a campaign trail but chose to be at the graduation ceremony, which shows that he attaches great importance to education.
“You are supposed to have been campaigning Mr President but you have found time to be here with us and this is a sign of how you value national education,” he said.
Mr Chifwanakeni commended Government for liberalising the education sector.
And Copperbelt University vice-chancellor Mike Musonda also commended Mr Banda and congratulated Prof Mutinga on his appointment as vice-chancellor of Rusangu University.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Our humble president. We will thank you in the ballot box. Rusangu should confer batata ba Sata in doctorate of anarchy
where is Rusangu Úniversity? do they have a website?
Rusangu is in zambia southern province in monze district. it about 12km from monze town. you can search rusangu university. God bless
ba Kateka, that’s the way to go! Mandela has numerous honorary doctorates but does’nt use the title “Dr”. I also applaud madam Thandiwe’s insistence of not having her own self serving foundation like her predecessors (Hope foundation, MMCI). I respect your humility and hard work, keep it up; we’ll work flat out to ensure you get another 5yrs. Abash Sata, viva RB nafuti nafuti…
He cant use it because he has not earned it and he knows it.
Banda has a degree and Sata is a Grade 7 failure (former police constable)
FTJ once said he did not want to be called His Excellency. He wanted only Mr President. The rest is history. Last time I checked, he was being called HE and he did not protest.
Kalos2121, as usual your comment is totally misplaced. You must learn to distinguish issues. Much as he may try, a president cannot run away from the title of His Excellency, it is an inherent and inseparable part of the presidency. It’s like in our culture your children insisting on calling you Sir when you insist that they should call you by your first name. Totally different from honorary titles, put your time to good use go and campaign mate.
That’s good I hope all the people making noise, to this story on watchdog can read this and be happy.
Kuti waseka sana pa zed every sitting president shall be called Dr either corrupt or not. and the next one shall be called Dr micheal chilufya sata, what a nice tittle. Can zambia just amend this tittle in the constitution for next presidents?
Sata will never be President of Zambia
Ba Katie Good, I think you have a problem understanding English. Next time read between the lines to find what people are writing. So it seems you failed to understand that I was discussing Banda stating that he won’t be called Dr. Banda. Chiluba issue was an example of how they lie before hand and after few days, they are what they said they don’t want to be. Please read again before you rush to make necked statements. Do you have headaches thinking?
Katie Good, if you knew what I am doing you wouldn’t say what you said about putting my time to good use. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Enjoy your good time. I will leave you with one adage: Play now, pay later. Pay now, play later. I don’t know what you do, and as such, I will wish you good luck in your endeavors. But please do not assume everyone is doing nothing but you. Putting my time to good use cannot be beyond what I am working on. I will leave you with that.
This is the funniest joke of te day. Rusangu University? What sort of University is that? Does it even have a single academic who holds any form of post-graduate qualification? This is definitely an honorary doctorate I would gracefully not accept. It’s just an embarassment. If I was alabee, I wouldn’t even allow this to be published in a newspaper!!!
Kwindi, I have never seen an ignorant person such as yourself. Please grow up and next time research before you post this petulant nonsense.
You are as ignorant and petty as Sata
I agree with you kwindi kodjo. Do these people even know the criteria required for an institution to be called a university? Jokes pa zed. People need to look up what makes a university. As far as i can tell, there are only 2 institutions in zambia that can universities in the proper sense of the word, UNZA and CBU.
Truth be told. The ka university has moral or academic capacity to confer a PHD. The bachelors is not even recognised by small companies in Zambia and they want to claim to confer a honorary degree.This is an insult to the president and the academic world
Truth be told. The ka university has no moral or academic capacity to confer a PHD. The bachelors is not even recognised by small companies in Zambia and they want to claim to confer a honorary degree.This is an insult to the president and the academic world
So he decided 2 ask a local university to honor him! Why didn’t he ask his country-mate Bob next door to do the honor?. And he couldn’t wait! Just in case tables turn on Sept. 20th. These guy should earn the titles and not buy them.
