“Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn” –these where the words of the General of the US Army Douglas MacArthur, I echo the same words as our nation makes news headlines worldwide on most international media.
Headlines not because Zambia has won the world cup, not because, not because of a great invention, not because of a civil war, but simply because of a giant step of peace, so hardly ever seen, where the outgoing president coming from one party accompanies the winning president from a different party and exchange the instrument of power.
WOW! What gesture!
I first of all congratulate President H.E Michael Chilufya Sata and wish him all the best as he delivers what he promised Zambians. Let us all give him the due support that he will require as president of Zambia, for indeed Zambia comes above all.
You will however agree with me that besides Sata’s triumphant win,another champion here is Rupiah Bwezani Banda, hero he is indeed,freely accepting defeat all to the benefit of Zambians, all for the sake of peace, he willfully conceded defeat. No Zambian could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute as this, no Zambian be it PF, UPND, NAREP, HP,UNIP or MMD to mention but a few, no Zambian be it young or old, male or female could resist the yearning to standing in ovation as the old man RB stood by Michael Chilufya Sata at the inauguration of the latter.
An act that shocked the whole world, as almost everyone anticipated post election violence to erupt.
The two leaders accompanied by the father of the nation Dr Kenneth Kaunda, showed us that Zambia is everything, that Zambia is bigger than any human being, they showed us their patriotism to this nation,something that’s lacking in the young generation.RB indeed showed us that his duty was and is to serve Zambian, and that his COUNTRY means more to him than being in power, that the lives of Zambians mean more than anything else. That Honor is bestowed through peace.
And indeed I salute him, he has set a very good example, a landmark that every politician, every young politician growing up will live to rememeber,not only in Zambia ,not only in Africa but indeed the world at large.
Rupiah Banda stands today as CHAMPION, champion he is for sure, champion of peace,”karonga wa mutendere” as it is said in my native language to mean prince of peace, and I salute him. For that gesture was a great step in ensuring peace and shutting down all the speculations and evil motives of violence both from the MMD’s and PF’s camps.
Undeniably RB has shown Zambians that: Those three hallowed words in my introduction (Duty, honor, country) reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, and what you will be. His love for his country, the honor that he bestows, and his duty towards all Zambians will definitely earn him a place in the beautiful seats of history where the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and the likes are.
As Mahatma Gandhi puts it Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.I feel strongly that RB will be of good use to Mr Sata when it comes to offering advice,as he is a great states man.
RB has indeed showed us that and I urge youths to emulate him and learn from his immense wisdom, for he is a man worth of admiration, for he is champion and will forever be CHAMPION!
For goodness sake who ever loses an election has to accept. Where you expecting him to say no? What makes people African leaders have to refuse everytime they are voted out?
Kaunda accepted defeat straight away at a time when we never used computers. It took two days for MMD to accept defeat. Yes credit to RB but surely Africa has to move on. Politicians don`t own the country. For your information time will come for even the people of Zimbabwe to kick out a certain Bob Mugabe.
I hope king Cobra will emulate RB in 2016 as we Bembas vote for another bemba in Chipimo and never HH a Tonga.
its *****s like you that incite violence and foster ethnic intolerance, ZAMBIANS ARE ONE!! there is no Bemba, Lozi, Luvale, Tonga etc, just ZAMBIAN PEOPLE you myopic twat!
Not Chipimo. Me
I’m also inclined to see things like #1. So much laudatio for an outgoing president, more than he enjoyed whilst he was yet ruling, is suspicious in itself. It sounds to me as though RB’s greatest achievement in office was conceding defeat. But are we not supposed to judge leaders by their performance? Why not talk about the things he delivered during his presidency? It would make more sense.
Sure he is a champion in his own right for handing over power as it should be. That is why we have a democracy that the loser should accept with dignity and honor the constitution the swore to uphold. I feel the one who deserves even more applause is the voters who even with so much money flying around and intimidated through the hostile environment that prevailed in the country, they also proved to all of us that called Zambians were docile. They proved to the political elite that they are the shareholders and can fire the CEO if perceived to not work for their goals. So let us stand for both political players, RB and SATA, and the voters for proving the world wrong about what they thought was the inevitable. Zambia Dziko lamutendere. We are all Zambians after all.Salute SATA,RB & voters
My understanding is that, Ruphia has done a decent thing to concede defeat. Losing an election that he Ruphia thought, Sata will kiss the dusty again is difficult to apprehend and coming to terms. There are alot of internal forces who deeeply wanted to rig the election in the room state house where Sata indicated that there was some problems here and Mr Banda acknowledged. The fact is we deeply believe and accept the facts that Ruphia is a decent man who has been misled by those closer to him who enjoyed tremedious favours from his presidency. Certain individuals like George Kunda, VJ, Dora, Shikapwasha, William Banda and co, did not mean very well to his presidency but contributed alot to his fall. Shikapwasha insulted the Catholic (3.5- 4.5million). Kunda failed constitution, ACCsec37
just a correction======that Zambians are not docile as perceived
#4 where do get figures about the catholics in Zambia?Do not cheat yourselves just because they supported Sata does not mean they are holy ,they are actually trouble makers sooner than later the evangelicals will start hitting back back just wait.You are goping too far.
Infact Evangelicals are in majority just as those who voted against Sata
Im not in MMD but the man RB is a hero of peace…
i do adore RB and iam really proud of my country,iam receiving alot of phone calls from friends because many thought that its always the bullet way,it was a headline on bbc online,ccn etc.so the former president should not BE SUBJECTED TO THE COURTS but only his ministers who took advantage of his weakness somehow like DORA,KUNDA,PROPHAT OF DOOM SHAKAPWASHA, etc.
Let`s face it,its not easy being at the top.You know very well how deep you have to fall when you lose.Its taking a bullet after losing a war.RB took it like a man,A true soldier,a General.I Salut you General RB.I am proud of you sir.I hope the Cobra will not spit when its time to go.No donchi kubeba ,he should just go as well when its time up.Remember we are watching SATA as well.Let`s see if can beat RB`s wisdom.
RB did the right thing to concede and that should not be looked at as an EXTRAORDINARY act. The problem is that most african democracies are just names and have set such a low expectation. Its like praising a child for not cheating on an exam! I think its proper to acknowledge that the child who does not cheat on an exam has done the right but not to worship them because honesty and duty is the minimum expectation!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Rb
so one becomes a chamion after losing? rubbish! he had no choice but to hand over power that he lost by the will of the people, if i remember very well we didnt even give him that power, he stole it from us by force this time it was difficult! the champion is always the winner, thats why the word was invented!not the other way round, its just that some stories have not been published RB cried like an owl when he was told that he lost, ran to Livingstone with the instruments of power & it took KK to shout at him to bring them back for hand over, in fact KK said ” Rupiah mwana wakwitu, I handed over power after rulling for 27years, why should you hold onto it for only 3yrs that were given to you after LPM’s death? shame on you!”
poeple you are closing your eyes . its the post news paper that worked very hard to prevent voilence . the paper was very very clear imforming the gone govnment on what was happening on the ground and you guys saw the election result delays and the start of voilence which made mubwezeni banda kumunzi accept to have lost. so the post newspaper if they were like daily mail or times of zambia today here wuold have been bloodshed
Imwe, RB did not wilfully accept defeat. He was pressured. He tried to play, but this time around his games failed because the people were alert and therefore rigging attempts failed. Ala!!!
Rupiah Banda is a champion for sure.He and not Sata deserves a pat on the back and if anything a Nobel Peace Prize from the UN.Dr.Kaunda was not that gracious in defeat,He refused to attend Dr,Chiluba’s inauguration out of both anger and shame.Yet RB forgot about all these despite the pain and put Zambia first.It takes great wisdom,courage and insight to do what RB did.Lets learn to be level headed.The man is really a great statesman whether you like or hate him.If that great act had been done by Sata,you would have been singing endless praise songs.Now because it was done by some one you hate,you fail to see anything unique in this one great act which takes God’s blessings for one to accomplish.Give praise where it is due.I salute you RB.