I love President Banda’s commitment to education. President Banda has educated all of his adult children even up to Post-Graduate level. This is a man who is committed to education and it is evident by the number of schools he has built country wide. President Banda is proving to be ever wise despite what people say about him.
No matter how much hatred people carry for you President Banda, we have seen your positive works and your humility and we the Zambian people shall give you a second mandate this September. The jealous ones can chock with envy, we don’t care.
Education is uplifting, inspiring and empowering and it is positive to see your drive to have an educated population. Well done Mr. President.
Building schools,roads, clinics should not be election issues. Presidential candidate should explain their policies on employment , health care as opposed to constructing hospitals. Mind you, using a computer does not mean that you are computer literate.Similarly, Building a school doeas not mean that you have a good economic policy.
He has no choice on the matter. An honorary degree is just that! The other people calling themselves doctors using false degrees are jokers and we have too many of them in Africa. In Europe many academic people with real PhDs do not put doctor in front of their names. Why do we love titles so much?
Does anyone have the website for this university? I just want to know the courses they offer. I want to go and teacher there, NOT.
Good statement Jacob. Real people with real degrees put PhD after their names. That signifies earned and worked for degree. Even medical doctors use MD after their names.
Fyaboboka manje. Just used your Honorary Dr. title, ufisanji mambala? Are you scared of other leaders asking you at the UN General Council where you got the Honorary degree from? And when you say I was ‘given’ by Rusangu University then they will say is that a dog or a type of monkey? Just used the Dr. titles it’s nice and you won ‘t be going to the UN ever again anyway because Sata will be going there after being conferred with a Doctorate degree by UNZA, one of th best Universities in the world. were I got my first degree. Why do all presidents in Zambia, the first thing they want to do when they assume power, is to steal money, then be conferred with a degree by some stupid University?
I like this…. Afisanji Rubbish Bin
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, awe Analysis wansekesha wee. its long since i laughed like this..thats why i miss Zed sometimes, the sense of humour is just too cool.
Analysis you are a big ***** we will c where satana will take u.
Dokota Rupiah Bwenzani Banda is that a type of rodent or what?
iwe leka! walanjipaya nenseko…ha ha ha ha ha ha. ” Dokota Rupiah Bwenzani Banda is that a type of rodent or what? “
Pathetic!
Is that news worthy? Typical is of Zambia Daily Mail/LT,  extension of dokota Bwenzani vuvuzela
hahahaha…..one of the best jokes of the year,ati rusangu university.Zambians are very funny people.When i see some comments saying banda is humble i really cant stop laughing.I know RB is very dull ,but not as dull as to accept such f.oolishness.:((
the way RB is looking at that ka young fresh blood mu picture is highly suspicious, i think he’s secretly giving her his phone number in that hand shake
Aikana pantu yaba rusangu pa zedi. If it wad harvatf owe
And this Professor Mutinga is also a thief how do you commend a President for grading a road? I don’f see any colour in this so called ‘colourful ceremony’. The only colour I see is red high heeled shoes, a red bungle and a red head band. All the Professors are boot-lickers who think they will be given jobs or be kept in jobs. In comes Sata and all this nonsense has to end. There will just be hard work. Lusaka will be like New York in 90 days.
kampingu tayafwa..its shameful to be called doctor something when your calibre is so low….and a doctorate from an unknown university for that matter. i dont know of any graduate from this university no wonder they are in a hurry to be on the map..thats the way to go RB..doctor rupiah bwezani banda pa farm..awe teti ipase because soon you will be back at the farm ..
#23 You are so malicious. I thought RB has better credentials among the presidents who have come before him. He deserves the honorary doctorate, but since he understands what it takes to carry to earn such a title come before someone’s name RB has chosen to remain MR. But for what he has done in this country where people do not know that pardon brings national healing and persecution deepens hatred and division, the unprecedented economic positives scored and just to bring to our newspapers and public meetings a smiling face of presidential material provides him every right to be honored. Even the Mwata Kazembe who is never influenced in his opinion accepts RB has scored. Instead of using DR, I think Zambians should honor its good leaders with the title: CHIEF.
RB is educated and very close to a PHD. so he cant use an hounorally doctorate ehen he can easily get it in two years. its a joke to think of confering a docterate digree on sata. the man will break in pieces, imagin stretching him from standard 4 failure to a PhD. RB deserves it he has a first degree in economics earned in sweden. Ala muke paisha sata ukumutwika ico teshibe. while his friends benifited from free education before and after independence sata concetrated on vigilante unit and dancing at meetings. dont blame RB for going to school that why if you follow history RB has always been aheard of sata.
He has diploma in history of economics. I don’t know how that can be close to PhD. Two years? Is that another diploma or PhD? You are kidding.
RB did History (Economic History). Why do you want to twist things?
It is not RUSANGU UNIVERSITY,it is ZAMBIA ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY. RUSANGU is the name for secondary school.
Thank you for seeing sense in not using the Dr Title. You need to study for a PhD to earn that title. The late president was a desperado for wanting so much to be called Dr with his assemble academic qualifications. Bravo RB for accepting that even as Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda you will still command respect. You truly value those that burn the mid nite oil to earn their PhD degrees.
#22 So so, then why does Rupiah behave as if he is not educated? His Boss Mwanawasa was honourable in what he did but him he just came and changed everything. I don’t care even if he got a degree from Sweden, does he think he is ABBA or some kind of a super-hero. After all he didn’t pass with straight A’s like I did.
You are right #24 Chiluba, a bus conductor, did all he could to feel educated by doing s.tupid Master degrees and threw himself at Universities to confer him with s’tupid degrees, where is he now with his degrees?
Which university is this? It is a shame that all it takes to get a PhD is to be a Zambian president! A true PhD you work for is hard to come by.Â
People in Zambia think every building should be turned in a University to develop the country. Mulungushi University, Rusangu University (SDA or whatever it is), Lusaka University and I also found a Northrise University in Ndola when I was there last year. These things take time. Don’t just dream of making a University then walk into any building and call it a University. And these Presidents who think they arrange to be given doctorate degrees as a way of campaigning among the academics are pathetic. We know exactly what RB is playing at. Diverting people’s attention from his corrupt practices. You’ll be probed mambala.Â
If it was Oxford or Harvard University Ufisanji Mambala would be insisting they all refer to him as Dr Kanishamezy!
@23 Kashimani, Zambia Adventist University is now called Rusangu University , named after the same Secondary School where it is located
Dr Banda for sure!
Just as s.t.i.p.u.d as the people at that university what ever it is called who gave it to him.
Are these so called Universities accessible to the needy poor Zambians or are they just another way of stealing in the name of Education?Â
Imwe mwebanthu RB was confered with an honorary docorate not a phd. These aresimilar to those given to many pasters in zed
I also share the understanding on no. 11 @ Jacob, that an honorary degree is just honorary and those that want academia Excellency should tireless work towards that with a lot of hardwork to gain PhD or more recently DBAs. It is however up to the honored to use or not use the honorary degrees, Mandela and Mugabe are good examples, they have honorary degrees but do not want to be referred as doctors because they did not earn them and I want to applaud RB for taking this route and wish that the media will also respect his choice not to use Doctor before his name.
#32 your argument is totally confusing can you not use English if you can’t express yourself well. Just use nyanja/ngoni or chewa we will understand you better. Are you a Pastor who is a doctor of some sort?
Why continue talking about Rupiah. I thought we are through with him and just waiting for Sep 20th
Now now now, what got into my head messing up with the likes of Kalos2121? Sorry naleka, waste of time.
We are not through with Rupiah until he explains a lot of things that have gone wrong.
I meant to add that these are topics to stimulate the minds of the likes of Kalos2121.
@Analysis mwalanda sana bane. Tusheniko naifwe tulandeko, okay love?
Analysis # 33 you are just confusing yourself. Not all doctorates are PHD’s. Most pastors in zed are Dr. Pastor apostle….remember there is also DrMBA, DrPH, DrEd etc. by the way I am a scientist doing on my post doc (Phd in astromicrobiology) which is as n emerging area of microbiology
RB engineered this little “university” to confer him with this nonsense….! How else can such a corrupt man earn it, everywhere he steps u smell corruption….my fellow MMD members lets work to clean our party and bring back democracy, the way it used to be, let get rid of this UNIP opportunist, he is a joke and we are tire of his desperate manipulations.