RB was actually forced to concede defeat, thatnks to Great K.K. It was not in his best interest. When Copperbelt arose he remembered GBagbo thats how come he did what he did. Intelligency has it that elections was almost riged and RB was to win by 25,000 votes ask Mwaanga and his minions they may hide but we know the truth. This is why the Post was quick to tell the Nation about MC and PF taking the day. RB was too desperate to hold on to power. Thank God for PVT, the POST and irate PF sympathizers. I have NEVER seen such kind of desperation to hold on to power. Anyway how does he become the Hero when he emphasised the need to conceed defeat? Thats why people become bootlikers and make heroes out of the vanguished. Viva MC. Viva POST and Viva the ZAMBIAN people who can not be bought.
RB had his failings and we all know them, but no one should be upset by this article, RB did the hourable expected thing, but one should not take it lightly considering how other african leaders have held on to power after losing, one should look at Libya where force is being used to get rid of Cadhaffi even when it was clear to him the Libyian people wanted change. A man who decides to do the right and expected should be saluted for the noble act taken, does that mean he does not have to account if its proved that he did wrong no!!. RB i salute you, for a noble and honourable expected way to leave, you have averted trouble and possible conflict, whether you were forced to do it or not you did well to do it, now retire hourably but if you did wrong expect a knock on your door from the Cops
Can anyone please help me understand why our judges still wear those blonde wigs for the colonial times?
It has become like tradition,so tht when he is passing judgement,he thinks of the way colonial masters used to ill treat tha natives, then………No merce.
RB is a great man.
But little minds will not say that.
Little minds are consumed with a desire to see their cadre loot other people’;s property.
And, in such they find their joy.
What a shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chashupilefye ba Andrew he and MMD tried to manipulate but failed and the last option was just to surrender because Zambian where not behind MMD…
Chashupilefye ba Andrew he and MMD tried to manipulate but failed and the last option was just to surrender because Zambians where not behind MMD…Even the police
Where about?!!!!!!!!!!!! Chanda chimba
awee! the bandas were too excited balemona kwati chalo chabo……hmmmm. Dont take people for granted
ba HH bakalefye he should let MCS start his rule in peace its too early for him to start talking marabbish after all he is just a money monger he was paid by MMD to break the Pact he thinks Zambians can be fooled? no one will trust him again ukokwine ku SP! alaa!!
Some people have started worshiping SATA.
SATA should not become an angel just because he has gone to state house, and everyone else becomes a sinner!!!
It was SATA who championed THIRD TERM for Chiluba and lead the matcheting of innocent people in Kanyama, do we have short memory?
Did LPM throw him in cells after elections like he is doing to WB??
Did SATA not do the very things WB is being held in custody for??
Was it not SATA who was involved in Merzaf corruption scandles??
Was it not SATA who deposited govt funds in his personal account for personal gain??
Was it not SATA who insulted LPM and RB together with his POST editor (the PF govt media)?? Did these govts pursue him for what he did??
There is no morality in ill-treating others for the same things U do!!!
imwe mwebantu mwe. RB was forced to concede defeat. He was under pressure. KK, ambassadors and the Zambian people gave him a tough time. He cried because his people told him they would rig again. Well, him being so dull, drunk himself to .*.%@$. Now get this straight
#27 Nice try. We know that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata is not perfect. Oh, and all those points you state above , we’ know about them, but HELLO………….. we still voted for him…….kekekekekeke
#2 please please please. lets not talk about tribes. I am Bemba but I did not vote for Sata because he is Bemba. also remember that Sata was not voted for by Bembas alone . he got support from across the entire country (Eastern, Central, Wesern province votes were vital for him to win). we voted for Sata because we thought he had more to offer than the MMD. HH may actually win the ellections in 2016 if most people in Zambia vote for him so please please spare us the nonsense of “us Bembas”.
There is absolutely nothing to praise rupiah as a losing candidate for handing over of power to Sata.
Did you expect rupiah to hold on to power after losing an election?
What happened is a normal process expected of a normal society and nothing spectacular worth ululating.
Rupiah lost and had no choice but vacate the presidency to Sata
It’s the law stupi.d
RB you are man of peace nafuti nafuti
Whether you like or not,whether he was forced to concede defeat or not,the fact is that RB saved us from any imaginary war.Sata will also be surrounded by man born of a woman,not angels.These will also bring him down-just to respond to the Law of gravity.Where is Given Lubinda,the opportunist Mangani is taking over their territory.Don’t Kubeba 85 days remaining.
we are not worshiping MCS all we are condemning are those talking trush about him already leave the man alone to think straight for the sake of lovely zambians who have employed him he had enough insults from chanda chimbwe. He is indeed a champion thats wats up!!!