He knows he does not deserve it.
No University will ever give Sata a honorary dotorate degree,in zambia or anywhere on planet earth.A standard four failure,kwisa!R B is most educated President among the four we have had.At least with my humble two diplomas,and a first degree fom UNZA,any university can confer one on me.Mr.President congrats.
Congrats Dr Banda…. despite the fact that we are voting you out, jealous down you deserve it…. well done…. I am not in support of any discrediting the small Zambian university that has honoured the President…this is typical Zedians, we cant appreciate what we have unless it not there…..then we come with sharp teeth….No…. we want change of government because we have had enough of 20 and that the pace of development has taken 20 years as well….PEACE…. critise because one has a solution which PF does and no hatred speech
Sorry #38 ndakofye aka last about #39’s comment. Sorry Vice President, I forgot about other doctorates. I was only thinking about my PhD and not others’. I even forgot about the doctorate of Nevers Mumba, the former Vice President (I hope it’s not you) who masqueraded as a pastor and later showed up as a politician and now he is a diplomat. Thanks for reminding me but whatever the case RB is going in a few months time and will be accountable. For now he should stop cheating people and prepare to go back to the farm where he won’t need the doctorate. I fear he might to even make it to the farm. Might jus end up in Chimbokaila Prison.
#38, by the way I am not taking am typing epompelele.
People chooses whether to us honorary doctorate degrees or not. People like Mandela and Desmond Tutu have honorary doctorate degrees  but they chose not to use them.Â
And some of you are questioning Rusangu university and yet it has been there for years now. Dont question their credibility becasues SDAs have some of  the best universities in the world, like Roma Linda University, Andrews University, South West University. The have a lot of knowledge when it comes to providing education
#2BIG PIPE,dont dare compare Mandala to your shreck RB,that University hs no one to confere that stupid Phd on and thats why they picked on him.What political science has so far done? bull shit
What is important is that RB has said that, breaking with past tradition, he does not want to be called DR. Very surprising that this decision alone, has generated so much insults and blatant lies on the blog, such as him not having any University Degree. 20th Sept is very near bane, direct your missiles at that – or is it that some people have be caught with their pants down with the short notice and they are clutching at every straw that offers opportunity to lampoon the other, seemingly more prepared, colleagues?
By the way what was RB doing in the bush accepting such questionable bestowments? Just musing…
@Analysis okay mwatypa sana. Happy? Ok now let’s get back to work.
I do not give a damn whether he is called Dr, Sangoma, Vimbuza or even Kanjoko, as long as he start packing his bags to vacate state house sooner than later. And also imagine the tear andwear all those children he sired in old age are causing to the fabric of state house! The place will need a complete face lift to remove all those “Bwezani was here” graffiti he and his goons have papered state house walls with.
this university is dishing out an honorary doctorate before it actually awards any PhD to any student? guide me people but has anyone graduated with a PhD from this yUNZA?
suspicious…
I almost thought the worst had now gone with the wind? I must think RB was just short of saying no to the offer. Its really a shame. Not to mention the world, I wonder what the ranking of that Rusangu Uni. in Africa or even the region is. Meantime RB is hallucinating on Radio 4. I must be changing my online radio channel to BBC World Service.
RB is just a buffoon, even Maradona and Alex Ferguson or even Pele have one, its nothing to tap dance about at least some people are invited to reputable Universities to give speeches unlike these mickey mouse pieces of paper.
Forget Buffoon RB for a minute and think of the free marketing this college/ school is getting…if i opened a college I would hand out an award to Mr. Sata…now that would really rub in and guarantee me free publicity for the whole year!!
I am just curious about whether the president would have maintained the same stance had the honorary doctorate been confered by Harvard University. Just wondering…..
Maybe we should confer sata with a grade seven certificate!!!!