Come on lets be real… RB is not a hero because he conceded defeat. Thats just the way its got to be. A loser has to accept defeat and a winner is supposed to celebrate their victory. Shame on him for losing and shame on you trying to make things sound gud for him….
Its NOMBA NINSHI!!!! CHIKUBABE!!! sata aleteka MMD is gone en it will never come back!! mwalya sana!! en mulekakwa bane noushalimo akabamo fasten your belts kekekekeke!
@ #1
i think Zyambo is right RB needs to be commended he has set a trend in african democracy
Sata has Immunity en cant be compared to william banda
@3
Nine Chale says:
Wed Sep 28 at 12:55 pm It sounds to me as though RB’s greatest achievement in office was conceding defeat…” A typical African president would rather risk getting killed than concede defeat. KK wanted to be president for life, FTJ vied for a third term, LPM died in office and for once and much to his credit, we have a president who conceded defeat and peacefully handed-over power. This is what it should be all over Africa. It has not been that way. For the majority, rigging the election results is the way to go. This is the curse and scourge of Africa! RB for the Ibrahim Award. He certainly deserves to be the champion.
@18
Nachimbusa says:
Wed Sep 28 at 2:57 pm
”
RB was actually forced to concede defeat, thatnks to Great K.K. It was not in his best interest. When Copperbelt arose he remembered GBagbo……….”
I appreciate the detail you have provided. However, you seem to imply that the reason RB conceded defeat was due to pressure. Should we follow your logic and conclude that there was no pressure that was placed on the likes of Laurent GBagbo? Muamar Ghaddafi? Robert Gabriel Mugabe? etc. RB does deserve applause and praise for being the man he was when facing defeat. He is a great man. Most small men have failed where RB succeeded.
forced or not RB did a rare gesture in African circles he is a great man,worth of admiration indeed,A.Zyambo did it have to take MMD to lose for you to write a sensible article
iwe ka Friday Njikata do you think this country is for bembas. you are foolish , no more bembas for presidency now mark my words.
BEFORE YOUR (kalonga wamutendele) WAS ONE KENNETH KAUNDA ,THE FATHER OF ZAMBIAN POLITICS WHO SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF COLLONIAL MASTERS, THE MAN WHO LOVES OUR COUNTRY BEYOND POLITICS, WHO WAS ABLE TO PHONE CHILUBA LONG BEFORE THE COUNT WAS OVER TO CONCEDE DEFEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN MADIBA OF RSA MWALIMU NYERERE OF TANZANIA OUR AFRICAN NOBELS, WHO HANDED OVER POWER, WHEN, THEY COULD HAVE CONTINUED!! So please give us a break,the man had sworn he was going to do whatever it takes to remain in power! taking ZAMBIANS for granted, thank God he is gone, he was on a mission to ransack the country with his sons. we shall ever remain thankful to uncorruptable electorate in C/B, LUAPULA NORTHERN, SOUTHERN, WESTERN and LUSAKA , THANK YOU FOR JOB WELL DONE!!!
RB concede due to PRESSURE FROM RIGHT THINKING MINDS!!! Mambilima THREATENED TO RESIGN BEFORE THE COUNT WAS OVER, KK weighed in, The CJ already knew he was in the line of fire as well as the rest of the judiciary, IT WAS A VERY FINE CUT LINE, if RB was given the presidency, all hell was going to break loose, JUDICIARY & ECZ, were not going to be spared, their only safe route, was to go with the TRUE REFLECTION OF THE VOTE, & let nature take it course, it WOULD HAVE COST TOO MUCH, to just appease a few belligerent fellas!! This is a guy who conceded defeat, IN A TONE THAT WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE OF HIM OVERNIGHT, as of course, his dutiful speech writer had been the one slaving – that’ why he shed tears, being FORCED TO MOUTH THAT WHICH WAS FOREIGN TO HIM!!!! But hats off to him, he finally did!
The writer of the story is a shameless supporter of the man who himself shed tears for being forced to do what he did not want to do. You haven’t fooled anybody.