Maybe we should confer sata with an honorary grade seven certificate!!!! But would he deserve it, no! Try honorary nursery school entry form just to make him feel like the other kids. lol
Maybe we should confer GBM with a degree in ANIMAL HUSBANDRY because he is an ANIMAL and a HUSBAND!!! CHI wife beater cho ina
The university is sub standard and that is why RB would not use the title. I wouldnt use it too unless its from a reputable university. That university does not offer doctoral programs and I even wonder where they got the right and courage to do such a thing. May they have just started offering PhDs the other day
So does it mean every president will be called Dr? Abuse of titles.
This is not new ,only the educated lawyer left peacefully ,All you dunderheads will force universities to honour coz its too late to go back to school .Dont worry doctor Sata is on the way .
Foolsake RuBish Shrek Ufisanji Mambala!! Shame to you chi sugar daddy!!
nice legs, the ka gal nice Mr. President
Dr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda! sounds nice to hear. He has been awarded, he may not want to use it, but it is there as part of his CV.
Great to be governed by Doctors, even better that it is a local one honouring the State President. i wonder who shall follow after him and which university will awarding him/her!
@ 70 PF Carde with Red Card
Ha ha ha!! Waiona linso la RB pa ka mwana. The eyeballs even sunk to accommodate and see with the stereoscopic view of the girl.
RB the Predator..
Look at him drooling and salivating uncontrollably at the beautiful young lady.. you’re going back to the farm, this time next year you’ll be delegating farm chores to your farm boys…You dull chap enriched yourself at our expense!!
If people had not voiced their opinions about how ridiculous this is he would have used it. Stupid! You don’t deserve a Doctorate let alone a high school diploma. Go back to the farm after November 2011 thats where you belong not in State House, wasting our time traveling the world like its the first time flying on a plane!Â
I recall few months ago when Mr Sata went to oxford university so he could be given a honoury degree but alas he came back home empty handed. He he fyabanabene. Bravo RB you make us proud. Nafuti nafuti..
He gave a speech at Oxford University miles better than a piece of toilet tissue from Rusty basic school or night University…you are a really thick plank my friend!!
Anti-corruption . I was of the view that there is no corruption in Zambia. Why do you carry this name? I know that Sata is married to a real Doctor. How about Dr Banda? This is how mature Sata is. Even is former wife was a Head Teacher at a High School-Kamwala to be specific.
Was this a graduation ceremony or ‘lets praise Banda’ ceremony? I wouldn’t have wanted to Graduate on this day, because it seems to me that this day was about Banda than the people who studied so hard over the years to graduate!! Am sure MMD cadres dont see anything wrong with that as long as banda is being praised, this is ridiculous!
Rusangu what? its not even on the registered collages i know in the country.
The one and true award RB deservedly got was the piss that little State House Monkey baptised him with …not this rubbish!!
Nice skirt and shoes
He is Dr RB whether you haters like it or not. The fact that he has said that he won’t use it does not make this SDA University less than that cave you call UNZA. This cave gave ZUMA the Doctorate but he is not using it. Why because of the same…a cave university!!!!!!!!!!
IWE Mr. Capitalist – 3 E’s steering economic growth OR WHAT EVER U CALL YOURSELF…GO TO UNZA AND SEE THE DILAPIDATION…THEN CHECK YOUR STATEMENT!!!!!!
THANK YOU JESUS!! ONE LESS BOGUS DOCTOR, AWE MWE.
That is the way to go R.B. Pa Nkoooolooookoooo
I found a strange number in my GF phone above, when i asked her she said its for RB, I COULDnot believe but when i called dickson jere answered and said the boss loves your GF and would make her first lady in his second term in office, then i asked about thandiwe , he said never mind we know what to do
Analysis u r such a big ***** just stay in the diaspora economic refuge and failure who is not proud about his country kulibonesha if u think standard 4 will rule this country wabepa mambala.
Maxwell chikala
Analysis chikala kolwe wila ponta ukabutuka nakabili
anyone who can convert a mulitparty democracy back to one party is a Doctor!!??
# 11, # 15. Go To Google and check for Rusangu University, it’s a church University. It’s even better than UNZA. No linkage.Too Dull
At 89, it cant be better than UNZA despite its dilapidation, look at the university ratings
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